Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD+ Introduction
If you happen to’re not aware of Decathlon, they’re a budget-friendly, French sporting items retailer. They’re mainly the IKEA of sports activities manufacturers they usually have over 1700 shops in over 60 international locations.
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 worth 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 value improve in some areas.
The KD900X LD+ isn’t an excellent identify as a result of it’s troublesome to recollect. The “Okay” 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 because of the 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 peak within the heel and within the forefoot.
Its value 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 vital value improve over earlier variations.
Decathlon Kiprun KD900X LD+ First Impressions
My first run was a 14 kilometre, steady-paced run. It felt like a totally 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 distinguished. It additionally felt much more steady than it appears to be like. 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 but it surely nonetheless wants some extra refining. It’s too lengthy so you’ll want to purchase a half dimension smaller than your regular dimension.
It’s additionally too slender so it’s not appropriate for vast 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 first rate breathability but it surely isn’t as skinny or gentle because the business normal with regards to tremendous racers.
Foot lockdown is sweet 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 a brilliant shoe, not like its predecessors. The principle purpose for that is that its VFOAM PLUS midsole has been tweaked to be softer and extra energetic. It’s nonetheless manufactured from Pebax but it surely 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 a brilliant shoe is that its stack peak is 2 mm taller. This provides it deeper cushioning and makes the rocker extra distinguished. There’s a noticeable ahead rolling transition that makes it really feel smoother and extra environment friendly.
Though its midsole has change into thicker and is 39 mm within the heel, I really feel that it doesn’t have tender sufficient cushioning for the marathon distance. The longest run I did was 23 kilometres and by the tip 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 trip as a result of it’s so steady. It feels snug doing simple 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 trip with a extra excessive rocker.
To be able to save weight, they’ve positioned a niche underneath the midfoot part of the only and this makes the rearfoot and the forefoot really feel like two separate elements. If you happen to’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 working at slower paces.
Identical to the earlier variations, outsole sturdiness is great. 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 be comparatively sturdy and it covers the excessive put on areas. Traction is sweet in moist circumstances 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.
If you happen to’re shopping for it in Europe, the worth is manner too excessive but when you should buy the KD900X LD+ for round $149 like I did right here in Malaysia, it’s an excellent deal. It has a extremely enjoyable, partaking trip 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 value is cheaper than most plated velocity trainers. The factor you’ll want 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 shall 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.
