Skechers GOrun Razor Excess Performance Review

What You Need To Know

• Weighs 7.5 oz. (213 g) for a US M9 / 5.9 oz. (167 g) for a US W7
• 4 mm drop (30-26)
• Star of the show is a rockered Hyper Burst Midsole
• Skechers woke up feeling dangerous with this creation

ADRIENNE: Skechers loves them some HYPERbole. And why shouldn’t they? They’ve been cranking out numerous shoes that I dig, particularly the Razor line. Now, they’re dropping the Razor Excess. While I’m still trying to wrap my head around the naming of the shoe, let’s talk about Skechers’ latest addition, because it does some things differently than its Razor siblings and MaxRoad cousin. Hyperburst seems to hit a little differently in each iteration, so I was curious to see how an “excessive” amount (get it?) would perform.

DAVE: As someone who’s very familiar with Skechers, it’s been amazing to watch the haters turn into the brand’s biggest fans. Gone are the days of stubborn runners who didn’t trust a shoe if it didn’t have a swoosh or three stripes on it. Now, Skechers has come out with the GOrun Razor Excess, a shoe in the lineage of the Razor +, but with gobs more cushion.

The Good

ADRIENNE: I think I’ve found myself a spring/summer long run shoe. The Razor Excess checks the boxes for being lightweight and breathable. The rockered Hyper Burst midsole is magical, especially due to the presence of an even greater amount of nitrogen-infused foam underfoot. In a weird way, the Razor Excess reminded me of a plateless HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X 2. It’s such a fun ride, simple as that.  

Durability shouldn’t be much of an issue with the Goodyear rubber coverage. Traction is there where you need it, and you feel confident during every mile. 

Priced at $140, the Razor Excess is fairly cheap compared to other shoes in its class. And aesthetically, Skechers continues to tone down the design a bit, but that may make these acceptable to wear in public.

DAVE: It’s a Razor, so it’s damn enjoyable to run in. Compared to the Razor 3 and the Razor +, the Razor Excess packs a lot more Hyper Burst underfoot. Dare I say it’s a slower Razor? Now, what I mean is that with the higher stack height, I feel more comfortable taking it out for slower, more relaxed runs.  The Razor Excess just feels like more of a traditional trainer, but it weighs in at 7 oz, but also rides fast like a Razor does. The firm and ultra-responsive midsole allow you to go fast in this shoe. 

Even as someone with a narrow foot, I can start to feel kinda cramped in a shoe during a long run. The Razor Excess sports a nice, roomy toe box that isn’t sloppy and allows plenty of toe splay. Skechers also seemed to fix one of my main problems with their shoes, which is a hard heel counter. They softened it up on this shoe, and it’s a lot more comfortable.

BRANDON: Hyper burst? More like Starburst with these colors … am I right? 

Weighing in at only 7.5 oz for a men’s size 9, the Skechers GOrun Razor Excess is all about going fast. I went out for a few runs and all I wanted to do was keep picking up the pace. A 4 mm offset and firm, responsive midsole promoted quicker turnover in my stride. The silver overlays around each side of the toe box do a great job of adding a welcome layer of durability to the Razor Excess. 

The lockdown in this shoe is superb. The heel counter is very lightly padded, just enough to make sure there’s no lift. Having your foot over top of the Hyper Burst midsole is crucial to the design, and it’s achieved with a smooth ride.

The Bad

ADRIENNE: I love a good mono mesh upper, but with the Razor Excess, my low-volume feet got swallowed up in the forefoot. There’s just too much of that mono mesh there.  

Also, the rocker takes a second to figure out. It took a mile or two to get my cadence down in these. But once I did, the ride felt natural. Obviously not a deal-breaker, just be aware that when you buy this shoe it may not feel right at first, as it needs a little breaking in.

DAVE: The 4 mm drop is a little aggressive, and can startle some at first. But for the most part, a good amount of runners out there won’t even notice.

BRANDON: The Razor Excess is a little bit of a one-trick pony. It’s good for short and fast days, but that’s sort of it. The minimal tread and thin upper make it difficult to run over any complicated terrain. The durability of this shoe has me skeptical, as I’m worried they may not hold up past 250 to 300 miles. 

For someone who has a narrow foot, the toe box was a little roomier than I would have liked. I would potentially look into going a half size down.

Skechers GOrun Razor Excess Conclusion

ADRIENNE: Skechers serves up some more supercritical goodness in the Razor Excess. Don’t let the name fool you, as this shoe is fairly simple while providing the fun ride that its siblings are known for. For those who want a rockered shoe with some pop but are sick of plated models, the Razor Excess is worth a look.

DAVE: The Skechers Go Run Razor Excess is a damn fine shoe. Whether you’re new to Skechers Performance or been a fan for years, you’ll dig this shoe. The most diehard Razor fans out there will appreciate this version being a little more of a workhorse while still providing a fun ride.

BRANDON: The Skechers Go Run Razor Excess is a great shoe for those looking to rip some fast paces for short periods of time. I would consider using this shoe during tempos and shorter workouts. 

You can pick up the Skechers GOrun Razor Excess at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) in March 2021 by using the shop link below.