Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD+ Introduction
If you happen to’re not aware of Decathlon, they’re a budget-friendly, French sporting items retailer. They’re principally the IKEA of sports activities manufacturers and so they have over 1700 shops in over 60 nations.
Decathlon designs, manufactures and sells most of its merchandise with only a few middlemen. This provides them full management over R&D, manufacturing and retail. Decathlon doesn’t pay licensing or distribution charges, which permits them to slash prices.
The KD900X was initially designed to be a finances, carbon-plated racer. When the primary model launched, it value solely $125, half the value of most flagship racers on the time. Since then, they’ve modified the pricing technique and the brand new KD900X LD+ (model 3) has seen a big worth improve in some areas.
The KD900X LD+ isn’t an excellent identify as a result of it’s troublesome to recollect. The “Ok” stands for Kiprun, “D” stands for distance, “900” is the tier tech degree (with 900 being the very best), “X” represents cutting-edge options like a carbon plate, “LD” stands for lengthy distance and the “+” represents minor tweaks or enhancements over the bottom mannequin.
The KD900X LD (model 2) which I reviewed final yr felt extra like a velocity coach than a racer. It didn’t have as a lot cushioning as the opposite flagship racers and it didn’t provide as a lot velocity help because of the flat midsole foam. Its carbon plate additionally wasn’t stiff sufficient.
The KD900X LD+ weighs 219 grams (7.7 oz) for a males’s US 9. That is 13 grams (0.4 oz) heavier than its predecessor. It does nevertheless have 2 mm extra stack top within the heel and within the forefoot.
Its worth varies considerably across the globe. Right here in Malaysia, it solely prices $149 USD however in England, it prices $204 USD and in France, $238 USD. It is a vital worth improve over earlier variations.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD+ First Impressions
My first run was a 14 kilometre, steady-paced run. It felt like a totally completely different shoe to the earlier 2 variations: the froth felt bouncier, the plate felt extra propulsive and the higher felt extra comfy.
The thicker midsole was well-cushioned and the forefoot rocker was extra distinguished. It additionally felt much more steady than it seems. The shoe that it jogged my memory of was the PUMA Quick-R Elite 2, one other steady however comparatively heavy racer.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD+ Higher
The higher is a giant enchancment over earlier variations but it surely nonetheless wants some extra refining. It’s too lengthy so you might want to purchase a half measurement smaller than your regular measurement.
It’s additionally too slender so it’s not appropriate for large ft. I needed to put on skinny socks with it however the width nonetheless bothered me throughout runs longer than 15 km.
The higher mesh has a tough texture and has first rate breathability but it surely isn’t as skinny or gentle because the business commonplace with regards to tremendous racers.
Foot lockdown is nice when utilizing a runner’s knot however I discover the laces a tad too lengthy. It additionally has no reflective components.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD+ Sole Unit
The KD900X LD+ lastly seems like a brilliant shoe, in contrast to its predecessors. The primary cause for that is that its VFOAM PLUS midsole has been tweaked to be softer and extra energetic. It’s nonetheless made from Pebax but it surely compresses extra and it springs again quicker. It jogs my memory of the Lightstrike Professional within the Adios Professional 1.
The opposite cause it feels extra like a brilliant shoe is that its stack top is 2 mm taller. This provides it deeper cushioning and makes the rocker extra distinguished. There’s a noticeable ahead rolling transition that makes it really feel smoother and extra environment friendly.
Though its midsole has develop into thicker and is 39 mm within the heel, I really feel that it doesn’t have tender sufficient cushioning for the marathon distance. The longest run I did was 23 kilometres and by the top of that run, I used to be glad to get it off my ft; I wouldn’t be capable of go any additional with out my ft hurting.
The KD900X LD+ has a comparatively versatile journey as a result of it’s so steady. It feels comfy doing straightforward paces in addition to regular, marathon and threshold paces. For me, it feels most comfy at regular or marathon paces.
The carbon plate within the KD900X LD+ is extra versatile than your common tremendous shoe and this makes it really feel extra pure at slower paces. It might be tweaked to be stiffer and extra propulsive in future variations. A stiffer plate would lead to a extra aggressive journey with a extra excessive rocker.
With a purpose to save weight, they’ve positioned a spot beneath the midfoot part of the only and this makes the rearfoot and the forefoot really feel like two separate components. If you happen to’re a heel striker, you’ll discover that there’s a slight delay when rolling out of your heel to your forefoot. The hole turns into extra noticeable when operating at slower paces.
Identical to the earlier variations, outsole sturdiness is great. This model of Pebax foam doesn’t scrape or chip very simply so the KD900X LD+ can be utilized for each racing and coaching. The outsole rubber can be comparatively sturdy and it covers the excessive put on areas. Traction is nice in moist circumstances too.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD+ Conclusions
I loved testing the KD900X LD+ and it’s the primary Decathlon shoe which I’ve gotten enthusiastic about. It seems like a racer now and never a velocity coach.
If you happen to’re shopping for it in Europe, the value is method too excessive but when you should purchase the KD900X LD+ for round $149 like I did right here in Malaysia, it’s an excellent deal. It has a very enjoyable, partaking journey that may choose up the tempo. It feels nothing like its predecessors which had agency and flat rides.
It has a full Pebax midsole with a carbon plate and its worth is cheaper than most plated velocity trainers. The factor you might want to be careful for is its slender forefoot which isn’t appropriate for wide-footed runners.
It doesn’t present as a lot velocity help because the flagship racers from different manufacturers so I received’t be racing in it however I shall be utilizing it in my rotation as a velocity coach as a result of it’s so sturdy.
This model is a giant enchancment over earlier variations however there’s loads of room for enchancment. It must be softer so it may be used for marathons and it must be wider within the forefoot.
