If you have had any interest in running shoes for the past decade, then you undoubtedly know about the Saucony Kinvara, as it’s been a staple on the market as an affordable, lightweight, and durable performance daily trainer.

Although Saucony used to have a solid monopoly on the affordable daily trainer market with the Kinvara, there are now plenty of solid options within this category, so let’s go over our top 5!

I include my own personal photos of the shoes below as I have tested each of these. 

5 Running Shoes Similar To Saucony Kinvara:

1. Brooks Launch 8

2. New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3

3. Hoka One One Rincon 2

4. Skechers Horizon Vanish 2

5. Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 3

Reasons Why You Should Pick a Shoe Similar to the Saucony Kinvara

Honestly, if you are looking for a shoe that reminds you of the Kinvara, then I am betting you probably already owned that shoe, or you know many of its specifics in detail.

However, in case you need some extra guidance when it comes to why you should choose that type of shoe, take a look at how it can improve your running.

Comfort:

This might be the immeasurable spec that most runners give the most importance to with their shoes. Comfort really is king in many regards. If you are going to be spending so much time on your feet running, then you will inevitably want something that fits and feels comfortable on your feet while training.

One great aspect of the Saucony Kinvara is that it manages to provide a nearly ideal amount of comfort while maintaining some lightweight and stripped-back design features in its upper and midsole.

Something to consider, however, is that some features within the Saucony Kinvara will feel super comfortable for some, but not so much for others

 One example of this is the 4mm heel-to-toe drop. While some runners will absolutely love this feature, as it allows them to move more naturally, others will find this puts a high level of extra stretch on their calves and achilles, which will lead to lots of muscle and tendon soreness.

Other shoes we list here will have some higher heel-to-toe drops and some more stability, so if you are still looking for that lightweight versatility you can get it and still feel a little safe with some extra stability.

Versatility:

This might be where running shoes like the Saucony Kinvara thrive the most, as the way they are constructed allows you to essentially use it for any type of run (from long and slow recovery runs all the way down to some speedy 200’s and strides).

Some questions to ask yourself if you want to know about a shoe’s versatility are:

• How many different surfaces could I run on with this shoe?
• How comfortable will I be going slow and fast in this shoe?
• Could this be the only shoe I bring on a trip with me and still have (nearly) limitless options?

If you can answer yes to all of these example questions, then there is a pretty good chance you have a versatile running shoe.

Affordability:

Let’s be honest, for many runners the name of the game is money. How little or how much does a shoe cost? AND what kind of return on investment will I see with such a shoe?

Although the price of running shoes is generally trending higher, running shoes like the Kinvara still provide plenty of “bang for your buck” sitting at an MSRP of $110.

Thankfully, there are still other trainers on the market that provide similar comfort, versatility, and affordability as the Saucony Kinvara, so here we go!

5 Running Shoes Similar To Saucony Kinvara

(with Reviews)

A versatile and affordable daily trainer, the Brooks Launch 8 is a great option for those looking for the reliability of a lightweight running shoe but might be pinching pennies a little bit.

To be frank, the Brooks Launch 8 performs well above its class (or price class) in most areas.

The Air Mesh upper is breathable, comfortable, and snug over the top of your foot and ankle. It has plenty of airflow, but your feet won’t freeze while running in colder weather.

This might seem like a little thing, but I was super happy with how easily these shoelaces tie-up. It is super easy to get a good fit with this shoe before getting out for your run.

The midsole comes with similar efficacy.

The BioMoGo DNA midsole foam may sound like a lot, but honestly, it just feels like a solid mix of cushion and rebound. There is no crazy “bounce” or “pop” to this shoe, but it is stripped back enough to the point where most people could wear it for tempo runs, hill repeats, and even some speed workouts.

The Blown Rubber covers the entire bottom of the shoe and has plenty of grooves for added flexibility in your stride. Nothing crazy to note here, just some solid traction.

This feels like a shoe that people wore for workouts before the onset of the “super-shoes”. It is stripped back, light, and ready to just kind of take on anything.

If you aren’t sold yet, also know that the fit is true to size.

If you are interested, I did a full comparison between Launch & Kinvara. 

Pros & Cons of Brooks Launch 8

Another lightweight option you can take a look at will be the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3...which is a lot to type out a ton of time so I will be calling it the Beacon v3 for the rest of our time together.

Once again, it is pretty simple in design.

The upper is New Balances standard Engineered mesh, which actually feels like a hybrid between a mesh and knit upper to me. Also, it is one of the shoes on this list that offers a wider toe box for those who need extra space.

Although it is quite comfortable, I have experienced some sliding in the ankle collar area and it does not feel as secure as I’d like. Nevertheless, there is an Ultra Heel lip to reduce achilles irritation and rubbing (which I have had troubles with in the past).

The midsole definitely provides some “snap”, but the cushioning leaves something to be desired. It is the Fresh Foam X midsole, which leans on the more responsive side of the equation.

The outsole has a Ground Contact Fresh Foam, which is essentially just some exposed midsole. This will lead to durability concerns, but it keeps the weight down nicely. Given what they are trying to do with a lightweight and snappy trainer, I think it all works ok.

There are a couple of Rubber Pods strategically placed on the lateral forefoot and medial heel to provide durability in high wear areas. This should increase the lifespan