Kiprun Race Ultra 2 Review: A Value-Focused Trail Shoe for Fast Days Out

Introduction

The Kiprun Race Ultra 2 is a trail shoe built for efficiency over longer distances, aiming to balance comfort and propulsion with good durability and support. It costs £119.99, with no US price available, and weighs 275g (9.7 oz) for men in a size 8, with an 8mm drop and 5mm lugs. After test miles on easy trails and a two-hour run, the picture that emerges is a shoe with a genuinely impressive ride for the money, paired with a fit that not everyone will love.

Who this product is for

Kiprun states that the sweet spot for this shoe is between 50km and 170km, with a build that can handle technical terrain thanks to the thick 5mm lugs. In practice, though, the feel leans racier than that range suggests. The integrated bootie-style upper, sharp taper at the toe knuckles and generous forefoot length create a race-like fit rather than a long-haul comfort fit. One tester found it suits runners going fast and not spending hours on their feet, or shorter, faster trail runs.

Another tester ran in their regular size and found the forefoot extremely roomy, more than expected, but with a narrower midfoot. Their suggestion: size down half a size, accepting a little less midfoot volume. Between the two perspectives, it is worth trying the fit carefully before committing, especially if you plan to be out for many hours.

Main strengths

The ride is where this shoe wins people over. The supercritical (SCF) foam in this version has more cushioning and an increased proportion compared to the Race Ultra 1, and the midsole is very well balanced. It is soft enough to run happily on road sections and hard compact trails, yet not so soft that control is lost on wet grass and softer ground. The big, wide platform also makes it nicely stable.

Grip is a clear highlight. The 5mm lugs are thicker than the 4mm or lower outsoles on most recently tested trail shoes, and they performed well on inclines and declines. They are grippy off-road without feeling too tacky on roads, and a short 5k on road felt absolutely fine despite the formidable outsole. The lightweight Matrix Evo upper offers breathability, improved tear resistance against pointy things on the trails, plus a knitted collar and quick lacing system. Despite minimal upper padding, one tester found it surprisingly comfortable across all runs, and the shoe feels nippy and peppy with a fluid transition at longer distances.

Things to consider before buying

The fit is the main trade-off. There is a lot of forefoot length clearance, which one tester felt made the shoe feel too long and slightly boat-like, especially combined with the wide platform. The toe box tapers sharply, creating pressure points across the toe knuckles where the Matrix upper crumples, which would be uncomfortable over eight to ten hours on your feet.

The integrated bootie design is a genuine barrier for some. You have to wrestle your feet in even with thinner socks, which is not ideal with battered feet at the end of a long race or when changing socks. The quick laces hold down firmly, but there is a lot of excess lace with nowhere to stow it, which could get irritating over 12 hours of running.

One tester also noted everything can feel a bit clumpy and clunky, partly because of the broad base and roomy forefoot. If you prefer easy on-and-off shoes and a compact feel, this may not be your first pick.

Buying advice

Testing covered just under 20 miles, mostly easy, runnable trails plus some road, with one run up to two hours, so ultra-distance durability on steep, technical mountain trails has not been verified in this review. Within that scope, the verdict is a genuine 50/50: the ride impressed more than the fit. For the price, you get a punchy, cushioned, energetic ride with great grip and premium-sounding technology, the Matrix upper and supercritical foam included.

If you want an aggressive race shoe with this level of technology at £119.99, it packs in a lot. If long-haul comfort is your priority, alternatives like the Hoka Speedgoat 6 or The North Face Vectiv Enduris were cited as delivering a comparable ride with an extra layer of comfort for more money. It also works well at shorter distances: the tester primarily ran 10k to 20k in it and found it great, arguing that a well-designed ultra shoe benefits any distance.

Conclusion

The Kiprun Race Ultra 2 is a really good value trail shoe. Trail shoe prices keep climbing, and this one delivers a premium feel, a well-balanced supercritical midsole and excellent 5mm-lug grip at a cost-effective price. If you can live with the bootie fit and the extra forefoot length, it is a strong buy for trail running and beyond, even if it is not the first choice for a full 100k ultra.