Saucony ProGrid Kinvara Running Shoe

www.saucony.com, 14 ounces pair
Catering to the cheetah in all of us, the ProGrid Kinvara is the prototype for fast and light. This minimalist running shoe weighs just 14 ounces per pair (slightly more than a handful of marshmallows) and provides excellent cushion and stability. The minimalist upper is a highly-breathable combination of open cell foam and mesh, and the inside boasts an antimicrobial sock liner—which may be overkill as it’s virtually impossible to get sweaty feet in these airy, helium-weight shoes. For those with a hankering to try barefoot running, this is a great intro; the Kinvara has a thin EVA footbed to maximize rebound, and  heel that’s slightly (4 mm) lower than the forefoot, providing the quicker transition of shoeless running without the increased risk of knee pain and plantar fasciitis. We like the carbon rubber outsole for traction and shock absorption, although we did notice some wear on the triangular lugs after multiple trail runs.