Kiprun KD900 X LD Plus Review: A Premium Foam Marathon Racer With Fit Trade-offs

Introduction

Kiprun’s KD900 X LD Plus is the updated version of the KD900 X LD, a capable tempo shoe that has now been promoted to marathon racer status thanks to a fresh dose of premium foam. It retails for £200, which immediately changes how you should judge it: this is no budget alternative to the big-brand super shoes, it is priced right alongside them. For a size UK 11, the shoe comes in at around 266g (9.3 oz), which is quite a bit heavier than several direct competitors.

Who This Shoe Is For

This is a shoe for runners targeting half marathon and marathon pace, particularly those who land midfoot and prefer a faster cadence. The 4mm drop and tall stack put you noticeably elevated off the ground, and the soft, bouncy PEBA-based foam rewards smooth, rhythmic running at tempo effort. It is less at home on easy runs and is probably not the first pick for 5K or 10K racing.

If you have a normal width to wide foot, the generous forefoot upper could make this an appealing option that many race-day shoes are not.

Upper and Fit: Spacious but Fussy

The upper is the most divisive part of the shoe. Forefoot width measures a roomy 12.2cm at the widest point, so wider-footed runners may find this one of the more welcoming carbon racers available. Narrower feet, however, tend to experience bunching in the extra material, and sizing down half a size does not really solve it.

The flat, rigid laces have a ribbon-like quality that fights the plush upper, and lacing down tightly is required to avoid heel slip. Even then, lace pressure on top of the foot is an issue, since the tongue padding sits too far forward to help. The ankle collar is generous to the point of excess, with an unnecessary pull tab adding weight to a shoe that is already heavy for the category. Out of the box, build quality is genuinely good: no glue issues, no sloppy stitching, and a clear step up from the previous Kiprun trainer. The upper scores 2.5 out of 3.

Midsole: Soft, Bouncy and Marathon-Focused

The midsole is where this shoe earns its place in the conversation. It is a full PEBA blend that feels airy, soft and genuinely fun to run in, with a character that recalls the great foam setups from the most famous marathon racers of recent years, while feeling more durable and protected than Nike’s ZoomX. At around 40mm in the heel and 36mm in the forefoot, the measured stack closely matches the claimed figures, with a 25 on the softness scale.

The ride clearly favours a midfoot landing. The heel and arch area are heavily hollowed out, a common trend in current carbon plate shoes, and the plate itself acts more as a stabilizer for the very soft foam than as a propulsive lever at toe-off. Around half marathon and marathon effort it feels smooth and quick to shift gears; at easy pace it feels less fluid. Some reviewers have found the narrow heel unstable, but with a midfoot landing that was not the experience here. Midsole scores 2.6 out of 3.

Outsole: Grippier and More Durable Than Expected

The rubber outsole is a quiet strength. It is reasonably grippy with a malleable, not-too-hard texture, and it held up fine on slippery patches of concrete and pavement during testing. The rubber is thicker and tougher than on many race shoes, extends right back into the heel for heel strikers, and cleans up easily after dirty runs.

The trade-off is weight. Combined with the generous upper, all that rubber keeps the shoe heavier than the lightest rivals, despite large exposed foam cutouts. Expect better durability in exchange, and note that more wet-weather testing would still be worthwhile. Outsole scores 2.6 out of 3.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Value is the sticking point. At £200, the KD900 X LD Plus costs more than some direct competitors while being considerably heavier. Discounted Nike Vaporfly 3 pairs are available for around £170, and the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 is widely regarded as the stronger shoe. To be a true contender at this price, the upper would need to be lighter, the fit more refined, and the laces better matched to the materials. Value scores 2.5 out of 3, giving a total of 10.2 out of 12.

Buying Advice

If you have a wider foot, run mostly marathon-pace efforts, and want durable premium foam in a carbon racer, this shoe makes real sense, especially if you have a Decathlon store nearby to try it on. If you prioritise low weight or the best outright performance per pound, established super shoes at similar or lower prices are the safer buy.

Conclusion

The Kiprun KD900 X LD Plus is a capable, comfortable and well-built marathon racer whose upgraded PEBA foam brings it closer to the elite tier. But a heavy, fussy upper and a £200 price tag hold it back from being an easy recommendation over the proven competition. If the fit suits your foot shape, it is a genuinely enjoyable race-day option; just go in knowing exactly where its compromises are.