Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo Review: The Best "Super Shoe"?

Kiprun faces the same challenge as other major brands as it expands its product line: remaining easy for runners to understand. With the goal of expanding into international markets, the brand has overhauled its product names.

The Kipstorm line is designed for speed and racing. Of the six models, the Kipstorm Tempo is the one designed for long interval workouts and tempo workouts.

It’s part of the trend toward “super-shoes” for training, models featuring modern, responsive foam and a towering profile. True to Kiprun form, the Kipstorm Tempo is even more affordable despite its very high performance level, which rivals that of the Asics Megablast (which costs about $55 more).

Does it match your running profile and performance goals?

That's what we'll find out in this in-depth review.

Our verdict

Cushioning: Fastech+ Foam and Its CMEVA “Simulated Plate”

For the midsole, the brand uses its fastest foam: Fastech+. It’s made of A-TPU (aliphatic TPU), quite simply the best material available today. This material is found in the highest-performance foams on the market, such as Asics’ FF LEAP.

To be more precise, it is an A-TPU SCF (Super Critical Foam): it was expanded under supercritical conditions. This explains why its density is slightly higher than that of other, plush foams.

The midsole is dual-density, with a layer of CMEVA (compression-molded EVA) on the upper portion. According to the brand, it acts as a “simulated plate”: it provides stiffness without the weight of a carbon plate.

Is the Foam Too Dense?

A bit too stiff for some testers, who found the feel upon impact too firm. I don't agree with that opinion, nor with the brand's claim of plush cushioning on its website.

For me, the feel is very well balanced, neither too firm nor too soft, similar to what you find in most shoes with a midsole plate. Personally, I would have liked to see the shoe without the CMEVA layer. It might have been too plush for some people, but for me, it would have been perfect.

In any case, it isn't as firm as I've read, and the feel should suit many runners. The brand claims a 17% increase in cushioning and a 17% increase in energy return compared to the KD 900 V2.

In practice, it’s not easy to verify these measurements precisely. But the 45 mm under the heel and the 37 mm under the forefoot ensure excellent shock absorption. The high level of cushioning allows you to run longer, whatever the format.

I've read other reviews that say this fairly dense foam provides limited shock absorption and complain of leg pain after long runs. I don't agree with that assessment: it's more a matter of personal preference.

There are no restrictions on the user's profile or weight. The protection allows you to push the distance up to a half marathon, or even beyond. The only potential drawback might be the fairly firm feel.

One last point about the 8-mm drop: it's standard and doesn't require any special adjustment. That doesn't mean the shoe is forgiving, but the drop itself won't be a problem.

Energy Return: A Light, Airy Ride for Picking Up the Pace

It has a weight of 225 g / 7.9 oz in size 42: the shoe is lightweight. Admittedly, it’s not as light as carbon-fiber “rockets,” but the Kipstorm Tempo is designed for training and doesn’t have the same requirements, particularly when it comes to durability.

The weight remains impressive given the high stack height. The ride is light and responsive, with very brief ground contact time and good forward propulsion: the CMEVA layer provides stiffness comparable to that of a plate. The responsiveness is very good.

While not comparable to racing shoes, this shoe is perfectly suited for picking up the pace during training. The rocker, though not very pronounced, ensures smooth transitions.

Support and Stability: No Need to Worry About the High Stack

This shoe is designed for neutral runners and does not feature any technology to stabilize your stride. Given the high stack and the propulsion inherent in this type of shoe, stability is a factor to consider.

The base is of standard width, but the fairly dense foam and precise lockdown provide a secure footing and a smooth stride. Stability is standard and, in my opinion, won't be an issue.

Foot Lockdown: A Sockfit Upper With a Sock-Like Fit

The upper of the Kipstorm Tempo is made of knitted mesh. Sockfit technology provides a remarkably sock-like fit. The resulting comfort is surprising for a shoe designed for speed.

The padding is less plush than on a Kipride Max, but that doesn't mean it's compromised. The shoe stays securely on your foot: you can wear it for a long time without any discomfort.

The breathability is very good. Appearances can sometimes be deceiving in this regard, but that’s not the case here: the numerous perforations and micro-perforations are easily visible, as the sock is exposed in these areas.

Air circulation is excellent, without compromising warmth in cold weather, which remains satisfactory. The shoe can be worn year-round, regardless of the weather.

The construction is solid, with lateral reinforcements that provide support. The heel counter is stiff and ensures a secure fit, with no reported slippage. With the Sockfit upper, there is no tongue, it’s an extension of the upper. There’s no compression on the instep, and again, no slippage has been reported.

The lacing system is standard, and I had no trouble tightening the laces securely. The removable sockliner, also made of CMEVA, provides good moisture management.

Sizing and Fit

Let's address right off the bat any criticisms you might come across in other reviews, particularly those from abroad, where people may be less familiar with the brand and its sizing: there may be some differences compared to other brands.

For example, I wear a US 8 (EU 41) in all other brands, but the size that fits me perfectly for these Kiprun shoes is clearly a 40 (US size 7). In fact, I find that the dimensions, both in length and width, are exactly the same as most of my size 41 shoes.

This explains the comments about length or width issues that you may come across elsewhere. The upper fits the foot very well: while the knit is fairly stiff, it doesn't constrict the foot.

Some reviews also mention less secure support in the midfoot or lacing that could be improved. Again, in my opinion, this is a matter of size, because the lockdown works well.

You can choose your usual size, at least the one you usually buy at Decathlon. If you're not sure, it's best to try them on before buying, if possible.

Traction: Reliable, Even on Wet Surfaces

The outsole features a wide layer of outsole rubber in the impact zones, with the foam exposed in the remaining areas. This outsole rubber isn't too hard: it doesn't add any firmness upon impact.

Traction is very good, with dependable grip. On wet surfaces, I didn't have any complaints and didn't experience any particular issues.

The wide central groove and smaller grooves give the sole good flexibility. As a great training partner, this road shoe will perform well on most standard trails, but not on technical terrain, where it will be less stable.

Who Is This for, and Which Workouts?

In my review of the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro, I mentioned this wave of “powerhouse” training shoes. Earlier, I compared the Kipstorm Tempo to an Asics Megablast, and we can add the Superblast 3 to that list. The comparison is apt: they share the same goal, to provide a maximalist partner for fast training.

The Kipstorm Tempo offers a level of performance that's perfectly comparable, but it's significantly less expensive than those two pairs. That's Kiprun's masterstroke, which places it right among the best.

As mentioned in the "cushioning" section, shock absorption allows you to run longer distances without restriction, all the way up to a half marathon, whether in racing or during training.

In this regard, the shoe is suitable for all types of runners: it offers high levels of cushioning, and the protection is evident given the stack height. It’s more the firmness that might hold you back from running longer distances, it’s a matter of preference between firm and plush. This is certainly why the brand recommends the shoe for distances up to a half-marathon, but not beyond.

The Limitations of This Model…

As with all shoes of this type, I’d advise beginners to proceed with caution. The shoe is demanding: it sits high off the ground, with forward-pushing propulsion. It’s not easy to handle when you’re just starting out.

Another limitation: it’s less at home at slower paces, again, just like all its competitors. Depending on your stride, the shoe may feel “unbalanced” during easy runs.

I personally haven't had any issues, but this is a common complaint about this type of shoe, and it's worth mentioning. For racing, you'll find models that offer better performance or greater comfort, depending on what you're looking for.

The brand confirms this by categorizing the shoe as a training shoe in its product charts. It has plenty of pop, and the strong responsiveness makes it seriously versatile. Accelerations come easily, and tempo workouts are a pure pleasure. I really appreciated this shoe for incorporating marathon-pace running into a long run.

Even during sharp accelerations, I find the shoe does the job, with a short ground contact time and a very good ability to propel you forward. It's a well-rounded pair for any situation where you need to go fast.

Quality and Service Life: 800 to 1,000 km (as Advertised)

As is often the case, the brand sets the bar high and promises a lifespan of 800 to 1,000 km. I’ve already pushed other Kiprun models beyond that mark. The brand conducts extensive lab testing and carries out lengthy field testing before releasing products to the market. The value for money is therefore excellent.

The shoe is not vegan. It contains recycled materials, although the brand does not specify the proportions.

Final Verdict

The Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo is a shoe that stands out, and for good reason, as it offers a high level of performance at an unbeatable price.

There are faster, race-ready models designed for racing, but this is an excellent alternative if you only want one pair. It ranks among the best speed-oriented running shoes for training.

Technical specs

Technical Specs

Terrain	Road
Pronation type	Neutral
Drop	8 mm
Heel height	45 mm
Forefoot height	37 mm
Weight (men)	225 g/7.9 oz
Weight (women)	190 g/6.7 oz
Features	Rocker, Heavy runner
Athletes
Release year	2026
Price	Check prices

Cushioning

Softness	Firm
Responsiveness	High

Technologies

Outsole	Synthetic rubber
Midsole	Fastech+ (A-TPU) + CMEVA
Upper	Knit mesh (Sockfit)

Use

Speed	Moderate, Fast
Distance	Short, 5K, Mid, 10K, Half marathon
Workout	Daily running, Racing

Reference: official Kiprun website