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KIPRUN Kipride Max: review after 100 km
A few years ago, KIPRUN was mostly seen as an accessible and reliable brand—but not necessarily on the same level as the big players in running. Then things changed. Quickly. Between high-performance carbon shoes, signings of top athletes like Jimmy Gressier, and a fully restructured lineup, the French brand has clearly stepped up. I had already tested the KD900X LD+ last year—a real success on the performance side. But I had never tried a KIPRUN daily trainer. Until now, with the Kipride Max. And right away: the surprise is very positive. In the middle of my London Marathon prep, I ran 200 km in this pair. Easy runs, long runs, high-volume days… in short, the perfect playground for what this shoe is designed for. Here’s my detailed review of the KIPRUN Kipride Max.
| General overview: the comfort pillar of the KIPRUN lineup
With its recent restructuring, DECATHLON’s running and trail brand has simplified its range into three categories:
✔ Kipsummit: Trail
✔ Kipride: Daily training
✔ Kipstorm: Speed and racing
The Kipride Max sits at the top of the “comfort” category. It’s built to handle high mileage, with maximum cushioning and a protective ride. A direct successor to the KS900.2, but in a much more modern version.
Key features:
✔ Softech+ foam (EVA + PEBA + OBC)
✔ 42 mm cushioning in the heel
✔ Wide and stable platform
✔ Reasonable weight of 271 g
The idea is simple: it’s a shoe you can put on without thinking to rack up miles. And that’s exactly how I used it.
| Testing conditions
I used the Kipride Max during my preparation for the London Marathon, at a time when my weekly volume was increasing significantly (100 to 120 km per week).
Here’s how I used the shoe:
➜ 200 km completed
➜ Mostly on road
➜ Mainly for: easy runs, recovery runs, and one slightly more active long run
I’m a midfoot striker with a standard-width foot and a slightly arched stride (thanks to my football background). In short, a pretty typical profile for testing this kind of daily trainer.
| Fit and comfort: a true slipper-like feel
This is probably the strongest point of the shoe. As soon as you put on the Kipride Max, the feeling is clear: maximum comfort.
The upper is well designed:
✔ Thick, very comfortable mesh
✔ Thin yet well-padded tongue, perfectly fitted
✔ Well-cushioned heel
✔ Comfortable collar
You really get that “slipper-like” feel you look for in a training shoe. It’s the kind of pair you put on in the morning thinking: “Alright, today we’re just cruising.”
One important detail: the forefoot is quite wide. For runners with wide feet, that’s great news. For me, with narrower feet, it was actually a bit too roomy. As a result, I sometimes felt my forefoot moving slightly, which caused minor friction around the toes. Nothing dramatic, but not ideal either. Switching to thicker socks helped solve the issue. Overall, this is clearly a shoe that suits wider feet better.
| Performance: a mileage machine
Underfoot, you get Softech+ foam, a blend of EVA, PEBA, and OBC. And honestly, it’s a real pleasure to run in. The sensations are very enjoyable:
✔ Very soft cushioning
✔ Well-absorbed impact
✔ Smooth stride
With 42 mm of foam, you truly feel like you’re running on a cloud. I mainly used the Kipride Max for easy runs:
✔ The day after a hard workout
✔ When the legs feel heavy
✔ During high-mileage periods
And that’s exactly where the shoe shines. The more kilometers I ran, the more relaxed and effortless the stride felt. I also pushed it slightly during a more active long run. At faster paces, it responds decently—but that’s not where it excels.
At 271 g, with a 6 mm drop and a stable geometry, the Kipride Max is clearly an easy-run shoe. It doesn’t push you forward or encourage acceleration. Instead, it helps maintain a comfortable cruising pace. In terms of stability, nothing to complain about: the platform is wide and reassuring, especially in the midfoot. Overall, it reminded me a lot of the Nike Invincible, known for its comfort.
| Durability: a strong point
After 200 km, there are no worrying signs of wear. The outsole holds up well, the foam hasn’t compressed, and the upper is still in great condition. With my running style, I didn’t notice any premature wear. In my opinion, this is a shoe that can easily reach 800 to 1000 km, which is excellent for this category. There’s some minor wear under the forefoot, but nothing significant—the outsole rubber does its job well.
| Breathability: could be better
This is probably the weakest point. The mesh is very comfortable—but also quite thick. As a result, the shoe tends to retain heat, especially on longer runs. Combined with the wider toe box, breathability isn’t its strongest feature.
| Weight: a nice surprise
At 271 g, the Kipride Max remains relatively light for such a max-cushion shoe. Many competitors in this category are heavier. More importantly, it doesn’t feel heavy on foot. Despite the 42 mm stack, it still feels natural to run in—especially appreciated during long marathon prep runs.
| Comparison with competitors
he Kipride Max is comparable to models like:
➜ Nike Vomero Plus
➜ Puma MagMax 2
➜ ASICS Nimbus 28
➜ Brooks Glycerin Max
Compared to these:
➜ Less dynamic than the Vomero
➜ Softer than the slightly firmer MagMax
➜ Very similar in feel to the Glycerin Max and Nimbus
But where it really stands out… is the price.
| Value for money: hard to beat
This is probably the biggest argument. The Kipride Max is priced at €150. Compared to competitors:
➜ MagMax 2: €180
➜ Glycerin Max 2: €200
➜ Vomero Plus: €180
➜ ASICS Nimbus 28: €200
The value for money is simply outstanding. In this category, it’s one of the best on the market.
| Final verdict
After 200 km, I’m convinced by the Kipride Max. It’s fully integrated into my rotation. It’s a shoe I love using:
➜ The day after a hard session
➜ When my legs feel heavy
➜ When I have double easy runs in a day
Its soft, protective cushioning really helps stack up mileage comfortably.
Pros
✔ Extremely comfortable cushioning
✔ Very stable
✔ Outstanding value for money
Cons
✖ Toe box a bit too wide for narrow feet
✖ Breathability could be improved
| Who is it for?
After 200 km, it’s clear to me who this shoe is for:
✔ Runners logging high mileage
✔ Comfort lovers
✔ Easy runs and long runs
✔ Marathon preparation
The KIPRUN Kipride Max isn’t built for speed. But it’s an excellent shoe for running often, running long… and not overthinking it. And given what the brand is now delivering across its lineup, one thing is becoming clear: the French brand is now competing with the best.
✔ The KIPRUN Kipride Max is available in DECATHLON stores and on decathlon.com for €149.99
Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist
