KIPRUN have been bringing PEBAX power to the masses with their recent range of shoes. Now in their second iteration, the KD900 are one step closer to the big boys but with a bargain budget.
KIPRUN KD900.2 Introduction:
High Performance for Low Budgets
Ivan: According to KIPRUN, the KD900.2 draws inspiration from their race shoe, the KD900X LD+. As with all KIPRUN products, the goal is to deliver high-performance running shoes at a reasonable price. This uptempo model is no exception, priced competitively at just €130. If it can hold its own against other supertrainer options, it could be a game-changer. With its lightweight design and the inclusion of VFOAM PLUS, the same foam used in KIPRUN’s race shoes, the KD900.2 shows great promise.
Alex: Ivan introduced the new KIPRUN KD900.2 in a perfect fashion. All I can add is that I really enjoyed the predecessor of this shoe, the original KIPRUN KD900. The original was also called a doughnut for the shape of the midsole in the heel area. That said, the new KIPRUN KD900.2 doesn’t have the same design. However, it’s closer in looks to the new KD 900X LD+. This makes it very visually appealing.
Specs:
Stack Height: 38.5 in the heel to 30.5 in the forefoot
Drop: 8mm
Weight: 219g | 7.7oz
Price: €130 | £119.99
KIPRUN KD900.2 Upper:
Incredibly Impressive
Ivan: The first version of this shoe had one of the best-fitting uppers I have experienced in recent times, with one important caveat: I had to go down half a size. I recommend entering your foot length on the Decathlon website to find your ideal fit. I didn’t do this initially, but I learned from that mistake, and now the KIPRUN KD900.2 fits me perfectly. It feels as if the last of the shoe was designed specifically for my foot shape. It fits like a glove!
This is one of the few shoes where I didn’t need to use a heel lock, as it fits securely in the heel, midfoot, and forefoot without any discomfort. Despite the minimal padding overall, the shoe features excellent heel bolsters with a one-directional grippy texture and a strap that attaches the tongue to the midsole. This helps keep the foot securely in place. The laces are just right – neither flimsy nor too thick, with no stretch – which enhances the secure fit. Furthermore, the tongue has padding where the laces run, preventing lace bite and improving the lockdown around the midfoot. For added lockdown and stability, a low-profile plastic clip runs along both sides of the heel cup.
The knit-type mesh is thin, keeping the weight down and providing excellent breathability. While I really appreciated the upper from last year’s model, this version is even better, approaching perfection. It’s incredibly impressive to see such a well-executed upper with thoughtful technical features, especially considering the price bracket of this shoe.
Try Before You Buy
Alex: I completely agree with Ivan regarding the sizing of the KIPRUN KD900.2 and in general, all KIPRUN shoes. They tend to run quite long and fairly narrow, but with the emphasis on long. It’s again the case with the KD900.2. I tried the shoe in two sizes, 44.5 and 45. My usual US 11 corresponds to a 45 but the fit of the 44.5, so half a size down for me, works better. I do recommend you try KIPRUN shoes in your Decathlon store before buying them, because, again, the fit is a bit special.
I will, however, depart from Ivan’s opinion, and I will give this upper an average rating. The fit itself is quite good. It’s race ready, very snug, close to the foot without any abrasion or chaffing. However, the upper material, like very often in KIPRUN shoes, isn’t the best, isn’t the most premium, and it does feel like it would need a bit more refinement to make it more comfortable and more plush. However, the lockdown is excellent. And again, I really appreciate the fit. I would simply enjoy an upper material that keeps the same level of breathability that Ivan described really well, but also that allows for a bit more comfort and a more luxurious feel against the foot.
Midsole:
The KD900.2 Is Not For Long Runs
Ivan: KIPRUN proudly states that the KD900.2 features the same VFOAM PLUS used in their top-tier race shoe. In the first iteration, the midsole had “PEBAX” written directly on it, and while it wasn’t particularly soft or squishy, it was definitely responsive and snappy. The VFOAM PLUS in this version is also supposedly PEBA-based. That said, it feels much softer and more compliant. This brings it closer to other superfoams on the market, offering a more forgiving and squishy feel. The forefoot, in particular, feels much more padded, which is especially beneficial at higher paces and for forefoot strikers who require a strong toe-off.
The first version featured a doughnut shaped heel that provided significant energy return for heel strikers. This design element is absent in the KD900.2, resulting in a more muted heel strike. This is balanced with a more uniform level of compression across both the front and back of the shoe. However, like its predecessor, the KD900.2 has an extremely flexible midfoot section, which means your arch has to do a lot of work. This creates some ground feel but can also be quite demanding during longer runs. Stability is also compromised due to the lack of stiffness and the absence of any torsion system. Given that this is an uptempo shoe, the inclusion of a stiffening element, or even a thin plastic plate, could also have helped with propulsion. As it is, the KD900.2 relies solely on the foam’s energetic nature.
At times, it almost feels like you’re sinking in too much under the midfoot, creating a sensation of collapse. While this might be manageable during shorter tempo segments or intervals, it can become quite demanding on longer efforts unless you have strong feet or are accustomed to a pure forefoot running style.
Careful of the Collapse
Alex: The midsole of the KD900.2 is an interesting case. KIPRUN is marketing it as a SCF PEBAX foam, meaning that this would be PEBAX material injected with a gas and foamed in the process of SCF. However, looking closer at the KIPRUN website, one can learn that this foam is actually a blend of EVA and PEBAX. The proportions are quite interesting, as EVA takes 90% of the blend and PEBAX only 10%.
This explains, to a certain extent, the feeling that both Ivan and I shared, which is that this wasn’t only PEBAX in this midsole. Compared to the original version, this foam feels softer, more compliant, and also gives more energy return. Ivan did a perfect job at describing the forefoot flex and also the implications of that flexibility for longer sessions and longer runs.
I feel like the KD900.2 does a good job at faster paces, around tempo to half marathon paces. However, the biggest issue for me is the collapsing of the midsole area. This is where there is a small bridge that is supposedly here to reduce a bit of weight by taking some midsole material out of the shoe. Furthermore, it also creates a trampoline effect around the midfoot. That trampoline effect doesn’t translate into a dramatic energy return. Instead it creates the feeling of sinking in the midfoot area without having anything in return. This further creates a dynamic drop that is much lower than the claimed static drop.
Both this shoe and the more premium KD900X LD+ make me feel like I am running with negative drop shoes. Or at least with shoes that would have a zero drop, or maybe two millimetres of drop. This is not ideal for anything longer than 12 kilometres for me.
KIPRUN KD900.2 Outsole:
Lightweight High Coverage
Ivan: The KIPRUN KD900.2 offers substantial rubber coverage, especially impressive given how lightweight the shoe is. After the first 50 km, I’ve noticed almost no wear, and the grip has been satisfactory so far. However, it doesn’t quite match the exceptional grip of the first iteration, which had an almost car tire-like and quite sticky feel to it. The KD900.2 obviously isn’t designed for trails, and with no lugs and tiny pebbles getting stuck in the outsole patterns, it’s best to keep it on the roads where it performs as intended.
KIPRUN KD900.2 Conclusion:
KD900.2: Short Range Superstar
Ivan: Overall, I’m a bit conflicted in my conclusion. The KIPRUN KD900.2 can be quite a bargain given its price tag, but only if you’re okay with its limitations. On the plus side, the upper is exceptionally well-executed, offering a glove-like fit with additional features that enhance comfort and lockdown. The new VFOAM PLUS foam compound is also forgiving, providing a good amount of energy return.
However, the extreme flexibility of the midsole makes this shoe more suited for shorter tempo efforts or intervals, while longer runs may feel unstable and more demanding. This likely limits its use as a viable option for long, marathon-specific workouts. But if these limitations align with your needs, the KIPRUN KD900.2 is not only budget-friendly, but also a pleasant and enjoyable shoe to run in.
Keep Your Eyes On KIPRUN
Alex: The package feels more premium than KIPRUN’s output of the past few years. The materials have been upgraded while the midsole now features some PEBAX. Overall, the shoe looks quite sexy. However, when taking a closer look and running with the shoe, it appears that it still demands a bit of work to make it really competitive against other up-tempo shoes and training companions to the best race day shoes.
KIPRUN is moving in the right direction and this shoe is just another statement of that. It might not be the perfect up-tempo shoe just yet, but I would watch KIPRUN very closely in the next couple of years. I assume they will eventually catch up and might very well become one of the best running brands if they keep on innovating at such a high pace.
Ivan
48 years old
180cm (5’9″) – 63kg (138lbs)
Midfoot striker – Cadence runner
Mild pronator
Alex
29 years old
183cm (6′) – 68kg (148lbs)
Mid/Forefoot striker – Stride runner
Moderate pronator
