Category: Trainer
Stack height: 42/36 mm
Weight: 271gr
Kiprun didn’t suddenly appear in the world of running. Its journey is closely tied to the French Decathlon and its philosophy of making sports equipment accessible to everyone. For many years, Decathlon’s running products were released under the Kalenji name, a brand that became synonymous with the company’s first steps into the running market, both in footwear and equipment.
As time went by and technology progressed, Decathlon decided to more clearly separate its running ranges. Thus, Kiprun was born as the brand that would concentrate all the expertise, research, and collaboration with elite athletes. The name is a variation of the chant “Keep Running,” often heard from spectators at marathons, clearly expressing the company’s goal: to create shoes and apparel capable of standing alongside the established brands in the market.
Today, Kiprun is not just Decathlon’s premium running line, but a brand with a clear performance-oriented identity, participation in major races, records and products aimed both at everyday runners and more demanding athletes. A strong indication of this direction is the creation of the 42 House, a training center for young runners in Kenya, which combines athletic development with a social mission. Additionally, this year marks the brand’s entry into the American market, highlighting the scale of growth it is targeting.
The Kipride Max is a model in the max cushioning category, the category which aims at the majority of the runners and typically “connects” them with a brand.
Upper & Fit
Upgrading and repositioning a product in the market always starts with build quality. In the upper of the Kipride Max, Kiprun takes a clear step in that direction. Οr rather, a leap.
An engineered mesh with open and closed zones of varying density, thin, elastic, and exceptionally soft to the touch. A few small overlays and a semi-rigid toe bumper complete the construction.
It is one of the softest meshes you can find, although its structure doesn’t particularly favor breathability.
The midfoot is well reinforced, with an internal fabric band, as extension of the eyelets, connecting to the base on each side. At the same time, a firmer material has been placed around the wide eyestay.
Three layers of materials work together to provide maximum midfoot support.
The wide tongue is made of knit material, has a moderate amount of padding, and is held in place by elastic bands. The laces are thin and sit properly on the instep.
The tongue connects to the heel area rather than the base.
The heel design is generous, featuring a medium-stiff collar and extensive padding made from very soft material.
Almost the entire ankle is surrounded by thick foam.
The construction and materials of the upper are comparable to models at much higher price points, giving the Max a distinctly premium feel. The fit is universal and will suit virtually everyone, regardless of foot width or volume.
The toe box is roomy, allowing freedom of movement thanks to the pliable fabric, with ample vertical space over the forefoot. It may initially feel a bit generous for runners with narrower feet (like myself), but on the run it never feels unstable.
The platform widens from the metatarsals onward, finishing with a rounded toe shape.
The reason for this lies in the excellent midfoot lockdown. The multiple material layers secure the area very effectively, but without making it feel narrow. On the downside, this could slightly compromise breathability during warmer months.
The tongue works very well with the flat laces, while the lacing system, with the loops and the narrow eyelets at the top, holds the tension easily.
The collar secures the heel as it should, with outstanding comfort thanks to the plush foam.
Despite the collar rising high, the soft padding prevents any irritation to the Achilles tendon.
Overall, the upper feels luxurious, with soft fabrics and a velvety sensation around the foot. Importantly, this doesn’t come at the expense of lockdown, nor does it make the adjustment of the fit tricky. However, I believe that similar results could have been achieved with fewer or thinner materials, saving some additional weight, even though the shoe is already light for its category.
The internal environment fully gives what you would expect from a max-cushioning shoe.
Regarding sizing, some caution is advised. Decathlon’s website provides a foot-length-based size guide, but in the case of the Kipride Max, the correspondence isn’t accurate. I ignored it, chose my usual size, and the fit was perfect. However, I can’t be sure if this applies to other models.
Midsole & Ride
The Kipride Max introduces a new foam compound for the brand: Softech+. It consists of PEBA, EVA, and OBC (Olefin), aiming to balance elasticity and durability. The exact proportions of each material are not disclosed.
The stack heights clearly place it in the max-cushioning category. On the road however, the shoe feels even taller to me. Visually too, as it is exactly like it looks, since the sidewalls rising only minimally above the base. The positive is that, despite the midsole volume and the substantial upper, the shoe remains relatively lightweight for its category.
Giant!
The outsole is covered with thick rubber across most of its surface. Medium firmness in the forefoot and quite firm at the heel. It never caused me any concern. That said, I didn’t run in any demanding conditions. In terms of durability, after 50+ kilometers there is no visible wear anywhere, not even in the area with exposed foam.
Grip is good and durability appears even better.
The Kipride Max is a very soft shoe with massive protection. It compresses deeply, delivering the security you expect from this category. However, the ride never becomes uncontrolled or wasteful. You sink into the foam, enjoy all the softness, yet still feel that there’s plenty of material beneath your feet. This sensation is consistent throughout the entire length of the midsole, regardless of footstrike.
Landings are very stable and the beveled heel gently shifts you forward. The wide midfoot supports the transition, leading into a well designed forefoot, where toe-off is a combination of flexibility and forefoot rocker geometry. Despite the 36mm stack, the shoe features a long and easy flex point, resulting in a more traditional toe-off. The rocker also contributes, especially at very slow paces, even though it doesn’t look particularly aggressive. In any case, the Max delivers an exceptionally smooth and effortless ride.
Impressively flexible for its midsole volume.
The toe spring is moderated by the shoe’s flexibility, reducing the rocker sensation.
What really stood out to me is that Softech+ also has a fair amount of energy. It’s not just soft, it has elasticity that makes things even easier. Compression and rebound are quick and the bounce is present even at slow, unloaded paces. The shoe lifts effortlessly, no matter how lazily you land. If you decide to push a bit, it doesn’t complain. I’m not suggesting to use it at speed workouts, but strides at the end or a change at moderate pace that may occur, are handled without issue. An extra bonus, let’s say. The platform doesn’t splay out under additional force, nor is the base excessively wide to slow transitions.
Plush cushioning with a surprisingly lively forefoot.
Stability is not a concern, thanks to the sidewall geometry, the filled-in arch, and the outsole rubber that keeps the soft foam under control. Despite being a pronator, I never felt my foot struggling to stay balanced on the platform. On the contrary, transition feels guided, even through turns, something uncommon in shoes with this level of stack and softness.
A large flared footprint from early on.
In addition to its width, the heel flares outward at the base for added stability.
For reference, I think that the closest comparison to the Kipride Max would be the New Balance More v6. Overall behavior is similar, with the Kiprun feeling more energetic and slightly softer. It’s not quite as stable, but it’s lighter and less bulky. The ride is also comparable to the Vomero Plus, with the main difference being the drop. ZoomX offers a bit more bounce and responds more easily when pace increases.
A wide platform but not so wide that it slows down transitions.
The Kipride Max is designed for daily, recovery and of course, long runs. It handled everything effortlessly and comfortably, never felt boring, and whenever I chose to pick up the pace, it followed along. I also consider it an excellent option for marathon runners who prefer trainers for their race.
Conclusion
Until now, I had no experience with the Kiprun models, considering them simply decent, budget-friendly options. However, observing the brand’s recent moves and its shift in general approach and design, it piqued my interest.
Kipride Max confirmed this change in direction. It is a modern daily trainer that doesn’t fall short compared to those of the other, established brands. In fact, it surpasses some of them.
An outstanding upper in both quality and fit, with a truly universal shape. Underfoot, a midsole that delivers everything the category demands, plus a little extra. Pleasant and far from dull, offering maximum protection, stability and respectable weight. All while maintaining an attractive price. We’re definitely looking forward to seeing more from the French brand.
