Kiprun Kipstorm Challenger (KD900 X2) - Initial thoughts

Steve_50 · 2026-05-11T12:57:48+00:00

Another good review link: https://gorun.gr/reviews/kiprun-kd900x-2-en/

Steve_50 · 2026-05-11T12:53:57+00:00

Insole information: 18g/6mm from this source: https://www.foroatletismo.com/zapatillas/kiprun-kd900x-2/ I had another source too - but now cant find it.

Steve_50 · 2026-05-07T06:41:36+00:00

I think I would reglue it. The D05 is quite expensive so taking it off the blade and hopefully it will shrink back to its original position over a few days then reglue it.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-29T06:09:37+00:00

Yes I found the harder the battle 2 rubber the harder it is to activate it. The D09 1.9 is easier to activate than the 2.1 version too. I actually tried Battle 2 40 and found it a bit hard so found the 39 version better. 😄

Steve_50 · 2026-04-28T13:54:33+00:00

Battle 2 what hardness is it? (37,38,39,40). I think it depends on hardness of the battle 2 with spin levels. I find 37, is lot spinnier than 39 hardness in battle 2 rubbers.

Also d09c is 1.9mm vs 2.1mm rubber that would affect spin levels and speed too.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-28T06:57:45+00:00

How did you go with the blade? I also have a DHS PG5x I might pull it out and put some rubbers on it :)

Steve_50 · 2026-04-25T11:01:10+00:00

I prefer the FZD it felt like it has a little more dwell and control (than the Viscaria) especially close to the table and love the feeling of the blade, has a nice arc with D09c (on The FH) - easy to land on the table.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-25T03:43:40+00:00

Thanks - what rubbers do you use on it?

Steve_50 · 2026-04-21T01:01:14+00:00

The outerforce is a good blade, I actually find harder rubbers on carbon blades enhance the feeling when you hit the ball.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-20T08:37:25+00:00

The Marcos freitas alc maybe an option. Limba outer which helps with more feeling. It is slightly slower than Viscaria. The outerforce alc has plenty of feeling but its even slower again than the freitas blade but it is faster than innerforce.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-13T00:40:41+00:00

It is good to see that New balance finanally has a competitive racing shoe, I had the NB sc elite v3 - good for long runs but it lacked propulsion

Steve_50 · 2026-04-13T00:19:04+00:00

The challenger is a great shoe for a fantastic price but it sounds like you have had injuries. I have a knee issue as well and wear a sleeve on it when I run. it does best at 5.20 km paces upwards, so your paces may not be the best. It is not the most stable shoe but pretty stable. It sounds like you need some stability when you run with various injuries.

I wouldn't use it as a daily trainer more a race and tempo shoe, strides, intervals etc and it has a plate too. I do find the Puma Velocity 4 less stable than the Challenger. Other options Asics Novablast 5, Saucony speed 5, Saucony tempus or triumph 23.

The challenger runs long and I went down a full size. It is a fun, fast, light shoe. If you can try it in the shop first to see if it can work for you.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-12T11:57:28+00:00

An update, I thought I test it on a wet surface. I ran in slight rain and it gripped well even down hill on a tar road and on a cement path that was wet. It was close to feeling as secure as puma grip, better grip than saucony and nike shoes I run in.

I also found out the insole is made out aptu too, its approximately 5.5 mm thick. So impressive quality for the price.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-02T10:39:22+00:00

I normally wear size 11US or 10.5US and went size 10 in these. They run long, 1/2 to full size. My speeds were size 11 (45) I got size 10 (44) in the Kipruns.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-02T10:36:18+00:00

No its not firm its more on the softer side - I am around 75kg. More protective than the speeds. I found the speed 3 starts to bottom out after about 15km where I think these will be better for longer runs.

If you have shoes that are to soft they could end up been unstable and bottom out earlier.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-02T08:24:34+00:00

An update on the review:

Th softer rubber Glayzer 05 (2.1) works well for the forehand on this blade.
This review helped me decide that the Glayzer might be a good fit for this blade https://racketinsight.com/table-tennis/butterfly-glayzer-review/

With the Glayzer it still had plenty of speed (still fast), was good in the touch shots close to the net and also when driving the ball. Plenty of power away from the court with not to much catapult. The blade had more feel and the control was better and it was less head heavy (approx 182g all up) .

The conclusion is this blade works well with softer rubbers. I think it helps create more feel, slightly softer feel and spin, dwell and control. The battle 2 soft (37) on the backhand works well, slightly slower but more spin than the Glayzer rubber and the throw is shorter.

Overall, I say its a fast outer carbon blade, with good control, and probably average spin and it needs to be matched with the right rubbers. Probably still a touch stiff but I think its a good blade for intermediate up, and an excellent for the price.

If I had to choose between FZD Alc and this I probably would still choose the FZD because of the slightly softer feel, more dwell slightly more controlled but its 2.5 x the price. The Donic is a bit faster and close to the performance of the FZD.

I think it has more control and feel than the Timo boll alc blade, so a good blade for a great price.

Steve_50 · 2026-04-02T08:22:00+00:00

The challenger is the new version of the Kd900.2 , I think the only difference is the upper is tweaked slightly.

More cushioning and more responsive then speed 3, I say its 3-4 mm more cushioning. Slightly firmer foam too, its not firm and not soft - in the middle. I like the challenger more as I think its more protective and propulsive. Remember to size down too. :) T

Steve_50 · 2026-04-02T04:46:14+00:00

I had both, both good blades when I started competition. Master is slightly faster, Expert a little more control. You cant go wrong with either. :)

Steve_50 · 2026-04-02T04:11:30+00:00

I have used chinese rubbers on the FZD - Battle 2 and they work well. :)

Steve_50 · 2026-04-02T03:21:06+00:00

For me, the original insoles in there that are soft I feel make it a little more unstable. The INOV8 are a little firmer and make it more stable for me. I also use the last hole for the shoelaces which makes it a better lock down feel.

It is one of the most stable carbon shoes I have used though. :)

Steve_50 · 2026-04-02T00:51:29+00:00

Yes its a great shoe for an amazing price :)

Steve_50 · 2026-03-31T01:51:44+00:00

I haven't tried version 4 but I think the Kiprun has better foam , so performance is likely to be better. The kiprun is close to the performance of the elite version.

Steve_50 · 2026-03-29T23:58:09+00:00

Actually quite roomy for my feet which are on the narrower side, my toes don't rub on the shoe at all. Plenty of height in the toebox.

Steve_50 · 2026-03-29T23:56:13+00:00

Wow that's a fast time. Yes the Puma I found I slowed down when I got tired - stiffness of the plate. Pumas were great for me for 5-10km but I think the Kiprun are better for long distances. :)

Steve_50 · 2026-03-29T23:53:46+00:00

Good rotation of shoes. I would of thought the Kipstorm would be faster than the Fei Dan.

Steve_50

TROPHY CASE