The Kiprun KS900 2 is a simple, no-frills road running shoe by the Decathlon brand, built primarily for easy and recovery mileage. As Kiprun's second attempt at a max-cushion model, it bumps the stack up noticeably compared to the first version, pairing a tall slab of EVA foam with a plush, padded upper for a comfortable step-in feel. Despite the generous heel stack, the shoe stays fairly stable, and the forefoot sits a bit closer to the ground than many true max-cushion trainers, preserving a touch of ground feel that helps keep transitions predictable. It's not designed to feel lively or workout-ready, but it makes a strong beginner-friendly option for shorter easy runs and daily mileage, especially if you want a set-and-forget trainer that's predictable.
Our Verdict
The Kiprun KS900 2 isn't a strong marathon racer because it's more of a daily cruiser than a shoe that helps you hold race pace efficiently. Its tall stack and solid stability keep things controlled, but the ride lacks bounce, and the shoe's weight makes it harder to keep turnover feeling effortless late in the run. Most runners looking for an enjoyable and efficient experience will want something lighter and more energetic.
High stack height.
Heavy and bulky.
Midsole returns very little energy.
No plate to add snap.
The Kiprun KS900 2 isn't built for 5K or 10K racing, and it shows when you try to push hard. The platform is on the firmer side upfront, which can feel nicely predictable, but the shoe doesn't give much back when you load it, and the overall weight makes it feel less efficient than true speed-focused options. It's fine for getting through a short event without looking at your finish time, but it won't help you chase a fast PR.
Heavy and bulky.
Midsole returns very little energy.
No plate to add snap.
The Kiprun KS900 2 has awful energy return, with a ride that prioritizes impact damping over rebound. You don't get any springy, propulsive sensation when you toe off, which makes the shoe feel better suited to relaxed cruising than anything uptempo. If you like a calm, geometry-based underfoot experience, it fits that brief, but runners who want a lively feel will find it underwhelming.
Midsole returns very little energy.
The Kiprun KS900 2 delivers an adequate level of cushioning that takes the edge off daily road impacts. It's comfortable enough for easy runs and recovery days, with some padding under both the heel and forefoot to keep your legs from feeling less beat up over routine mileage. That said, it doesn't reach at all the ultra-plush, sink-in softness you get from the most luxurious max-cushion shoes.
High stack height.
The Kiprun KS900 2 is quite stable for a high-stack shoe, with a straightforward geometry that resists wobble better than expected from this much foam. The outsole dimensions and overall design help keep your foot stable, so it stays composed on cambered roads, corners, and tired late-run form. It's not a true support shoe, but for neutral runners who still want a steady base, it's one of the more confidence-inspiring parts of the design.
Wide outsole platform helps keep the shoe planted.
Firm forefoot adds a touch of extra stability.
Performance Usages
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the Kiprun KS900 2 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The pair we purchased is the Steel Blue/Magnolia/Fluo Pale Orange colorway, but you can also buy the shoe in other colors, depending on the region. The men's variant includes Fluo Lime Yellow/Snow White/Aquamarine Green, while the women's variant comes in Pale Mint/Delicate Blue and Smoked Black/Fluo Pale Pink/Snow White. 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 KS900 2 is a simple, no-frills daily trainer designed for short, easy runs and general mileage. It feels very Decathlon-like in its approach, even down to details like being shipped in a plastic bag instead of a traditional shoe box, which sets expectations for a fuss-free experience. That said, the end result is surprisingly good: it prioritizes simplicity, ground feel, and reliability. The ride is straightforward, with a basic midsole that does a decent job of absorbing impact but doesn't add much bounce. There's no real energy return here, but it feels predictable underfoot, with a ride character that's not too dissimilar to the Brooks Glycerin Max 2. However, once distances creep past roughly 10 km, the limitations of the simpler foam become more obvious: it starts to feel less forgiving than top max-cushioned shoes like the Nike Vomero Premium and the HOKA Skyward X. As a result, it's not meant for long runs, workouts, or runners chasing a lively ride. If you’re used to bouncy daily trainers like the ASICS MEGABLAST or the Mizuno Neo Zen, it will feel a bit boring, but for new runners or those who want something uncomplicated and dependable, it does the job.
Within Kiprun's lineup, the KS900 2 sits as a simple, value-oriented daily trainer focused on comfort rather than performance. Below it, models like the Kiprun KS500 cover even more basic daily running needs, while stepping up in ambition brings you to shoes like the Kiprun KD900X LD+, which introduces a carbon plate and a much more performance-oriented ride for racing and harder efforts. At the top end, the Kipstorm Lab is the lightweight, aggressive super shoe aimed at shorter distances and competitive running.
If you're looking for more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, the best long-distance running shoes, and the best shoes for running a marathon.
The Kiprun KS900 2 and the HOKA Clifton 10 are both high-stack daily trainers with EVA-based midsoles that prioritize impact absorption over bounce, but they approach that goal a bit differently. The Clifton 10 delivers a softer, more cushioned ride overall, with a lighter build and a smoother step-in feel that makes it more immediately comfortable for easy, short daily runs. The KS900 2, on the other hand, feels firmer and simpler underfoot, with a more basic EVA midsole that feels predictable and tends to hold its cushioning character a bit better as distances stretch out.
The adidas Adizero Evo SL and Kiprun KS900 2 are often lumped together as "great value" trainers, and they both back that up in their own way, but they end up serving very different jobs. The adidas is the lighter, more energetic option, with a livelier midsole that makes it feel more efficient across a wider range of paces, from steady mileage to pickups and light workouts. That same punchier character can also make it feel a bit overkill for truly easy, relaxed runs where you just want the shoe to disappear under you. The Kiprun is the more straightforward daily trainer: it isn't as bouncy or as exciting, but its higher stack and unplated build deliver a more consistent, reliable ride that works well when you want simple, no-drama mileage.
The Kiprun KS900 2 and On Cloudsurfer Max are both max-cushion attempts that deliver a surprisingly similar ride character: protective, reliable, and more focused on smooth consistency than bounce or excitement. They work best as easy-pace daily trainers when the run stays on the shorter side, and they have a nearly identical weight. The Kiprun fits narrower, while the On tends to feel a bit more accommodating. Where they start to split is how the cushioning holds up over time. The Cloudsurfer Max feels more cushioned right out of the gate, but the underfoot performance tends to drop off more sharply as the run drags on. The KS900 2 doesn't feel quite as plush at first, yet it fades more gradually, delivering a steadier decline in absorption.
We've recently started buying and testing 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 for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with 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
The Kiprun KS900 2 is on the heavier side for a trainer, which makes it feel best when you keep the pace relaxed, since it can feel bulky once you ask for quicker turnover.
The Kiprun KS900 2 commits to a max-stack geometry, sitting noticeably taller than the previous version and clearly targeting the max-cushion category.
The Kiprun KS900 2 fits a bit on the narrow side, especially toward the front, but it doesn't feel overly restrictive because the upper has enough give to accommodate some foot splay.
The Kiprun KS900 2 feels notably flat in the heel, with very little bounce-back after impact. That makes the ride predictable for easy running, but it won't give you that springy sensation that helps maintain momentum when you start pushing the pace.
The shoe remains very muted in the forefoot as well, with the midsole compressing and recovering slowly rather than snapping back. It’s intentionally simple and no frills, so it works fine for cruising, but it doesn't feel at home during uptempo efforts.
The Kiprun KS900 2 provides an adequately protective heel that takes some of the edge off daily road impacts. It's comfortable for easy mileage, though it doesn't deliver the plush, luxurious softness that defines more cushioned trainers like the Nike Vomero 18.
The forefoot offers a similar level of protection, feeling more cushioned than most classic daily trainers but not as plush as true max-cushioned options like the HOKA Skyward X. It absorbs lighter impacts quite well, but as forces increase, the foam's protection becomes less effective. This adds some ground feel that can be a positive for runners who dislike overly squishy shoes and a negative for those who want maximum cushioning.
The Kiprun KS900 2 leans soft in the heel, but it still comes across firmer than many premium max-cushion shoes like the Brooks Glycerin Max 2, especially at easier paces and lighter landings. The result is a controlled, stable feel rather than a super plush, marshmallow-like ride.
This model is quite firm in the forefoot, and it stiffens up more as you load it harder. That creates a more direct, ground-connected feel that can help the shoe feel steady and predictable, but it also limits the softness many runners expect from a max-cushion option.
The Kiprun KS900 2 is comfortable for shorter outings, but it isn't the most protective option once your run stretches out. After around 10 km (about 6 miles), the limits of its more basic EVA-based midsole become visible, with the reduced impact absorption letting more harshness and road feel through than you'd expect from a truly long-run-focused max-cushion shoe.