Details
Brand
Skechers
Heel To Toe Drop
4mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• New FlightGEN cushioning (lighter and more responsive)• New knit upper design offers a sock-like fit and better breathability• Parametric webbed outsole offers outstanding traction• Supportive heel counter• Pull-tab• Reflective detailing• Sewn in tongue design
Upper
The 6 features an entirely new upper design with knit material. The fit is different, too, because of a more sock-like foot hugging construction. The shoe features a pull-tab at the heel and reflective detailing but doesn’t have a traditional tongue. It’s, instead, stitched directly to the upper. While reviewers liked that the GoRUN 6 felt true to size, many mentioned that the new design felt a little less supportive than before. Despite a firm heel counter, the bootie design didn’t feel adequately snug for all users, and some characterized the GoRUN’s fit as sloppy. Still, the shoe is easy to take off and slip on. Some runners will appreciate the barely-there minimalist design and like the flexible feel. Just don’t be fooled by the mention of a compression knit fabric. Very few reviewers characterized the fit as compressive. Sizing down doesn’t help since the length ends up being too short.
Midsole
The midsole of the Skechers shoe is made of new FlightGEN material which is both lighter and firmer than in previous versions of the shoe. It’s intended to be much more responsive. While it has a bit more bounce than before, the feel is still soft underfoot. Reviewers liked the combination of responsiveness and cushioning and noted that the midsole felt significantly different compared to the GoRUN 5. Some reviewers did mention, however, that the ride felt less bouncy than before, which is in contrast to Skechers’ claim that the shoe is much more responsive. Reviewers commented that the overall feel of the shoe was closer to the GoRUN 4 than the 5.
Outsole
The GoRUN’s outsole stays the same in this sixth edition. Skechers chose to keep the Parametric webbed outsole, which still offers plenty of traction. Reviewers said that the outsole was very grippy. Many, however, also pointed out that it was a shame that Skechers didn’t improve the outsole’s durability. Quite a few characterized the outsole as flimsy and mentioned that the sole showed signs of wear early on in training. One thing reviewers liked about the outsole was its wide profile, which offers support and stability where there otherwise isn’t any.
Breathability
The GoRuN 6 sports an airier knit upper than its predecessor and generally feels a lot lighter. The sock-like fit and new upper material make for a super breathable shoe. Reviewers loved how well-ventilated the GoRUN felt on the run. You’re unlikely to encounter issues with overheating in this shoe. The downside? The very lightweight shoe circulates air but isn’t ultra-supportive. The design is minimal, so users need to decide what they value more, breathability or support?
Comfort
Most reviewers noted that the GoRUN felt true to size. Where wearers encountered trouble was with the fit. Some found that the new upper design lacked support. The lightweight feel does wonders for breathability but isn’t as snug as some might have liked. Still, the Skechers brand shoe includes a whole new cushioning material in its midsole that’s both lighter and intended to provide a more responsive ride. The firmer midsole is designed to enhance responsiveness, but some reviewers found it less bouncy than the previous version. Reviewers did, however, find the cushioning extremely comfortable. The feel is somewhere in between ultra-soft and very firm.
Style
The GoRUN 6 is available in a slew of trendy colors for both men and women. The look of the shoe is sleek and minimal. For women, the Run is available in grey/white, black/red, black/white, and pink. The men’s version comes in navy/grey, black/red, black/white, blue, and grey. Overall, reviewers really liked the design of the GoRUN. As with most Skechers shoes, the look of the RUN is fresh and fun. The Skechers logo is prominently featured, but it doesn’t ever look cumbersome or tacky.
Durability
Reviewers ran into some trouble when it came to the outsole’s durability. The sole design remains unchanged and comes with the same problems as before. Reviewers called the outsole flimsy, and many were upset to find signs of wear early on in training. Don’t expect to get too much more than 300 miles (at the very most) out of the GoRUN 6. If you’re a low mileage runner, this maximum shouldn’t be too much of a hindrance. Runners going long on a regular basis will likely find the GoRUN has more use as a racing sneaker.
Protection
The outsole provides adequate traction and protection against unsteady footing. The midsole’s new FlightGEN material is lightweight but offers excellent impact protection. What the new knit upper does best is provide excellent ventilation to prevent overheating, especially during hard efforts. The shoe doesn’t provide any stability features since it’s a neutral shoe so it not a good choice for overpronators.
Responsiveness
The new midsole material in the GoRUN 6 is intended to be more responsive. The FlightGEN cushioning is lighter than the previous cushioning material used in the GoRUN and is also meant to be bouncier. The feel is somewhere in between super soft and uncomfortably firm. Reviewers agreed that the cushioning felt very different than in the previous GoRUN model but weren’t so sure that the responsiveness was increased. According to many reviewers, the firmer cushioning didn’t provide as much bounce as the previous version of the shoe.
Support
Countless commenters shared that the bootie design of the GoRUN didn’t feel as secure as they would have liked. The sock-like fit is comfortable and, if anything, barely there. The fit is true to size, but the knit upper doesn’t do a lot of work to keep the foot steady and secure. Getting the shoe on and off is effortless, and the cushioning offers a good balance of soft and firm, but the support is limited. Runners with pronation issues or who want a supportive fit and feel may not find the GoRUN 6 adequate for training purposes.
Terrain
The minimalist neutral shoe is best kept for road running. The outsole, as we already mentioned, is pretty thin. Many reviewers noticed that it offered little resistance against wear and tear. The cushioning is adequate, but there’s not enough protection underfoot to deal with hard rocks and uneven technical trails. Debris is also likely to easily get inside the shoe, too.
Price
Despite some of the issues already mentioned with durability and support, the Skechers GoRUN is incredibly affordable. The durability and price seem to match up correctly, and while reviewers did point out the problems with the outsole and unsupportive upper, they didn’t characterize these issues as deal breakers and still seemed happy with their purchase. If you’re a high mileage runner, however, you might find the GoRUN to be a poor choice that offers little value considering the maximum mileage you’re likely to get out of the shoe is about 300 miles.
Drop
The GoRUN 6 features a 4mm drop. The neutral trainer is low to the ground which helps with stability and provides enhanced feedback and ground feel. This makes the running shoe a great choice for speedier workouts and races.
Stability
Considering the support is very minimal, the neutral shoe also doesn’t offer a lot of stability. Excellent traction and a wide outsole offer up a basic degree of stability, but otherwise, the fit and feel of the shoe are pretty minimal. The drop is low, though, which helps create a stable feel when running. A firm heel counter at the back of the shoe offers additional stability. Overall, stability is minimal but true neutral runners won’t find this to be a problem.
Flexibility
Reviewers liked that the Skechers shoe was very flexible. The outsole has a nice bend to it, and the cushioning is firm enough to feel responsive but also malleable so that running in the shoe feels natural. It should also be noted that the knit upper is slightly stretchy, too.
Traction
The same outsole as before graces the sole of the GoRUN 6. The unique parametric webbed outsole offers excellent grip on varied surfaces. Users were impressed with the speedy shoe’s grippy sole design. Where the shoe falls short is the outsole’s durability. The tread does tend to shave down rather quickly, so it’s likely that nearing 300 miles of use, traction may suffer.
Bottom Line
The lightweight GoRUN 6 is a versatile trainer thanks to its combination of cushioning and responsiveness. Run fast knowing that the outsole can keep you stable and upright. While the Skechers shoe may not be the most durable, the price point is indeed attractive. The affordable trainer may also lack support and stability, but for efficient neutral runners, the benefit of plush, responsive cushioning and lightweight feel outweighs the drawbacks of a barely-there design. Price wise, the GoRUN meets expectations and features a trendy design that looks anything but cheap. The flexible shoe is an excellent choice for tempo training runs or any kind of race day effort.
