Kiprun MT3 Trail Shoes | Review - Outdoors Magic

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Trail and Scramble Shoes

Kiprun MT3 Trail Shoes | Review

Tested on frozen trails, thick mud, and rocky paths – here’s why the Kiprun MT3 offers surprising stability and value for £90

If you’re looking for a trail running shoe that’s versatile enough to handle a wide dichotomy of terrain, you’re in the right place. I’ve been using Decathlon’s Kiprun MT3 Trail extensively over the last couple of months and I’ve found it to be an able performer on a range of different surfaces and I’ve really liked what it brings to the table, particularly in terms of stability. £90, from what I’ve seen, represents pretty good value for money.

How I Tested the Kiprun MT3

I’ve covered around 70 miles in these during my tests. The runs have mainly been around my home in Wiltshire and on trails that have been frozen solid and at other times very wet and very muddy. My period of testing has been through winter so I haven’t been able to test their performance in warm weather. 

What to Expect

I’ve been running in some very diverse trail running shoes recently, including the super cushioned Asics Metafuji Trail and the low and nimble Hoka Zinal 2, and compared to them, I found the Kiprun MT3 to be a nice and simple, gets-the-basics-right kind of shoe; something that’s no-frills but reliable. 

OM editor Will with the Kiprun MT3 Trail after a few weeks of use.

There’s a lot of stability on offer here. I found the wide platform gave me confidence in my stride and the large surface area to the outsole brought good purchase on terra firma too. It’s not so wide that it feels cumbersome or clumsy though; I’ve felt nimble and fast when wearing these. 

The lugs are 5mm in depth and the rubber compound is pretty firm. I found it gripped nicely on mud, on frozen ground and I felt confident running on rocky and rubbly trails too. I can’t recall slipping at all while wearing these, though I did notice they have their limitations on slimy rock slabs – like most shoes. Mud shedding, from my experience, was excellent. 

Don’t expect a lot of cushioning from the Kiprun MT3. In fact, I’d say it’s up there as one of the harder feeling shoes I’ve tried. For that reason, it’s not a shoe that I’d want to run marathon or ultra marathon distances in, especially if there are lots of road sections along the way. On the flip side, that solidity means you’re well protected from rocks and roots. If you like the look of this shoe, but are worried about that lack of cushioning, you could actually remove the thin insole and put a thicker one of your choosing in. 

The Kiprun MT3  has a medium stack height and medium drop at 8mm, so its ideal for runners seeking a balance between shock absorption and a natural running style that caters to both midfoot and heel strikers who want versatility and comfort. There’s a moderate amount of flex at the toe and a rock plate in the midsole that creates a tiny bit of whip here too – in a similar way to a carbon plate – so the shoe does snap a bit, in a good way. The MT3 doesn’t really have much rock to it though – it’s neutral in that regard. 

It’s a fairly hard sole but there is shock absorption.

Fit

I tried the Kiprun MT3 in a UK 10, which is my usual size, and it fitted well. I found it was fine to run in right out of the box and I haven’t had any issues, hotspots or discomfort since. The toe box is on the wide side, so you do have some space for when your feet start to swell and splay. 

The upper, which is mostly mesh, offers good levels of breathability and it sheds water well. The tongue has a medium amount of padding – same goes for the collar – and I’ve found dirt and debris is kept out well thanks to the subtle gusseting. I’ve not had any issues with the lacing – it holds well – and I like that there are little pockets to keep it tucked away neatly. 

Who Will Like the Kiprun MT3

As mentioned in the intro, I’d say this is a shoe that’s ideal as an all-rounder. I’ve got a lot of shoes under review at the moment and I’ve found myself pulling on this pair when I don’t really know where my run is going to take me (and also when I can’t be bothered to think about what specific pair of shoes will suit the run I’m about to go on). I’d happily run in these on muddy parkruns, on training runs and for any trail races that don’t involve mega distances or extended spells on solid ground. If you like a plush shoe with lots of cushioning, you won’t like the Kiprun MT3 as it’s pretty solid. For me, that toughness hasn’t been a bad thing because I’ve liked the stability and proprioception (the balance and feel for the trail) that it brings, and the speedy feeling too.

It has 4mm lugs that shed mud well.

Verdict

Overall, I’d say £90 is very good value for what you get here. I really like the feel, build and performance of the Kiprun MT3. It’s a light shoe that’s durable, that feels long lasting and that has kept me feeling comfortable and confident on the trail. It does, however, fall very short on the sustainability front. Decathlon, if you’re reading this, how about getting some recycled content in the next iteration?

Price: £90
Weight: 310g (per shoe)
Drop: 8mm
Upper: Polyamide, Polyester and TPU
Lug depth: 4mm
Pros: good value, grippy on a range of surfaces, fast feeling, breathable upper, drains well
Cons: Grip is limited on wet rock, won’t suit those who like a lot of cushioning

Buy the Kiprun MT3 Trail: £90 at Decathlon.co.uk

Looking for something similar but with more grip? Take a look at the Inov-8 Mudtalon Speed. Want something softer underfoot? The Salomon Genesis should fit the bill. Or take a look at the Hoka Zinal 2 if you want something a little lighter and more agile.

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