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KIPSTORM ELITE: KIPRUN’s New Marathon Racing Shoe

CL
By Clément Laborieux

Published on Fri, February 6, 2026

Updated on Thu, September 10, 2026

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KIPSTORM ELITE: KIPRUN’s New Marathon Racing Shoe

KIPRUN has been stepping up the pace over the past two years. Following the signing of Jimmy Gressier and the complete overhaul of its running range, the French brand is taking another leap forward with the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new marathon racing shoe. Faster, more innovative and lighter, it replaces the KD900X LD+. With a sharper name and even higher performance, the shoe perfectly embodies the DNA of KIPRUN’s new KIPSTORM range. Patented carbon plate, new Fastech+ foam, Marathons.com takes a closer look at KIPRUN’s latest standout model.

From the KD900X LD+ to the KIPSTORM ELITE: a logical evolution

Last year, the launch of the KD900X LD+ showed the running world that KIPRUN could produce highly capable carbon-plated road shoes. The model helped Jimmy Gressier win the European half-marathon title and even saw Méline Rollin break the French marathon record in Seville.

With the KIPSTORM ELITE, KIPRUN is moving up another gear. It builds on an already high-performing platform, targeting the features that matter most over the marathon’s 42.195 km:
✔ Greater running economy
✔ Lower weight
✔ More snap
✔ More comfort over the distance
✔ Greater stability as fatigue sets in

KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN

New Fastech+ foam for a livelier ride

This is one of the KIPSTORM ELITE’s major updates: the introduction of A-TPU foam, or aliphatic TPU, in the midsole. Increasingly common in performance footwear, the material is known for its resilience, liveliness and ability to maintain its properties over time.

The midsole uses a dual-density construction:
✔ A-TPU foam encapsulates the carbon plate and structures the platform to ensure stability
✔ A PEBA insert sits above the plate to deliver an explosive return of energy at toe-off

➜ KIPRUN’s measured result: 13% more responsiveness while saving 10 grams compared with the KD900X LD+.

The shoe has a 39 mm stack height under the heel and fully meets World Athletics requirements.

KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN

Specifications – KIPSTORM ELITE

  • Category: carbon-plated racing shoe

  • Use: Racing, from 5K to marathon

  • Foam: Fastech+ (A-TPU + PEBA)

  • Patented carbon plate

  • 3 mm SCF M-TPU sockliner

  • Surface: Road

  • Level: All runners

  • Weight: 185 g (women’s) / 216 g (men’s)

  • Stack height: 39 mm / 34 mm

  • Drop: 5 mm

  • Available February 1, 2026

  • Price: €219.99

  • Similar models: On Cloudboom Strike, ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO

Redesigned carbon plate and patented geometry

The carbon plate has been completely redesigned. Its new patented geometry features an original lateral extension and improves the shoe’s performance:
✔ Less excessive flexion through the metatarsals
✔ Better running economy
✔ Less energy loss, particularly in the closing miles

Another key innovation is the 64 mm rear bevel, also protected by a patent. This heel geometry was specifically designed to smooth out the stride, speed up transitions and encourage a quick roll forward. It is a technical detail that makes the shoe a reliable companion whether you land on your heel or run with a midfoot or forefoot strike.

KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN

Greater comfort with a new mesh upper

This was one of the previous model’s weak points: the upper was not especially comfortable. For the new shoe, the French brand has chosen an engineered mesh. Designed to act like a second skin, it merges the mesh, tongue and collar into a seamless structure. The result is even pressure distribution, no hot spots and a precise lockdown, even after several hours of running.

A 3 mm SCF M-TPU sockliner adds cushioning underfoot without compromising stability. The complete shoe remains very light: 216 g for a men’s EU 42 and 185 g for a women’s EU 38. That is a solid position within the carbon-plated racing category.

KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN
KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN

Validated by KIPRUN athletes

The shoe was developed in close collaboration with the athletes at Kenya’s 42 House, the brand’s high-performance center. Tested and approved by athletes such as Edward Cheserek, fifth at the Sydney Marathon Major, and Brian Kibor, who ran 58:39 at the Valencia Half Marathon, it has also proved popular with the rest of the team. The brand even says that 100% of KIPRUN’s elite athletes chose the KIPSTORM ELITE over the KD900X LD+ for the 2026 marathon season. The model appears to have won everyone over, striking a strong balance between outright speed and durability over the distance.

How it differs from the KIPSTORM LAB

One important distinction: the KIPSTORM ELITE is not the KIPSTORM LAB. The KIPSTORM ELITE is designed for the marathon, with more cushioning, more stability and far greater tolerance over 42 km. KIPRUN launched the KIPSTORM LAB in early 2025 to showcase the full extent of its innovation capabilities. In a sense, it is an experimental model that is not suited to the wider running public. Ultra-light and exceptionally lively but lacking stability and demanding on the muscles, it was worn by Jimmy Gressier when he set the European 5K record in 12:57 in Lille in 2025.

What type of runner is it for?

The KIPSTORM ELITE is aimed at:
➜ Runners targeting a marathon personal best
➜ Sub-elite runners and competitive amateurs
➜ Anyone looking for an efficient but stable carbon-plated shoe over the full distance
➜ Anyone who loved the KD900X LD+
➜ From 5K to marathon

It perfectly embodies KIPRUN’s new philosophy and the performance-focused KIPSTORM range: products developed with elite athletes but designed to be accessible to as many runners as possible.

KIPRUN unveils the KIPSTORM ELITE, its new carbon-plated marathon racer with A-TPU foam, a redesigned plate and improved comfort. A major evolution replacing the KD900X LD+ and confirming the French brand’s ambitions.© KIPRUN

The KIPRUN rotation

➜ KIPRIDE Max : premium daily trainer with plenty of cushioning for easy miles and everyday runs
➜ KIPSTORM Tempo : an ideal speed-training model thanks to its Fastech+ foam and low weight
➜ KIPSTORM Lab : ultra-light, aggressive carbon-plated racing shoe for fast, experienced runners from 5K to 10K
➜ KIPSTORM Elite : carbon-plated racing shoe for elite athletes and competitive amateurs, from 5K to marathon

The key takeaway

With the KIPSTORM ELITE, KIPRUN takes another step forward. New A-TPU foam, a redesigned carbon plate, significantly improved comfort and a clearer name: everything points to a strong showing from this modern, coherent and highly ambitious marathon shoe. At €219.99, the price remains unchanged from the previous model, which is good news. It also sits slightly below competing models, most of which cost around €230 to €250.

Alongside the KIPRIDE MAX for building easy mileage, the KIPSTORM ELITE becomes the brand’s new marathon benchmark. It is KIPRUN’s performance shoe for everyday runners and experienced athletes alike.

The KIPSTORM ELITE is more than a replacement for the KD900X LD+. It marks a turning point for a brand that has sharpened its message and is now openly pursuing its ambition to become one of the leading names in running. With this more polished, lighter and faster model, KIPRUN has delivered on its promise and is sure to attract plenty of runners to the start lines of the major marathons in 2026.

✔ The KIPSTORM ELITE is available for €219.99 at decathlon.fr.