Facts

  • Terrain
    Terrain

    Road

    Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.

    Trail

    Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.

    Good to know

    As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.

  • Arch support
    Arch support

    Neutral / cushion / high arch

    Shoes for runners who do not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with normal, high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.

    Stability / overpronation / normal arch

    Shoes for runners who need mild to moderate arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a low arch. See the best stability shoes.

    Motion control / severe overpronation / flat feet

    Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.

    Good to know

    - Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
    - More about arch support in this video.
    - Find your arch type by following steps from this video.

  • Use
    Use

    Daily running

    Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.

    Competition

    Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.

    Good to know

    If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.

  • Price
    Price
    $110
  • Weight
    Weight
    Men: 10.3oz
    Women: 9oz
  • Heel to toe drop
    Heel to toe drop
    Men: 4mm
    Women: 4mm

    The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.

    There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.

  • Heel height
    Heel height
    Men: 22mm
    Women: 22mm
  • Forefoot height
    Forefoot height
    Men: 18mm
    Women: 18mm
  • Width
    Width
    Men: normal
    Women: normal
  • Release date
    Release date
    Jun 2017
Show more facts

Summary

We spent 9.1 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:

7 reasons to buy

  • A couple of consumers were surprised that the shoe is more supportive than expected.
  • Some runners felt the KOA TR provided a comfortable ride that is just right for trail running.
  • The midsole is thick and feels great to run in, a buyer commented.
  • A lot of users are impressed by the light weight of the shoe.
  • Several runners were satisfied by the traction provided by the lugs of the shoe.
  • One reviewer commented on the excellent water drainage system of the KOA TR.
  • The weave of the upper is tight but is surprisingly breathable, according to one user.

4 reasons not to buy

  • Some users felt the shoe was heavy and that it had a tendency to drag the foot.
  • One runner commented the lugs had less grip than they would have preferred.
  • The shoe is harsh on the first use and required breaking in, according to a reviewer.
  • There was a noticeable tightness around the midfoot, which was hard to ignore, as stated by a user.

Bottom line

With a much-appreciated versatility and impressive technology, the KOA TR delivers comfort and performance that is outstanding no matter the trail condition. It is not the lightest trail shoe on the market, but its responsive performance was admired by many neutral runners. They liked that the shoe was able to provide feedback and lateral stability without compromising protection.

Rankings

Bottom 10% overall
Best running shoes
Bottom 8% Saucony
Best Saucony running shoes
Bottom 46% most popular
Most popular trail running shoes

Expert Reviews

Experts are runners, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.

Are you an expert? Apply to contribute here.

86 / 100 based on 7 expert reviews

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Updates to Saucony Koa TR

  • The Saucony KOA TR is a versatile shoe that is built to function on- and off-road; it performs well in a wide variety of conditions, including technical trails. Both the outsole tread and midsole unit allow the shoe to be responsive and efficient in transitioning from the pavement to the trail.
  • The innovative EVERUN midsole allows the shoe to be responsive while still providing ample cushioning throughout the run.
  • It also features the FlexFilm technology, which provides lightweight support, strength, and comfort while retaining foot security for a stable motion.
  • The 4-mm heel-to-toe drop delivers a more natural ride, letting the foot exert more effort by not allowing it to be complacent with the shoe’s cushioning and stability features. This, combined with the small weight and midfoot strike, results in an excellent speed.

Saucony Koa TR size and fit

The KOA TR is a lightweight trail running shoe that caters to the foot with neutral pronation. It provides the foot with a secure fit, and the shoe technologies allow for a locked-down feel. The oblique toe box results in a wider toe room, so while the length runs true to size, runners with a high-volume foot will also appreciate this shoe. Width profiles are available in D – Medium for men and B – Medium for women.

Outsole

Using the PWR TRAC outsole, the KOA TR is engineered to adapt to various terrain types with its excellent traction and durability. It offers enough grip to keep the foot secure, even on the most uneven surfaces.

The outsole also includes a more versatile lower lug pattern that provides extra grip, thus making it more effective on both hard surfaces and uneven terrain. Although quite minimal, the 3.5 mm lugs make running easier because they allow the sole to roll smoothly, keeping the runner sure-footed no matter the terrain. They are made from a sticky rubber compound that is capable of handling sloppy and muddy conditions.

Midsole

Featuring Saucony’s unique EVERUN technology, the EVA midsole provides the right blend of firmness, cushioning, and responsiveness. EVERUN delivers significant key benefits: it absorbs impact shock three times better than standard EVAs, returns 83% of the energy absorbed, and it lowers peak pressures as the underfoot conforms to the shape of the foot and distributes force across a larger surface area.

Made from tiny pellets of polyurethane that are heat-expanded and molded into a single cushioning unit, EVERUN has a definite firmness that allows for a resilient ride.

Despite the relatively low stack height, the midsole of the KOA TR provides the right amount of protection and support. It is bouncier and allows for smoother landings and stronger takeoffs.

Upper

The upper of the KOA TR is made from woven mesh that is flexible, tough, and breathable that works double-duty as a protection from debris and rocks and as an evacuation system that sheds water well, enabling the foot to stay cool, dry, and at ease. Its secure finish delivers durable foot-wrapping and adequate ventilation.

Using the FlexFilm technology, there is an exoskeletal support frame for an enhanced strength and comfort. It is fused with the upper mesh material, reducing the amount of stitching and thus creating a soft and almost seamless surface against the runner’s foot.

FlexFilm overlays are also present to secure the foot in place and minimize any unwanted movement for a stable run. It runs in a crisscross design across the midfoot and the through the forefoot so the foot is comfortably locked into place.

The toe box is oblique-shaped for additional toe room, allowing maximum toe splay and therefore improving balance, especially when pushing the pace on moderate to technical trails.

Heel support is present through the heel collar that is made plush for added comfort, and the heel counter that is made sturdy and secure. A reinforced heel piece is also positioned in the upper for added protection and locked down fit.

There is also a plush, non-gusseted tongue which rides independently beneath the booty upper throughout the lace area. This design delivers a snug yet comfortable protection for the ankle.

Comparison

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