Interesting and paradoxical shoe that actually works! This is a high-stack trainer with super-shoe characteristics. Despite the high stack, don't expect a pillowy cushion. This is a Kinvara and with that comes stiffness, snug fit, and a level of aggressiveness that is atypical in trainers. On the first run, I immediately felt the Kinvara roots, and despite this looking to be a much different shoe than the minimalist Kinvara 14, the Kinvara Pro has that Kinvara running experience in it. The already fairly stiff PWRRUN outsole is further reinforced by the carbon plate, and the PWRRUN PB super-foam above it provides a responsive and pleasant cushion. This shoe is very stable, and I also feel its plated geometry would lend itself well to power walking. I would not consider this an easy-run shoe. When running in the Kinvara Pro, my pace is typically 0:30 per mile faster than my usual cruising speed. It requires a bit more mindfulness when running, just like the Kinvara 14 does. It does not tolerate heel-striking very well, but I feel its geometry disciplines you, the runner, towards a better running form, and once achieved, the Kinvara Pro is really a joy to run in. Thanks to these characteristics, I still feel that Kinvara Pro has that unique quality of promoting self-correcting gait that the Kinvara 14 possesses, despite the Pro being large and bulky high-stack shoe. How could I compare this shoe to others? First, I think the Kinvara Pro is a rightful replacement for the Endorphin Shift 3, despite the 4mm drop difference. If there is another shoe that I am reminded of when running in the Kinvara Pro it is the Endorphin Shift 3. If you liked the Shift 3, but perhaps felt it could be a little better, the Kinvara Pro appears to address all of those issues in my experience. How does it compare to something like the Triumph 21? It is an entirely different animal. The Triumph is a forgiving, extra cushioned, and enabling shoe with a wide speed latitude, while the Kinvara Pro is a determined disciplinarian with unwavering demands, and it performs best at a certain higher running pace. Does the Kinvara Pro work? It absolutely does, and I also feel it works out my calves nicely, which further helps my running form and gait. Highly recommended, but not for absolute beginners.
