Saucony ProGrid Mirage (2011)

November 16, 2010

The ProGrid Mirage is the successor to the Saucony Kinvara. The Kinvara was engineered as a minimalist running shoe suitable for the "natural" running style. Saucony executed its goal brilliantly.

Because the Kinvara was a big hit a sequel seemed just a matter of time.

The Kinvara is a minimalist running shoe by design, for the more experienced "natural" runner with a mid/forefoot strike. The upper is constructed of very thin, lightweight material with almost no support.

There is a customer willing to give the "natural" running shoe architecture a try but who does not possess a perfect midfoot strike. This runner cannot use a shoe that omits all the in-shoe support lacking in the Kinvara. He needs a shoe that borrows features from both the Kinvara and a regular training shoe. For this runner Saucony developed the all-new ProGrid Mirage.

This is a lightweight trainer that shares with the Kinvara a flatter midsole suitable for the midfoot/forefoot runner, but the Mirage has a more conservative upper. It features a more stable heel counter, a midsole built with a Supportive Arc that makes it a bit more torsion-flex resistant and it offers an outsole with more durability. These features make the shoe more appropriate for the runner with some pronation in his gait.

Runners who use the Kinvara as just their racing shoe might find the Mirage their favorite training shoe. Despite all the extra features Saucony managed to keep the weight very low. It weighs just above 8 oz., which gives the shoe a very light feeling.

The ProGrid Mirage is available in several colors.

Saucony is about to score its second hit in this architectural theme.

[Editor’s note: Our capable editor-at-large for footwear Jeroen van Geelen owns Total Running, one of the more important running and triathlon retail establishments in The Netherlands.]