Forums >Gears and Wears>Durability of Kinvara 2 vs. Kinvara 1
Has anyone noticed a difference in the durability of the Kinvara 2 when compared to the Kinvara 1? I put 350+ miles on my first Kinvaras before I retired them. Now I'm about 20 lbs lighter but running much faster and longer distances and my Kinvara 2's feel shot at just around 175 miles. Anyone else had this experience? I'm needing new shoes and debating finding something to replace my beloved Kinvaras. I'm all for new shoes, but I need more miles out of 'em than that.
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I never ran in the Kinvara 1, but I am in live with the Kinvara 2, mostly because of the durability. My first pair I put on about 400, second pair about 600.
Why do you say they are shot?
I'm creeping up on 550 miles on my current pair. They are going to have to go soon because I have worn completely away a couple of triangles of harder rubber in the forefoot. For the 65 or so buck you can get a pair for at runningwarehouse.com you cant beet them.
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This is my main shoe. The 1's and 2's are almost identical. Mainly cosmetic updates according a friend at Saucony.
They do not last long, as most minimal shoes don't. I run for about 400 miles in them and move on. They'er generally cheaper than other shoes so the cost per mile is on par.
If they don't change them much I may run in these shoes forever.
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Tangent - it is good to see shoes like the kinvara and some of the NB minimus shoes that are a wee bit cheaper than beefier shoes. It puzzles me to see something like the Merrell Barefoot line with $175 price tags. Whaaaaaa?
I agree with Daddyo--1 and 2 are basically identical and are equally durable (or not). I am closing in on 500 miles on my current pair of 2's. They are about done. But they are a good value--I generally find them for under 70 USD.
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Oh, and I am liking the Cortanas.
+1
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I recently bought 3 pairs of the 1s on clearance. $69. Then, found a mispriced pair of 2s the same. I'm set for a while
Right now, Men kinvara 2s are 69.94 at runningwarehouse... regular price. Plus 15% running club discount if you qualify.
Cortanas are quite a bit more, alas. (115)
I was lucky. I got mine on e-bay for $20. Some woman had put less than 20 miles on them before breaking her foot in an equestrian accident. They look like they had never been outside a box.
runningwarehouse is generally my source for 60 dollar Kinvaras as well...unfortunately for Daddyo, I don't think the are allowed to ship to Canada.
Ah so. I was trying to remember if Monsieur Pere-io was Canadian. I thought maybe. Should have gone with my gut.
And so I suspect my version of $69 may not be his.
Only thing I'll add is that it wasn't the sole or tread wearing out that made me retire my first K2s after ~330 miles. They just felt flat and my shins and calves ached badly for 2 easy runs in a row. In between I ran 13 miles in a new pair with no issues. They just broke down. But still good value at $64/pair. But there really should not be a durability difference between the 1 and 2. They're pretty much identical.
I tried the Brooks Pureflows and liked how they felt. Same 4mm drop but seems like a more durable shoe. Try those or, as suggested, the Cortana or Mirage for a bit more durability. But that does come with a bit of added weight.