With the Kype Pro, Craft enters the high-stakes, high-speed world of marathon racing shoes with a bold, confident step. Priced at $300, the Kype Pro doesn’t quite hit the eye-watering levels of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 ($500+), but it’s still a premium-priced entry - undoubtedly putting a target on its back. 

Fortunately, in my use, the performance matches the price. This shoe delivers a full suite of elite racing features, including a nitrogen-infused Pebax midsole, a uniquely designed skeletal additive molded carbon plate from Arris Composites, and a lightweight, performance-tuned upper that helps it compete squarely with the best on the market. It’s not the absolute best racer for me, but it could be for you - it’s an extremely well-done shoe.

Arris may ring a bell for some – their innovative “SpeedVault” plate appeared in the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4, and their structural composites expertise is increasingly popping up in high-performance footwear. Here, they bring a sculpted carbon plate to the Kype Pro that serves as the backbone of Craft’s most serious racing shoe to date.

As someone who has enjoyed previous Craft models like the CTM Ultra and Carbon Ultra (despite some quirky sizing), the Kype Pro immediately stood out not only for its premium construction but for its no-nonsense race-day ambition. Now at over 70 miles in the shoe, including workouts and longer runs, I can say this: Craft has built something special here.

Stats

• Weight: 6.85 oz / 194g in US M8.5 (measured after ~20 miles)

• Stack height incl insole: heel 40 mm, forefoot 32 mm (8mm)

• $300 USD (available now)

Pros/Cons

• Excellent propulsion and stability

• Lightweight, breathable upper

• Fast, natural-feeling stiffness

• Slightly difficult to dial in fit perfectly

• Outsole grip in wet conditions could be better

• Firmer ride not ideal for those who prefer bounce or softness

First Impressions and Ride

This isn’t a squishy, trampoline-style ride like the Nike Alphafly 3 or ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris – it’s firmer, snappier, and more directional. The midsole and rocker combo launch you forward with efficiency rather than plushness.

There’s a firmness here that some runners might find jarring at first - when you move through your foot strike, you feel the whole shoe roll forwards with you, as opposed to having a distinct upwards “bounce,” like you might find in the Adios Pro line, for example. But once you’re in rhythm, the Kype Pro encourages smooth turnover, particularly at tempo and marathon paces. It’s a shoe that feels better the faster you go and comes alive on longer efforts. It’s not the kind of bouncy fun you get from soft foam and wild rebound - it’s the kind of satisfying propulsion that makes you feel like you’re clicking into a mechanical advantage.

The split-heel design is another standout. It’s subtle, but it makes a real difference in transition smoothness and rearfoot stability. For heel strikers and midfoot landers alike, it keeps the ride feeling controlled and balanced without deadening the rearfoot. Combined with the plate and geometry, the shoe rolls forward in a way that feels more natural than some other supershoes.

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Upper and Fit

Craft has chosen an open-weave AeroMesh upper that keeps weight low and breathability high. It’s one of the lightest and softest uppers I’ve worn in a racing shoe, with no overlays, welded panels, or extraneous structure – just a thin, flexible, and premium-feeling material that disappears on foot.

However, while the upper is supremely comfortable, dialing in the perfect fit can be tricky. The mesh stretches slightly and conforms to the foot well, but I found myself occasionally stopping mid-run to re-lace and adjust tension to avoid excess movement. It’s not floppy or insecure, but it lacks that locked-in, race-day glove-like feel you get from something like the Vaporfly 3 or Adios Pro 3.

That said, the heel collar and counter are well-executed. There’s just enough structure and padding to keep the rearfoot secure without digging in or feeling rigid, and I’ve had zero irritation or slippage, even on longer efforts. Also worth noting: sizing seems finally dialed in. Unlike some previous Craft shoes that ran long or narrow, the Kype Pro fits true to size for me, with just enough room in the toe box.

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Outsole and Traction

Craft partnered with Vittoria – yes, the Italian bicycle tire company – for the outsole rubber, and while the weight savings are obvious, the grip performance is slightly less so. On dry pavement, the outsole is more than sufficient and complements the shoe’s overall design focus on forward motion and speed. On the treadmill, it performed just fine, offering no issues even during incline intervals and uphill strides.

However, in wet conditions, the outsole does reveal some limitations. There’s less bite than you might want on slick pavement, and cornering on wet roads feels a touch tentative. It’s by no means dangerous, but it’s also not the gold standard. Durability also remains a question mark, as the exposed foam and thin rubber coverage may wear faster than some competitors.

That said, this is a racing shoe. The goal is performance, not all-weather training versatility, and the outsole aligns with that ethos.

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Durability and Long-Term Ride Feel

Now, over 70 miles in – including multiple mid- to long-run workouts – the Kype Pro has held up very well. The midsole feel remains consistent, and the stiff, rocker-heavy ride has become more fluid and natural with time. While some supershoes begin to feel flat or mushy after 40–50 miles, the Kype Pro is still snapping forward with authority.

There’s a robustness to the carbon plate and foam compound that hints at higher-than-average durability for a racer. However, those hoping to stretch these beyond 150 miles should watch the outsole carefully. Foam wear and rubber thinning may become more pronounced over time, particularly for heavier runners or those using them as weekly trainers.

The Craft Kype Pro isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. It’s not the plushest or most forgiving supershoe, and it demands a bit from the runner – especially in terms of fit and terrain conditions. But for those looking for a stiff, propulsive, and seriously fast marathon racer, it absolutely delivers.

With a ride tuned more for rhythm than rebound, a sleek yet slightly finicky upper, and an outsole that’s good – but not great – the Kype Pro slots comfortably into the top tier of race-day footwear. It may not dethrone the Vaporfly or Alphafly in terms of global popularity, but it belongs in the same conversation, especially for runners who prefer firmness and control over bounciness and instability.

At $300, it’s not an inexpensive option, but one that feels justified thanks to Craft’s attention to materials, geometry, and innovation. This is not “just another entry” in the supershoe arms race  – it’s a genuine, thoughtfully constructed alternative with a strong identity of its own.

Score: 9.5/10