KIPRUN, the French brand specializing in running and trail running, will release two new models in its TRAIL series in Japan on Friday, October 2, 2026. KIPCLIMB MAX is its top model, designed for long trails of 40 to 170 km and positioned as a highly technical trail model for mountain ultras. KIPRIDE GRAVEL extends running from the road onto unpaved surfaces.
The development approach behind both models was proven on one of the world's top trail running stages. At UTMB®, held on August 30, 2026, KIPRUN athlete Blandine L'Hirondel won the women's race wearing the KIPSUMMIT RACE, which has remained on sale since SS26. KIPRUN brings the same philosophy of co-creation with top athletes and demanding field testing to these two new models, aiming to reach a wide range of runners, from racers to everyday runners.
Developed With Athletes and Proven at UTMB®
KIPRUN's development does not end in the laboratory. Elite athletes and the design team keep up a continuous dialogue, run prototypes on real trails, and feed the feedback back into the design. Through this cycle, KIPRUN refines products that let runners stay focused on running even in harsh conditions.
On August 30, 2026, Blandine L'Hirondel won the women's race at UTMB® in Chamonix, France, wearing the KIPSUMMIT RACE, and finished in 21 hours, 54 minutes, and 49 seconds. This is not a record of the KIPCLIMB MAX being worn. Rather, it is a result that showed, on one of the world's top stages, the co-development approach with athletes that KIPRUN has pursued across the whole brand.
For the KIPSUMMIT RACE, European champion Thomas Cardin took part directly in each stage of prototype development. The prototypes accumulated more than 1,000,000 m of elevation gain in total, and one long-distance tester recorded 2,056 km and roughly 100,000 m of elevation gain on a single pair. This kind of co-creation with top athletes and real-world testing is the shared backbone of KIPRUN's TRAIL development.
The KIPCLIMB series is also co-developed with elite athletes and has been field-tested repeatedly in the Calanques near Marseille, France. Rocky terrain, steep slopes, mud, and long hours of running are the actual mountain conditions where grip, durability, foot protection, and stability were tested.
KIPCLIMB MAX for 40 to 170 km Long Trails
Available Friday, October 2.
KIPCLIMB MAX is a long-trail model that pursues stability and protection on rough ground, along with the drive needed to keep running for long hours. It combines a high-strength MATRYX® mesh, a dual structure of SHIFTECH+™ and FASTECH™, an outsole with 5 mm lugs, and a protective toe guard to handle technical mountain terrain.
- High-strength MATRYX® mesh: Combines light weight with durability and keeps the fit stable over long hours
- SHIFTECH+™ × FASTECH™: Absorbs landing impact while supporting the drive toward the next step
- 5 mm lug outsole: Provides grip on technical surfaces such as rocks, mud, and steep slopes
- Protective toe guard: Protects the toes from rocks, tree roots, and the like
KIPRIDE GRAVEL for Running Beyond the Road
Available Friday, October 2.
KIPRIDE GRAVEL is a model for runners who move between road and gravel. It uses FASTECH™ foam and has 3 mm lugs and a 6 mm drop, aiming for both smooth running on pavement and stability on unpaved surfaces. It is meant not only for racing but also for everyday running and the fun of setting out on new routes, widening the world of KIPRUN's TRAIL line. It goes on sale in Japan on Friday, October 2, 2026.
For All Runners, Not Only for Racing
KIPRUN's TRAIL development aims to bring the feel of elite athletes and the knowledge gained at race venues back to products that more runners can use. Starting from the performance demanded at the top level, KIPRUN also treats the balance among durability, ease of use, and a reasonable price as an important theme in its product making.
