I ran a half marathon in Kiprun’s budget-friendly super shoes and they delivered more than I expected

Decathlon's own brand, Kiprun, recently launched its super shoe, the KD900X LD+. This high-stack racer undercuts big-ticket brands such as Adidas and Nike without seemingly compromising on energy return, weight, or performance.

It's a tall order, but the shoes already helped Méline Rollin break the 14-year-old French marathon record at the 2024 Seville marathon, so they can't be that bad, can they? From what I can tell, they really are a solid choice for those who want to push their limits at long-distance races.

Featuring the new VFOAM PLUS compound, a full-length carbon plate and a lightweight upper, the KD900X LD+ enters one of the most contested running shoe categories: super shoes. To see how well they hold up, I decided to run a half marathon in Brighton with little to no training using the Kiprun shoes.

The results surprised me. It's not like I didn't expect the KD900X LD+ to perform well, but they did it without breaking a sweat. Are they the best running shoes for fast runners on a budget? Depends on how far that budget stretches...

KIPRUN KD900X LD+ review

Price and availability

The KIPRUN KD900X LD+ was launched in Q1 2025 and is available to buy now directly from Decathlon UK for a recommended price of £199.99 (approx. $256/ AU$407). Decathlon has yet to confirm availability in other regions.

The shoes are more affordable than the Nike Alphafly 3 (£285) or the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 (£280) but on par with other super shoes, such as the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 (£220). They come in two colours: electric purple / fluo flame orange and fluo flame orange / fluo chlorophyll green.

Specifications

• Best for: long-distance racing, speedwork
• Tested weight: 355g/ 9.2oz (men’s UK 10.5)
• Stack height: 39mm (heel), 35mm (forefoot)
• Drop: 4mm
• Fit: runs a bit long
• Support: Neutral

Design and materials

The KIPRUN KD900X LD+ uses a new foam compound called VFOAM PLUS, a combination of PEBA (Pebax) and EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate). PEBA is a choice of material in most super shoes, as it provides exceptional energy return without the added bulk. AVE adds a level of stability and durability to the mix.

The shoes have a unique geometry that reminded me of the Saucony Endorphin Elite with its almost two-part sole and deep trenches in the middle of the foam. The official stack height is 39mm under the heels, which is hard to believe, seeing how tall the foam runs up on the side.

Looking in the shoes clarifies things slightly. Your foot sits deep in the foam, with the side walls providing additional lateral support. The KD900X LD+ has a quite shallow 4mm drop, giving you a 35mm stack height at the front of the shoes.

The upper is not quite as unique as the aforementioned Endorphin Elite; the thin engineered mesh reminded me of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra instead. Padding is minimal around the heels, but surprisingly, there are extra panels on the underside of the thin tongue, presumably to reduce pressure on the top of the foot.

The outsole is thin and sparsely applied, as expected from racing shoes. You'll find more foam under the forefoot for better toe-off stability/grip and less under the heels. The KD900X LD+ has a full-length carbon plate, but I don't know anything about its shape, sadly.

At 255g (9.2oz), the KD900X LD+ is fairly lightweight for a size UK10.5 running shoe. It's lighter than the Nike Alphafly 2 (269 grams for UK 10) but heavier than the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, which only weighs 221g (UK 10.5).

Performance and comfort

Being the sensible runner I am, I wore the KIPRUN KD900X LD+ just once before race day – on my final 10K run, two days prior to the big event. The next day, I noticed some tenderness in my calves and Achilles tendons, which didn’t come as a surprise given the shoe’s shallow drop.

Interestingly, my hips felt fantastic even after completing the half marathon; an unusual sensation but entirely logical considering the 4mm drop. Lower-drop shoes like the KD900X LD+ put more strain on the lower legs, particularly the feet and ankles, while higher-drop super shoes (like the Alphafly 3, Metaspeed Edge+, and Endorphin Elite, all at 8mm) shift more pressure to the thighs and hips. The shallower drop reminded me of old-school racing flats, which were not only flatter but also much thinner.

One quirk of the KD900X LD+ is its EU-first sizing approach, meaning you can’t buy them in a UK size 10 (my usual size). Instead, I went with a 10.5, which felt a little longer at the front than I’m used to. Surprisingly, this didn’t bother me at all. If anything, the extra space probably saved me from runner’s toe syndrome, which I almost always get in longer races. I used a runner’s knot lacing technique to keep my foot from sliding forward, and that worked perfectly.

I was more than satisfied with the energy return from the KD900X LD+. The VFOAM PLUS midsole kept me going mile after mile, despite my less-than-ideal training. Leading up to the half marathon, I’d only gone on five or six runs, none longer than 10K. Yet on race day, my legs felt strong, and my pace stayed steady throughout. I hadn’t planned to push myself, but by the end, I felt so energised that maybe I should have! The energy return isn’t quite at the level of the Alphafly or Adizero Pro, but I chalk that up to the presence of EVA in the foam.

One thing I really appreciated was the foam’s cradling effect, which helped me maintain an efficient stride pattern, even on corners. Despite its tall stack height, the KD900X LD+ never felt unstable or unwieldy. Sure, there’s some rocking, but I’ve tested far less stable super shoes before.

Verdict

I tried not to overuse the word ‘affordable’ in this review because, while the KIPRUN KD900X LD+ offers great value, calling them affordable almost undersells their quality—and they’re not exactly super cheap, either.

This puts me in a bit of a pickle when it comes to recommending them. On one hand, they’re an excellent alternative to premium super shoes. On the other, for just £20 more, you could get the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, which is undoubtedly the faster option.

That said, I expect the Kiprun’s foam to outlast the Adidas, thanks to the added EVA, which also gives them a more stable feel. So, if you’re looking for super shoes that provide a bit more stability while still propelling you forward, the KIPRUN KD900X LD+ is a fantastic choice.

Also consider

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3: The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 is a lightweight, race-ready super shoe featuring Nitro Elite foam, which is softer and bouncier than Kiprun’s VFOAM PLUS. It has a full-length carbon plate but retains a more natural feel compared to the Kiprun’s aggressive rocker. With an 8mm drop, it shifts impact higher up the leg, reducing calf strain while maintaining a snappy ride. The upper is more refined than the Kiprun’s, offering better lockdown and comfort. However, the Kiprun is arguably more stable, thanks to its EVA blend. Ideal for fast runners wanting a soft yet propulsive racer.

HOKA Cielo X1: The HOKA Cielo X1 is a maximalist carbon-plated super shoe with an ultra-rockered design, setting it apart from the Kiprun KD900X LD+. The 7mm drop makes it a bit easier on the calves than the Kiprun’s 4mm drop, while the aggressive geometry propels runners forward with an exaggerated rolling sensation. Unlike the Kiprun, which balances stability with propulsion, the Cielo X1 is more polarizing – some runners love its plush, energetic bounce, while others find it less stable due to the towering stack height. It’s best for long-distance efforts where cushioning and efficiency matter most.