Kiprun KS900 2 review: a comfy and affordable mile machine
Can £119 shoes be up to scratch for high-mileage training? Running coach and marathoner Jude Palmer finds out.
220 Triathlon verdict
A comfortable padded workhorse with a lot of cushioning and comfort for a good price. Score: 75%
Pros
- Affordable, practical training shoe
- Bouncy and fits true to size
Cons
- Can rub in places
- Not a thrilling ride
Hailing from Decathlon’s Kiprun brand, the KS900 2 has been ‘designed for passionate long-distance runners, or those looking for stability due to their weight or preferences.’ Jude Palmer puts these plush running shoes to the test…
The shoe is very much in the maximalist cushioning camp with one of the thickest soles on test, a decent 39mm at the heel and 33mm at the midfoot, giving a 6mm heel drop overall.
How we tested
Each running shoe we review gets put through the same level of testing, including numerous runs of varying distances over the period of several weeks at a minimum. This includes long, slow runs, plus faster tempo efforts or interval sessions. We test against a range of criteria including comfort, breathability, support, stability, ride, propulsion and value. For more details, see how we rate and test products.
First impressions
The dimpled exterior, which extends up and around the heel cup, invokes the look of a soft mattress and puts the M for mattress in MFoam. This is a shoe that looks inviting and a little bit different.
This desire for comfort extends to a plush padding around the inside of the heel cup and to the duvet-like tongue. I doubt anyone would suffer lace rub, but likewise it felt like it led to overly warm feet.
A personal bug bear I have with many Decathlon products is the inclusion of a chunky set of labels and on the KS900 2 these are unhelpfully found on the tongue, right where it sits on the foot when the shoe is laced. Yes, the labels can be removed but then you’re left with a potential rub spot.
On the run
The KS900 2 will give you a cushioned ride but not an exciting one. Compared to other shoes on the market the foot roll (how the foot transitions from landing to toe off) felt sluggish. It felt like I had to think about the roll through and it would be great to see Kiprun refine this.
The landing felt squishy and as a result, it felt there was little in the way of bounce to propel the runner onward. While it’s a very comfy ride, this shoe isn’t going to do the work for you.
At 8.57oz/243g (UK5.5) the KS900 2 was pretty much the average weight of the women’s shoes on test of our favourite running shoes.
The KS900.2 felt true to size, but take out the sock liner and compare its shape to your foot, as it looks narrow compared to other shoes.
The extra width needed to accommodate my foot was taken up by the mesh upper, but this meant my foot was bulging out and which may have led to the foot not feeling completely held by the shoe.
In fact, my feet were noticeably shifting beyond the foot base on downhills and when changing direction.
Final thoughts
Compared to the other shoes on test the sock liner is basic and offers little extra cushioning or shaping to support the foot.
Plus, the laces are narrow and harder to thread through the loops than others on test. This does mean you get a good lock, though.
Kiprun KS900 2 specs
| Price: | $120/£119.99 (UK only) |
| Sizes: | 3-8 (women’s UK), 6.5-12.5 (men’s, UK) |
| Stack: | 39mm heel, 33mm midsole |
| Drop: | 6mm |
| Midsole: | MFOAM cushioning |
| Weight: | 8.6oz/243g (size 5.5 women’s, UK) |
220 Triathlon Team
Journalists, reviewers, coaches and athletes 
