The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite is a carbon-plated racing shoe built for runners who want a more approachable take on the modern super shoe. It pairs a full-length carbon plate with a dual-foam midsole that combines A-TPU and PEBA, giving it a cushioned, structured platform for long-distance racing, fast workouts, and steady long runs. The Kipstorm Elite sits below the Kiprun Kipstorm Lab as the more restrained option in the racing lineup, trading some of the Lab's aggressive race-day feel for extra comfort, stability, and versatility across both training sessions and races. Despite the "Elite" name, it's better suited to amateur and mid-pack runners who appreciate a more forgiving and confidence-inspiring ride. That's mainly because, while it's light compared with running shoes in general, it doesn't feel as lightweight as today's top super shoes, so it won't feel as efficient when you pick up the pace. Still, its dual-foam midsole is well-tuned, with both compounds complementing each other to deliver a ride that feels responsive yet stable.
Our Verdict
The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite is an excellent choice for marathon racing. Its high stack, full-length plate, and great cushioning give it the protection needed for longer efforts, while the midsole provides enough rebound to keep the ride efficient. It isn't as light as the top super shoes, but it still delivers a smooth ride that's quite stable and well-suited to long-distance racing. The arch area also isn't especially accommodating, so it may create pressure points if your feet tend to swell.
Great underfoot protection.
Great bounce from the midsole.
Full-length carbon plate.
Stable forefoot platform.
Not especially light for racing.
The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite is good for 5K and 10K racing, though its strengths lean more toward longer, controlled efforts than all-out short-distance speed. Its plate and responsive midsole help it move efficiently, but the shoe doesn't feel as quick, firm, or nimble as more aggressive short-distance racers. It's better suited to runners who want extra cushioning and control rather than the snappiest possible ride for top-speed turnover.
Great bounce from the midsole.
Full-length carbon plate.
Not the snappiest forefoot.
Not especially light for racing.
The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite has very good energy return. The midsole feels lively from heel to toe, giving the shoe a responsive ride that works well for faster training and races. It doesn't have the explosive snap of the very best super shoes, but it delivers enough bounce to feel efficient and engaging, especially when you load the midsole with enough force.
Great bounce from the midsole.
The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite has great cushioning. There's plenty of protection underfoot, especially through the forefoot, which helps it feel comfortable and forgiving over long runs, workouts, and marathon-distance efforts. While the midsole loses some of its shock-absorbing performance as the distance builds, it doesn't bottom out.
Great underfoot protection.
The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite has decent lateral stability for a high-stack racing shoe, which helps it stand out as one of the more controlled options in this category. Its broad platform, plated construction, and secure midfoot help keep the ride reasonably controlled, especially through the forefoot. However, the heel feels quite soft, so it isn't super planted overall, but it strikes a good balance between stability and performance.
Stable forefoot platform.
Soft heel feels less planted when landing.
The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite fits true to size in length, so most runners can choose their usual size. The toe box is fairly accommodating, while the arch area feels a bit snug. This is common for performance-oriented shoes and shouldn't be a major issue unless you have high-volume feet or especially high arches, but it can create pressure points if your feet tend to swell over longer efforts.
True-to-size length.
Accommodating toe box width.
Snug arch area.
Performance Usages
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the Kiprun Kipsotrm Tempo in men's US size 9, and here's the label for our pair. The pair we purchased is the Vanilla/Smoked Black, which is the only colorway available as of June 2026. This shoe isn't available in wide widths. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite is Kiprun's approachable carbon racer, designed to bring super shoe performance to runners who want extra protection and stability over an all-out race-day feel. It's a good option for racing, but it doesn't sit among the top class of super shoes like the ASICS METASPEED RAY or the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3. Instead, it feels closer to shoes like the HOKA Rocket X 3 or the On Cloudboom Strike, with a protective, controlled ride that works well over longer efforts but doesn't feel as explosive or efficient when the pace picks up. There are two main reasons for that. First, the dual-foam midsole is bouncy and well-cushioned, but not quite as energetic as you might expect from a shoe using ATPU. Second, its weight is closer to performance trainers like the adidas Adizero Evo SL than to most other race shoes, which makes it feel less nimble and efficient than the best modern racers. Its value also depends heavily on regional pricing: it can be a great bang-for-your-buck in some markets, but much less compelling if it's priced close to more top-tier super shoes.
Within Kiprun's lineup, it sits above the Kiprun Kipride Max, which is the max-cushioned daily trainer, and the Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo, which is the unplated performance trainer. It also sits below the Kiprun Kipstorm Lab, which is the brand's lighter and more aggressive race-day model.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best long-distance running shoes and the best shoes for running a marathon.
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 and Kiprun Kipstorm Elite are both super shoes that deliver a similar level of marathon performance, but they get there through different strengths. The Kiprun is the more cushioned option and does a better job maintaining that protection deep into long races, with less tendency to bottom out. The New Balance is lighter, which helps make it more efficient overall, and its midsole feels a bit bouncier underfoot. It also stands out by being available in multiple widths, a rare feature in the super shoe category that can make a significant difference for some runners.
The PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 and Kiprun Kipstorm Elite are both super shoes for racing, but the PUMA is the more well-rounded option overall. It's much lighter, its foam feels bouncier, and that combination results in a more efficient ride that better translates energy into forward motion. The Kiprun counters with a more stable platform that feels more approachable, especially for runners who prefer a less aggressive geometry. It also features a lower heel-to-toe drop.
The Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo and Kiprun Kipstorm Elite share the same family DNA, but they occupy different parts of a training rotation. The Kipstorm Tempo, as its name suggests, is built for tempo sessions, intervals, and faster daily training. Its A-TPU foam sits on top of an EVA carrier, creating a more cushioned ride overall, especially at the heel. The Kipstorm Elite is the race-day model, pairing A-TPU with PEBA and adding a carbon fiber plate to maximize responsiveness. It's lighter, though not by a huge margin, and its midsole feels noticeably bouncier and more energetic, making it the faster and more performance-oriented option.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
