Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD+ Introduction
For those who’re not aware of Decathlon, they’re a budget-friendly, French sporting items retailer. They’re principally the IKEA of sports activities manufacturers they usually 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 price range, carbon-plated racer. When the primary model launched, it price 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 major worth improve in some areas.
The KD900X LD+ isn’t an amazing 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 12 months 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 as a result of 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. This can be a important 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 very totally different shoe to the earlier 2 variations: the froth felt bouncier, the plate felt extra propulsive and the higher felt extra snug.
The thicker midsole was well-cushioned and the forefoot rocker was extra outstanding. It additionally felt much more steady than it appears. 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 an enormous enchancment over earlier variations however it nonetheless wants some extra refining. It’s too lengthy so you have to purchase a half dimension smaller than your regular dimension.
It’s additionally too slender so it’s not appropriate for large toes. 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 respectable breathability however it isn’t as skinny or gentle because the business commonplace in terms of 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 parts.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD+ Sole Unit
The KD900X LD+ lastly looks like an excellent shoe, in contrast to its predecessors. The primary purpose for that is that its VFOAM PLUS midsole has been tweaked to be softer and extra energetic. It’s nonetheless product of Pebax however it compresses extra and it springs again quicker. It jogs my memory of the Lightstrike Professional within the Adios Professional 1.
The opposite purpose it feels extra like an excellent shoe is that its stack top is 2 mm taller. This provides it deeper cushioning and makes the rocker extra outstanding. There’s a noticeable ahead rolling transition that makes it really feel smoother and extra environment friendly.
Though its midsole has turn out to be thicker and is 39 mm within the heel, I really feel that it doesn’t have gentle 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 toes; I wouldn’t be capable of go any additional with out my toes hurting.
The KD900X LD+ has a comparatively versatile experience as a result of it’s so steady. It feels snug doing straightforward paces in addition to regular, marathon and threshold paces. For me, it feels most snug 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 may very well be tweaked to be stiffer and extra propulsive in future variations. A stiffer plate would end in a extra aggressive experience with a extra excessive rocker.
As a way to save weight, they’ve positioned a niche beneath the midfoot part of the only real and this makes the rearfoot and the forefoot really feel like two separate components. For those who’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.
Similar to the earlier variations, outsole sturdiness is superb. 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 also be comparatively sturdy and it covers the excessive put on areas. Traction is nice in moist situations 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 looks like a racer now and never a velocity coach.
For those who’re shopping for it in Europe, the value is approach too excessive but when you should purchase the KD900X LD+ for round $149 like I did right here in Malaysia, it’s an amazing deal. It has a very enjoyable, partaking experience 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 have 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 gained’t be racing in it however I will probably be utilizing it in my rotation as a velocity coach as a result of it’s so sturdy.
This model is an enormous 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.
