Details
Brand
Skechers
Heel To Toe Drop
N/A
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• FlexSole flexible outsole• Thin midsole with subtle heel drop• Trubuck leather and synthetic mesh upper• Alternate knit fabric upper variant• Lightweight design• Non-removable memory foam insole
Upper
A shoe’s first impression is made through the design of its upper, and Skechers ensures that their Flex Advantage 2.0 makes the strongest first impression possible. Many different colorways are available for the customer to choose from that offer one of two different upper designs. For some of the more basic color schemes, a combination of trubuck synthetic leather and a highly ventilated mesh encompasses its upper half. Alternatively, customers can choose a more vibrant color palette with shoes that offer an upper made entirely from a knit fabric material. These two upper styles come with their own benefits and drawbacks, but something they both have in common is their high build quality.
Midsole
The design of the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0’s midsole seeks to supplement the benefits already provided by its outsole, working with its design rather than against it. In order to maintain the design theme of lightweight flexibility, the EVA midsole cushioning present in these shoes is a bit thinner than usual, while this would ordinarily cause discomfort, customers have repeatedly stated that there are no issues in that department whatsoever. After all, the traditional increase in rearfoot cushioning is included in this shoe’s midsole design despite its decreased thickness, with a sturdy insole and a thick outsole compensating for any shortcomings that may have come about from this design aspect.
Outsole
The outsole of any Skechers shoe is going to serve two purposes. In addition to providing the perfect amount of traction and flexibility to facilitate an intense running session, they also strive to provide the ideal balance of comfort and stability to ensure a smooth experience when walking or running. The way in which the Flex Advantage 2.0’s outsole accomplishes this feat is through the use of Skechers’ proprietary FlexSole design. The material was synthesized with the intention of absorbing shock from ground impact while also providing a lightweight flexibility, but its tread design is what provides the compensatory traction and stability. This potent combination results in an underfoot plate that provides many seemingly contradictory features, almost like an impossible outsole.
Breathability
Depending on what style a customer purchases for the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0, the level of breathability will vary. One style of these shoes features an upper with a more sturdy design that incorporates trubuck leather and synthetic mesh. The mesh is perforated to the point where air can easily enter and exit the shoe, keeping internal temperatures low and sweating to a minimum. However, the alternative design that is made entirely from a knit fabric offers a much greater degree of airflow since no portion of its upper is covered by a non-porous material. While either will suffice for the average runner, the latter choice is the ideal for running in warmer weather conditions and climates.
Comfort
This is what Skechers is known for providing above all else: a comfortable pair of footwear. The Flex Advantage 2.0 offers many amenities designed to provide the most comfortable experience possible, whether the wearer is running, walking, or simply standing still. From the lightweight and flexible design to the multiple layers of soft underfoot padding, just about every customer who has expressed their opinions on these shoes have stated that they are comfortable above everything else. Perhaps the most impressive fact about this shoe’s comfort is that it manages to provide such appealing padding while keeping the total weight of the entire shoe extremely low.
Style
Normally, the brands of footwear and athletic apparel that come up in discussions about stylish products are Nike and Adidas. And while Skechers doesn’t quite provide the same level of aesthetic appeal to these athleisure titans, the Flex Advantage 2.0 comes close. Fashion-oriented footwear customers will appreciate the variety of colorways to choose from, and the two different upper layouts split between these color choices offer a bit of additional variety. The general consensus among customers seems to be that the knit fabric version of the Flex Advantage 2.0 is the more fashionable of the two styles, although it is highly derivative of Nike’s FlyKnit footwear line.
Durability
With the two possible variations of the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 come two different levels of durability. The bulkier design that offers less color and breathability provides longevity due to its use of sturdier material. The trubuck leather and mesh fabric may not appear as stylish or streamlined as the alternative variety but it will certainly last longer and provide a greater degree of protection. If a runner decides to order a pair of these shoes that come in the knit fabric style, they will have to treat them lightly in order to avoid damaging them during a typical running session. This tradeoff will ultimately boil down to personal preference since either option comes with benefits and caveats.
Protection
Much like how the bulkier version of the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 offers a longer lifespan, this version also provides a greater amount of protection for the wearer’s feet. Compared to the knit fabric version of these shoes, the synthetic leather and mesh option will provide a stronger line of defense from road hazards. Fortunately, either version of these shoes provides excellent protection for the wearer’s underfoot since their FlexSole outsole is designed to prevent slippage despite its impressive flexibility.
Responsiveness
Normally, a pair of running shoes will derive most of its responsiveness from its midsole. However, the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 has a much thinner midsole than the average running shoe, providing a thicker outsole instead. This means that the FlexSole on these shoes has a much greater effect on its responsiveness thanks to its high density. Ultimately, these shoes aren’t responsive as much as they are flexible, which can result in a somewhat diminished running experience that is almost on par with a generally responsive pair of shoes.
Support
Despite being designed for the purpose of providing excellent comfort, it may come as a surprise to many customers that the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 doesn’t offer a great deal of support. In particular, individuals with a need for arch support have expressed disappointment in these shoes for their failure to provide it. These problems are exacerbated if the customer chooses to purchase a pair of these shoes with a knit fabric upper since this relatively flimsy material offers no real support for pronation or general endurance exercises. The insole isn’t designed to be removed, but some tearing and warranty voiding can allow concerned customers to replace it with an orthotic to gain some of that much-needed support.
Terrain
These shoes were designed primarily for casual use, meaning its ideal environments are low-intensity ones. Because of this, wearers can expect the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 to function well on the sidewalk or the road, whether they plan on walking or jogging. Running is manageable in these shoes as well, provided the runner sticks to surfaces that don’t feature significant road hazards. For this reason, running on an asphalt road isn’t recommended, but running on the sidewalk or a grassy field is. The one form of terrain these shoes shouldn’t be used on under any circumstances is a hiking trail since the harsh inclines and debris can lead to injuries.
Price
Considering just how impressive of a design the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 has, the fact that they are so affordably priced may come as a surprise. Due to the fact that these shoes have been on the market for a few seasons, the average cost for a pair is very reasonable. But even when these shoes were first released, the price was competitively low. Due to scarcity from Skechers no longer producing these shoes, some models and sizes have artificially inflated prices. However, the vast majority of options can be obtained for less than $100.
Drop
Although the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 has a midsole that is thinner than average, this portion of the shoe is still able to provide some additional heel cushioning due to its drop. The difference in height between its rear and forefoot is unclear, but it appears to be there to a limited degree. It isn’t as pronounced as an experienced running shoe wearer would be accustomed to, but enough of a difference is present to ensure their heels are protected for repetitive striking.
Stability
It’s important for any reputable running shoe to provide enough stability to counteract its flexibility without going overboard and feeling uncomfortably rigid. To an extent, the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 is able to provide some stability to the wearer, whether it’s from the more solid trubuck leather upper or from the tight fit provided by the knit fabric variant. However, there simply isn’t enough stability to provide any reasonable amount of control that would be necessary for serious running. Because of this, these Skechers shoes are better for lower intensity exercises like jogging or walking.
Flexibility
As its name may imply, the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 is an extremely flexible shoe. If a customer was to order a version of these shoes with the knit fabric upper, this flexibility would be even greater. While the amount of bend and give that is experienced in these shoes is impressive, the unfortunate downside to its design is that Skechers fails to provide enough stability to counteract it. As a result, running too fast in these shoes on unstable footing can lead to a nasty fall.
Traction
To be fair, the level of traction on these running shoes isn’t enough to handle a running environment that truly demands it, such as a hiking trail or steep incline. However, when it comes to providing the level of grip and control necessary during an average run, the Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 comes through beautifully. The tread pattern on the FlexSole of these shoes ensures that slipping won’t be an issue, but it also isn’t significant enough to the point where the runner feels rooted to a particular spot. This is an important balance to achieve in a pair of running shoes and these Skechers runners pulled it off without a doubt.
Bottom Line
The Skechers Flex Advantage 2.0 is a fantastic walking shoe and a somewhat mediocre running shoe. When it comes to providing a comfortable walking or standing experience, these shoes are among the best. However, any exercise more intense than jogging on terrains rougher than a sidewalk is likely to cause problems for the wearer due to a lackluster stability and durability. Ultimately, these shoes are worth their price as a nice-looking comfortable walking sneaker.
