Saucony ProGrid Kinvara 2 Running Shoes
March 2, 2012 by Ironman
Filed under Running Products
One of the things I found out while researching the differences between heel strikers and runners who land on the fore or mid-foot, was that different styles of running shoes can offer very different experiences during the run. The vast majority of shoes have a very highly cushioned heel to accommodate the more common heel strike; whereas for the true minimalist or barefoot running shoes, there is little or no padding at all. The effect of this padding in regular shoes not only means that the foot is protected from ground impacts, but the heel is also held higher than the front of the foot. What I was looking for – as a midfoot striker – was a cushioned shoe with a lower heel. Saucony Kinvara 2 was the choice I ended up making.
Running Shoe Styles and the Heel Toe Drop
If you are a forefoot or midfoot striker and have already made the switch to a true minimalist shoes, for example the Vibram Fivefingers or Vivobarefoot, then you are running in shoes where the heel and toes are striking the ground at the same height. In other words, there is a zero heel-to-toe drop. This is one of the reasons that the calf muscles get such a good workout when wearing this style of shoe. Of course, the running style itself can also be fairly taxing on the calf and achilles, which is why special care needs to be taken when transitioning from a heel strike to a forefoot or midfoot strike.
On the other hand, if you wear regular running shoes, the heel toe drop could be a high as 14 millimeters. It doesn’t sound a lot, but if you switch from these shoes to a racing flat or minimal shoe, you could be putting extra strain on your leg muscles and tendons.
Saucony ProGrid Kinvara 2 Review
I was looking for some running shoes with a lower heel toe drop than the 12 millimeters on my Saucony Ride 2, because a lower drop is best for enabling midfoot strike during running. The model I ended up buying was the Saucony Kinvara 2. Apparently, other reviewers liked the original Kinvaras but were slightly disappointed with the lifespan of the soles. So for me, it was a bit of a punt getting a pair of the second issue Kinvaras. However, I am now a good three months into them, and the treads look great still, so maybe the rubber compound for the Kinvara 2 shoes is a little more robust than for its predecessor.
Out of the box, I was actually astonished by just how lightweight these shoes were. They weigh in at 7.7 ounces and you can imagine the cumulative benefits you’ll get if you run any kind of distance in these compared to other heavier shoes (my Ride 2′s weigh 1.6 pounds!) They slide on easily and feel a bit like wearing just socks; they really are that light. But unlike socks, they have quite substantial forefoot and heel cushioning. This was quite surprising when I first wore them, because I thought the lightness would mean quite a lot of breaking in before I’d be able to run pain-free. In fact, they felt great, straight out of the box.
The only minor problem I have had with these is not really a problem with the shoe itself. As I was in rehabilitation mode after a calf injury, I found that the lower heel height could cause some slight stiffness in my lower calf, especially if I tried to do too much running too soon. This almost stopped me from running a scheduled race, as my calf tightened up and need physio to loosen it up again (I ended up running that race in my Ride 2′s to take the pressure off my soleus and achilles).
If, like me, you are a huge fan of Saucony running shoes, then you will be pleased to know that the sizes are pretty standard. I’m a size 9.5US, and this size has always fitted me, whichever Saucony model I have chosen. So if you already wear this brand, you should be fine with the same size if you need to order your Kinvara 2 online, like I had to.
I’d definitely recommend these shoes, especially if you are going through the gradual transition from being a heel striker to a mid- or forefoot striker. Or if you just want some seriously lightweight shoes for racing, but which also have some nice protective cushioning. My plan at the moment is to stick with the Kinvaras for races because I love them, but alternate with other shoes for training. My Ride 2 shoes are soon coming up for retirement, and the word from Saucony is that this year’s Ride 5 will feature a smaller heel toe drop of just 8 millimeters rather than the previous drop of 12 millimeters. This will make them the ideal pair of training shoes for when my calves are feeling a little too tight for the Kinvaras. I hope you’ll love the Saucony Progrid Kinvara 2 shoes as much as I do; for me, I reckon I’ll always have a pair of these in my rotation from now on.
Saucony ProGrid Phoenix 4 Running Shoes
March 20, 2011 by Ironman
Filed under Running Products
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| Buy Women’s Saucony Phoenix 4 from Amazon | Buy Men’s Saucony Phoenix 4 from Amazon |
Saucony ProGrid Phoenix 4 running shoes are designed to provide an element of stability to runners who mildly overpronate. My usual preference for road running used to be Saucony Ride, which are neutral and pared down for biomechanically efficient runners. However, this year, they didn’t serve me too well and after suffering with right hip pain after training, I investigated the possible causes. It turned out my right foot collapses – overpronates – during the stride cycle, and so I opted for Saucony Phoenix 4. The result? No more hip pain.
So there’s a general reminder for everyone: if you get any odd pains, especially in your knees or hips, during or right after your run, don’t just put it down to old age, creaky joints, wrong terrain, (insert your own here). It could be that you need to go to a specialist running store and get a gait analysis done to see how you perform during the stride.
I mentioned in my review of the Saucony Ride 2 that they felt a little cloppy and hard; certainly they were a firmer ride than the original incarnation of this model. So if you think you need a little extra comfort and bounce, then I’m glad to recommend Phoenix 4. I ran in them last night as I was itching to try them out. They are extremely comfortable, and hug the foot snugly – for some that might also translate as not having a roomy toe box. However, these shoes do not squeeze as they have a very light and flexible Airmesh upper, which is great for keeping cool on long runs, and which also allows moisture to wick away. The sales patter you might find proclaims that the uppers assist circulation, which is probably true since they are soft and supple enough to be super comfy even for fairly wide feet.
As the name suggests the Phoenix 4 running shoes continue the theme of featuring the rear foot ProGrid cushioning and stability system, but the midsoles also provide a huge amount of cushioning, which made a massive difference for me, after having used the ProGrid Ride model for so long. I have to say, I love these shoes just for the bouncy cushioning both in the heel and the forefoot. This is due to Saucony’s HRC – High Rebound Compound – which is incorporated into the HRC Stroble board, which works in unison with the ProGrid system to provide superb shock attenuation in the heel when landing, but also to offer responsive support at toe off.
That covers comfort and general aspects of cushioning, which pass with flying colors. What about stability and the control of overpronation? There is a number of features in Phoenix 4 which take care of collapsing arches during the gait cycle. First, the midsole is made from dual density compound, with higher density on the medial side (aka the inside, under the arch) to slow down and minimize the angle of overpronation. Then there is the Midfoot Support Bridge, which holds the foot in the neutral position in the middle of the gait cycle. Does the technology work? It sure does! I have seen the before and after using a treadmill and a high-speed camera, comparing Saucony Ride 3 (significant overpronation of the right foot) to Saucony Phoenix 4 (no overpronation at all).
Other features, which you’d expect to have with any new pair of running shoes, are delivered by these. They are light in weight despite the cushioning and stability technologies packed into them. They also have good flexibility and nice grippy treads via the carbon rubber outsoles. Where I run, it is nice to have that extra traction and the confidence to stride out knowing I’m not going to slip.
Conclusion: definitely worth a go if you are a mild overpronator, or just want to run in a more comfortable shoe, as they are great for many different types of runner. However, the Saucony Phoenix 4 is a 2009 release, so it might be a case of catch ‘em while you can! The Phoenix 5 update is available via Amazon UK, but if you have difficulty getting hold of the Phoenix, below is a selection of the most legendary alternatives for overpronators.
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Saucony ProGrid Ride 2 Running Shoes
August 11, 2010 by Ironman
Filed under Running Products
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| Buy Men’s Saucony Ride 2 from Amazon | Buy Women’s Saucony Ride 2 from Amazon |
Saucony ProGrid Ride 3 (Men’s) – Silver/Blue
Saucony ProGrid Ride 3 (Women’s) – Silver/Black/Pink
Whether you are competing in triathlons or just prefer the running – for fun or for other sports activities – your most important piece of kit is your running shoes. It is imperative that you know which shoes to buy, because wearing the wrong type can be a contributing factor if you are continually getting injured, or have unexplained pains. These pains can appear in your leg joints, particularly the knees but also the ankles, and badly chosen running shoes can even wreak havoc with your lower back, not to mention the fairly obvious foot pain you might experience. So if you are looking for your first pair of proper running shoes, go to a reputable store that caters primarily to runners, and get a gait analysis done. You will either be a neutral runner, an overpronator (with flat feet which roll inwards when running), or a supinator (high arches and your feet roll outwards when you run).
The Saucony Progrid Ride 2 running shoe is designed for neutral runners, but has tons of cushioning and has received favorable reviews from runners whose feet roll outwards, or supinate. Although they have plenty of shock absorbing ability, they are fairly pared down inside the shoe, which means they might not stabilize an overpronator’s feet enough; there is no built in arch support, but if you already use orthotic inserts, these Saucony running shoes will probably be ideal.
Despite being designed for neutral gaits, the shoes are flexible and lightweight, which is why runners who supinate also find them excellent and really comfortable for long sessions. Saucony Ride 2 shoes are packed with technology, which smooths out your run while still encouraging you to hone your running form. They use the ProGrid and Respon-Tek advances to provide superior cushioning to dissipate shock and absorb footfall impacts. And they also feature an Impulse EVA midsole to further enhance comfort on those long road slogs. The uppers are stylish and lightweight too, made of strong mesh – which in the case of my original Ride 1 running shoes outlived the blown rubber sole. Moisture wicking sock liners are incorporated as standard together with anti-microbial Ortholite to guarantee the most comfortable and cool running you could ever dream of.
Some of the highlights with the women’s Saucony Ride 2 trainers are the superb cushioning and the slightly wider fit compared to other brands. This is great if you have slightly wider feet and want a really cosy pair of jogging shoes that doesn’t pinch or strangle your feet, or otherwise interfere with your enjoyment while out running. Almost without exception, the reviews of the ladies Saucony Ride 2 are glowing. Actually, the reviews on Amazon are pretty positive all round for the ladies and the men’s versions.
There is a slight blemish with the Ride 2 shoes that didn’t appear to be the case with the previous Ride edition, and this has been picked up certainly by one reviewer on Amazon, who claims the shoes feel a bit “cloppy” to use his word. I noticed this myself having worn the original Ride last year, and now a few months into my Ride 2 pair. They feel slightly firmer as your feet hit the ground, slightly less bouncy than the originals, but overall they are a great pair of running shoes, and the cushioning technology ensures there are no adverse shocks to your joints when you run. All in all a very smooth ride, and they are especially good as the brand is very reasonably priced compared to others such as Asics for example.
For a pair of cheap Saucony Ride 2 shoes, you have to check out Amazon, as well as the ads in some of the major running magazines. There are usually some fantastic discounts to be had on these, and it’s my intention to stock up with a couple of extra pairs, to cover my running for the next couple of years!
Saucony Ride 2 Running Shoes & Related Items
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