Kalenji Kiprace Trail 3

Great trail running shoe available mostly in Europe and UK. For its price it is superbly technical, grippy, and comfortable, accessible easily to the grand public.

INTRO

I purchased the Kiprace Trail 3 about two months ago for training purposes. I am a quite efficient runner  and like low profile shoes. For instance my forever favorite for years now is the X-Talon 212 from Inov 8, but I like all kind of track and cross country spikes too and training in them is just a fun time for me. I have large feet, but I understand that running fast in turns and corners needs precise and snug footwear.

Here you go my video review of the Kiprace Trail 3. The MIC of the GoPro is getting worse and worse. I tried doing my best with the software, but it is still terrible. Need a proper camera for these up-close shoe reviews. 

Knowing these things in advance, I have great expectations from the Kiptrail Race 3. 

I wanted a shoe that can:

• handle descending on technical dry or wet terrain
• provide a low heel profile to prevent ankle twisting, but still have enough cushioning
• have multidirectional lugs for fast and non-slip cornering
• have a snug but not narrow forefoot for precise footing
• have a natural toebox curve to not jam those toes together
• some outer rand, to avoid damaging the upper
• low profile or non-existing heel counter (it has a big chunk of plastic)
• handle distances from 15 to 25km

Post Test Feelings

I can tell you that it did not disappoint. The 6mm heel-to-toe offset is just a perfect for a shoe that wants to descend the same way as it wants to climb. Personally, I feel very natural in 4mm drop trail models for any distance and most 6mm shoes make my ankle unstable. I had this experience with the NB Leadville 1210 and the La Sportiva Bushido and Akasha too, and I twisted my ankles in them often. However the kind of concave heel of the Kiprace is preventing this stability flaw.

I own the trail with this!

It has three-peak, star-shaped lugs, like a "trefle" or clover. Honestly, it is well thought, big, spaced out and well shaped. We can see on the X10 outsole for instance of the Mizuno Mujin 2, that the lugs were too close, too shallow and not big enough, so mud built up in them very fast.

Here on the Kalenji trail shoe we cannot experience this as a couple of steps on harder terrain and we've lost all the dirt built up on the sole. Easy does it!

The midsole is protective enough for these 15 to 25km distances. I am sure many of you can go further in the shoe. I just have other models, staying more comfortable for such longer distances and with a lot wider forefoot area. Also I find that this is the appropriate distance for the shoe for an 80kg guy. It is advised for a runner of 65 to 75kg maxi. Honestly, regardless what you weigh, you cannot go really wrong with this Kalenji.

Sole Composition (outsole/midsole/insole?) 

Semelle en : 56.0% Caoutchouc, 44.0% Ethylène Vinyl Acétate Extérieur en : 60.0% Polyester, 35.0% Polyurethane, 5.0% Polyuréthane thermoplastique Intérieur en : 75.0% Ethylène Vinyl Acétate, 25.0% Polyester 

The upper is feeling a bit plasticky and stiff at the beginning, but as kilometres pass, I got used to it. However there are some seams in the inside of the shoes. Quite rough and unfinished. You can even see them on the outside under the thermowelding, not just see, but feel rough too when touched. If your feet moulds and adapts to the shoe, it is okay, but if you have a really wide/fat feet, just be aware of these seams in the inner and the outer.

The tongue is not gusseted and this is a bad mistake, cause this tongue will slide down to one side of the shoe, letting shoelaces cut into your feet if you have a high instep. Not a problem for everybody, but some might experience it. I did so as I have a high arch!

Some thermo-welding is structuring the shoe and thicker bands hug your forefoot and protect it from rock bruises with an up-curling outsole for a reinforced toe-bumper.

General 

The shoe has a 6mm heel to toe offset, is 270g in size 43, Decathlon offers two years of guarantee which is unprecedented in the running world, as most companies offer six months or maximum a year. It is available from size 41 to 47 and you must try it before you buy it as it fits strangely. You might be between two sizes and depending what you'll do with it, you'll size up or down. On the Decathlon site there are 7 positive reviews, but other blogs and sites rate the shoe very positively too. 

The Price is 79.99€.

The shoe will develop in the future furthermore and I am telling you, it will destroy the running market. It has a 6mm offset, which is good for everybody, it is middleweight, which is good for everybody, looks great, has a very reasonable price, it functions well, and there are no real issues to not to like! When the sales period will be here, you will be able to get it for like 40 bucks I am sure. Not a killer deal for a solid training shoe?

Rating 7.5 / 10

(You can find pictures and a video on my blog)