The Kiprun KD900X LD+ is a carbon plate super-shoe designed for long distance events like the marathon, and the top racer in Decathlon’s in-house range, at least until the elite-focused KD900X LAB launches.

It aims to match the performance of the best carbon plate running shoes available at a lower price. However, we found it didn’t hit the same standards as our favourite super-shoes, and you can find better options for the same price or less.

Design & Key Stats

  • Price: £200/€220
  • Weight: 240g/8.5oz (men’s UK 8.5)
  • Drop: 4mm
  • Stack height: 39mm heel, 35mm forefoot
  • Upper: Lightweight mesh
  • Midsole: VFOAM PLUS PEBA-based foam with carbon plate
  • Outsole: Rubber on forefoot and heels

Kiprun KD900X LD+ Review

How’s The Fit

Nick and Kieran tested the shoe for our review and both found that the KD900X LD+ ran a little long. Nick needed to go half a size down to get a good fit. The upper is also a little plasticky and not the most comfortable, but it did hold the foot securely during fast runs.

Check out the best marathon running shoes

The Run Test: Likes

The Kiprun KD900X LD+ does deliver a fast ride thanks to the PEBA midsole and carbon plate, and when using the shoe for a variety of hard training runs we did find that we could run at high speeds comfortably.

While not the lightest or softest, the foam is responsive, and the dense feeling it gave us on the run bodes well for its durability. In general Kiprun shoes have always been long-lasting, and we expect the KD900X LD+ will provide value in that respect.

The outsole also gripped well during our tests, and although the price of Kiprun’s top shoes keeps rising, the KD900X LD+ is cheaper than most carbon plate racers from other brands,

The Run Test: Dislikes

We didn’t find the Kiprun KD900X LD+ to deliver as propulsive and energetic a ride as the best carbon racers available. The foam doesn’t have the same spring, and the shoe is also quite heavy for a racing shoe, coming in 50g heavier than a shoe like the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris.

The upper isn’t that comfortable either, and it would be a concern if you’re looking at the shoe for running marathons in particular. All in all, while it’s a fast shoe, it felt a bit more like a trainer/racer to us than a thoroughbred PB-setter.

Also while the price is relatively low, there are excellent racing shoes like the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB and Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 that are the same price or cheaper, and you can find older carbon shoes in sales for less that we rate more highly than the Kiprun KD900X LD+.

Verdict And Alternatives

The Kiprun KD900X LD+ doesn’t dazzle with regards to either value or performance, and falls short of the best running shoes for racing available. We’d opt for the Puma or Brooks at the same price, or pay a little more for the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris or Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4.