Kiprun Kipstorm Elite Review: A More Complete Carbon Racer from Decathlon

Introduction

The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite is a carbon plate racing shoe from Kiprun, the running brand backed by Decathlon. It launched in the UK and Europe first, with a US release following in April. Pricing sits at $250 in the US and 240 euros in Europe, while the UK landed at a surprisingly low £180. On the spec sheet it weighs 217 g (7.7 oz) in a UK 8 / EU 42, with a 5 mm drop, a 39 mm heel stack, and a 34 mm forefoot.

On paper, it does not scream top-tier carbon racer. In testing, it consistently over-delivered against those expectations, offering an easygoing but genuinely fast ride that suits a wide range of runners.

Fit and Upper Comfort

The upper is a seamless 3D knit that feels lightweight and breathable, with minimal padding but a snug, secure race fit. Heel collar padding is comfortable and flexible, and even the higher pull tab did not rub during testing. This is one of the most comfortable Kiprun race shoes the brand has produced, with no rubbing issues that affected some earlier models.

Sizing advice matters here. The tester’s sweet spot was half a size down from normal UK sizing, which produced good toe-box clearance and a dialed-in race fit without being restrictive. Checking the centimeter sizing on the product page is also worth doing.

One small quirk: the laces tend to bunch down toward the front of the shoe due to the lacing layout, so you need to make sure they sit correctly before heading out.

Midsole and Ride

The Fast Tech Plus midsole pairs two supercritical foams: an AEPE/PETG-style cradle foam that acts almost like a frame, surrounding a supercritical PEBA insert in the middle. Both foams are light and responsive, with the PEBA core giving a slightly softer, bouncier feel. A full-length carbon plate sits between them, visible through the outsole cutout.

Rubber coverage on the forefoot and heel is sparing but more generous than some carbon racers, which should mean solid grip and better-than-average durability. The ride is best described as medium-energetic and smooth: rapid but springy rather than wildly bouncy, with a roughly 60% rocker that gets you onto your toes quickly. The wider platform adds control at landing and toe-off, though it dampens some of the all-out agility of the most aggressive racers.

Who It Performs Best For

Across roughly 35-60 km of testing, including track intervals, mixed-pace road runs, and a tempo 10k just shy of marathon pace, the shoe impressed on every outing. It moves the runner smoothly from heel to toe and feels natural to run fast in, while remaining comfortable and forgiving when throttling back. It is more stable and versatile than out-and-out race-day weapons.

Compared with the leading carbon shoes, it is noticeably heavier, around 40-50 g above many rivals, and it is not as explosively propulsive as the very best. It slots closer to a second tier alongside shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 or Under Armour Velocity Elite 3: approachable, comfortable, and consistent, but not the first pick for chasing a PB. Lighter alternatives in a similar ride style include the ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo and the Puma Fast-R 3.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The weight is the main compromise. If you want the lightest, most aggressive racer available, other options do that job better. In the US at $250, the value case is weaker because plenty of highly rated carbon shoes sit at the same price, some lighter.

In the UK, though, £180 undercuts nearly every new carbon plate racing shoe. At that price, the Kipstorm Elite becomes a compelling fast trainer that can double as a race-day shoe, especially since durability and grip look better than average. It is also worth comparing against discounted previous-generation carbon shoes, which may still undercut it.

Verdict

The Kipstorm Elite marks real progress for Kiprun. It is more confident, better built, and more complete than the brand’s earlier race shoes, blending speed with comfort, stability, and a consistent feel underfoot. It is not the punchiest racer, but as a faster training workhorse or a marathon shoe for a wide range of runners, it makes a lot of sense, particularly in the UK.

If you want a carbon shoe that can handle serious training mileage and still perform well on race day, this one deserves a spot on your shortlist. If you are purely chasing the fastest possible PB shoe, the very top tier remains ahead of it.

Conclusion

The Kiprun Kipstorm Elite is a comfortable, stable, and smooth-riding carbon racer that punches well above its price in the UK, even if its weight keeps it just off the absolute top tier. For runners who want one shoe to cover fast training and racing with confidence, it is an easy recommendation.