A brand associated with good but rather budget shoes and a full-fledged carbon boot? It’s like Dacia and a sports car. However, the Kiprun KD900X LD+ is a full-fledged competitor that stands in line with the elite. Lightweight foam, carbon fiber, a low-profile upper and, above all, a whole lot of dynamite underfoot. And all this for less than a grand. Sound like a cheap thrill? Well, not exactly, because on closer inspection, this is a shoe that is just as good as the rest in its class.
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The Kiprun KD900X LD+ is an advanced racing shoe designed for fast running over longer distances. The carbon fiber plate and resilient foam form a duo that really helps you keep up the pace in competitions. The model offers a surprisingly high level of cushioning for a starter, which translates into better muscle protection – especially in the second half of a half marathon or marathon. Despite its distinctly racing character, the shoe remains fairly stable and predictable even when technique starts to fail and pace drops. It’s like a lightweight racing car with traction control.
Pros
- very good cushioning
- above-average breathable upper
- safe at a slow pace
- responsive and dynamic at a fast pace
- stable despite plastic insole
- affordable for its class
Cons
- minimalist heel counter, may cause chafing of the Achilles tendon
Kiprun KD900X LD+ alternatives
The Kiprun KD900X LD+ is proof that the running elite is not limited to the most famous brands. This model easily competes with the fastest shoes on the market. Technologically, it is just as good as these. We have carbon, responsive foam and a solid dose of cushioning – everything you need to set fast times. What is most surprising is that we are talking about a shoe from a brand that many still associate more with shoes for beginners than with the fight for personal bests.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 | 39/33 | 6 | 138 | 138 | 500 |
| adidas Adios Pro 4 | 39/33 | 6 | 200 | 175 | 250 |
| Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris | 39/34 | 5 | 205 | 205 | 250 |
| Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 | 35/27 | 8 | 230 | 230 | 250 |
| Diadora Gara Carbon 2 | 40/35 | 5 | 220 | 220 | 290 |
| Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 | 39/32 | 7 | 228 | 228 | 275 |
| Hoka Rocket X 2 | 36/31 | 5 | 236 | 236 | 250 |
| Kiprun KD900X LD+ | 39/35 | 4 | 238 | 196 | 230 |
| New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite v4 | 40/36 | 4 | 237 | 188 | 280 |
| Nike Alphafly 3 | 40/32 | 8 | 218 | 218 | 310 |
| Nike Vaporfly 3 | 40/32 | 8 | 190 | 150 | 270 |
| On Cloudboom Echo 3 | 37/28 | 9 | 215 | 188 | 300 |
| Puma Faas-R Nitro Elite 2 | 40/32 | 8 | 250 | 250 | 270 |
| Salomon S/Lab Phantasm | 37,5/28,5 | 9 | 219 | 219 | 250 |
| Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 | 39/31 | 8 | 204 | 176 | 250 |
Cushioning and dynamics – a combination of foam and carbon
The Kiprun KD900X LD+ has everything you could want from a top-of-the-line racing shoe. The key element is the carbon plate – it acts like a spring, which the harder it is pressed, the more energy it “gives back” when you strike the ground. It’s a bit like a trampoline: you give more – you get more in return. The plate also helps to maintain an aggressive, distinct profile in the front part of the shoe. This allows the foot to roll smoothly and the toe-off phase to be fast. Importantly, this effect can be felt even when the pace drops. This is not a racing shoe that only works in the high speed range – here, the geometry supports you throughout the run.
The second, equally crucial element is the VFoam Plus foam – extremely light, soft and flexible. It surrounds the carbon plate from both above and below. It makes the rebound come not only from the carbon fiber itself, but also from the responsive foam. It is the foam, not less than the plate itself, that is responsible for the exceptional properties of the shoe – elasticity, lightness and cushioning. The cooperation of these two elements makes for maximum elasticity and smooth running – one element without the other would not give such an effect.
However, it is worth noting that in terms of softness, it is not a typical “cushion” as we know it from the Alphafly or Adios Pro models. Kiprun is slightly stiffer, more resilient than soft – which may not suit everyone. Especially if you like to have a lot of softness under your foot.
The stiffness of the foam has another strong advantage – stability of the shoe. This is one of the more stable models in the world of carbon racing shoes, which should be appreciated especially by less advanced runners. This is helped not only by the harder foam, but also by the well-thought-out geometry – slightly raised edges of the midsole that keep the foot in check. The result? Less rocking from side to side, more control and more predictable running shoe behavior. This is another sign that this model is not only an option for elite runners – it can also be a great, safe choice for your first race with carbon.
Grip – the classic racing outsole
The outsole of the KD900X LD+ follows the classic philosophy of running shoes: it should be light, fast and unobtrusive. The most rubber is found at the front, where the greatest weight is placed during a fast run and where the shoe works hardest. The further towards the heel, the less rubber there is, all for the sake of weight saving and dynamics. The outsole itself is a typical racing sole, flat and only 0.5 mm deep. It is perfect for dry hard surfaces or stadiums, where maximum rolling and no resistance are key. However, on wet surfaces, especially when there is a lot of water, it may lack traction.
The upper is nothing special, but it holds up well
The KD900X LD+ upper is a classic carbon bootie – light, thin, without unnecessary additions, but with good support. It is made of a single-layer mesh that practically does not stretch. It is stiff rather than soft, which may be a negative surprise when you put it on for the first time. At the same time, this stiffness makes it a good foot stabilizer. The integrated tongue completes the picture – connected to the upper with elastic “wings”, so it doesn’t move while running and stays exactly where it should be. Simple, effective and no-nonsense.
When it comes to spaciousness, it is rather modest. The front part of the upper is quite narrow, and the width at the widest point is 101.4 mm, which places the KD900X LD+ in the group of more fitted than spacious football boots. This construction translates into good foot support, but people with wider feet may feel a lack of clearance. However, this is not something that makes Kipruna stand out negatively – most carbon racers are models with a sporty, narrow cut. This one is in line with the trend: close to the foot, secure, without unnecessary excess space.
The heel counter on the KD900X LD+ follows the same minimalist philosophy as the rest of the upper. The stiffener is subtle, but it does the job – the heel stays in place, even with a high midsole and faster pace. The inside is also not over-designed: instead of soft sponges or thick collars, there is thin padding and two small cushions that hold the heel in place. This is a well-known feature of many carbon fiber racing shoes and it works just as well here, especially since there is fairly dense foam underneath.
However, one thing must be mentioned: the material in this part is not the most delicate. The stiff structure of the upper material and the flat edge can cause discomfort in the Achilles area – especially for people with sensitive skin or a tendency to chafing. If you have this problem in other sneakers, it’s worth taking a closer look at Kiprunas.
Normal weight – light, but not very light
According to the producer, the Kiprun KD900X LD+ weighs 238 grams for men and 196 grams for women. This puts it in the lightweight category. In my case, with a size 12 US, the weight was 258 grams. This is around the average for carbon racing shoes and comparable to what the biggest brands offer in these models. Kiprun is not a featherweight, but it is not a heavyweight either.
Summary
Kiprun KD900X LD+ is a relatively inexpensive but surprisingly well-made football boot that can easily compete with top brands in terms of dynamics, cushioning and stability. The biggest advantages are great responsiveness, good stability for a carbon fiber boot and a very reasonable price. Cons? The narrow upper and potential risk of chafing around the Achilles tendon – but if the shoe fits your foot, you could have one of the most cost-effective starter shoes on the market.
