I have been wearing Saucony Kinvara 3s for a couple of months now and I love them! It seems the 4mm drop really suits me. I had always been in more traditional shoes before (Brooks glycerin for a while) and had a few niggles, which miraculously disappeared when I changed to the kinvaras. Now I'm triaing for my first half marathon (Sept 29) and I need a new pair of shoes. I want to buy some Kinvara 4s, which my LRS have a sale on right now. But the other day a guy from my running club recommended I get a less minimalist pair of shoes to run long runs and the half in, but I feel fine in my kinvaras. I have done a long run of just under 10 miles in them already. Any recommendations/experiences to share?

I have only ever had one pair of running shoes at a time, but now that I'm running 5 days a week I feel justified in getting a second pair. My husband just doesn't get why one pair doesn't last me for years... sigh. He'll just have to deal with it.

Double post, need more coffee.

I have done up to 12 miles in them so I would think that they are good for HM distance.  And I am slow so 2 hours of running in training it's good.

Enjoy that coffeee and thanks for the advice. I think I'll be fine in the Kinvaras. I forgot to say I transitioned very easily to them. I just need some reassurance and to see that others do this.

 

My runner friend from the club has run many HMs before and acts like I should believe and follow his every word. 

I also found it very easy to transition from 12mm drop shoes to the Kinvaras.  Actually I transitioned to the Cortanas first, but they're also 4mm drop (as are my racing shoes).  I want to try the Virratas next and see how a zero drop shoe feels, probably not much different, since I'm a pretty solid mid/forefoot striker.

I always welcome advice from more experienced runners, but I also make sure to keep in mind that we're all different and what works for one person might not necessarily work for everyone.  Altho, I've also found that just because a person has run a lot of races, doesn't always make them knowledgable.  I was talking with a guy on my last business trip who has run four marathons, and I could tell just from a few minutes of talking about running that he didn't really know much about how to train properly (blowing up at mile 16 in all four marathons is probably a pretty good indicator of poor training, imo).

I've done a marathon and two ultras in Kinvara 3s. If they work for you and feel good there's no reason not to use them for longer runs.

Is it naive of me to say "Just use what's comfortable"?  I realize there are shoes for this purpose and that purpose, shoes for this distance and that distance, shoes for this race and that race, but I use the same pair of shoes for all of my running (New Balance 1400).  They are a light racing flat.  I've raced in them from 5K to marathon, and I use them for all of my training runs.  I do that because they are comfortable.  I figure I'll just stick with what works. 

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. It's great to hear from runners who use/have used Kinvaras. I think I will go with another pair.

Just wondering how the low heel drop works for heel strikers????

I'm not a heel striker, but from what I understand the low heel drop encourages heel strikers to move to mid or fore foot. I wonder if there are any examples among us?

I'm going to get some 4's. The only problem I've had in my 3's is blisters on the second & third toes of my left foot. Maybe the mesh means the toe box is slightly bigger. Anyway, I'm prepared to use duct tape on long runs to solve the blister problems and enjoy the bliss that is Kinvara!