Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD Introduction
“Goedkoop is duurkoop” is a well-liked Afrikaans saying which implies should you pay low-cost costs, you’ll pay extra in the long term. That is notably related to the Kiprun KD900X collection from Decathlon.
The Kiprun KD900X is Decathlon’s finances carbon-plated tremendous shoe collection. Decathlon is without doubt one of the greatest sports activities retailers on the earth, spanning throughout greater than 69 nations and Kiprun is certainly one of their home manufacturers.
Once I reviewed the unique model 2 years in the past, I used to be not impressed and it acquired the bottom rating I’ve ever given to a working shoe. The higher was extraordinarily uncomfortable, the trip was agency and it didn’t even really feel like Pebax in its midsole due to how dense/flat it felt.
It value solely $125 however you didn’t get the identical stage of efficiency as a premium, $250 tremendous shoe. Runners who purchased this shoe as a racing choice, seeking to save some huge cash, in all probability wanted to additionally purchase a $250 Vaporfly/Adios Professional/Metaspeed Sky as a result of the distinction in efficiency was so massive.
The Kiprun KD900X LD is the second model of the KD900X. There wasn’t a brand new model final 12 months and this 12 months’s model has a model new midsole referred to as VFOAM PLUS. I purchased my pair in England for 160 GBP which is the equal of about $200 so the value has elevated.
It weighs 7.3 oz (206 g) for a males’s US9 which is about the identical because the Saucony Endorphin Professional 4. It weighs 0.6 oz (grams) lower than the unique model which is kind of a considerable quantity. It has extra foam within the forefoot so the drop has been decreased from 8 mm to 4 mm.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD First Impressions
My first run within the KD900X LD was a 20 kilometre straightforward run. I loved that run way more than any earlier run within the authentic model. The principle distinction was the midsole which felt a lot softer and way more cushioned.
I nonetheless had some points with the higher and I needed to cease to regulate the lacing mid-run. I may really feel the underside of the tongue, the place it’s hooked up to the higher on the highest of my ft, which was annoying but it surely didn’t trigger any blisters.
To me, it nonetheless didn’t really feel like a brilliant shoe racer. It felt extra like a velocity coach. It didn’t really feel as energetic or as propulsive as flagship racers from different manufacturers.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD Higher
The higher of the KD900X LD is disappointing as a result of not a lot has modified from the unique model which was additionally a horrible higher and probably the worst I’ve ever skilled. It feels laborious, scratchy and it’s too slim.
The flat tongue is just not gusseted and on the level the place it’s hooked up to the shoe on the backside, it pokes into the highest of my foot and creates annoying strain.
It additionally has an extended paper tag hooked up to the facet of the tongue which will get in the best way while you’re placing the shoe on. You’ll be able to’t reduce the tag off as a result of then you may’t return it if any a part of the shoe breaks.
The forefoot feels too slim so I get some scorching spots on the perimeters of my ft throughout medium and lengthy runs though I’ve slim ft. This isn’t a shoe for extensive ft. I like to recommend going true to dimension as a result of the size will likely be method too lengthy should you up a half dimension.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD Sole Unit
You get many various kinds of Pebax and the model that’s within the KD900X LD doesn’t fairly have the identical pop or power return as Pebax that you just discover in say the Alphafly/Vaporfly, SC Elite, or Rocket X.
On this model, they’ve modified from VFOAM, which was a beaded Pebax (like Saucony’s Pwrrun PB), to VFOAM PLUS which is a single chunk of froth. The result’s a softer, extra comfy midsole which compresses extra with every foot strike.
I discovered the midsole within the earlier model method too agency however on this model, it’s much more nice and straightforward on the ft. It has a heel stack peak of 37 mm, considerably decrease than rivals that are 40 mm or simply under 40 so the KD900X LD doesn’t really feel as tall or as cushioned.
The longest run I did within the KD900X LD was 32 kilometres. Throughout that long term, I needed extra cushioning within the remaining 10 kilometres. The match additionally felt too slim when my ft expanded which made it uncomfortable.
The carbon plate within the authentic model wasn’t very stiff and neither is the one on this model. It flexes comparatively simply in comparison with different tremendous sneakers so that you don’t get that highly effective snap throughout transitions and your ft need to do extra work.
The KD900X LD is comparatively versatile due to its medium-soft trip. It felt comfy on straightforward runs, regular runs and tempo runs but it surely flexes a bit an excessive amount of throughout actually quick bursts like intervals. Stability is nice for a racing shoe so it’s appropriate for slight overpronators.
The outsole is similar to the earlier model and is extraordinarily sturdy. The rubber is thick and hard-wearing whereas the uncovered foam can be sturdy so it doesn’t image or chip very simply. You need to use the KD900X LD for racing and coaching.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD Conclusions
The KD900X LD feels extra like a velocity coach than a long-distance racer. It doesn’t have as a lot cushioning as the opposite flagship racers and it doesn’t provide as a lot velocity help because of the flat midsole foam. Its carbon plate additionally isn’t stiff sufficient.
It prices 25% lower than a carbon-plated tremendous shoe from different manufacturers however you get what you pay for and on this case, it feels lots slower, much less versatile and it’s not as pleasing to run in. In case you purchase the KD900X LD as your essential racer, you’ll nonetheless crave the total “tremendous shoe expertise.”
I might suggest saving your cash for a top-tier tremendous shoe or else shopping for certainly one of final 12 months’s top-tier fashions at a reduction. In case you actually can’t afford one, Atreyu’s Race Mannequin is barely $120 and feels extra like a brilliant shoe racer than the KD900X LD.
Model 2 is healthier than model 1 as a result of it has a a lot softer trip with extra power return but it surely nonetheless has a extremely uncomfortable higher which is difficult and pokes into your ft. If they will make the higher softer, wider and smoother inside, I would be capable to suggest it, however as it’s now, the KD900X LD nonetheless doesn’t really feel like a sophisticated product from one of many world’s greatest sports activities retailers.
