The natural running shoe revolution is officially underway, and SKECHERS USA, Inc .is taking part with an innovative new approach to the minimalist movement.
Designed to get you back to the purity of running barefoot through modern design, the SKECHERS GOrun line sets itself apart from the pack courtesy of radical new mid-foot strike technologies which, wrapped in a featherweight platform, help your feet land more naturally while improving ground feel and control.
Our Starting Point…
Prior to receiving the GOrun shoes from SKECHERS, we readily admit to suffering from a healthy does of SKECHERS skepticism. Could a shoe brand best known for their casual styled street kicks truly craft a dynamic running shoe for the minimalist market?
SKECHERS sent our review team a complimentary pair of GOrun shoes and what we discovered was a running shoe offering an array of technological features, new design ideas, and a unique approach to a minimalist styled running shoe. The GOrun convinced us that this shoe could indeed be a worthy addition to your arsenal of running shoes. But before you make that decision for yourself, let’s dig into the details of the shoe’s fit and performance.
On Fit….
When knocking out mile after mile on the pavement, you want a shoe that offers a comfortable and appropriate fit. Why? Not just for the sake of comfort per se, but a comfortable fit helps you focus on the task at hand. When running shoes are uncomfortable, your mind and body are distracted by the pain they are causing. The more uncomfortable the shoe, the more distracting they become, diverting your attention away from the focus of your run.
Towards those ends, SKECHERS deserves high praise for crafting a shoe that offers supreme comfort and fit in a lightweight package. GOrun’s magic begins with a shoe built around a barefoot last that is wider through the forefoot providing a more spacious toebox than some other minimalist styled running shoes.
While the GOrun doesn’t follow the natural contours of the foot (ie the Altra Instinct), the roomier toebox does allow your feet and toes to lay in a natural and relaxed position. This not only helps reduce friction, but puts the foot in the right position to deliver a natural, powerful toe off with each stride.
Adding to the comfort factor is the weight of the shoe – or more appropriately – the lack thereof. SKECHERS refers to the GOrun as “radically light,” and my friends, when you top the scales at 6.9 ounces for a size 11 shoe, you get legitimate claim to that statement. In fact over the course of the first trial run, our gear guru found himself adjusting to the weight of the shoe almost as much as the Smart Shoe™ feature.
The virtual feather weight of the GOrun is due in large part to the use and benefit of Resalyte™ cushioning. SKECHERS’ Resalyte EVA compound is as light as any other EVA but, according to SKECHERS, offers more cushioning and energy return.
An integrated Ortholite™ sockliner is another reason your feet will feel right at home. This is the first shoe we’ve put through the paces that has actually lived up to it’s “run sockless” billing. The Ortholite™ sockliner breathes well, which allows for quicker moisture wicking keeping your feet drier, longer. Even the tongue contributes to the shoe’s comfort and is designed in a way that prevents it from moving from its neutral position.
On Performance….
The SKECHERS design team took over 15 months to design and test the GOrun in an effort to build a shoe that offered a quality minimalist experience while encouraging correct running form. This is accomplished via the their M-Strike™ technology which is intended to foster a mid-foot strike and aided by the GOimpulse sensors for enhanced sensory feedback.
Looking at the GOrun, you’d never know that the shoe has a 4mm heel to toe differential. That’s because of SKECHERS Smart Shoe™ Technology – one of the major differences between the GOrun and every other minimalist shoe on the market. This rocker-styled bottom gently guides the foot into mid-foot strike position.
While the feel of the Smart Shoe™ Technology takes a bit of time getting used to, the result of the curved bottom design is that the point of impact is moved forward for smooth midfoot strikes and a natural barefoot styled run.
GOimpulse sensors provide enhanced sensory feedback so you don’t miss out on the response and ground feel you need on your runs despite the softer EVA construction of the midsole. The sensors are also completely decoupled so you’re provided an incredible 360 degree responsive flexibility. So the GOrun flexes and twists with the dynamic movement of the foot allowing it to move more naturally through a stride cycle.
In other words, despite the extra cushioning, you still get the support and dynamic feedback your body needs from the shoe no matter how you’re running. Moreover the outsole of the GOrun has proven to be
The Critique…
The Smart Shoe™ Technology is one of the unique identifying features of the GOrun, but also the one feature that may not work for everyone.
When you first slip on the GOrun what you immediately notice is a pronounced “bump” under the midfoot which is a result of the Smart Shoe™ Technology. While this rounded outsole coerces the foot into a midfoot strike encouraging better running form, the rocker styled bottom does compress, placing pressure on the bottom of the foot. It’s admittedly an odd feeling your first few outings, and potentially one that some runners may not become accustomed too until a more complete transition to mid-foot striking.
As mentioned, the Ortholite™ sockliner provides another comfort feature we think you’ll appreciate, and while provides decent breathability, it can tend to get warm on hot days. In a shoe this light and airy, it’s not a factor that would prevent us from purchasing the shoe, but a critique worth noting nonetheless.
Bottom Line…
The Skechers GOrun™ is a tremendous first forray into the current running shoe revolution. Chock full of innovative features all packed in a radically light shoe, we believe the GOrun is a great shoe for two categories of runners in particular – those looking to transition to a more natural midfoot/forefoot strike, and runners looking to improve form while strengthening the feet and body through a more natural midfoot striking experience. And at a price point of $85 (less than half some minimalist runners) you simply can’t go wrong.