Category: Racer
Stack height: 40/32mm
Weight: 195gr
The KD900X.2 has been around since last April but until recently, I have to admit I had no idea about its existence. Much like most of the French brand’s lineup. The alphanumeric model names certainly didn’t help with memorability, although that now seems to be changing.
Still, seeing the new direction that Kiprun is taking in the running market, along with a clear shift in its philosophy, sparked my interest. All signs show that the brand is moving away from its role as Decathlon’s affordable, entry-level option and aiming at technology, performance and establishment..
The first confirmation of that came with the Kiprun Ride Max, a modern, well-rounded daily trainer that stands at least equal with most of its competitors. That experience whetted my appetite, so I started digging deeper. And while the shoe tested here isn’t among the latest releases, the overwhelmingly positive feedback I came across, eventually led me to it.
Upper & Fit
From a design standpoint, the shoe is simple enough, in some ways reminiscent of Kiprun’s previous era. A thin, very open engineered mesh, completely non-stretch, somewhat rough to the touch and a bit “cheap” feeling. The toe bumper is large but flexible.
Minimal design, breathable and securely wrapped mesh.
The midfoot follows the same philosophy, with no overlays apart from the firmer reinforcement around the eyelets. The logos on either side are simply painted and add nothing functionally.
Simple but functional design.
The tongue is non gusseted, unpadded and very wide. A mix of suede-like and synthetic material, with minimal padding at the top. The laces look basic but perform flawlessly, though they are on the shorter side if you plan to use the extra eyelets.
A race-style tongue for weight savings.
Nice interior lining, sits nicely on the top of the foot.
The collar is flexible and rather low, with only a small amount of foam around it, although it feels more substantial than it looks.
The upper here has one clear purpose: to lock the foot down and provide confidence. And it does so exceptionally well, almost like a an old scholl racing flat.
Toe box space is adequate, though slightly constrained by the large bumper. Still, most runners shouldn’t have any issues.
Fairly rounded for its category and comfortable at the metatarsals. The bumper gives structure to the thin mesh.
Moving rearward, the fit becomes noticeably narrower. Not restrictive but surely race-oriented. You can cinch it down, it wraps the midfoot securely and becomes one with the foot. Excellent lacing system, with the tongue lying flat over the instep and without any lace pressure.
Completely unstructured midfoot.
Heel lockdown is equally impressive, with no movement at all. The area isn’t spacious but the flexible collar adapts well to the heel bone, taking its shape. The padding provides more comfort than expected, aided by the pleasant interior fabric.
Overall, the KD900X.2’s upper supports any pace and conditions. Secure yet lightweight, easy to dial in and then you forget about it. Solid under pressure but still comfortable at slower speeds. The very low bulk around the foot gives a race-ready feel, while breathability is outstanding.
Sizing requires attention. Following Decathlon’s size guide based on foot length, I went a full size down and it was spot on. I’d recommend you to do the same. That said, the same method wasn’t accurate with the Kipride Max, where it would have resulted in a shoe that was too small. Kiprun claims its models are now true to size, which does hold true in the case of the Max.
Midsole & Ride
At this price point, one wouldn’t expect a top-tier super foam underfoot. A supercritical EVA or a blend would seem more likely. And yet, Kiprun uses a supercritical Aliphatic TPU foam, probably the best material currently available. Stack height sits at 40/32 mm.
Visually it doesn’t look like a 40 mm stack.
Top-shelf foam choice.
A carbon fiber plate is embedded within the midsole. It’s fairly flat in shape and sits roughly in the middle of the midsole, rather than following a pronounced curve like most plates do. Its main characteristic however, is its flexibility. If you didn’t know it, you’d assume it was plastic.
A flat plate, with a lift only at the very end.
The outsole is covered with CPU rubber, a material that’s more durable and flexible than the TPU rubber usually used. Traction is excellent, even on wet surfaces, with a noticeably sticky feel. So far, there’s no visible wear, not even on the exposed foam areas. The durability of A-TPU is well known from other models moreover.
Midsole geometry is extremely straightforward. A narrow silhouette, not “dangerously” so in the heel, combined with the traditional sculpted arch of racers. No cut-outs, no voids, no innovation for innovation’s sake. One might even call it humble.
Narrow midfoot for quick transitions.
Initially, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I assumed this would be an “entry-level” carbon plated shoe. An affordable first acquaintance with this category. After all, in an era of nuclear-powered super shoes, the KD900X.2 shows up armed with a bow and arrows. As it urns out, these bow and arrows are more than capable in battle.
Let’s start with its very low weight. Don’t forget that sub 200gr. racers were very few just a year ago. And Kiprun doesn’t skimp on outsole rubber either, an easy way to shave grams. On the road, it actually feels even lighter, likely due to its compact volume and balanced weight distribution.
US11.
From there on, the foam delivers the familiar A-TPU behavior. This is not a cheaper or toned-down variation, as some might assume. It’s soft yet substantial, with targeted compression and very quick decompression. It doesn’t have the “hollow” sensation of some other meterials, nor an overly long compression travel, and the stack actually feels slightly lower than 40 mm. Still, the cushioning and protection it offers dispel any doubts.
Cushy, not mushy.
The ride manages a near perfect balance between bounce and responsiveness. You get the energy return from the excellent material, while still giving plenty of ground feedback. You never feel disconnected from the road and there’s a natural feel that we don’t meet anymore. Purposeful rebound, without any pointless up and down movement.
The forefoot looks shallow but it isn’t.
Much of this is due to the flexible plate, in my opinion, along with the simple geometry. The shoe adapts to your mechanics instead of fighting them, unlike some heavily “prescriptive” racers. It doesn’t demand a specific form and biomechanics, works well with any foot strike and never becomes uncontrollable.
Very smooth rocker, something something that is also apparent from the shape of the plate (black line).
Compared to more complicated super shoes, the KD900X.2 doesn’t wow you at first step-in. It’s not ultra-soft, doesn’t have an aggressive angle upfront and even its bounce is not shoved in your face. Yet, it delivers. There’s no pace it can’t handle, no matter how fast you go. Easy to handle it, with heel or midfoot striking, direct and precise. And while you don’t expect it, it’s surprisingly kind to your legs.
Despite its speed performance, what really surprised me was its behavior at slower paces. The plate works almost like a plastic one and combined with its positioning, it goes almost unnoticed. As contact time increases, the ride becomes softer and smoother and so does the bounce feel. Incredibly manageable and adaptable, it syncs with you and makes you forget you’re wearing a carbon racer. I used it on easy runs or longer runs starting at very relaxed paces and it never felt awkward or uncomfortable. Not that anyone would buy it for that purpose, but it highlights just how forgiving its geometry is.
No words needed.
Stability is adequate as well. Despite lacking specific stabilizing features, the midsole design and controlled compression result in a fairly neutral and confident ride.
Heel stability is fine.
For reference, the ride is very close to that of the Puma Deviate Elite 3. They share the same foam, after all. The Puma feels slightly fuller and a bit more aggressive due to its stiffer plate, but overall the sensation and behavior are quite similar.
The KD900X.2 is extremely versatile and can cover almost anything. As a racer, its suitability depends on what you’re accustomed to. I’d confidently choose it for distances with the foot on the pedal, like 5K and 10K, while it has enough protection to handle the 21.1K. For the full marathon, most runners would likely prefer more volume and depth underfoot, partly for psychological reasons. Still, I don’t believe the Kiprun falls short and its forgiving nature can actually be an advantage if things don’t go exactly as planned.
Verdict
The KD900X.2 could easily be seen as the evolved descendant of traditional racing flats. It retains some of that scalpel-like precision, but paired with the protection and efficiency of modern materials. Seasoned runners in particular will appreciate it, as very few shoes today keep you connected to the road. But even those who prefer soft, high-stack platforms, shouldn’t hesitate.
This shoe was a huge surprise, delivering a level of performance I didn’t expect from a model with a launch price of €130. And I intentionally waited until the end to mention the price, as focusing on it earlier would be unfair for the shoe.
I don’t know whether Kiprun plans to replace or discontinue it, especially with the Kipstorm Elite and Lab already on the horizon as its new racing offerings. Personally, I’d be happy to see models like this continue to exist, especially at this level of value. Either way, the KD900X.2 is a shoe I absolutely recommend, whether as a dedicated racer or an uptempo trainer.
