Kiprun Kipsummit Max Review | Europes Best-Kept Trail Runnning Secret?

Before this spring, I’d heard plenty about Decathlon but only whispers about Kiprun’s Kipsummit Max, and mostly from European runners. The brand has built a loyal following overseas, yet most American trail runners still aren’t very familiar with it. That may be about to change.

I was invited on Kiprun’s first U.S. press trip and got the chance to spend several days running in the new Kiprun Kipsummit Max around Crested Butte, Colorado.

Between rocky singletrack, high-alpine trails, dirt roads, and plenty of climbing, it was the perfect place to see what these shoes could do.

After logging a lot of miles in them, I came away impressed.

The Kipsummit Max is for trail runners or hikers who want plenty of cushion but don’t necessarily love the feel of some of the bigger max-cushioned options on the market.

If you’ve tried a Hoka Speedgoat and thought, “I should love this shoe, but I don’t,” the Kipsummit Max might be worth a look.

This shoe is great for someone looking for max cushion for recovery runs or long days on the trail.

Kiprun Kipsummit Max Overview

For runners unfamiliar with the brand, Kiprun is the performance running division of Decathlon, one of the world’s largest sporting goods companies. While Decathlon is known throughout Europe for delivering quality gear at accessible prices, Kiprun represents its premium running line, with a dedicated focus on road and trail footwear.

Founded in 2008, Kiprun has spent more than 15 years developing running shoes before making a bigger push into the U.S. market, so while the brand may feel new here, it’s far from new to the running world.

That said, I was still curious how a European brand would translate to American runners, especially when it came to fit. Trying on a new shoe is always exciting, but sizing can make or break the experience.

As it turns out, I didn’t need to worry. Kiprun had clearly done its homework, and the Kipsummit Max felt comfortable right away.

The Kipsummit Max uses FASTECH+ foam, which provides enough cushion to smooth out rough trails while still feeling stable on rougher terrain.

However, I did notice that when things got really technical, it did feel a little soft. I’d keep these on medium technical trails. If you find yourself scrambling down scree fields, this might feel a little off-camber.

I did find myself reaching for the Kipsummit Max even after the press trip ended, which is a great sign.

When the media testing is over, and you’re no longer needing to wear a shoe, that’s when you find out whether it’s actually good, or just new. These kept making their way onto my feet.

Another thing that sets the Kipsummit Max apart is its price. Trail shoe prices seem to climb every year, with many premium options landing in the $160-$180 range, and even higher if you’re looking at a trail super shoe.

Kiprun has one of those, too, the Kipsummit Race, complete with a carbon plate. Spoiler alert: I liked that shoe as well.

But let’s keep the focus on the Max. It delivers a ride that feels every bit as capable as many of its more expensive competitors while coming in at a more approachable price point. A welcomed strategic move.

Now, let’s be clear, $150 is still a lot of money for a trail shoe. I don’t think anyone is calling that budget-friendly. But I appreciated seeing a brand that’s newer to the U.S. market resist the urge to price itself at the very top of the category, even if they could.

I actually love these neutral colors and the color blocking. They look fast, not flashy.

Kiprun Kipsummit Fit

The fit felt true to size for me, and I found it balanced between performance-oriented and comfortable on runs up to 15 miles.

There was enough room in the toe box for my normal training, but if I were planning to race or spend all day on my feet, I’d probably go up a half size to give my toes a little extra room once the inevitable swelling set in.

The midfoot provided a secure hold on uneven terrain and technical descents, keeping my foot locked in without feeling tight. The laces stayed put throughout my runs. Actually, now that I think about it, I never had to stop and retie them on any run. I’ll take that!

On the heel there is a pull tab, I never had to use it to put my shoes on but some may like it. The tab is pretty stiff and might look chunky under a gaiter but I didn’t have any issues getting my gaiter over it.

The whole shoe disappeared on my first run, in the best way. I could focus on running through the wildflowers without being distracted by any foot discomfort. I didn’t experience any hot spots, rubbing, or pressure points.

After nearly a month of use, I did notice a small wear spot developing on the upper. This is more related to my own running form and where my feet contact each other rather than an issue with the shoe itself, but it’s worth noting.

Kiprun Kipsummit Max Feel

On long descents, my legs felt better than expected, and on climbs, the shoe still felt responsive enough that I wasn’t fighting against a giant stack of foam. The ride is smooth and comfortable without feeling tipsy on the trail.

What I kept coming back to was how comfortable and natural they felt. Some max-cushioned shoes almost force you into a certain stride. The Kipsummit Max never felt that way for me.

If I had to compare it to other shoes, I’d say the Kipsummit Max feels like the Hoka Speedgoat and The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 had a baby.

It has the protective, long-distance comfort that made the Speedgoat such a favorite among runners, but with a more natural feel that reminded me of the Altamesa. The result is a shoe that feels cushioned without feeling cumbersome and stable without feeling rigid.

The trails around Crested Butte are a great testing ground because they’re rarely smooth. I ran through loose rock, dry dirt, alpine terrain, and everything in between. The Vibram outsole consistently performed even through mud and creek crossings.

The thicker, cushioned tongue was comfortable and helped reduce lace pressure and fatigue on longer runs. The tradeoff is that it could contribute to a warmer-feeling foot when running in hotter conditions.

One odd design choice is the shoe tag placement. Instead of being printed on the shoe itself, the tag sits on the inside of the tongue like you’d find on a shirt. It’s a little unusual, and while you can cut it out, you’ll likely be left with tag remnants unless you fully remove the stitching with a seam ripper.

I personally left mine in, and it never bothered me, but runners who are sensitive to anything rubbing against their foot will probably want to take the extra step to remove it.

Buy Kiprun Kipsummit Max

What to read next?

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