Kiprun KS900.2 Review: Decathlon’s Max-Cushioned Running Shoe Offers Good Value

The Kiprun KS900.2 adds a max-cushioned option to Decathlon’s range of running shoes and it sits above the Kiprun KS900 Light in terms of the amount of foam underfoot and its price. 

It’s cheaper than many of the best cushioned running shoes (though this isn’t a budget shoe) and while it performed well enough, there are more comfortable and enjoyable cushioned options available for a similar price. This makes Decathlon’s cushioned cruiser a tricky sell.

Kiprun KS900.2: Price And Availability

The Kiprun KS900.2 launched in February 2024 and costs £119.99 in the UK and €140 in the EU. It’s not available in the US, and there’s no indication that it will be. It’s the most expensive cushioned shoe in Decathlon’s Kiprun range, sitting above the KS900 Light, which is £89.99/€100.

How I Tested This Running Shoe

I ran 35 miles in the KS900.2, using it mainly for easy and recovery runs during marathon training. I’ve tested other Decathlon shoes like the Kiprun KD900 and KS900 Light, as well as a variety of the best cushioned running shoes from other brands.

Design And Fit

The KS900.2 has a stack of Decathlon’s MFOAM material in the midsole, standing 39mm at the heel and 33mm at the forefoot for a 6mm drop. The M stands for mattress, though MFOAM isn’t a soft material. It’s well balanced to offer support and comfort, with sidewalls of foam helping to add stability despite the high stack. All that foam makes it a heavy shoe: It weighs 11oz/314g in a UK 9.5, which is comparable to other highly cushioned shoes, such as the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 and Nike Invincible 3.

The mesh upper has a lot of padding on the tongue and heel to create a comfortable and secure hold, while an internal heel counter adds more stability. I tested a shoe half a size up on my regular size and it was a little too long, so I’d stick with your usual running shoe size. 

There is exposed foam on the bottom of the shoe but the heel, sides and forefoot are all well covered with a thick layer of rubber that should last a long time. It gripped well for me on wet paved surfaces. I’d expect the KS900.2 to last a long time, with its durable midsole and outsole materials.

Running Performance

The KS900.2 is built to be a comfortable and supportive shoe for racking up easy miles, and that’s exactly what it is. The midsole foam isn’t very soft or squishy, but it’s undoubtedly comfortable, and the shoe rolls through quite smoothly when ticking along at a relaxed pace.

It’s not versatile and I didn’t enjoy doing any kind of fast running in it, but ideally it would be used in a running shoe rotation with lighter, faster options for your speed session. The MFOAM didn’t feel bouncy and there are livelier materials used on cushioned shoes from other brands. It will soften a bit over time and last hundreds of miles, but don’t expect the most exciting ride from the KS900.2 compared with cushioned shoes that use Peba foams or nitrogen-infused materials.

The KS900.2 is quite a bit narrower than other high-stack cushioned shoes. Many max-cushioned shoes have a wide base to ensure they’re still stable, and while the KS900.2 has sidewalls of foam (and the firmer midsole means it didn’t feel unstable) it may not work as a stable-neutral option for those who overpronate a little.

Is The Kiprun KS900.2 Worth It?

The KS900.2 isn’t exciting or versatile, but it is comfortable and durable and will cover all your easy runs. It’s also good for beginners who want a protective shoe that isn’t as wildly expensive as some cushioned cruisers, which now often cost more than $150/£150.

However, most of the best cushioned running shoes provide better rides, offering a softer, bouncier feel thanks to the more advanced midsole materials they use. Some are not much more expensive than the KS900.2, while some are even cheaper. The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 and Puma Magnify Nitro 2 are better cushioned shoes that offer more value, especially as they are often in sales as well as having a fairly low list price.

If price isn’t a consideration, the Brooks Ghost Max and Brooks Glycerin 21 are excellent cushioned shoes, as are the Saucony Ride 17 and Saucony Triumph 21. The KS900.2 is a good addition to Decathlon’s range, but it’s a very competitive cushioned shoe market right now, and it doesn’t do enough to stand out on either price or performance.