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Test & opinions: Kiprun KD900X LD
This time last year, Kiprun arrived on the market with its new carbon plate model: the KD900X. After several weeks running with it, this model failed to convince us, due to the stiffness of the foam, the discomfort of running and the lack of energy return. This relegated it to the back of the best models on the market in terms of performance and efficiency. But the Decathlon-owned brand kept on working and is now back with its new "LD" generation. Is it better, and more importantly, is it worth buying? Julian brings you the answers in this article.
|
DROP |
4 milimeters |
|
WEIGHT |
206 grams |
|
TYPE OF RUNNER |
Advanced / elite riders |
|
SHOE TYPE |
Competition / training |
|
CARBON PLATE |
Yes (10% carbon) |
|
SELLING PRICE |
180 euros |
|
AVAILABILITY |
Sole
Amortization
Weight
3 reasons to run with the new Kiprun KD900X LD
Are you looking for a high-performance model with excellent value for money?
that's our number one argument to convince you to let yourself be tempted by this new Decathlon model. If the performance is there (I'll come back to this later in the article), the quality/price ratio is excellent. At €180, the lowest base price (excluding special offers) on the market for a carbon plate model, you clearly get what you pay for. Both in terms of performance, which in our opinion is even better than some models sold at 250€, and in terms of the product's durability, which goes further in kilometers than the others. So many points that make this a very attractive shoe, even if the price tag strays somewhat from Decathlon's philosophy of making the product accessible to all. Spending €180 on a competition model isn't for everyone, especially when equally high-performance models are now available on special offer for less than €150.
You are an experienced runner looking to beat your competition PR:
This new shoe was developed in close collaboration with Yoann Kowal, a top-level athlete with multiple selections for the French national team. This is both a very good point, and a not-so-good one. Let me explain why. The good point is that the shoe clearly meets the main expectations of a confirmed runner aiming for performance: lightness is OK (less than 210 grams), energy return is extremely present and muscular economy is OK (even if it could be better on this precise point). The downside is that when you run in them, you soon realize that at slower speeds (over 3:45/km in our opinion, approximately), the shoe is immediately less effective, because you can't get all the benefits out of it. You therefore need to be muscularly strong and run at a certain pace (from 5 kilometers to a marathon), to be able to control the shoe, to feel the energy return and therefore for it to be effective for the person running in it. A leisure or amateur runner will have no interest in turning to this model, as it will be of no benefit to him or her.
Kiprun catches your eye, but you're hesitant to take the plunge and buy this model:
nothing ventured, nothing gained! We had the same idea in mind before running with this model, but it clearly "reconciled" us and familiarized us with the brand. "reconciled" and familiarized us with the brand. We'd never run with one of their training models, and the KD900X released last year was our first experience with Kiprun. As mentioned above, the experience was far from convincing. But this new generation reshuffles all the cards and means that the brand is now battling it out (in terms of competition and performance models) with the other strong brands on the market. It's definitely worth giving it a try and, above all, making up your own mind about the shoe. If you're an experienced runner, you won't be disappointed.
KIPRUN
KD900X LD
2 points to remember about the new KD900X LD :
Compared to the competition :
that's all very well, but there are still a number of areas for improvement if you really want to be on a par with the very best shoes like the HOKA Rocket X2, Salomon S/LAB Phantasm 2 or a Nike Vaporfly 2. Points for improvement: running comfort is extremely limited, and this is due as much to the firmness of the foam/cushioning as to the mesh design. We felt some rubbing in the heel, even though our feet were the right size (blisters starting to form), and the tongue and lacing system are far from optimal. Muscular economy is another area for improvement, as the shoe is particularly demanding on the muscles and leaves traces, particularly in the calves, after sessions. This is less the case with the top carbon models on the market. Apart from all that: the lightness, foot support, responsiveness and energy return are second to none.
Usability and accessibility :
marketed and promoted by the brand as a marathon-specific model, we're a little dubious on this point. We've placed it as a very good model for road racing from 5 to 10 kilometers, and up to the half-marathon, because it's light and responsive. Beyond that, for marathons: the lack of comfort and muscular economy risks making it much less efficient and therefore less interesting. Yoann Kowal ran the London Marathon in 2023 with it and failed to reach his target, as did Méline Rollin during her French record-breaking run over the distance, when she didn't run with this particular model. Finally, in our opinion, its accessibility is reserved for confirmed runners who are muscularly strong and genuinely aiming for performance. If you meet these criteria, the shoe will be just as effective in training from the threshold to the specific session, as it will be at weekends during road races.
Our shoe rotation tips at KIPRUN :
Shoe rotation means using two or three different models in your training week. This is recommended if you have a performance-oriented profile and run more than 4 times a week:
KD900X LD (road racing) - KD900 (fast training) - KS900 2 (jogging and long outings)
General opinion on the shoe
Kiprun is back in 2024 with a high-performance model offering excellent value for money. The model has been greatly improved over the previous generation and now has some real trump cards to play. We won't be surprised to see more and more Kipruns on the starting line of road races. Despite these excellent points, there are a few drawbacks: a model reserved for experienced runners only, and a lack of comfort during effort. But if you've never tried the Kiprun experience, this might be the opportunity to take the plunge and give it a try. You probably won't be disappointed.
Highlights
Weak points
Similar models from other brands : Nike Vaporfly 2 / ASICS Metaspeed Sky / adidas Adizero adios pro 3
Size: usually in 42.5 at Nike / HOKA / ASICS, we are in 42 on the KD900X LD
KIPRUN
KD900X LD
I agree with you on the price,
Décathlon is starting to do great things with their 900 range (they even have shorts for 40€ and a tank top for 50€ that are as good as Nike's aero Swift range, which costs 80€).
However, you'll never find a big promotion at Decathlon, whereas you will at Nike ...
I got the shorts and t-shirt for 75€ instead of 160...
I also had the opportunity to buy vaporfly on the Nike site for 113€ in October 2022, so there's work to be done at kiprun, but it's getting better and better.
But when it comes to trail running, the quality/price ratio is incomparable.
Thanks for the test! As someone who owns the previous version, I really wanted to switch to this model, but it's true that the test has put me off...
You talk about cheaper and more efficient/comfortable shoes. Can you tell me which model you mean?
Thanks
On special offer are shoes like the Hoka Rocket X2 or the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, for example, which offer better performance at the same or even lower price 🙂
Hello,
Can anyone tell me what their recommended service life in km is?
I can't find this information.
There's no exact mileage but the lifespan is very good on these, and you'll be able to go up to 600-800km in general 🙂