How a Trail Running Brand Reinvented Itself

Kiprun used to feel like an entry-level running brand, not one serious runners would put in the same conversation as the best trail running shoes in the sport. If you’re curious how a brand changes that perception and what it looks like when a running company genuinely reinvents itself this episode is for you.

Josh sits down with Inky Steve to break down the shift they’re seeing at Kiprun through the Kipsummit Max, Kipsummit Race, and the broader portfolio now taking shape under Decathlon. They get into stigma, design, price, performance, and why this feels less like a one-off good shoe and more like a brand returning with a completely different level of intent.

This one’s for runners who care about shoes, design, and where the culture is moving.

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Topics / Timestamps

• 00:00 - The Rise of Kiprun
• 04:33 - The Transformation of Kiprun Shoes
• 09:37 - The Evolution of Trail Running Shoes
• 15:27 - Running Shoes and Innovations
• 18:58 - Kiprun's Kipsummit Race Shoe
• 21:06 - The Evolution of Trail Running Shoes

Resources / Links

1. Kiprun Kipsummit Race
2. Kiprun Kipsummit Max
3. Josh Rosenthal on IG
4. Borderlands.cc
5. La French Trail
6. High Tones
7. Subwhatever

Presented by Kiprun.

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Want to run in the Salt Lake area? Check out the Salt Lake Foothills Trail Races happening May 30, 2026.

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