Men’s and Women’s Skechers GOrun Speed Running Shoe ReviewAt this point it is hard for me to be unbiased about these shoes. The people in Skechers Performance division are fantastic and they keep making solid products for us runners. They are very responsive to our feedback and engage the running community regularly to continually improve the running shoes they are crafting. Skechers provided four pairs of the GOrun Speed running shoes for our team to review. The following is our take on the shoe some refer to as the GOmeb, GOspeed, or that shoe Skechers made for Meb.
Meaghan: I really enjoyed Skechers GOrun 2 so I was looking forward to receiving the GOrun Speed. I was happy to find several similarities. They kept with the stretchy mesh upper, snug fit, super lightweight build, and rubber lugs(formally known as GOimpulse sensors) that add some cushion and durability. Just like the GOrun 2, these shoes were comfortable right out of the box. I opted for a pale blue/grey coloring for the GOrun 2, but was happy to receive a much bolder (bright pink) coloring for the GOrun Speed. The main difference between the shoes is in the flexibility. The GOrun Speed has a carbon stability plate in the midfoot which creates a much firmer ride.
Stein: Firm, with just enough cushioning for long distance racing or training. I wore them to the Saint Michaels Half Marathon and they were a perfect choice. Light, responsive and flexible. My heel never slipped and there were no hot spots, blisters or any other kind of foot soreness throughout any of my runs. Through many miles these shoes have performed great!
Jenny: I’ve decided I want a shoe named after me. How stupid cool would that be?! Will it ever come to fruition? Only.in.my.dreams. Meb has earned his shoe…and if you ask me, it’s pretty wicked.
I don’t usually have to break in a shoe without losing toenails before throwing it into the mix, and the GoRun Speed was no exception. In fact, it quickly became my go to shoe for daily training. At only ~6 ounces, this shoe is a featherweight. I tend to gravitate toward lighter shoes but ones that still offer some protection from the road. I dig minimal but not MINIMAL. This shoe had a good balance between weight and cushion…not squishy but responsive. I could feel the ground but wasn’t bothered by the elements.
My personal preference is an upper that hugs my foot and I got that in this shoe. I don’t want a huge toe box where I can slop around. I like to feel secure. The GoRun Speed, paired with with a light cushion SmartWool sock was the perfect recipe.
The ride of this shoe is smooth like buttuh. Lately I’ve been feeling like my shoes slap the ground (like a huge Sasquatch) and I don’t think it’s due to form–consciously working on that no matter what shoe I’m in. This shoe had a seamless roll from impact to toe off that felt really natural (and fast, regardless what my Garmin reads…I feel fast, therefore I am).
This could be merely coincidental, but I’ve been dealing with a foot injury and of course resting isn’t an option. Since switching to the GoRun Speed I’ve seen a huge improvement and (knock on wood) hopefully on my way to recovery.
One of the features that had me impressed was the upper toe. Its constructed of a lightweight, almost brushed, breathable mesh but the tip is reinforced with a clear “shrink wrapped” strip that protects it from shallow puddles or morning dew. It wiped completely clean with a towel. I plan on running these little lovelies into the ground and as of now, have no complaints.
Thomas: I loved these shoes. I have run races in Newton MV2, Saucony Fastwitch, Saucony Type A, Saucony Kinvara, and many other light race shoes. The GOrun Speed are my favorite to date. They have a firm ride and the perfect amount of cushioning. The fit was perfect for a speed shoe, snug less wiggle room. My toes never felt cramped or trapped the toe box. The outsole has just the right amount of rubber with the well placed GOimpulse nubs. I ran my first comeback race (broke my foot in January) in the GOrun Speed last Saturday, while it wasn’t my fastest, the firmness of the outsole and the cushioning gave me confidence to run the half marathon. My feet were so comfortable after the race that I left the shoes on for the post race fun and the two hour drive home. I can totally see these being perfect for the Marathon distance and beyond. I will be wearing the GOrun Speed at my next marathon.
Thomas: The only issue I had with the GOrun Speed was with the tongue of the shoe. It would rub me the wrong way, but I didn’t seem to notice it while running.
Jenny: The GOrun Speed ran big on me and I needed to do a half size down. My only concern would be that the sole wouldn’t hold up to huge mileage but none of my shoes do. I run in the Saucony Kinvara, Virrata, and New Balance 1400, which are all pretty minimal. I’m used to replacing shoes every 8-ish weeks so that wouldn’t be an issue for me.
Stein: Toe box could be slightly wider. My feet have been spoiled by the likes of Merrell and Altra lately and I’m guessing that wider toe boxes will become more common. While the tongue is super thin, light and efficient I occasionally found it bunched up a little on the outer edge.
Meaghan: The only real complaint I had about these shoes was the laces. They never stayed tied for me. I double knotted them and still found myself stopping in the middle of a run to lace up. I switched them out for Lock Laces. Best decision I could have made. They matched perfectly and seemed to make the shoe fit better.
Stein: I am really enjoying the GOrun Speed – they hit a sweet spot. With 150 miles on them the outsole is holding up pretty well, but a couple strategically placed “tough-rubber” spots on the outside edge and heel would greatly increase the shoe’s longevity. I will be wearing the GOrun Speed to upcoming road races this summer and fall!
Meaghan: I received the GORun Speed when I was training for the St. Michael’s half marathon. Having just purchased the Nike FlyKnit Lunar 1+, I didn’t want to like these shoes as much as I did. I knew I would be choosing between the two on race day. It only took one run in the GORun Speed to realize this was going to be my shoe. In general, I prefer the look of Nike, but the fit and feel of the GORun Speed was pretty perfect. They’re snug, light, and provide a firm ride; perfect for racing. The GORun Speed performed exactly as I was hoping on race day. I didn’t think about the shoes once through all 13 miles and ended up placing 5th overall for women and 1st in my age group. I know a lot of people that are still unsure about Skechers as a brand, but I have little to no complaints about the GORun line. The shoes deliver on look, fit, and performance.
Thomas: Like I said at the top, I love these shoes. My pendulum has swung from heavy cushioned shoes to barely there shoes throughout my running career. The GOrun Speed have hit a sweet spot in just enough foot protection and cushion and a light minimal feel. Get your feet in a pair of these for your next race. They are wearing well with close to 100 miles on them.
Skechers GOrun speed is the official shoe of America’s top marathon runner Meb. These shoes are built for competitive racing and designed for speed using our most advanced innovative performance technologies.
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Oh.my.gosh. drooling over these bad boys.
I seriously want to buy them… I’m in love with the GO line! Great reviews. Can always count on you guys 🙂
How would you compare the sizing to the Go Run 3 and the Go Run Ride 3? You mentioned they run big. Would you suggest 1 or 1/2 size down?
I’m having a trouble getting the right size with Sketchers, but I’m loving the comfort. I use to run in Kinvara’s. I love snug heal, and foot, but like a little room for toes to splay.
I found the GOrun 3 and GOrun Ride 3 fit like a traditional trainer. I would go with your typical sizing for both of those models. The GOrun Ride will offer a slightly larger toebox.