In this product guide:
The GoRun Ride 11 is Skecher’s go-to everyday trainer, just like how the Ride 18 is for Saucony, and the Pegasus 31 for Nike. If we had to choose the best everyday shoe from Skechers running line, the Ride 11 would be it.
The dual-density midsole has a soft core inside a firmer casing. The foam is HyperBurst – a supercritical EVA foam with a responsive ride that Skechers created in-house. While the foam isn’t particularly bouncy (think Brooks DNA Loft), the ride is cushioned and supportive.
The removable footbed and the lasting below it deliver step-in comfort (both are made of blown foam).
Skechers advertises the Ride 11 as having a carbon-infused plate. This component is limited to the midfoot and forefoot, so it doesn’t behave like a typical full-length plate and makes the forefoot transitions more efficient.
Skechers introduced the rocker midsole to the mainstream many years ago; it was originally called the ‘M Strike’. The Ride 11’s rocker helps achieve quicker turnovers, making the shoe versatile for different speeds and footstrike patterns.
The tall stack heights (38 mm and 32 mm) add plenty of cushioning for long runs. The just-right cushioning and rocker forefoot also make the shoe tempo-friendly. The Goodyear rubber outsole offers hard-wearing traction for 300-400 miles.
Skechers uppers have been a basic affair, and it’s no different here. The true-to-size and secure upper is padded in the right places, but it’s nothing special. Like most of their shoes, optional widths are unavailable.
If you’re familiar with the GoRun Ride 11, describing the Max Road 6 is easy.
The Max Road 6 is a taller and wider version of the GoRun Ride 11. The midsole is 3 mm taller under the heel and forefoot, and has a relatively higher volume.
Runners get a much higher cushioning volume with the Max Road 6 while keeping all of the other performance benefits that come with the GoRun Ride 11.
For example, the dual-density midsole is made of responsive HyperBurst foam for high-mileage comfort. Like the Ride 11, the outsole uses Goodyear rubber. The forefoot gets the partial carbon plate treatment as well. The rocker forefoot helps roll the foot forward to achieve quicker turnovers, regardless of your speed or footstrike pattern.
So what’s the best use case for the Max Road 6? It has the versatility and durability for everyday miles, the peppiness and cushioning needed for a marathon, and the distance-friendly comfort necessary for recovery runs.
The upper is similar to the GoRun Ride 11. The padded tongue and heel make this true-to-size fit plush and secure.
Until April 2024, the GoRun Alpha Tempo was called the GoRun Speed Beast. Last year, Skechers changed the name of the shoe while keeping everything else the same.
The Alpha Tempo is Skechers’ contribution to the carbon-plated racer category. The midsole uses a lighter and softer ‘Pro’ version of the HyperBurst foam.
The midsole has a well-defined rocker with a partial carbon-infused plate. Unlike the full-length plates of shoes like the Asics Metaspeed, Nike Vaporfly, and Saucony Endorphin Pro, the ‘H plate’ only covers the midfoot and forefoot.
This configuration makes the forefoot transitions quicker, but without adding the rearfoot ‘snap’ of regular plates.
If you’re looking for a race-day shoe, you can do a lot better than the Alpha Tempo. The Hyperburst Pro foam lacks the soft bounciness of adidas Lightstrike Pro, Asics Flytefoam Turbo, or the Nike ZoomX. You don’t get the full Carbon-plate experience either.
Having said that, marathon training is where the Alpha Tempo offers the most value.
The 40 mm and 34 mm stack midsole is wide and supportive, so the cushioning comfort is delivered with a sense of stability.
The generous outsole coverage also makes this trainer more durable than plated racers, as it’s better equipped to handle pre-race mileage. The midsole geometry also supports slower speeds, heel strikers, and heavy runners.
The snug upper is only available in a single width.
We’ve always had a soft spot for the GoRun Razor. Over the years, it’s been through countless iterations, but it’s always been an excellent choice for short races, interval training, and anything speed-related in general.
It’s comparable to the Brooks Hyperion – a lightweight and cushioned trainer for fast miles. One can also think of the Razor as a less modern version of the adidas EVO SL.
Unlike the GoRun Ride 11 and Max Road 6, the Razor doesn’t use the standard Hyperburst foam. It uses the softer ‘Pro’ version from the Alpha Tempo for greater responsiveness and comfort. The grip from the 3-piece Goodyear rubber outsole helps with efficient landings and push-offs.
The forefoot and midfoot have a Carbon-infused insert to help with the transitions. It’s not a full plate, so the stiffness is limited to the take-off phase.
The secure upper is great at connecting the foot with the midsole – a must-have during faster runs.
Skechers takes a lot of artistic liberty when ‘borrowing’ designs from its competitors. If the Max Endeavour Centripetal looks familiar, that’s because parts of it bear a striking resemblance to the typical Hoka shoe.
The exterior and lines of the high-volume look very Bondi-like, and so does the outsole. But that’s as far as the similarities go. Under the hood, the Max Endeavour is a very different shoe.
For starters, the midsole has a firm feel. You won’t get a plush and bouncy feel; even the step-in comfort is limited. The glued-on footbed isn’t removable either, so aftermarket orthotics are out of the question.
Despite its shortcomings, the Max Endeavour offers excellent value for its $85 price. The firm midsole cushioning supports higher body weight, and it’s comfortable enough for everyday runs.
The upper has all the functional bits, but it’s built to a cost.
How we selected
The Skechers running line is due for a complete reset very soon. In summer 2025, the LA-based brand will release the Aero Tempo – the first shoe in its new ‘Aero’ lineup.
The Aero Tempo will be followed by the Aero Burst and Aero Spark. This marks the end of the popular ‘GoRun’ series which the current Skechers catalog is based on.
The GoRun had a good decade-long run. Skechers burst into the performance running scene with Meb Keflezighi’s historic Boston marathon win. He broke several records while doing so. At nearly 40, he was the oldest winner of the Boston Marathon since 1930, and the first American runner to win the race since 1983.
The fact that Meb won the race wearing the Skechers helped. It was a comfortable racer with a midfoot Dupont Delrin shank – we reviewed the GoMeb Speed 3 over a decade ago.
This buyer’s guide only has legacy models like the GoRun Ride (now in its 11th version and 15th year), the cushioned Max Road 6, and the familiar GoRun Razor.
The Alpha Tempo is Skechers’ carbon-plated offering for marathons; the Max Endeavour Centripetal is an everyday trainer with shades of the original Hoka Clifton, albeit with much firmer cushioning. The stable ride makes the Endeavour a solid choice for heavier runners.
We will update this guide following the release of the new lineup.