Saucony Kineta Relay Review: Current Lightweight Alternatives

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Current Shoes To Compare First

Closest current lightweight Saucony path

Use this if the Kineta Relay search is really about a light Saucony road shoe with a lower-profile feel.

• Best for: lightweight road miles, gym-to-road use, and runners who do not need strong stability.
• Watch for: it is more running-focused than the old Kineta Relay lifestyle feel.

Check Kinvara 16 price

Better Saucony daily trainer

Choose this lane if you want a more durable everyday running shoe instead of a flexible casual trainer.

• Best for: neutral daily training, walking comfort, and shoppers who want a current Saucony model.
• Watch for: it will feel more structured than the soft, casual Kineta Relay.

Compare Saucony Ride 18

Neutral daily-trainer benchmark

Use this as the mainstream comparison if the old Kineta search is really about a reliable comfort shoe.

• Best for: easy road miles, walking, and neutral runners who want a familiar daily trainer fit.
• Watch for: it is not a low-profile lifestyle shoe and may feel more built-up.

Compare Brooks Ghost 17

Saucony

4 mm

9/10

Yes

Road

Racing

Key Features

• Rubberized triangle lugs cover the outsole for traction
• Outsole features EVA foam
• FORM2U midsole cushioning uses memory foam
• Mesh upper for breathability
• Non-removable insole
• Comes in a large variety of colors

Upper

The Saucony Kineta Relay features a mesh upper. It’s your standard mesh upper that provides a well-ventilated experience. Reviewers liked how lightweight the mesh felt and commented that it breathed effectively. Some reviewers commented that the upper felt a bit narrow but the stretchy material helped to alleviate some of the unwanted pressure in this area. The ankle collar of the shoe is lined with soft material and fits nicely.;The insole of the shoe is comfortable but not removable which some reviewers did not appreciate. Those who use a custom orthotic will need to make sure the fit of the shoe works with the orthotic. Adding it in on top of the built-in insole may cause the shoe to feel much tighter. Bring your orthotic along if you plan to try the shoe on in a store.

Midsole

The midsole of the Saucony Kineta Relay is composed of FORM2U cushioning. This type of cushioning actually uses memory foam technology to ensure a super comfortable, molded fit for the wearer. The midsole allows the wearer’s foot to sink in for a super comfortable, well-cushioned ride. This makes the shoe super comfortable but the sunk in, cushy midsole does reduce stability. The soft cushioning is also not really made for running. The high-impact activity is likely to compress the cushioning quickly eventually resulting in a rigid uncomfortable ride.

Outsole

The outsole of the Saucony Kineta Relay is made up of rubber. It features raised lugs in the shape of triangles for added traction. The outsole also features EVA foam which provides extra padding. Unlike most traditional running shoes, the outsole acts almost like a second midsole providing another layer of cushioning underfoot. The outsole is not designed to be used for frequent high impact activity since there’s not much protection from wear and tear. But reviewers did like the adding cushioning the outsole provided.

Breathability

The Saucony Kineta Relay features a traditional mesh upper which does a superb job at ensuring the interior temperature of the shoe stays regulated. It’s perfect for use on hot summer days since the inside of the shoe never feels overly warm. On colder days, the shoe may feel a bit too breezy so make sure to choose appropriate socks. Wide-footed runners will also want to avoid the Saucony Kineta Relay since the forefoot area is quite narrow and the overall fit is not appropriate for those with wide feet. Even with a stretchy upper, wide footed wearers may feel uncomfortable restricted.

Comfort

The Saucony Kineta Relay is a very comfortable shoe. The fit is just right thanks to the stretchy upper and the amply cushioned outsole and midsole. Wearers don’t just get comfortable plush cushioning from the midsole, the outsole offers padding as well. The breathable mesh helps to ensure a comfortable temperature inside the shoe.;Thanks to the fit and soft cushioning, the shoe is a great option for frequent walkers or those looking for a nice looking sneaker for running errands. The shoe is also really easy to remove and slip back on with very little effort making it a great shoe for when you’re heading out the door and need something on your feet in a hurry.

Style

The Saucony Kineta Relay is a super stylish shoe that features clean lines and a very nice overall design. It’s available in lots of color options, too. For women, buyers can choose from black, white, dark grey, purple, teal, light grey, and several other color combinations. Men can choose from black, grey, a blue patterned option, red, blue, and various other color combinations. There’s something for everyone and wearers can even purchase multiple pairs to match different outfits.

Durability

Although the Saucony Kineta Relay outsole is covered in rubber, it’s much less durable than your traditional running shoe. The shoe is not really made for running, after all. Reviewers who used the shoe for running found them less durable than those who simply used them for walking or casual use. The outsole actually provides more in terms of cushioning and impact protection than it does protect against wear and tear. Some reviewers also mentioned that the logo featured on the side of the shoe has a tendency to peel off which makes the shoe look cheaper than it actually is.

Protection

The Saucony Kineta Relay offers plenty of cushioning to protect from the impact of each footfall, whether you’re walking or running. There is cushioning in both the outsole and midsole for a very well-padded feel underfoot. The shoe does a poor job at protecting against instability since it’s not super supportive. The outsole is also not resistant enough to handle vigorous outdoor use making the shoe better suited to indoor use and workouts and occasional outdoor wear.

Responsiveness

The Saucony Kineta Relay’s FORM2U midsole cushioning isn’t super responsive. In fact, the cushioning featured in the Saucony Kineta Relay utilizes memory foam technology. Because of this, the foot sinks into the shoe as the foam molds around the foot. This makes wearing the shoe super comfortable but energy-return isn’t great. There is a bit of a bounce with the midsole material but it’s minimal. The lack of energy-return doesn’t change the fact that the shoe is super comfortable, though!

Support

The Saucony Kineta Relay lacks arch support say some reviewers. The soft flexible upper is also less supportive than some might have liked. The flexible nature of the shoe makes for a comfortable wear experience but it’s not ideal for high-volume running. Wearers who required arch support were disappointed in the Saucony Kineta Relay.

Terrain

The Saucony Kineta Relay is a fairly fragile shoe. It’s not going to do well if used for frequent running outdoors. Indoor use will ensure the shoe lasts longer since the outsole won’t hold up well. It’s just not that durable.

Price

The Saucony Kineta Relay is priced quite fairly for what it offers. It’s a good-looking, casual shoe that’s perfect for gym workouts, running errands, and outdoor walks. If you’re looking for a reliable daily running shoe, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But if you’ve been having a hard time finding a versatile shoe that’s both comfortable and looks good, stop your search, you’ve found it! It’s true that reviewers did have some negative things to say about the Saucony Kineta Relay but the consensus is that it’s a super comfortable shoe that fits very well.

Drop

The Saucony Kineta Relay features a low drop of 4mm. Reviewers liked the fairly low drop saying that it contributed to the shoe’s overall comfortable fit. It brings runners closer to the ground which does help provide at least a little bit of stability. It’s a fairly low drop, though, so if you’re going to use these for any kind of fitness activity be aware that you might feel some additional soreness in your calves and shins, to begin with.

Stability

The Saucony Kineta Relay is definitely not a stability shoe. Even neutral runners pointed out that the shoe lacked stability. The outsole provides poor traction on many surfaces, even with the triangularly shaped lugs. The fit is great but it doesn’t make up for the overly flexible design. This makes the shoes better suited to casual wear. They are not a good option for daily training since they lack the support and stability required to prevent injury during high impact exercise.

Flexibility

The Saucony Kineta Relay features a flexible design which makes wearing them very easy. Movement feels effortless and unconstricted. The flexible upper contributes to the comfortable fit and the rest of the shoe is flexible enough to ensure a natural transition from heel to toe when moving. Some reviewers did feel that the shoe felt a bit too flexible causing stability to suffer. That’s why these shoes are not quite appropriate for those looking for a running specific shoe.

Traction

The Saucony Kineta Relay features triangular lugs outfitted with rubber which is meant to provide traction. Reviewers said that the grip isn’t the best and that traction could be improved a great deal. Reviewers felt the shoes were slippery on most surfaces. The shoe is better suited to indoor training. Using the shoe for casual workouts in an indoor setting will work just fine. It’s also a good option for running errands or heading out for coffee with friends, you shouldn’t have any issues with traction in these settings. They’ll perform like most other casual wear sneakers in this regard.

Bottom Line

The Saucony Kineta Relay is a stylish shoe perfect for the new runner who wants to continue working out at the gym or at home by enjoying activities other than running. It’s also a good option for the busy person on the go who wants to run errands in style. Walkers might also enjoy the super comfortable memory foam cushioning of the Saucony Kineta Relay. The shoe is not a good choice for frequent serious runners since the outsole is not equipped to handle the wear and tear of high impact exercise. But even a serious runner might find the Saucony Kineta Relay a good addition to their shoe closet. The fit is near perfect and there are a wide variety of color choices that are sure to match any kind of outfit.

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