Runner’s Tech: Skechers GOrun Review
Men's Skechers GOrun
Written by Kevin, Runner’s Tech: The GOrun is Skechers’ flagship performance shoe marketed as a “minimalist” alternative. Recently this shoe has generated quite a bit of curiosity from my readers and friends in the running community. Upon request, I finally approached Skechers and received a pair of the GOrun as test sample. In the past month, I was able to log 9 runs in these shoes totaling 120 miles – 2 long runs (20 miles and 26 miles), 4 speedworks, and 3 easy runs. The running surfaces included pavement (a slight majority) and track. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed running in the GOrun much more so than I initially anticipated.
Features
- Light weight: 6.9 oz for Men’s size 9 and 4.9 oz for Women’s size 6.
- Responsive flexibility: the midsole flexes and twists with the foot allowing natural movement.
- Roomy forefoot area: spacious toebox for your toes to splay, grip, and push off.
- 4 mm heel drop: lowered and tapered heel design to mimic a more natural running experience.
- Propriety midsole compound: made Resalyte™ – a lightweight, injection-molded material with memory retention.
- Curved bottom: to minimize heel strike and promote a “natural” midfoot strike.
- Independent circular sensors: offers flexibility and sensory feedback for a more responsive ride.
- OrthoLite™ sockliner: anti-bacterial sockliner to eliminate odor and offer sockless running.
Impression
The GOrun is light. In fact, the GOrun is the lightest running shoe I currently own – even lighter than some racing flats. Although the design of its midsole of the GOrun makes it seem a tad bulky or heavy, I must reiterate that this shoe is much lighter than it appears.
The upper is soft, stretchy, yet sturdy. In addition, the lack of a hard heel counter enables the entire upper to be flatten onto its sole.
Sole design to stimulate sensory feedback
The most distinguishable feature of the GOrun is its midsole. As advertised, the difference in heights of the midsole, between the forefoot and the heel (heel-drop), is 4 mm. The profile of the shoe exhibits the “rocker” design strongly resembling Skechers’ own Shape-Ups shoes. The bottom of the shoe is made up of mostly circular pods or small columns – with 9 of them reinforced with high-abrasion rubber in strategic areas.
Performance
One immediate reaction when i tried to lace up this shoe was that the interior felt very roomy, compared to most of my running shoes in the same size. There is no arch support, which I prefer. In addition, the first time I put on these shoes I felt as if I was about to tip over backwards, due to the tapered heel design. However, this sensation subsided once I stepped out and picked up my pace.
I am a midfoot striker – but I must note that it rather difficult to heel strike in the GOrun even when I try. The design of the curved sole doesn’t necessarily rock the foot foreword; but it feels like I’m missing something when I land on my heel. Moreover, the midsole is noticeably stiffer and lower than most conventional trainers. Because of this, running hard on pavement for about 3 hours in the GOrun made my arch area a bit sore. I suspect this is largely caused by the pronounced midfoot design.
Although the GOrun is intended to be worn sockless, I have not done so – I wear socks with all my shoes. While I enjoy the roomy toebox of this shoe, I have noticed irritations in certain spots of the upper a few times. These irritations aren’t really a big deal as they don’t seem to be there each time I wear in the GOrun.
Verdict
The emphasize of Skechers GOrun is to promote midfoot strike, and therefore allowing a more natural running technique or enhancing performance. While this claim and its efficacy still remain debatable, the GOrun does its job at altering the landing position of the foot. Priced at $80 MSRP, The GOrun offers exceptional value for runners looking for a lightweight and flexible running shoe. However, I strongly recommend using this shoe with some caution because it is not for everyone. If you aren’t experienced with running in shoes with a thin sole and low heel-drop, it is probably best to slowly transition into the GOrun.
Have you seen or tried the Skechers GOrun? What are your thoughts about these shoes? How does the GOrun change your view on Skechers? What other lightweight shoes are you interested in?
- Kevin
(Kevin Lu is an engineer, currently working in the field of orthopedic devices. He received his B.S. and M.S. in biomedical engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Science, technology, and running are Kevin’s passions. In his spare time, Kevin trains for and participates in races of various distances. His recent personal records include 20:58/5K and 5:48:22/50K. Follow him on Twitter (@SweatEngine) and check out his blog Beyond Distance.)
OK, to be 100% honest I am not a huge fan of Skechers for performance shoes. I think it was the shoe that helped shape a women’s “backside” that turned me off.
it’s great to see a good review that the shoe does have some positive features! Hopefully they are turning their game around.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Nichole! That’s exactly what I thought at first when I learned about these shoes. And you are right on spot about Skechers’ earlier “Shape-Ups” and their intended usage.
However I must stress that the GOrun is in an entirely different category from the Shape-ups. I don’t recommend wearing the GOrun to walk around casually – although you certainly can – because our natural footstrike is different in walking and running.
In any case, it’s an interesting shoe to try out even if you have no intention to run in it. But when you do put them on, make sure to take a few quick strides in them.
It’s funny you guys had the same reaction initially to Skechers as many of my friends and my fiancee did. I got a pair for a review as well. I’ve actually really enjoyed running in these shoes and have since logged a few hundred miles in them since my review. I’m glad to see someone else gave them the time of day.
I definitely agree that it isn’t a shoe for everyone. I do like the idea of a heel drop instead of the typically advertised heel to toe drop that we see. It made it hard to run any way but the “correct” way on your midfoot. I don’t want to distract from your review but I’ll include the link in case you want to see my thoughts. Definitely similar! http://www.runcolo.com/content/skechers-gorun-review-1080/ Great review and I’ll be back to see what other stuff you put out!
I appreciate your feedback, Luke. And thank you for sharing your added input on the GOrun. I’m glad we see eye-to-eye in terms of experience. The good news is that Skechers is improving on this first-gen model. I also wrote about some upcoming shoes from the Skechers GO line on my own blog. You can check it out with the link at the bottom of this page.
I am 48 years old and lifetime heel strike runner. In the last year I have developed heel spurs and have been miserable. A coworker / firefighter, and fellow triathlete turned me on to these shoes. They feel weird at first, but you get used to them. There is science behind this line of footwear and which I feel has conditioned my stride,. I now run pain free. I am amazed.
[...] Skechers is getting aggressive and ready to take tackle the performance running shoe market.I wrote a review of the GOrun detailing its features and sharing my running experience with it. What I would like to elaborate [...]
[...] OrthoLite is commonly found in many athletic shoes. As a matter of fact, the Skechers GOrun, which I reviewed recently, uses OrthoLite. So you may have been using OrthoLite insoles without [...]
I agree with Luke, if you are not a mid-foot striker with normal arches this is not the shoe for you. I have logged about 100 miles and my feet have never been happier. I get no swelling, pain or loss of feeling after a marathon and that was a first time for me. As for the low heal, they do nothing for your backside, but they do increase your quads. Just to give you my insights.
Thanks for the review. Very useful stuff as I’m kinda eyeing these as a fun shoe to run in. I typically wear a stability shoe… any insight there? Is there any support on the outside of the forefoot?
Jess, there isn’t any support on the outside (lateral) of the forefoot. In fact, the GOrun’s sole doesn’t have much support except the bulging “rocker” under the arch. The entire sole is flexible with stiff yet responsive cushioning. If you normally wear a stability shoe, you may need to ease your way into the GOrun slowly. I strongly suggest you try it on first in a store on a hard surface (not carpet) to see if it’s got enough support for your needs.
Hi
i’m buying a pair of Skechers Go Run Ride, the new version, i normally use New Balance 890v2 size 8.5US 7.5UK 41.5 euro size, i read some reviews about these shoes and write that these shoes have a large plant and therefore is better buy a size smaller….it’s true, i must buy a size 8.0US or 7.0UK???
best regards
Giancarlo Italy
Personally speaking, I would buy the same size as my normal running shoes. I like how It’s quite roomy yet not loose – at least in my case. However, I cannot speak for you. So I strongly suggest you to try it on before you make the final decision.
Thank you very much Kevin, i try it before take the final decision…is better fit the shoes and feel the sensations
Have a nice day
Hi Kevin!
Great review….I don’t suppose you know if these shoes help at all with people prone to shin splints?
Leslie,
Unfortunately I do not know if the GOrun has any therapeutic benefits or effects that are backed by scientific research; and I am not a medical professional who can provide an answer your particular question. If I come across something related to your concern, I’ll make sure to update this page or leave a comment here.
My wife is a marathoner, and runs (trains) constantly. I have always disliked running – but she makes me. I’ve only ever run in Asics, and I’ve had persistent problems with my feet (I have absolutely NO arch), knees (old sports injuries) & hips – these problems always kept my pace slow and distances short.
I had been thinking of getting the GOruns for a while but had been wary…then I saw a commercial that featured Meb endorsing them. I figured if they were good enough for him, I could certainly risk $60 to give them a try (I got them through Amazon and got a discount).
After breaking them in for about a week, I noticed that my persistent problems were no longer present – I started increasing my pace and distances…
Within a month of strapping them on, I broke my best mile 3 times, my best 5k four times, and my best 10k 4 times (separate runs for the 5k & 10k runs). My average pace went from 12″ miles when I first put them on to 9:15″ miles less than 4 months later.
They are, without a doubt, the absolute best running shoes I’ve ever put on…
With all that said, there are two negatives that I have to share:
-1- I got a huge blister on the inside of my right arch (which I had read about before buying them and anticipated it) which calloused and isn’t a problem now.
-2- The anit-bacterial material that is supposed to stop the shoes from smelling – doesn’t. As great as they are…my Goruns stink. I run without socks, but I doubt that would make much of a difference…
I got my Gorun over a year ago, and loved them from the first time I took them out. Due to their light weight I worried they wouldnt last, and I would need to replace them soon. Im happy to inform that after 13 months of near-daily use, theyve held up great, and I wouldnt ever use any othr shoe again!
I, too, was skeptical about Sketchers, but Meb wearing them made a difference for me. Plus I found a pair in my size on a clearance rack, so I decided that $40 was worth it to try them out. They initially felt strange (the rocker bottom), but they have been great. Especially as I have been moving from a heel strike toward a midfoot strike.
I’m sad to learn that they’ve dropped the arch in the shoes. These shoes used to have a great deal of arch support and were great for people like me with narrow, high-arched feet. These were the first shoes I’d ever worn that I didn’t have to get an insole.
Now they’re wearing out (after some hard use) and I’m sad that I won’t be able to continue running in them.
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