I was definitely hesitant to try Skechers running shoes. Historically they haven’t been known as a serious-athlete type of shoe, plus they had the whole “Skechers Shape-Up” fiasco, so their track record wasn’t good. Then more recently the one and only pro runner Meb Keflezighi (several-time Olympian and also Boston and New York Marathon champion!) started promoting them– HUH?? Then another Olympian, Kara Goucher, also signed on with Skechers. What really got me to give them a try was a guy in my local running club tried a pair and said they weren’t too shabby–especially for the price. Like my running buddy, I went to the local outlet mall and picked up a pair of last-year’s model (the GoRun Ride 5 is the one currently at regular stores) for a measly $40.
Now I was coming off an especially over-cushioned pair of Hokas, so my legs and feet were not at all ready for the Skechers GoRun Ride 4, and at first I thought I was having another PureFlow disaster, where I was going to end up chucking the shoes. For the first week on these shoes, my calves and feet were relatively sore, so the shoes are pretty thin without a ton of support. In fact, I can easily feel large stones, roots, and cracks poking and prodding up through the bottom of the shoes if I land on anything hard or at the wrong angle. For the first week I very much felt like I was almost running barefoot and it was hard on my lower legs.
Now after a few weeks and just under 90 miles on the shoes, they feel much better and my legs have adjusted. Obviously it doesn’t change the fact that they are thin, and I can still feel rocks and whatnot jabbing at me, so they may not be the best choice for rougher trail, these have otherwise proven to be a decent training shoe. In all other conditions I now find them comfortable–sidewalks, paved roads, mellow dirt roads, and grass–all feel pretty good.
They are a light, breathable shoe and I did my longest run in them a couple days ago at just over 13 miles and they felt solid the whole time, finally proving to me that Skechers has produced a legit running shoe. They feel flat-esque since they are so light, but do offer a little cushion as well, and my legs have been no worse for the wear these couple days post-long run in them.
For $40 I’ll be happy to put just 200 miles on them before they are cashed out, but I’m hoping for 300. Either way the GoRun Ride 4 are a decent trainer, and I hope to try other Skechers running models in the future.
Info from Skechers:
- Upper provides lateral and medial support for stability during long or short distance runs while maintaining breathability
- GOimpulse® Sensors repositioned on outsole to allow for an even smoother transition and optimized running experience
- Removable insole for a custom fit
- Breathable diamond mesh side panels offers support
- 3D printed translucent texture detail on side panels
- Promotes a midfoot strike
- 4mm heel drop
- Weight: 8.4 oz. in a men’s size 9
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