Kiprun TR2 Trailrunning shoes review

After wearing out my third pair of Salomon Speedcross, it was time for some new trailrunning shoes again for my hikes. Enter the Kiprun TR2’s.

I wanted to try out a more affordable option with the Kiprun TR2 that’s sold in the popular store Decathlon in Europe and all over the world. Since they are roughly a third the cost of the Salomons and are therefore quite affordable. Here is my review after 7 months of almost daily use. With hikes (and runs) around my area in Germany, the Netherlands, and in the German/Austrian mountains around the Zugspitze.

Kiprun TR2

Overall impressions for the Kiprun TR2’s are positive, and I can recommend them for anybody that is looking for an affordable trail runner. In the use case of trying Trailrunners for hiking for the first time on a tight budget, these are a great introduction. They are also great as “beaters”, that you don’t feel to bad about replacing every 6 months. Or using for day hikes and general hiking, to save your more expensive hiking shoes for bigger hikes.

Read on for the full review on the Kiprun TR2’s.

Quick overview

Price: Affordable	Grip: Adequate
Waterproof: No	Fit and Finish: Great

Not Waterproof

A feature many different hikers have come to the conclusion to, is that waterproof hiking boots and shoes are fine for more casual hiking, but for hikers that hike day in day out, this feature often causes more problems than it is worth.

When looking at Goretex lined shoes and other brands of waterproofs, you will find that they claim that it is breathable. Depending on you and your use, this can be the case, but with sweaty feet this is often worsened by having a waterproof liner in your shoes. With lower shoes and trailrunners this feature is also more for only light rain, with any dew in longer grass, and your feet will get wet anyway.

The Kiprun TR2’s are not waterproof, but dry relatively quickly. So no problems there in that case.

Grip

The grip was my main point of concern with the Kiprun TR2, I would describe it as adequate for most circumstances, but a few times on my mountain hikes they let me down at certain areas. It must be said that there was snow and ice over hard rock, which is a tricky situation for any shoe or boot.

Slipping and losing grip with the TR2’s I also encountered in the forest with dry leaves over forest floor, which can also work as a slip and slide, it must be said that I did not faceplant or fell once because of this. Just pay more attention on any slippery terrain. As always, it is best to be slow and safe, than reckless and fast.

If you are going to be hiking in any terrain that leaves grip an issue, I would highly suggest combining the shoes with hiking poles, for added grip and point of contact with the ground. Or possible taking a look at another model or brand that has a bit more aggressive grip pattern. Or is suited to that exact terrain.

Comfort

Comfort I encountered no issues with in my 7 months of hiking with the TR2’s. No blisters or hot spots to report, and I think you can too slip into these without any issue. I have a wider foot, and did not encounter any issues there too. Which is a problem with many other shoe and boot models for me.

As always I recommend going to a Decathlon and trying them on in the late afternoon, when your feet are more swollen. And walking around the store as long as possible (at least 20 minutes), in my particular Decathlon store (Fürth) they also had a testing track, which is covered in gravel and has a little hill. Use that to your advantage, and try out the fit. Wear your favorite hiking socks, and pay attention to the heel slipping, room in the front, and any hotspots.

If you do not have a Decathlon around, ordering is an option. Be sure to try the same routine around your living room. And don’t take them outside yet, that makes returns in many cases easier. Contact your specific Decathlon store and ask for their policy. This is not the same in every country.

Fit and Finish

For the price point I was not expecting the same kind off fit and finish off other brands, but the Kiprun was a pleasant surprise in that way. I did not discover any hastily done seems or loose threads, and all the glue work was perfectly in order.

The fit of the Kiprun TR2 model was a non issue from the moment I put them on, and did not get any hot spots or blisters during any off my hikes and walks. I wear the following size:

EU	44
US	10
UK	9.5

Normal shoe size for me is with most brands 43, or 43.5. And I always go up at least half a size for hiking shoes for more room. Since normal everyday shoes are not subject to walking all day, especially in my everyday IT job. I suggest you do the same.

The insole of the Kiprun TR2’s is nothing to write home about, and is your standard cookie cutter insole. When you have specific insoles that you like or need, you can change them out as needed. They are not glued in.

Laces I actually really liked, and are flat, and the TR2’s have a little storing pouch for your laces when done up. Tie your shoes as normal, and store the knot and any leftover laces in pouch. This makes for no snagging on branches or brush. The tongue of the shoe goes about halfway up, which makes for easy lacing.

Durability of the TR2 trailrunning shoes

As with pretty much any trailrunning shoes that I know off, these wore out after about 500 kilometers of hiking. I used them primarily for day hikes, and as my go to shoes for out and about. The pair I got are now at the end of their lifespan after a little more than 7 months. And that is about what you can expect from any trailrunning shoes.

My previous three models of the Salomon Speedcross had about the same lifespan. And lasted the French Camino de Santiago just barely. Where at the end of the ~800 kilometer hike, I had a thin sliver of outer sole left, in the same place where I always wear out my shoes. At the ball part of my foot before the toes.

A season of hiking, or round about half a year when not taking big thru hikes like the Camino de Santiago, or a American hike like the Appalachian trail. Most hikers replace their shoes after around 500 kilometers. When the flexible outer sole is oftentimes worn out.

Conclusion: A great pair of Trailrunners for hikers on a budget

So in circling back, I can recommend them for anybody that wants to try out trailrunners, or is looking for a quality shoe on a budget. For the price of around ~60 euros, you get a lot of shoe in return.

What is your favorite hiking shoe to take? Let everyone know down in the comments!

Happy hiking and Hike for Purpose!