Article by Michael Ellenberger
Craft Kype Pro ($300)
Craft has put forth a new entrant in the high-performance marathon racing scene with the Kype Pro, a shoe designed to deliver elite-level speed, responsiveness, and efficiency… at a price. Yes, with an eye-popping (though ultimately just-slightly-above-market) $300 price tag, this shoe is going to draw attention, though perhaps not to the same degree as the Adidas Evo 1 and its $500+ bill.
Fortunately, this supershoe loads in basically every feature around - including a nitrogen-infused Pebax midsole and a skeletal additive molded carbon fiber plate engineered by Arris Composites
If the name Arris sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve seen their work before in shoes like the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4, where the spider-web plate is marketed as "Speed Vault."
I was a fan of the Craft Endurance, Carbon Ultra, and CTM lines - which, despite their frequent sizing quirks, we have reviewed favorably on RTR for their quality materials and energetic bounce.
Even so, the $300 Kype Pro is positioned as Craft’s first “real” super shoe, with the look (and ad campaign) to match. I’ve only had the chance to run in this shoe three times - two of those being relatively short efforts, to boot - but wanted to provide initial thoughts.
First Impressions
The midsole is immediately noticeable—it’s light, bouncy, and highly energetic underfoot. The so-called “Xx Foam” is a Pebax material that provides a dynamic ride, balancing cushioning and rebound for a propulsive feel.
Some super shoes lean too soft (Tracksmith Eliot Racer) or too rigid Endorphin Pro 4 and effectively block out runners who really don't prefer only one pole on the spectrum. The Kype Pro finds an exciting middle ground that feels pretty squarely in the middle. It’s really a fun shoe to run in and seems well-equipped to handle the marathon distance with ease.
After just two outdoor runs (with only a small amount of quality work, including some surges) and one treadmill workout, I’m excited to take the Kype Pro for longer sessions, because I think that’s where it’ll really shine.
Craft’s approach to carbon plating is also intriguing. The Arris carbon fiber plate enhances stability and speed without feeling overly stiff or restrictive. It delivers the stiffness necessary for efficient propulsion while maintaining a natural, smooth transition through the stride.
Another standout feature is the split-heel construction. This design offers independent suspension, allowing for better impact absorption and energy transfer. The heel feels stable yet fluid, making transitions seamless and controlled, especially for runners who land farther back on their foot.
Upper and Fit
Craft has opted for a breathable, open-weave AeroMesh upper, which feels very, very light on the foot, and is flexible while still offering ample support. No layovers, which is always appreciated - even the logo is sublimated into the material. Very premium.
As I alluded to above, unlike some previous Craft racers, the fit is finally true to size for me, which is a very welcome improvement.
The heel counter is also well-balanced—not too harsh, but structured enough to provide stability without discomfort. There’s some added cushioning in said heel which provides ample heel lock. Again, I’ve only worn these 3 times, but I have not had issues with irritation whatsoever.
Outsole and Grip
The outsole, designed by the cycle tire brand Vittoria, seems to provide reliable traction, but this is the area I can say the least - I’ve tested these only on the treadmill (where they worked fine - not every shoe does) and on dry pavement outdoors.
So, while genuine grip and durability remains to be tested, the initial impression suggests that the outsole here should perform well, especially considering its class - this isn’t a rugged shoe, and the lightweight nature of the outsole complements the overall speed-focused construction of the shoe. I expect good, but not stellar, traction.
Final Thoughts (For Now)
The Craft Kype Pro is shaping up to be a legitimate contender in the super shoe category, and I, for one, couldn’t be more excited. The Kype’s combination of a lively midsole, well-integrated carbon plate, hyper-light upper, and innovative split-heel design makes it an exciting option, especially for marathoners
The $300 price tag puts it in direct competition with some of the biggest names in the industry - and also seriously draws attention to it as a “high-end” option - but from my first impressions, Craft has developed a shoe that deserves a serious look. Durability is a mild concern given the thin layer of outsole materials, and I’m curious to see how these feel on a 15-20 mile effort (for which I plan to use them soon), but with the sizing hurdle out of the way and clearly some innovative development going into this one, I feel like Craft may have a genuine hit on its hands.
Initial Comparisons
more to come in the full review
Tracksmith Eliot Racer (RTR Multi Tester Review)
One (very) positive thing I can say for the Eliot Racer is that, after wrapping my 50 mile review, I have kept them in the rotation as a daily trainer, and have appreciated their very soft platform for easy and medium mileage. I still think they are simply too soft and not aggressive enough, even for the marathon, but they have their place. At $300, the Kype Pro does cost more, but seems a more well-rounded racer, with a more aggressive and noticeable pop from the midsole. I still wouldn’t recommend the Eliot Racer as a racer, but it is probably a better do-it-all shoe than the Kype, which I imagine many would find too aggressive for easy running. Great for speed, though!
New Balance SC Elite v4 (RTR Multi Tester Review)
I just picked up my first pair of this shoe, having not tested it during its initial release. In my opinion, it’s a nice middle-ground between the (very soft) RC Elite v2 and the (firm) SC Elite v3. I think the Craft is a little more aggressive, and the NB a little more forgiving, but both have their place. I have an 8K coming up where I’d love to use the Pacer, but may be confined to the SC Elite - and I think it’ll handle it just fine, but the Craft is probably a better short-distance racer than the SC Elite, being a touch more aggressive and zippy. Upper on the Craft is also superior. I’m a fan of both.
Tester Profile
Michael is a patent attorney and graduate of Northwestern University Law School. Prior to law school, he competed collegiately at Washington University in St. Louis (10,000m PR of 30:21). Michael’s PRs include a 67:43 half-marathon (Chicago Half-Marathon) and a 2:20:41 marathon PR at the 2025 Houston Marathon. Michael continues to race on the roads, and is chasing a sub-2:20 marathon and potential OTQ in the future.
Craft Kype Pro is available now
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1 comment:
Do you have some basic specs, like weight, stack height, drop, etc? Thanks!
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