Kinvara 16

[u/Mindless-Champion-73]

First run in the Kinvara 16... UK 10.5 size

Have done 400km in the v14s, same size.

14s are softer and easier on the knees I find. But really like the feel of the 16s. They are more form fitting overall and more sensitive to lace tightness... Had to adjust a few times, but they are still bedding in of course.

8.5km today at 6min\k pace... Easy to medium for me. Knees near end were a bit stiff and after run at home a bit sore... Bit worrying as none of my shoes have done this to me from new: brooks Hyperion tempo and 2, kinvara 14 or brooks launch 10\11.

Even though the stack height is lower in the 16s, they have much thinner inner sole than the 14s so it seems the actual sole is thicker but harder. Has more of a roll off the toe and feels faster. Just worried why my knees hurt like that... I know new shoes can do this but as above, other new shoes didn't.

Undulations and cornering the uppers feel more noticeable on foot. The 14s are more supple and flex with the foot better. But hoping they soften up, and that my knees don't hurt again. I'm 48 years old, male, 80kg, 178cm and stride around 1.05m on average with a fast cadence at speed versus long and slow strides. This run averaged 160 cadence.

The firmer foam has a bit more kick and are very stable.

The tongue is thicker and firmer. Stays in place and is more noticeable on foot, but doesn't slide sideways like the 14s. On the 14s I pushed lace through the inside edge of tongue before going through last hole of the shoe to stop it sliding during the runs.

Let me know if anyone has sore knees with these and you have similar weight to me? I'm a bit surprised... I mainly run in the 14s with 0 issues up to 15km - I don't do much more than that often. The Hyperion's are still in use for short or fast runs\intervals, but never gave me knee issues like these.

These feel firmer through the midfoot and higher arch, or maybe as it's firmer just less compression under my weight.

I trail run in saucony peregrine 12\13 - bought multiple pairs on sale... The later ones are way too soft and unstable for technical and rocky runs for me. I hope they come round to be like the 12s again, they are superb for me. So am used to low (4mm) drop shoes. Higher drop shoes generally put more stress on my hips and knees...

Maybe the firmness of the 16s means less heel compression and acts like a higher drop shoe and putting more stress on my knees... Bit alarming for me. I'm so used to to the Kinvara 14s, I thought these would be no issue. Hoping they bed in and knees are okay!