KIPRUN KD900X Lab Introduction:
The KIPRUN KD900X Lab is the brand’s most advanced carbon-plated running shoe to date. It marks a new peak in KIPRUN’s performance-focused lineup. As the fourth member of their carbon-plated range, it follows the more accessible K900X.2 (€130), the short-distance speedster LD2, and the long-distance-focused LD+, which features a 100% PEBA midsole. The KD900X Lab stands above them all, crafted with innovation, precision, and race-day performance in mind.
KIPRUN’s KD900X Lab upper is their best to date
Alex: One of the recurring issues with previous KIPRUN shoes was the fit of the upper. The KD900X Lab changes that completely. This is, without a doubt, KIPRUN’s best upper to date.
The fit still runs slightly long. I had to go down a full size to EU44 and still had extra room in front of the toes. Width-wise, it’s on the narrower side, offering a race-oriented snugness without discomfort. Despite the tongue not being gusseted, there were no issues with slippage or discomfort. The thin, rounded laces hold firmly in place and didn’t create any pressure on the instep, even though they run under the tongue.
The heel is especially pliable, which is typically a potential red flag for lockdown but not here. In fact, lockdown is excellent, to the point where it’s hard to remove the shoe without unlacing. A small but telling detail.
Interestingly, the shoe has no insole or sock liner. Your foot sits directly on the midsole, which creates a closer-to-ground, more connected feel. The upper material, reinforced with visible fibers, feels durable and ready for the long haul.
The midsole is an engineer’s dream
Alex: At the heart of the KD900X Lab is a highly engineered, patent-pending midsole setup that blends responsiveness, cushioning, and propulsion.
This is a carbon-plated shoe, but not just any plate. KIPRUN introduces a hook plate design, shaped like a G or U, that doesn’t run full-length. The plate is absent on the medial side of the heel, which results in a smoother, more cushioned landing on that side. This partial plate allows for a more natural, decoupled ride and better terrain adaptation.
The core of the midsole is a low-density PEBA compound called Feather Bounce, which sits directly underfoot. To protect this sensitive foam from abrasion and maintain structural integrity, KIPRUN wraps it with a second foam layer: SCF “Fluid” TPU, another patent-pending innovation. This fluid-injected TPU surrounds both the PEBA core and the plate, forming a supportive rim that enhances durability and ride consistency.
This shoe is built for speed. It helped Jimmy Gressier clock a 12:57 5K European record in Lille, proof of its racing pedigree. The 4mm drop, paired with an aggressive toe spring and rocker, encourages you to stay on your forefoot. On fast training runs, the shoe felt extremely responsive and punchy, especially when accelerating downhill or pushing the pace from 3:40/km to 3:20/km like I did during a session in Kenya on the mythical Moiben Road.
It’s a ride that isn’t easy on your calves, making it a great option for 5K, 10K, and possibly half-marathons. For a full marathon, it might not suit every runner’s gait, especially for those who heel-strike like me when fatigued at the end of 42k.
The KD900X Lab outsole is built to go the distance
Alex: With any high-performance racing shoe, the biggest question is durability. Is the KD900X Lab a one-race wonder or a dependable workhorse?
KIPRUN claims it can handle more than 150km, potentially up to 300km, depending on the runner and conditions. After 40+ km of testing, including tough Kenyan roads, the outsole showed wear, but the shoe’s reactivity remained intact.
Time will tell, but early signs point to reasonable durability, especially given the aggressive, lightweight build. KIPRUN has emphasised its commitment to longer-lasting race shoes, and this shoe is a solid step in that direction.
This shoe marks a real leap forward for KIPRUN
Alex: The KIPRUN KD900X Lab is an impressive leap forward, not just for the brand, but for performance footwear as a whole. With a re-engineered upper, two patent-pending midsole technologies, and a ride that’s ready to set records, it’s KIPRUN’s best race-day shoe yet.
It enters the arena alongside other hyper-shoes like the Adidas Adizero Evo 1, but with one major difference: price. While Adidas’ model retails at a staggering €500, the KD900X Lab comes in at €300, still premium, but more accessible, in line with KIPRUN’s ethos of democratizing high-performance gear.
For those chasing PRs on the road, from 5K to the half-marathon, the KD900X Lab is a serious contender.
