Details
Brand
Saucony
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Great traction• Super supportive midsole• Reinforced heel for added protection• Woven upper mesh for breathability and durability• Features toebox design
Upper
This shoe offers a tightly woven mesh upper that is super breathable and supportive. The mesh on the upper sole of this shoe has overlays of crisscrossing starting midfoot and running forward to the forefoot. This also helps prevent the jamming of your toes when on those rough terrain trails. The mesh does a great job of locking the foot down in place, but yet gives it a very comfortable feel. The snug and secure feeling allows your foot to stay in place during long runs helping to prevent the shoe from coming loose. The technology built into this crisscrossing mesh also is for great water drainage giving you the freedom to go from land to water. Along with the super mesh, the shoe also gives plenty of room in the toebox area. This allows room if any splay or swelling occurs. With a great balance of support and room, the upper sole of this shoe offers the security that runners are looking for.
Midsole
The midsole of the Saucony KOA TR has a great balance of firmness, but yet offers the stability and cushioning for a comfortable, high-performance shoe. The responsiveness from the midsole is also a highlight of this shoe. The midsole is lightweight and somewhat thinner than other running shoes in this category, but it will not let that let you down. It performs incredibly well. Along with great support, it also keeps your feet feel well protected and supported through the run.
Outsole
The outsole construction of the shoe is built to handle the toughest terrain, but it also maintains a great performance level on flat surfaces, as well. This shoe was truly made with the intention of allowing a runner to go from road to rugged mountain terrain. The sole has a series of lugs that are low profile giving good traction through your surface changes. The lugs coupled with the almost ‘sticky’ rubber compound gives the shoe the ability to outperform other shoes. Along with the added traction, the outsole also gives runners the ability to perform well in all seasons of the year. Through the mud, rain, and light snow it will handle the conditions and allowing for great footing.
Breathability
The upper construction of the Saucony KOA TR is a tightly woven crisscrossed mesh that allows your feet to breathe. When looking at the shoes the first thing you will notice is the super mesh upper. This mesh is strong enough to give you the support you need and has the technology that not only allows air to flow through it but water as well. This helps keep your feet dry when you want them dry and pulls away from the water when hitting those wet trails. This also makes this shoe ideal for running in the rain.
Comfort
This shoe offers a great balance of support and comfort in one. The comfortability is ideal for those long runs on the mountain. The added bonus with these shoes is the comfort that it brings in the all-terrain situations and flat surfaces as well. Finding a great pair of shoes that are comfortable on many different surfaces can be tough. The lacing with the sock -like in-sole system is designed to hold your foot firmly while not being too tight. This gives it a very comfortable ‘slipper’ like feel. The upper also has an added padding around the ankle that reduces irritation. The added super mesh with the supportive sole gives this shoe a comfort level that is hard to find in an all-terrain style.
Style
The shoe has a stylish look with the crisscross mesh upper and rugged sole below. Putting the two key features together has created a hybrid super shoe that looks tough and acts even tougher. With the current style, there is only color scheme available. The shoes display a variety of different shades of blue with highlights of orange, black, and silver. The laces are a style feature with a stripe-like design with blue and silver to bring out the highlights in the designs on the shoe. The sole offers a rugged style that displays rubber lugs that bring out the features of the shoe.
Durability
The durability in the design of the Saucony KOA TR is featured in the construction of the sole and super mesh upper. It offers support in the upper part of the shoe with the well-constructed mesh and a lugged sole that grips the ground below. Together these features maintain support over a variety of terrains. The rubber lugs on the sole were designed go through the mud and over the rocks without slipping or breaking off. The midsole offers a support that keeps the shoe stable and adds to the durability. The crisscrossed weave of the upper allows air and water to flow through improving the longevity of the inside of the shoe. The shoe also features a reinforced toe box that will also help the shoe last longer.
Protection
The shoe offers many protective features. It features a sturdy heal that offers great protection while not feeling overbuilt or bulky. The sole has a stacked height that is less than the normal all-terrain shoe on the market, but not let that fool you the Saucony KOA TR is very protective and has a great support system. It has a great ground feel and stability with a midsole that protects and supports from rock pentation. The lugged sole protects from sliding on the ice, mud, rocks, and snow. This also offers absorption of the shock when running on hard surfaces protecting your feet and joints.
Responsiveness
The performance of this show provides a nice balance of firmness and support without affecting the responsiveness. The shoes key features make it feel quick, light, and super responsive. This makes it a great race shoe or mountain adventure fun.
Support
The cushioning within this shoe is a well thought out series of soles put together for super support. The wider lugged sole provides the shoe with a great base and adds to the support system. The upper mesh keeps the foot locked into place and gives the support of a snug and secure feel. The support system around the heel is a feature of this shoe that should not be overlooked. With low sides and a rising heel in the back, it adds support and comfortability in one. The mid and lower sole work together as a protection support system against slippage and rocks. It is the right amount of protection without bulkiness or weight.
Terrain
This shoe is designed to take on anything from the road to the mountain along with every surface in-between. Runners love this shoe because it offers the durability and ruggedness that a hiking shoe does with the weight and stability of a great running shoe. The responsiveness and support system adds to the keys that make this shoe great for all terrains. The added traction on the lugged sole provides super sticky numbs to work with the environment. This shoe is suggested to be used for all types of surfaces making it an ideal shoe for many races and marathons.
Price
The Saucony KOA TR comes in right at the average price of $110. The average quality running shoe in the United States costs around $120 and this shoe comes in right at that price point. This shoe is not going to save you any money, but it is a multi-functioning shoe that will get you where you need to go. It is designed for a rugged adventurer that goes from flat to steep surfaces in one run. When breaking down the different shoes that one runner would have to meet the environmental needs this shoe is a great value.
Drop
The shoe offers a low drop. The drop measures 4 millimeters from the heel to the toe. This makes the shoes have that feel natural that runners often desire. The support systems with the natural drop of the shoe give this shoe features that many runners look for.
Stability
This shoe features a lacing system along with the upper mesh that adds to the stability of the Saucony KOA TR. The shoe has featured middle lace loops that are connected to the mid-foot wrap that adds an overall great stability. This is a special feature of this shoe and works great.
Flexibility
The upper design of the mesh on this shoe gives is a great flexible feel for any runner. The mesh is designed to offer support while still being flexible on the foot to offer a natural movement while running. The material consists of a crisscross mesh that conforms to your foot with the inner ‘booty’ adding to the nice conformed fit. The material is super flexible and makes the shoe fit like a nice pair of gloves.
Traction
The rugged lugged outsole of this shoe offers great traction, especially in rocky terrain. The durable outsoles of this shoe give it the traction to support long miles on wet or slippery surfaces. This shoe is the true meaning of door to trail shoe. The lugs offer a sticky rubber feel with allow you to excel on the trail. They perform well in sloppy wet conditions and prevent slipping from occurring. The traction system on this shoe will make a runner feel safe on any surface.
Bottom Line
Saucony KOA TR is a well built all-terrain running shoe. This is an excellent trail running shoe but has the support system to perform well on a flat surface. It is a responsive, well supported, and breathable shoe that allows a person to go from land to water without even changing their shoes. The stability and great traction add to the features of this well-designed shoe. Overall the Saucony KOA TR is a great all-terrain running shoe.
