Details
Brand
Skechers
Breathability
6.9/10
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• 4 MM Drop• Improved Resalyte foam material• Delivers an energetic return on every step• Light-weight construction• M-Strike technology for a better heel to toe transitions• Go Impulse sensors• Quick Fit loop• Welded overlay structure for a seamless fit• Odor-fighting interior fabrics
Upper
The switch to a welded overlay system and the use of less stitching had already been implemented in the 4th edition but this time around we see it in greater use. It results in giving runners a more comfortable fit and helps to improve movement. The back features Skechers’ Quick Fit loop which is a small opening that allows a runner to pull the shoe toward the heel for fast and convenient placement. The interior is made from fabrics which fight odor and contain anti-microbial properties. And finally, a removable sock liner is added as a cushioning enhancement.
Midsole
Skechers utilizes their proprietary Resalyte foam material in the Go Ride 5. Resalyte is composed of a mixture of carbon rubber and EVA material. The Go Ride 5 features an improved version of Resalyte foam and it is referred to by Skechers as 5Gen, or with generation. It is designed to offer more energy and cushion than it had previously done so. Skechers also claims that it’s 20% more durable than before.;Another notable change has been the midsole platform itself. The midsection now has more volume than the heel and forefoot and this allows runners to naturally land on their midfoot. In a traditional shoe, we mostly see the heel area being larger than the rest. But in this case, the largest area on the shoe is the middle part.
Outsole
The outsole features Skechers Go Impulse sensors. They are characterized as black circular pods that are strategically placed in high usage areas and are intended to protect the underfoot as well as the midsole unit. The sensors also provide extra cushion and generate energy. A notable difference on the Ride 5 from its predecessor is the deeper cuts and the amount of space between the sensor pods. The pods are now distributed at an even plane which improves ride quality. In the prior version, the ride quality felt off due to the mismatched placement of the pods.
Breathability
Ventilation, or the lack thereof, seems to be a persistent dilemma with the Ride series. There is very little use of meshing and this makes their shoes feel too constricted when it comes to generating any kind of airflow. The only positive note in this category is the interior fabrics which help to combat some of the problems associated with the lack of air.
Comfort
If they could only get breathability right then there would be little to complain about when it comes to comfort. The biggest improvement has been the Reslyate foam which now delivers a bigger dose of cushion. Previously, a common complaint among many users was that the foam was too firm and cushioning had been sacrificed more than necessary for the sake of responsiveness. The challenge came down to how to maintain the same level of energy while adding a softer feel. Fortunately, the modifications to the foam material paid off and users have taken note that this version provides a plushier ride than before.;The shoe’s fit was never an issue, to begin with and the Go Ride 5 has made it fit even better. This is due to the heavier use of non-stitch overlays which give you a comfortable wrap around feel. In addition, the shoe has a wider toe box which gives your toes plenty of room to move around.
Style
Style-wise, the Go Ride 5 has seen a big facelift. It is now offered in a variety of styles, offering interesting colors, patterns, and graphics. However, some users are not big fans of the shoe’s style calling it unfocused and disorganized. Truthfully, we have to agree. Despite many options to choose from, all their styles appear to be mismatched paint splatter graphics with bright neons — certainly, not an appealing combination.
Durability
Like breathability, durability remains another liability for the Ride series. The insular pods are the only form of protection for the outsole which isn’t very much. The Go Ride 5 does not have a complex tread pattern and does not use any other features like lugs to help protect the structural integrity of the underfoot. This is a misfortune because now that this version has been made to be more versatile, many runners were counting on it for long-distance mileage. But despite the more comfortable ride, the Go Ride 5’s lifespan may be cut short due to its inability to keep up with high mileage.
Protection
Improvements to the Restyle material have resulted in a shoe that is more capable of protecting your knees and joints from overuse. The extra cushioning makes landings much gentler than before. This means less wear and tear for your body. In addition, the combination of added cushion and other features like M-strike technology encourage midfoot landings. Better landings in themselves work as natural defense mechanisms against injury by preventing heel striking.
Responsiveness
Energy delivery has never been a weakness for the Go Ride. But the Go Ride 5 improved response performance thanks to the changes in the Resalyte foam. Part of the reason has to do with the production of the material. The current Resalyte version is produced through an injection process as opposed to compression which is how most EVA foams are produced. The injection process takes a small amount of matter and it expands it like a balloon. The end result is a lighter, softer, and bouncier platform.
Support
The Go Ride 4 required more work on the part of the runner to utilize his/her own body for natural support, achieving it through indirect means. This time around, a runner gets more support from the larger midsole platform. Additionally, the welded overlay system on the upper wraps around your foot safely and securely, giving you support from the top.
Terrain
The Go Ride 5 is intended to be a road shoe and should perform fairly well over flat uncomplicated surfaces. As we mentioned previously, the outsole’s durability is not the best and we wouldn’t recommend trying this shoe out the trails other rougher surfaces. The outsole is not rugged enough to handle such conditions. But some runners particularly enjoy the Go Ride 5 on the treadmill. The case seems to be that it can really showcase its strengths over a safe and predictable surface.
Price
For the most part, price falls below $100 though certain styles can cost above that. Skechers has always been known to be a value brand so paying over $100 for a pair of their shoes is uncommon. However, now that they are offering the Ride 5 in many more styles, a greater price range is to be expected as some models will be more popular than others. As a side note, however, even though Skechers has a reputation for value, other brands like Nike comparable shoes for about the same price.
Drop
Heel height measures 27 mm and forefoot height measures 23mm. The resulting drop offset is 4mm. Despite the larger midsole platform, the drop measurement remains just as low as it did in the 4th version. With a low drop ratio, the Go Ride 5 encourages midfoot landings along with other features like M-Strike technology which will induce your feet to strike in the middle. In that sense, the Go Ride 5 can work great as a shoe for any heavy heel striker who is looking to improve his or her stride.
Stability
With a little bit of added weight, cushioning, and a larger midsole frame, the Go Ride 5 has taken on more of the stability responsibility. However, this doesn’t mean that it has lost any of its racing appeals. It still incorporates qualities like responsiveness and a lightweight frame, all components which are crucial for speed performance. But the newly implemented structural changes give you more control and stability over the surface than before. You will still be using your own body to do some of the lifting but now you get an extra bit of help from the shoe itself.
Flexibility
Skechers running shoes have generally done well with adapting to movement. The Go Ride 5 not only continues that tradition but has improved in its ability to be flexible. This has to do with the bonded overlay structure that now makes up most of the shoe’s upper. Not only does this reward runners with having a shoe that provides a comfortable fit, but it also adapts to your foot’s movement through every step of the way. The bottom components of the shoe have also improved in terms of their adaptability. So the fifth version of the Go Ride 5 results into a shoe that’s flexible from top to bottom.
Traction
Traction may have been improved ever so slightly by the changes in the outsole and midsole construction. Since the Go Ride 5 has added volume there is additional rubber material which improves the shoe’s grip. In addition, the fact that the insular pods have been leveled out more evenly improves the overall ride quality. But despite the extra coating of rubber, the outsole as a whole is still a soft and smooth surface which is not much help when it comes to handling the roads.
Bottom Line
The Skechers brands seems to be headed in the right direction with the very update they implement to the Go Ride series. Before this release, many runners were unhappy with the lack of cushion, but Skechers made significant strides by re-engineering their renowned Resalyte technology. It clearly paid off in the form of a better-cushioned shoe that still delivers plenty of energy.;Still, areas for improvement remain. It appears that the company is unfocused when it comes to knowing where to put its efforts. It’s great that the upper became for flexible by adding more overlays and that the shoe is even more responsive than before. However, these were never issues to begin with and the ones that still need to be addressed are the shoe’s ventilation and durability. Hopefully, the company can refocus on what needs to be done and implement those changes for future releases of the Go Ride.
