The Kiprun KS900.2 provides a max-cushioned choice to Decathlon’s vary of trainers and it sits above the Kiprun KS900 Mild when it comes to the quantity of froth underfoot and its worth.
It’s cheaper than lots of the greatest cushioned trainers (although this isn’t a finances shoe) and whereas it carried out properly sufficient, there are extra snug and gratifying cushioned choices obtainable for the same worth. This makes Decathlon’s cushioned cruiser a difficult promote.
Kiprun KS900.2: Value And Availability
The Kiprun KS900.2 launched in February 2024 and prices £119.99 within the UK and €140 within the EU. It’s not obtainable within the US, and there’s no indication that it is going to be. It’s the most costly cushioned shoe in Decathlon’s Kiprun vary, sitting above the KS900 Mild, which is £89.99/€100.
How I Examined This Working Shoe
I ran 35 miles within the KS900.2, utilizing it primarily for straightforward and restoration runs throughout marathon coaching. I’ve examined different Decathlon sneakers just like the Kiprun KD900 and KS900 Mild, in addition to a wide range of the perfect cushioned trainers from different manufacturers.
Design And Match
The KS900.2 has a stack of Decathlon’s MFOAM materials within the midsole, standing 39mm on the heel and 33mm on the forefoot for a 6mm drop. The M stands for mattress, although MFOAM isn’t a comfortable materials. It’s properly balanced to supply help and luxury, with sidewalls of froth serving to so as to add stability regardless of the excessive stack. All that foam makes it a heavy shoe: It weighs 11oz/314g in a UK 9.5, which is corresponding to different extremely cushioned sneakers, such because the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 and Nike Invincible 3.
The mesh higher has numerous padding on the tongue and heel to create a cushty and safe maintain, whereas an inside heel counter provides extra stability. I examined a shoe half a dimension up on my common dimension and it was slightly too lengthy, so I’d stick along with your standard working shoe dimension.
There may be uncovered foam on the underside of the shoe however the heel, sides and forefoot are all properly lined with a thick layer of rubber that ought to final a very long time. It gripped properly for me on moist paved surfaces. I’d count on the KS900.2 to final a very long time, with its sturdy midsole and outsole supplies.
Working Efficiency
The KS900.2 is constructed to be a cushty and supportive shoe for racking up straightforward miles, and that’s precisely what it’s. The midsole foam isn’t very comfortable or squishy, however it’s undoubtedly snug, and the shoe rolls by means of fairly easily when ticking alongside at a relaxed tempo.
It’s not versatile and I didn’t take pleasure in doing any sort of quick working in it, however ideally it could be utilized in a working shoe rotation with lighter, sooner choices in your pace session. The MFOAM didn’t really feel bouncy and there are livelier supplies used on cushioned sneakers from different manufacturers. It’ll soften a bit over time and final tons of of miles, however don’t count on essentially the most thrilling experience from the KS900.2 in contrast with cushioned sneakers that use Peba foams or nitrogen-infused supplies.
The KS900.2 is kind of a bit narrower than different high-stack cushioned sneakers. Many max-cushioned sneakers have a large base to make sure they’re nonetheless secure, and whereas the KS900.2 has sidewalls of froth (and the firmer midsole means it didn’t really feel unstable) it might not work as a stable-neutral possibility for many who overpronate slightly.
Is The Kiprun KS900.2 Value It?
The KS900.2 isn’t thrilling or versatile, however it’s snug and sturdy and can cowl all of your straightforward runs. It’s additionally good for newcomers who need a protecting shoe that isn’t as wildly costly as some cushioned cruisers, which now usually value greater than $150/£150.
Nonetheless, a lot of the greatest cushioned trainers present higher rides, providing a softer, bouncier really feel due to the extra superior midsole supplies they use. Some are usually not rather more costly than the KS900.2, whereas some are even cheaper. The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 and Puma Enlarge Nitro 2 are higher cushioned sneakers that provide extra worth, particularly as they’re usually in gross sales in addition to having a reasonably low listing worth.
If worth isn’t a consideration, the Brooks Ghost Max and Brooks Glycerin 21 are glorious cushioned sneakers, as are the Saucony Journey 17 and Saucony Triumph 21. The KS900.2 is an effective addition to Decathlon’s vary, however it’s a really aggressive cushioned shoe market proper now, and it doesn’t do sufficient to face out on both worth or efficiency.
