Kiprun KIPNEXT CONNECT is the first running shoe with a built-in wear sensor

A major innovation developed with MOVMENTA

This is the heart of the project. With the KIPNEXT CONNECT, Kiprun has teamed up with MOVMENTA, a French-British company specialising in connected sports technology, to integrate a sensor directly into the shoe. Its name: SOLLO.

This ultra-light sensor, weighing around 3 grams, is completely invisible and battery-free. It measures how much the foam compresses over the course of its lifespan. That is a key piece of data, since this deterioration in cushioning can affect performance and potentially increase injury risk.

The system is as simple as it is innovative. Just hold your smartphone over the heel, much like making a contactless payment. The sensor uses electromagnetic waves to analyse the foam structure, then sends the data to Kiprun’s dedicated PACER app, which converts it into a wear percentage. A clear, precise and objective indicator. A dream for data-loving runners.

© Kiprun

Making the invisible visible

Today, most runners rely on feel or the condition of the outsole to judge how worn a shoe is. A logical approach, but not always a particularly accurate one. A shoe can still look perfectly healthy while having lost a significant amount of its cushioning. That is sometimes when the aches and pains start to appear.

This technology is therefore more than a gimmick. Kiprun is addressing a real problem with a practical solution. With the KIPNEXT CONNECT, runners can see exactly how much wear their shoes have accumulated. The app’s wear indicator allows them to plan ahead and replace their pair at the right time. It is simple, but it may well be one of the most useful innovations to hit running in recent years.

© Kiprun

An innovation built around a genuine need

With the KIPNEXT CONNECT, Kiprun is doing more than simply following market trends. The brand is taking an innovative approach to a problem faced by most runners. While most brands offer rough estimates of how long their shoes will last, Kiprun provides a measurable, personalised answer that can be accessed via a smartphone. It is a major step forward that could change the way runners manage their footwear.

A maximalist super trainer built for stacking up the miles

But the KIPNEXT CONNECT is not just about SOLLO. It is also a premium shoe designed to perform on the road. With a 53 mm stack height at the heel, it clearly sits in the maximalist super trainer category. The cushioning is substantial and unapologetic, built to deliver maximum comfort over long distances. It is a category that has become increasingly popular with runners in recent months.

The shoe uses a new-generation supercritical A-TPU foam, promising an interesting balance of softness and responsiveness. Kiprun claims 20% more cushioning than the Kipride Max, a model we have tested and which ranks among the best maximalist daily trainers on the market (test review).

This is a shoe made for long runs, easy mileage and high-volume training blocks. An ideal ally for runners who love putting in the miles, helping them protect their legs without giving up too much responsiveness.

© Kiprun

Remarkable versatility… but at a high price

With its specification, the KIPNEXT CONNECT positions itself as a premium training shoe capable of handling high mileage while remaining responsive enough for faster running, from steady efforts to marathon pace. It should excel on demanding long runs, when the muscle damage starts to catch up with you over the final miles.

This is not a pure speed shoe or a racing model, but a solid foundation for a modern rotation. A pair you can reach for regularly, building mileage efficiently and safely. Its weight is reasonable for what it offers at 265 g, and its 8 mm drop should suit a broad range of runners.

The catch may be the price. Kiprun has built a reputation for offering some of the best value in the market. At €150, the Kipride Max is hard to beat. Here, the brand has announced a €225 price tag for the KIPNEXT CONNECT. That means the new technology and the model’s versatility come at a cost. If you compare it with a shoe in the same category, such as the Asics Megablast at €240, the price may seem reasonable. But within Kiprun’s own range, the Kipstorm Elite, the brand’s top carbon-plated racer, sells for €220. With the KIPNEXT CONNECT, Kiprun would therefore be the only brand on the market selling a daily trainer for more than its most advanced racing shoe…

© Kiprun

Where does it fit in the Kiprun range?

This is one point that leaves us wondering. For some time now, Kiprun has organised its range around three main families: Kipride for everyday training, Kipstorm for speed and racing, and Kipsummit for trail running.

With the KIPNEXT CONNECT, announced for late 2026, the brand is introducing a new name with no direct link to those categories. It is a surprising choice, especially given how closely this shoe resembles an evolution of the Kipride Max… but in a more responsive, more technological version.

This repositioning could create some confusion for consumers. Is it the beginning of a new Kiprun category? A premium line dedicated to innovation? Or simply a standalone model in the collection? The answer will probably become clearer with the brand’s next releases.

The KIPNEXT CONNECT will probably be one of the most eagerly awaited launches of the year’s final months. Beyond its credentials as a maximalist super trainer, it is the built-in technology that really changes the game. By making cushioning wear visible, Kiprun is offering a simple answer to a complex problem. The question now is how runners will respond to the innovation. But one thing is clear: with this model, Kiprun is showing that it is no longer content to play the role of outsider. The brand now wants a place among the leaders.