Editor rating:
9/10 on
TAYLOR GUPTON
User's rating:

PROS

  • Feet stay dry in the rain!
  • Smooth, soft, but snappy ride

CONS

  • Runshield upper does not breathe particularly well
  • Pro-lock technology in the midfoot upper can be constrictive

OUR VERDICT

The technology used in the Runshield upper does exactly what it is supposed to and keeps your feet dry even in moderate to heavy rains.
SHOE INFO
Brand
Kinvara 6 Runshield
Model
6.90 oz. (196 gr.)
Weight
110 US$
MSRP
Previous model
WHO IS IT FOR
Neutral runners. Aside from the upper and a couple additional millimeters of stack height, the Kinvara 6 Runshield is identical to the Kinvara 6.

Saucony Kinvara 6 Runshield First Impressions:

The additional thickness and opacity of the Runshield upper was visibly noticeable upon first seeing the shoes.

Currently, the only available colorway for the Kinvara Runshield is black. Not the most creative, but the utility of this shoe in inclement weather is its flagship feature.

My first run in the Kinvara 6 Runshield was five miles in a moderate to heavy rain. I was very pleased to find that my socks and feet were dry when I finished the run.

My typical routes include a combination of road, gravel, and groomed limestone trails; the Kinvara 6 Runshield performed well on all surfaces.

As a neutral performance shoe, I have enjoyed wearing these shoes most on up-tempo runs.

The Kinvara 6 continues to utilize Saucony’s signature PowerGrid technology underfoot with imperceptible changes to the shoe’s platform from version 5. The Flexfilm external support frame has been updated for added flexibility.

Saucony Kinvara 6 Runshield General Info:

The Kinvara 6 Runshield maintains the same simplicity and style that has led to the establishment of its die-hard fan base since it first hit the market in 2010.

This shoe feels good on any and every run type. Use it as a daily trainer, speed trainer, and long run shoe.

Known for its impressive balance of comfort and performance, it offers an impressively soft ride given the lightweight construction. There’s a reason scores of runners are intensely loyal to the Kinvara.

Saucony Kinvara 6 Runshield Sole Unit:

The Kinvara 6 employs injection blown rubber in strategic zones on the sole in order to keep the weight of the shoe down while providing optimal durability and protection in areas where the highest ground contact occurs.

Saucony’s PowerGrid platform is constructed of a foam material under the sockliner that is designed to evenly distribute pressure and impact with each step.

This is the technology behind the exceptionally smooth and responsive ride. I expect that runners will be able to get as many miles out of the Kinvara 6 as they did previous versions since the sole unit remains largely unchanged.

Saucony Kinvara 6 Runshield Upper Info:

The upper of the Kinvara 6 Runshield designed to keep your feet dry in wet conditions. Despite the thicker and sturdier material, the Flexshell upper is plenty flexible and allows the foot to naturally flex.

The upper definitely performs just as it was designed to and keeps moisture out. I was quite impressed with the performance of this shoe in the rain.

It has certainly become my footwear of choice for rainy running. I am most looking forward to running in the Kinvara 6 Runshield when the temperatures cool off in the fall and winter.

Because the upper locks out moisture, it also does not breathe well and I have found my feet getting hot on afternoon summer runs. I predict this will be a great shoe for snowy runs in the winter.

Like the Kinvara 6, the Runshield model also employs the Pro-Lock lacing technology which I find to be uncomfortably restrictive around the middle of my narrow feet.

The Pro-Lock pieces are located underneath the main upper unit, but on top of the tongue. Fortunately, the more I have run in the Kinvara 6, the more forgiving they have become.

I definitely avoid wearing thick socks in these shoes. For a runner with a lower arch or wider foot, the overly tight Pro-Lock system could potentially cause significant discomfort.

Despite this issue, I did find that the toe-box was adequate.

Saucony Kinvara 6 Runshield Conclusions:

The Kinvara is Saucony’s most recognized contribution the running shoe market for good reason, and version 6 is in keeping with the lightweight, high-performing comfort that runners have come to expect from this shoe.

The Runshield model takes the utility and performance of the Kinvara a step further by keeping feet dry and comfortable in wet weather.

We thank the nice people at Saucony for sending us a pair of Kinvara 6 Runshield to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.

Saucony Kinvara 6 Runshield Price Comparison

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