What Kiprun does

Kiprun is a dedicated running brand wholly owned by Decathlon SE, France's largest sporting goods retailer, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Villeneuve d'Ascq. The company designs and sells running footwear (road racing, daily training, trail, and ultra), apparel, and accessories through a direct-to-consumer site (kiprun.com) and Decathlon's physical retail and e-commerce channels in the US, UK, and France. Product positioning spans accessible entry-level ($119 trail, $15-$80 apparel) to premium carbon-plated supershoes ($200 Elite, $369 Kipstorm Lab), with a stated philosophy of fair pricing enabled by Decathlon's manufacturing scale.

The technical backbone is a portfolio of proprietary foam chemistries — SOFTECH+ for plush cushioning, Fastech+ for explosive propulsion, SCF for trail — combined with embedded carbon plate architecture (including a patented trail-specific carbon plate on the Kipsummit Race) and selective partnerships (notably Vibram Megagrip outsole technology). Beyond products, Kiprun operates 42 House, an athlete development and training center at 2400m altitude in Iten, Kenya, and a co-creation tester community through Decathlon's cocreation platform, supporting both product validation and grassroots brand credibility via sponsored elite athletes.

The business model is direct hardware sales with no recurring subscription component; Kiprun operates as a brand and product entity while Decathlon handles manufacturing scale, retail distribution, e-commerce infrastructure, customer support, and order fulfillment. Customer segments span everyday and beginner runners, performance and competitive road racers, trail and ultra runners, and developing athletes supported through the Kenya program. Operations are concentrated in three countries, with US shipping limited to the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C.

Name

Kiprun

Legal name

DECATHLON SE

Website

https://kiprun.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kiprun is a dedicated running brand of Decathlon SE that designs and sells road, trail, and racing footwear, apparel, and accessories for everyday to performance runners across the US, UK, and France via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and Decathlon's retail network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Running Footwear

NAICS

Shoe Retailers (45821), Footwear Manufacturing (3162), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911)

SIC

Retail-Shoe Stores (5661), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Performance Footwear (Running, Training, Court) (CRAAAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trail Running & Outdoor Performance Accessories Retail (CRAMAAAH), Running & Endurance Wear (CRAAAEAD), Outdoor, Hiking & Trail Footwear Retail (CRAAADAE)

Keywords

• Running shoes
• Trail running footwear
• Running apparel
• Athletic footwear
• Running accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Villeneuve

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Running Footwear Sales: Kiprun generates revenue primarily through direct-to-consumer sales of its proprietary running shoe lines, including road running, trail running, and carbon-plated racing shoes. Products are sold through kiprun.com and Decathlon's retail and e-commerce channels. The model is a straightforward one-time hardware sale with no recurring subscription component.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kiprun designs, develops and sells proprietary running footwear, apparel and accessories for road running, trail running and racing, sold directly through kiprun.com and through Decathlon's retail stores and decathlon.com. The product range includes carbon-plated racing shoes (Kipstorm Lab, Kipstorm Elite, Kipsummit Race), cushioned daily trainers (Kipride Max, Kipride), trail shoes (Kipsummit Max, Race Ultra 2, MT3, XT8, TR2), technical apparel (Run 500 and Run 900 lines) and accessories such as hydration vests, trail running bags, belts, poles and lights.

Product overview

Kiprun is a dedicated running brand of Decathlon offering a comprehensive portfolio of running footwear, apparel, and accessories. The product lineup includes road running shoes (Kipstorm Lab, Kipstorm Elite, Kipstorm Tempo for racing; Kipride Max, Kipride, KS900 for daily training), trail running shoes (Kipsummit Race with carbon plate, Kipsummit Max, Kipsummit, Race Ultra 2, MT3, XT8, TR2), technical apparel (Run 500 and Run 900 series for waterproof jackets, shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, merino layers), and accessories (running bags, hydration vests, belts, caps, trail poles, running lights). The brand also operates the 42 House athlete development program in Kenya and maintains a tester community for co-creation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kipstorm: Performance road running shoes line featuring carbon plate technology for speed and propulsion, designed for competition from 1km to half marathon.
• Kipride
• Kipsummit
• Run 500
• Run 900
• 42 House

Products and services

• Kipstorm Lab The lightest shoe ever designed by Kiprun, featuring carbon plate technology and feather-bounce foam for maximum speed and propulsion. Designed for competition from 1km to half marathon. Priced at $369 (US) / £239.99 (UK).
• Kipstorm Elite Carbon plate road racing shoe featuring Fastech+ foam for top-level propulsion and comfort. Designed for races from half-marathon to marathon. Priced at $200 (US) / £179.99 (UK).
• Kipstorm Tempo Road running shoe built for tempo runs and race day, engineered for explosive propulsion. Features ultra-light Fastech+ foam for tempo training and competition.
• Kipride Max Kiprun's softest cushioning road running shoe, built for daily runs and recovery. Equipped with SOFTECH+ foam for generous shock absorption, with +34% more cushioning and 69% energy return vs KS900.2. Features 42mm stack, 6mm drop, 360° fit collar and 3D tongue. Priced at $160 (US).
• Kipride Daily road running shoe designed as comfortable, shock-absorbent and lightweight, suitable for all daily running sessions.
• KS900 Support Stability road running shoe with unique sole geometry developed in partnership with a biomechanical research centre, providing maximum comfort and stability for runners needing support.
• Kipsummit Race Kiprun's first trail running supershoe featuring a patented carbon plate, SCF foam and Vibram sole. Engineered for race-day performance on trails. Priced at £169.99 (UK).
• Kipsummit Max Most comfortable Kiprun trail shoe, designed for ultra-trail distances of 40-170km. Features foam collar, tongue and upper, Fastech+ midsole with +21% energy return vs previous version, and Vibram Megagrip outsole with 4mm lugs. Priced at £119.99 (UK).
• Kipsummit Versatile trail running shoe offering comfort through Softech foam plus grip and protection for tackling rough terrain with confidence.
• Race Ultra 2 Trail running shoe delivering 38% more cushioning and 10% more propulsion vs the previous version, with a MATRYX EVO upper made of lightweight breathable fabric. Priced at £119.99 (UK).
• MT3 Trail Running Shoes Technical and grip trail shoes with reinforced uppers and wider soles for long outings over rugged terrain, prioritizing reliability and safety.
• XT8 Trail Running Shoes Versatile trail shoes combining traction, cushioning and support for combining performance and pleasure in trail running.
• TR2 Path and Trail Shoes Path and trail shoes offering comfort, flexibility, grip, cushioning and traction on easy terrain as well as roads.
• Run 900 Waterproof Jacket Premium men's waterproof running jacket with material up to 20,000 Schmerbers and 100% waterproof seams. Also windproof, breathable, lightweight and compact. Part of the Run 900 apparel tier.

Quantifiable outcome

• KIPRIDE MAX delivers +34% more cushioning and 69% energy return compared to the KS900.2 model, while being 6% lighter despite a higher stack height.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Decathlon SE / Decathlon USA LLCcoreOthersKiprun is a dedicated running brand owned and operated by Decathlon. Decathlon SE (headquartered in Villeneuve d'Ascq, France) is the parent company. Decathlon USA LLC and Decathlon America LLC manage Kiprun's US operations. Decathlon provides Kiprun with manufacturing scale, global retail distribution, e-commerce infrastructure, customer support, and order fulfillment. All orders from kiprun.com are processed and shipped by Decathlon USA. Kiprun benefits from Decathlon's financial resources and brand credibility as a global sporting goods retailer.
• VibramcoreTechnology or IntegrationVibram supplies the Megagrip outsole technology featured in Kiprun's KIPSUMMIT MAX and Kipsummit Race trail running shoes. The Vibram Megagrip compound and 4mm lugs deliver reliable grip on technical trail terrain. This is a key technology partnership for Kiprun's trail product line, differentiating its shoes on grip and traction performance against competitors.
• Valencia Ibercaja 10KmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerKIPRUN is a partner of the Valencia Ibercaja 10K race in Valencia, Spain (January 11, 2026). The race is described as one of the fastest courses on earth, with Andreas Almgren setting a European record of 26:53 and Ilias Fifa setting the Spanish record (27:41) in 2025. Kiprun's partnership positions the brand at a world-class fast-course event, reinforcing its racing and performance credentials.
• VVX - Volvic Volcanic ExperiencemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerKIPRUN partners with the VVX Volvic Volcanic Experience in Volvic, France (May 14-16, 2026), a trail running event through the UNESCO Chaîne des Puys-Limagne Fault volcanic landscape. The event offers distances from short to ultra distances, with a lively race village. Kiprun's partnership targets trail and ultra runners, aligning with its Kipsummit trail shoe line.
• Biarritz International MarathonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerKIPRUN partners with the Biarritz International Marathon in the Basque Country, France (May 2-3, 2026). The event features a scenic coastal course with oceanfront running. Kiprun's marathon-distance partnership reinforces its Kipstorm Elite and Kipstorm Lab racing shoe positioning.
• Tiger Balm Ultra01majorGTM or Marketing PartnerKIPRUN partners with the Tiger Balm Ultra01 in Oyonnax, France (July 10, 2026), an ultra-trail event with distances from 10K to 170K. The race tests resilience, courage, and passion across mountain, forest, and rugged trails. Kiprun's ultra partnership aligns with its Kipsummit Race and Kipsummit MAX trail running shoe lines designed for ultramarathon distances.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Saucony: Saucony (Wolverine Worldwide) is a direct peer in performance running shoes with proprietary PWRRUN foam and the Endorphin Elite/Pro carbon-plated supershoes. Saucony competes with Kiprun across road racing (Kipstorm vs Endorphin Pro/Elite) and daily training (Kipride Max vs Triumph/Ride) at similar premium price points.
• Hoka: Hoka (Deckers Outdoor) is a direct peer offering performance road and trail running shoes with proprietary foam technology (PEBA-based midsoles) at premium price points. Like Kiprun, Hoka spans daily trainers to carbon-plated racing shoes (Rocket X, Cielo X1) and competes head-to-head in the trail supershoe category where Kiprun's Kipsummit Race is positioned.
• Salomon: Salomon (Amer Sports) is a direct peer in trail and ultra running shoes with proprietary Contagrip outsoles and S/Lab carbon-plated racing line. Salomon is the most direct comparable to Kiprun's Kipsummit trail family, and the two brands compete for the same trail/ultra runner with comparable pricing.
• On Running: On Running is a direct peer in premium performance and casual running footwear with proprietary foam (Helion) and CloudTec plate technology. On competes with Kiprun's Kipstorm Lab and Kipstorm Elite in the carbon-plated road supershoe category and with Kipride Max in cushioned daily trainers, with comparable premium DTC distribution.
• Brooks Running: Brooks Running is a direct peer in performance road running shoes with proprietary foam (DNA LOFT, DNA Flash) and the Hyperion Elite carbon-plated racing shoe. Brooks competes with Kiprun's Kipstorm and Kipride lines in the daily-trainer and racing categories targeted at serious but not elite runners.
• Altra Running: Altra (VF Corporation) is a direct peer specialized in road and trail running with proprietary FootShape toe box and EGO foam. Altra is comparable to Kiprun on trail running breadth (Altra Lone Peak, Timp, Olympus vs Kiprun's Kipsummit/Race Ultra 2 family) and on the differentiated-fit positioning.

Broad incumbents

• ASICS: ASICS is a broad incumbent with the Metaspeed Sky/Edge carbon-plated supershoes, Nimbus/Kayano daily trainers, and a full trail line (Fuji, Trabuco, Gel-Trabuco). ASICS is comparable to Kiprun across all running sub-categories with much deeper global brand recognition and a larger racing-credential roster of sponsored athletes.
• New Balance: New Balance is a broad incumbent with the SC Elite/SuperComp Pacer carbon-plated supershoes, FuelCell foam, and a deep trail line (Fresh Foam Hierro). New Balance competes with Kiprun on performance road racing and trail, and is anchored by major marathon sponsorship deals similar to Kiprun's Valencia 10K partnership.

Emerging players

• Topo Athletic: Topo Athletic is an emerging player in performance running shoes with a foot-shaped toe box comparable to Altra, including the Ultrafly carbon-plated trail/racing shoe and a broader trail line. Topo is comparable to Kiprun as a niche running brand attacking the differentiated-fit/foot-shape runner segment with similar price points.

Others

• Vibram (as ecosystem tech partner, comparable product dimension): Vibram is a tier-1 outsole technology partner to Kiprun (Megagrip on Kipsummit Race/MAX) and a tier-1 supplier to all major trail running brands. Listed as an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a competitor, since Vibram supplies outsoles to Kiprun's direct competitors (Hoka, Salomon, La Sportiva) using the same Megagrip compound.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KIPRUNRUNNING
• YouTubeyoutube.com/decathlon
• Facebookfacebook.com/KiprunRunning
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kiprunrunning
• Instagraminstagram.com/kiprun

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kiprun