The Full Story Behind France's Running-Focused Brand: KIPRUN

KIPRUN is a running-specialized brand from the French all-around sports brand DECATHLON. The brand name originates from the phrase "KEEP ON RUNNING." Its products are developed in collaboration with athletes, utilizing innovative technology inspired by ergonomics.

By engaging with runners worldwide, KIPRUN continually researches and develops new products, only commercializing those that pass rigorous user testing standards. While not yet widely recognized in Japan, what kind of features are packed into these KIPRUN running shoes?

Product Development that Prioritizes Testing & Field Trials

Established in 1976 based on the conviction that sports should be accessible for everyone, DECATHLON is renowned for its fast and robust development capabilities.

Across France, they have nine development hubs, including the international design center "Mountain Store" at the foot of Mont Blanc, featuring a 15,000m² facility on land spanning over 50,000m². The development teams—pattern makers, engineers, designers, product managers, and others—have immediate access to various outdoor environments for product testing and user observation.

KIPRUN also operates the professional running athlete team "KIPRUN" and the athlete development program "42 HOUSE" as part of its mission to connect people through running. "42 HOUSE" began operations in 2023 in Iten, Kenya, supporting athletes to become self-reliant professionals.

In Japan, a partnership was established this April with the Kanto Gakuin University Athletic Club. Beyond supplying wear and shoes, they’re launching new projects linking sports education with community engagement. As part of this partnership, there are plans to create exchange opportunities with "42 HOUSE" athletes and organize joint training camps in each other's countries.

Exceptional Functionality Trusted by Top Athletes

In March 2024, thanks to the brand overhaul at DECATHLON, all running categories were consolidated under the KIPRUN brand. While awareness has surged in Japan since then—making KIPRUN feel like the new wave of running shoes—the brand actually boasts a long history in shoe craftsmanship.

"KIPRUN isn’t exactly a new brand; in fact, we’ve been making shoes for over 30 years. And KIPRUN is a brand that makes truly excellent shoes. In 2015, our customer satisfaction score for KIPRUN products was 4.04 out of 5. By 2022, when we began making shoes with carbon plates, it had risen to 4.46—a remarkably high level. We are extremely confident in our products," says Matthias Valkeniers, Product Manager at KIPRUN.

When they began developing their top-tier racing shoes using carbon plates, they also introduced a performance index to objectively evaluate shoe functionality.

According to Valkeniers, "The performance index was crafted with biomechanists, scientists, and doctors to gather diverse data points and evaluate shoe performance. The KD900X, launched in 2022, didn’t score exceptionally high at first, but the current KD900X LD+ has achieved results that surpass other brands."

In fact, athletes who wear KIPRUN shoes are achieving impressive results. Jimmy Gressier, a leading distance runner from France, won the European Half Marathon Championship this April wearing KIPRUN shoes, clocking a personal best of 59:45. In February, he ran the indoor 5000m short track in 12:54.92, and in March, he ran the road 5km in 12:57, breaking the European records in both events.

A Highly Anticipated New Model Launching this Fall

This fall, the limited-release "KD900X Lab" will debut, featuring a carbon plate and weighing only 167g (Size EUR42), making it the brand’s lightest shoe ever.

 "Not only do we use extremely lightweight materials for the upper, but every component is designed to reduce weight. Considering that Jimmy Gressier set the European road 5km record on his first try with this shoe, I think it’s clear how good it is."

Equipped with a G-shaped carbon plate, the sole unit is crafted using a patented Fluid Technology, allowing the foam’s resilience to be maximized. Additionally, adhesives have been largely minimized, reducing environmental impact, decreasing weight, and providing a smoother ride. This is a pair of shoes runners will be excited to try.

The "KD900X LD＋" is a high-performance model designed for marathon racing. Its highly resilient foam material, carbon plate, and unique sole construction provide strong propulsion.

The "KD900X 2" is designed to fit a wider range of runners. It offers not only great propulsion but also a well-balanced cushioning and stability, making it comfortable to run in.

KIPRUN shoes seem poised to gain greater presence in Japan in the future. Keep an eye on their development.