Josh recently reviewed the KIPRUN KIPRIDE MAX and enjoyed the buttery smooth ride. Its little sibling, the KIPRIDE has arrived on our doorsteps for testing. This budget offering promises energy return, a lightweight feel and plenty of shock absorption. While the KIPRIDE MAX offers a midsole of SOFTECH+ which gives a PEBA blend, the regular KIPRIDE has FASTTECH which is a TPU blend. Does the switch to more budget friendly materials impact the ride?
Over the past few weeks, we took to the roads to see what the fast charging chaps from Lille have turned out.
Upper and Fit of the KIPRUN KIPRIDE
What works for me
Visually, when I opened the box, I was thrown back to the Brooks Hyperion Max 2. The greys and oranges are a solid tribute colourway. Aesthetics aside, the upper gives some good support around the heel and ankle area. Step in comfort is good but the run experience is slightly different due to the shape of the last. More on that below.
The upper has been breathable now that the temperatures have been tickling double figures. I would imagine that this will work well year round and it also dries quickly which is a bonus in our current weather.
The laces and lace chain are a fairly standard affair. They stay tied even when soaked which is a bonus. There is space for adjustment. Overall, the lockdown is good even if the fit can be a little wonky depending on your footshape.
What doesn’t work for me
As is my experience with the majority of KIPRUN shoes in my collection, I find that they run rather long and narrow. The laces needed some fine tuning to ensure comfort across the widest part of my foot. As my feet are not particularly wide, this may be an issue for some of the more flipper-footed runners out there.
The length has proved less of an issue but it is worth noting that they do run long. Finally, I wish the upper had a little more give or stretch to it. If there was any movement in it, I think I would find the whole shoe a lot more enjoyable. The material is quite stiff and while it offers good lockdown, it loses out in comfort.
Midsole and Ride of the KIPRUN KIPRIDE
What works for me
For heel strikers, the midsole offers a smooth roll through the foot cycle. Most of the cushioning is under the heel. On the run, the KIPRIDE offers real cushion. If something to baby your legs is your main concern, you could do a lot worse.
The midsole is also surprisingly flexible for such a thick shoe. There is a real flex of the foot available to runners who wear it. In a world of shoes that rely on stiffness to add more propulsion, working the muscles of the foot can be an added bonus.
The feel of the midsole for the price is also not to be sniffed at. For me, it feels a lot like the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 but for about £60 less. I also believe that the midsole will last a good length of time despite the softness. I have never had a KIPRUN shoe which has lacked in that department and I don’t imagine the KIPRIDE being the first.
What doesn’t work for me
The KIPRIDE has proven to be one of the least efficient shoes in my rotation. My Stryd pods have them, on average, about 4% less efficient than anything else I run in. For a shoe designed to cover your recovery and daily running, this is less than ideal. For my running style, this is a shoe which feels a lot like running on soft sand.
I think this comes from the softness of the foam mixed with the cleft in the middle of the midsole. I land roughly where the valley begins and the combination of this opening and the softness of the FASTTECH foam seems to suck up energy rather than returning it.
Furthermore, this shoe has given me a sensation which I have only felt in one other shoe. On wet roads, the midfoot valley opening and closing actually secures itself to the road. It feels like having an octopus tentacle on the bottom of each foot. This also doesn’t help with the efficiency of the shoe. Having to exert power to physically unstick the shoe from the floor does tend to add to the workload over the course of a run. It also gives a strangely satisfying sucking noise during these moments.
Outsole of the KIPRUN KIPRIDE
Grip and Traction
As mentioned above, the suction like effect of the midsole cleft does assist with grip and traction. However, it doesn’t always lead to a smooth ride. Overall, the rubber on the outsole does a decent job on wet and dry pavements. On muddier corners, I have found it wise to slow down a touch. That said, while there is nothing particularly remarkable about the grip, there is also nothing which really gives cause for concern. That’s all that’s really needed for a road shoe.
Durability
KIPRUN do make shoes with excellent durability. Hard wearing materials and usually denser foams ensure that their shoes have an excellent lifespan. I would imagine that the KIPRIDE will be no different. After about 70km in them so far, there is not much sign of wear or tear. Furthermore, the midsole has not really changed too much in characteristic. If you like it out of the box, you will continue to like it as it ages.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At less than £100, the KIPRIDE does offer value for money. Whether you enjoy the ride or not, the expected durability of the shoe does add value. If you are looking for a soft daily trainer to use on days when pace is not the concern, this does make a good choice. However, it does lose out a little on versatility. The lack of efficiency and effort required for paces means that it won’t be a workout or longer run shoe for me. Running is hard enough at times without making it take 4% more effort.
Fitting it into a Shoe Rotation
This is a shoe which will be best suited to easy daily running and those times when you want to protect your legs from the shocks of the road. If you want a varied pace session, it is probably best to look elsewhere on your shoe shelf.
Final Verdict
The KIPRUN KIPRIDE offers good value. It is a low priced option which offers a decent build quality and a soft, forgiving midsole. On the other hand, it is a shoe which lacks versatility and, depending on your running style, may not work as intended as an easy or recovery day shoe.
KIPRUN continue to push the boundaries of price point with their offering and in this case, it sounds like the little extra investment in the KIPRIDE MAX may be worth it as the package seems more rounded.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
KIPRUN KIPRIDE vs. Mizuno Wave Sky 9
Both very soft shoes which I found very inefficient for me. Also, both shoes are much better for people who strike further back on the midsole. If you are a heel striker, either of these will make a good recovery and daily shoe. The choice comes down to the fit, if your feet are long and narrow, head to the KIPRIDE. If your feet are a bit wider, the Miuzno probably wins out.
KIPRUN KIPRIDE vs. New Balance 1080 v15
For me, this is an easy win for the New Balance. The Infinion foam is far more energetic and pleasant over a longer run for me. Furthermore, the fit of the 1080 v15 is much more accommodating and comfortable. However, the New Balance shoe does come at a much higher price. What price comfort?
KIPRUN KIPRIDE vs. Brooks Glycerin 23
The Glycerin 23 and the KIPRIDE offer a very different feel. The Glycerin is a firmer underfoot feel and has a more comfortable upper. The KIPRIDE is a lot softer out of the box and comes in at about 50% less cost. Both shoes will last an absolute age on foot.
KIPRUN KIPRIDE vs. Topo Ultrafly 6
Both shoes with a flawed midsole for my running style. Also, both shoes designed for completely different shaped feet. The KIPRIDE is long and narrow. Meanwhile, the Ultrafly 6 has a super wide forefoot to allow space for everyone to come to the toe-party. Neither of these shoes will win my midsole of the year award. The KIPRIDE is like running on a very soft surface with the inherent inefficiency that comes with it. On the other hand, the Topo is more efficient but sorely lacking in a fun, engaging ride.
