Saturday, July 17, 2010

Saucony's Kinvara - a minimalist shoe that's simply beautiful



Website: Saucony.com
Price: MSRP $90

Don't be deceived by its featherweight construction and racy looks. The Saucony Kinvara is a substantial running shoe

Prior to testing both the Kinvaras and Grid Tangent 4's I had never owned a pair of Sauconys. I'll admit I was interested in the brand because so many people that I know love the fit and feel of Saucony running shoes. I had tried on various pairs of Sauconys from time to time and found them very comfortable. However, unless they just don't fit your foot at all, most running shoes feel good on the carpet of a running store. It's not until you put them to pavement (or on the trail) that you understand how a given shoe compares to your standards for comfort, support and durability. When Saucony offered Runner's Tech Review the chance to try the new Kinvaras we were extremely excited to put them to the test. These shoes, with their ultralight weight, minimal construction and low (4 mm) drop between heel and forefoot, were exactly what Born to Run fans (those who prefer shoes over bare feet or sandals) would want. Plus, they are about the coolest looking running shoes out there.

Both Adventure Girl and I received our Kinvaras back in May and immediately started running with them. We were careful to keep our distances fairly short to protect ourselves from straining those muscles and tendons that are usually protected by our more built up running shoes. She and I have had different experiences with the Kinvaras so we're providing our personal perspectives below.

Saucony Kinvara (Men's)


The Emerging Runner
My first impression of the Kinvaras (that I reported on emergingrunner.com) was that they "felt more like a slipper than a running shoe. Once I began to walk in them and got a sense of how they worked with the foot I realized they were nicely responsive." I'm a 9:00 to 9:30 minute miler but the first couple of times that I ran with the Kinvaras I averaged about 8:45 per mile. As I said on that day's post: "I have to give credit to the shoes for helping me attain that pace since I can't think of another factor that would explain it."

Despite my lower than average arches and tendency to pronate I haven't had any problems adapting to this shoe. I've usually done well with neutral trainers (except for Nikes) but for longer runs I still prefer some stability control. Since all my runs with the Kinvaras have been under six miles I may not have passed the threshold where the lack of control impacts my comfort. Despite the minimal construction of the Kinvara, Saucony provides enough cushioning in the midsole and surprisingly good structure in the "barely-there" upper to produce a very stable ride. The counter of the shoe is very flexible and it contributes to the slipper-like feel but the lacing system keeps it all in place.

I thought I would use the Kinvaras as a race shoe (and I may eventually do that) but I'm thinking of them more as lightweight trainers that are helping me develop a mid-foot running style. Saucony has also provided a pair of Grid Tangent 4's which are extremely lightweight cushioned stability shoes and I have raced with them once. I'll review them on this site as soon as I have more experience with them in competition. So far I've been impressed with their fit, feel and performance.

Emerging Runner's Bottom line:
Prior to Saucony's launching the Kinvaras I was closely considering the Brooks Green Silence shoe. The folks at JackRabbit discouraged me from moving to them as a daily trainer and I went the other way with the Brooks Adrenalin GTS-10's. It was the right advice, but it left a gap in my shoe portfolio. The Kinvaras fill that gap handily and they deliver everything I need for the distances I routinely cover. I can see myself choosing the Kinvaras more often as I continue to develop my mid-foot running style. I'd like to see how these shoes feel on a run closer to ten miles and I suspect I'll still be happy with the results.

Adventure Girl
Saucony's ProGrid Kinvara is the first minimalist running shoe that I have ever tried. For the last few years I have used one of the more mildly stabilizing shoes on the market. Since I've often questioned whether I needed the stabilizing at all and love my footwear to be lightweight, I was excited to try the Kinvara.

Having now run with the Kinvaras for a month, I've found that it’s an excellent choice for your ‘first time minimalist’ because it provides a surprising level of cushioning for its feather-like weight and structure. Anyone who has read Born to Run and is working on developing a “light and easy” style of running (a mantra I frequently find myself silently repeating to myself on tough runs) will find the Kinvaras an aid. You can hardly feel the weight of the sneaker when it’s in your hand and it’s even more invisible on foot.

At first, I ran with the Kinvaras on trails with rolling hills. I found that the ankle support wasn’t adequate, which led to a ‘tweaky’ feeling in my right ankle. So, I saved the Kinvaras for runs on paved bike paths and it was there that they, and I, began to hit our stride. I enjoyed their feel more with each use, as long as I stuck to paved routes.

The minimalist construction provides ample ventilation, which makes the shoe an excellent choice for runs on hot summer days. (On the flip side, I think they’ll be too chilly for my toes in the winter.) The mesh that encases the shoes has been dressed up with graphics. On my women’s version of the shoes the graphics are a refreshing grass green. There’s also a blue version available.



Saucony Kinvara (Woman's)

Adventure Girl's Bottom Line:
I recommend adding the Kinvaras to your wardrobe as a second pair of shoes for days when you’d like to feel light and run fast (race day?!). From here on out, I’ll be considering the Kinvaras my go-to footwear for fun running that steers clear of trails and rugged terrain.

Reviewed by Adventure Girl and the Emerging Runner
Posted by The Emerging Runner at 4:53 PM 3 comments
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Moji Knee - Field Test

Website: GoMoji

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcchicago.com/video


The Moji Knee is is an innovative system for athletes who are looking for a way to ice a knee injury without giving up any mobility. We received a sample unit from the company so that we could perform a field test during race and then test under less rigorous conditions.

Our original plan was to field test the Moji cold compression system during a 180+ mile relay run over a 24-hour period. We quickly encountered a problem keeping the Moji's frozen gel cold cell frozen as it needed to be transported without a cooling source for three hours prior to the race. Over this duration, the cell thawed and it was no longer cold enough to use. So, the first lesson is that it's important to use the Moji system within 20 to 30 minutes of removal of the cell from the freezer.

Due to this limitation the first Runner's Tech Review field test with the Moji was performed a week later, by two women who had completed a grueling hike/run. One of the reviewers was suffering from severe knee pain and the other utilized the system solely for preventative joint maintenance. Let's call the first reviewer A and the second B.

A had been using frozen ice packs off and on throughout the day before transitioning to Moji. She immediately declared it a significant upgrade and remarked that she particularly appreciated the simultaneous application of cold to both sides of her knee. In addition, A found she was able to comfortably move around the house while wearing the Moji. As someone who experiences chronic knee pain, A indicated an interest in investing in a Moji (or two -- as she experiences pain in both knees).

B used the Moji after hiking, running, and playing soccer. She cautioned against wearing the Moji on a bare knee without first thawing the gel pack a bit. Since B used the Moji as a preventative measure only, it was difficult to judge its effectiveness over a short duration of time, but, like A, she also indicated it evenly distributes cold temps across the entire knee, except for the backside. Since B's leg is slim, she didn't feel comfortable walking around because the Moji tended to slip down her leg, but it is important to note that the sample that was provided was sized for a larger person.

Both reviewers had difficulty correctly putting on Moji without referring to the instructions and both agreed that the device is made of very high quality materials. Other observers remarked about the quality and 'professional' appearance of the Moji Knee. The packaging was attractive and the reusable storage bag was useful for easy and clean transport.

The third test was performed by an active runner who used it to treat some minor knee pain and as a preventive measure after distance runs. The Moji Knee was easy to set up and it provided excellent cooling around the entire knee for the first 30 minutes. Once the gel began warm up from contact with the knee it became far less effective. It was also difficult to tighten the brace enough to keep the cold directly on the targeted part of the knee, especially when walking. Another benefit for the design is that it can be wrapped around the upper thigh to provide support and cooling to the quadriceps muscles.

Overall, we recommend the Moji as a high end therapeutic tool for those with chronic knee pain. Anyone undergoing physical therapy for the knee will find it extremely useful, and it could surely be worn during electro stim treatments. Just be aware that it won't be adequately cool for use after more than an hour outside of the freezer. For those who'd like to use Moji in situations where access to a freezer isn't available there is another product we didn't review, called Moji to Go, that might fulfill your needs.

The Moji Knee retails for under $85 and is available at http://www.gomoji.com/

Emerging Runner Labs Rates "MixMyGranola"

Website: MixMyGranola

MixMyGranola can be described as Web 2.0 for food. Consumer generated content on the web that you can eat. Interesting yes, but is it a good experience? I took it to the Emerging Running Advisory Board to see what they thought about this product. The raters were me, Sedentary Man and Adventure Girl and our rating criteria were based on quality, taste, freshness and value.

According to their website, the company started when the founders concluded "none of the ready-made granolas that [they] could find in supermarkets and grocery stores really fulfilled all of [their] granola dreams. They created MixMyGranola.com to allow customers to custom-make their own granola mixes.

I was happy to try it out. Raoul from the company provided a gift certificate that allowed me to create a pound of mix. There was a dollar limit so I needed to constrain my choices to allow me to choose a combination of ingredients that added up to less than the amount of the gift certificate so I could reserve for shipping. The MixMyGranola website is attractive and the process is made very clear. You choose your base granola and then choose dried fruits, nuts and grains. You can even choose non-traditional mix-ins like gummy bears although I can't imagine a person who is so interested in good granola would make such an unhealthy choice. But the Emerging Runner is not here to judge the customers, just the company.

The selection process was simple and I liked the fact that, with each step, you understand both the cost and the nutritional makeup of your choices (calories, fat, fiber, etc.). I chose a mix with a muesli base, dried strawberries, dates, walnuts and pecans. I entered my personal data, the certificate code and then submitted. I received an acknowledgement of my order and my mix showed up a few days later by Fedex in an attractively designed tube.

I divided the mix up and gave portions to SM and AG and asked them to rate it based upon the above criteria. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being best) the three of us scored it as follows:

Quality: 4.7
Taste: 3.7
Freshness: 4.3
Value: 2.3

Impressions:

OVERALL
(ER) “I liked that I could specify every ingredient and I also liked the quality of the ingredients. Flavor (muesli) was slightly bitter and would have benefited from some balancing sweetness (dried fruit helped a little). I wished that I had chosen a granola base. Value questionable - can you justify paying $12/lb to get exactly what you want versus paying $8-9/lb at a high end market for a good quality mix?”

(AG) “Good website, fun process, nice packaging. Excellent fruit and overall quality. I think MixMyGranola is something I’d purchase as a treat or for consumption during a special race or event, not for everyday consumption and training.”

Criteria

QUALITY
(AG) “Definitely top-notch, as reflected in the below comments regarding taste and freshness.”

(ER) “I don’t have many points of comparison but this seems to be very good stuff. The pecans were huge and there was a generous amount of mixed-in ingredients.”

TASTE
(AG) “The muesli had a pleasant, oaty flavor that helped to counteract its dry, dusty nature. The fruit contributed the most vibrant flavors. The dates and strawberries alike were perfectly sweet, although I might have preferred more of both. The pecans were very good and counterbalanced the sweet fruits, although might have been better if toasted (roasted?).”

(ER) “I did not care for the muesli’s flavor but the rest of the ingredients tasted great. I added some brown sugar and heated the mix and I liked it much better.”

FRESHNESS
(AG) “Here MixMyGranola surpassed any other granola I have had recently. The fruit, in particular, wasn’t overly desiccated as you often find with dried fruits. Instead, they were moist and almost reminiscent of the texture of gummy bears. The strawberries were a quite surprisingly jewel-toned red that didn’t deviate too far from the natural color of a strawberry to be suspicious. The oats were too dry, but I think this is their nature. I added half of my portion to milk, and that improved the experience dramatically.”

(ER) “Certainly fresh, no complaints about that.”

VALUE
(AG) “The price is prohibitively steep. I think silver is trading at approximately $12 a pound, and this granola exceeds it by a few dollars. I might be willing to pay $15 for an entire pound of the delicious strawberries, but I think the sticker price is too high for a mix.

(ER) “Unless you are a dedicated granola fan with very little free time I question the cost against the work to buy high quality ingredients like these and mix them yourself. All the same, it’s a fun experience and a high quality product.”

 

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