Kiprun KS 900 2 First Run Review: Decathlon's Max Cushion Cruiser

Introduction

Decathlon’s Kiprun line has long covered the basics well, but until now it lacked a proper max cushion shoe. The Kiprun KS 900 2 fills that gap, sitting above the KS 900 Light as a more cushioned, heavier option built for easy days. It costs £120 or €140, undercutting most of the big cushion shoes on the market, but the question is whether that value advantage is enough. After a first easy run, the picture is a fairly mixed one: a solid, comfortable shoe that does what it sets out to do, without truly wowing on either performance or price.

What the KS 900 2 Is Trying to Be

The KS 900 2 packs a large stack of Decathlon’s M foam underfoot, a material where the M apparently stands for Mattress. It is not overly soft or squishy, but it is comfortable, protective, and has proven durable in the brand’s other shoes. The foam carries a knobbly texture that feels pleasant in the hand, though its practical purpose is unclear.

The numbers put it squarely in the max cushion category: 314g or 11oz, which is right on the weight of shoes like the Gel Nimbus and the Nike Invincible, a 6mm drop, and a stack of 39mm at the heel and 33mm at the forefoot. At £120 or €140, it is notably cheaper than most shoes in this space.

How It Runs

On an easy recovery run of around 12 to 13k, the shoe felt comfortable, protective and predictable. The foam is not bouncy or springy, but the platform is stable and not wobbly. Compared with the KS 900 Light, it is heavier and more cushioned, with noticeably more foam under the forefoot, but it loses some of that shoe’s versatility.

One notable design choice: unlike many max cushion rivals that go extremely wide for stability, the KS 900 2 keeps a narrower base, with the runner sitting within the foam at the back of the shoe plus structure in the rearfoot upper. For a neutral runner this narrower feel makes the shoe flow a little more smoothly than some very wide competitors. There is no big rocker here, so the ride is more traditional and a touch less smooth than something like the New Balance More, which the shoe otherwise resembles visually.

Fit and Upper

The upper is a reasonably breathable mesh that is a little stiff around the front, with heavy padding at the tongue and heel. That padding delivers the step-in comfort you expect from a max cushion shoe and creates a secure, locked-down hold around the heel and midfoot. The trade-off is warmth: the shoe can get a bit hot and absorb some sweat, even in mild conditions. An internal plastic heel counter adds structure at the back, and the padding was well placed enough to avoid any uncomfortable rubbing on the Achilles.

On fit, the tester ran in a UK 9.5, half a size up from normal, and found it slightly too long at the front, so sticking to your usual running shoe size is the sensible call. The toe box is quite tapered, which may be a concern for runners who prefer a wide toe box.

Outsole coverage is good across the forefoot and around the edges at the back, with a fairly large exposed foam area at the rear. The key impact zones are covered, so no substantial durability issues are expected, and durability is one area where this shoe may genuinely stand out.

Should You Buy It?

The early verdict is genuinely mixed. On the plus side, Decathlon has created exactly what it set out to: a max cushion easy-day shoe with good comfort, support and protection, at a price below nearly all of its big cushion competitors. It is a welcome and sensible addition to the Kiprun range, and a solid alternative to pricier shoes like the Gel Nimbus that cost considerably more.

On the other hand, it is not that much cheaper, and the foam is not as lively or bouncy as some more expensive rivals. There are excellent alternatives from more established brands that cost only slightly more and are easier to find discounted, and some previous-generation max cushion shoes can be found on sale for similar money with more impressive midsoles and lighter weight.

If you want a comfortable, protective cruiser for recovery and easy miles and you like Decathlon’s approach, the KS 900 2 does a solid job all around. If you chase standout foam performance or frequent discounts, established brands may still have the edge.

Conclusion

The Kiprun KS 900 2 achieves what it set out to do: give the Kiprun line the max cushion option it was missing, with a comfortable, protective and durable ride at a price under most of the market. It is a good shoe rather than an exciting one, and whether that is enough to draw buyers away from more established brands is the open question. As a first impression, it earns a cautious but genuine recommendation for easy-day runners who value comfort and price over sparkle.