Details
Brand
Skechers
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
7/10
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Resalyte Midsole• M-Strike technology for smoother transitions• Agion® antimicrobial protection• 3D print technology used in upper• Medial posts to prevent excessive pronation
Upper
The upper in the GORun Forza is made of a 3D print technology for a customized type fit. The upper wraps around the foot snuggly, allowing for natural foot movement. The fabric itself is made of a very breathable seamless mesh. The upper also features an inner support strap to help lock down the foot. There is also a heel counter that prevents slippage. The style of the upper is unique, coming in a variety of color combinations.
Midsole
The midsole of the GORun Forza is consists of two parts, both made of Resalyte. This is a foam that is extremely plush, so it provides cushion and comfort, yet its construction allows it to remain surprisingly responsive. The bounce of the midsole helps the runner propel forward, enhancing the natural gait cycle.;The second part of the midsole is a medial post, as previously mentioned, also made of Resalyte. This helps balance your foot, which also encourages your natural gait. It also increases the support provided by the shoe. All of this foam might seem like the shoe will have a stiff or heavy platform, but this is not the case. Most runners that have worn this shoe say it doesn’t feel boxy or clunky at all.
Outsole
The outsole of the GORun Forza is constructed of high abrasion rubber. The rubber is more densely placed in high wear areas of the shoe, like the heel. This material and its strategic density placement helps to increase the durability of the shoe, especially in areas that contact the ground the most. It is also a material that provides sufficient traction for road running.;The outsole is loaded with flex grooves in between the pod-shaped sections of the forefoot. These allow for a comfortable and natural toe off because your foot can bend easily. The forefoot area of the outsole also features a blown rubber, which is durable and provides cushioning.
Breathability
The upper is made up of a seamless mesh that is highly breathable. Since air can flow freely in and out of the shoe, your feet remain well ventilated for the duration of your run or workout. This means that you can expect a run free from the pains of blisters, chafing, and hot spots… on your feet at least! Breathability also means that if you take these on a rainy run, they will dry out quickly once they are off your feet.;The mesh is also highly durable, so it can handle any obstacles you encounter on your run and will last for many miles.
Comfort
The GORun Forza provides support in a multitude of ways. First, the Resalyte foam that composes the midsole is plush and comfortable, providing adequate cushioning to your foot.;The upper is seamless, eliminating the possibility of chafing caused by seams digging into your foot. Additionally, it is made of breathable mesh, which keeps your feet cool, dry, and therefore, comfortable. The upper is also very flexible, so even though it fits snugly to keep your foot in proper position, it does not constrict movement in any way.
Style
This low top running shoe is available in a variety of bold color schemes for both men and women. Some examples in the women’s version include navy/teal, hot pink/blue and purple/ aqua. For the men, blue/orange, charcoal/red and navy/lime. However, it is available in white and black for runners that prefer more neutral tones. Additionally, some designs are themed after city marathons including Boston!
Durability
Overall, the GORun Forza is a durable shoe that will take you through many runs. Starting at the outsole, the high abrasion rubber ensures the sole will not wear out prematurely. The Resalyte midsole foam provides resilient cushioning that will last for many miles. The 3D print synthetic upper, though light, does an excellent job of holding up and providing a solid fit. You can expect that this shoe, even though the cushioning might feel soft, won’t wear down quickly.
Protection
The durable rubber outsole does a great job of providing underfoot protection. The cushioned, yet responsive Resalyte midsole helps reduce the chance of injury by protecting joints from the shock of impact. Being that this is a motion control shoe, it helps protect runners with pronations issues from potential injuries. However, being that this is a road running shoe, it would not provide enough protection on technical or rough trails.
Responsiveness
The GORun Forza ranks pretty well in terms of responsiveness, especially for a stability shoe. Some of the features that add to the overall responsiveness include the Resalyte midsole, the Flex Grooves located on the outsole and the 3D print upper that encourages natural foot movement. However, since this is a stability shoe, there are many more responsive options out there, but if you are looking for additional support, without sacrificing a whole lot of responsiveness, than this is the shoe for you.
Support
Being that this is a motion control shoe, it offers plenty of support. The Resalyte Medial Posting helps correct overpronation. The midsole also offers good arch support and cushioning, which provides support to not only your feet but your knee and hip joints as well. The 3D printed upper, heel counter and inner support strap lock the foot in place for a secure fit. The outsole, especially the blown rubber, works with the midsole to provide additional support in the form of cushioning and shock absorption.
Terrain
The GORun Forza is a road running shoe and works best on smooth, flat surfaces. The high abrasion rubber outsole makes this shoe a good choice for an everyday trainer and provides excellent traction on road, pavement, and track. These shoes can be used for some light trail running, but to get the best life out of the shoes, keep them to the surface they are intended for. Additionally, the Flex Grooves can be a magnet for trail debris, and running with pebbles and sticks stuck in the bottom of your shoe is definitely a less than comfortable experience.
Price
The Sketchers GORun Forza originally retailed for $120 dollars, making it a fair value consider the support features in this shoe. However, this does put it at a higher price range than many other Skechers shoe. Since the GORun Forza 2’s release, the price has still stayed relatively the same. It is worth checking out both versions to see which is best for you, as some updates have been made to the Forza 2.
Drop
The GORun Forza has an 8mm drop for both the men’s and women’s version. This brings it just slightly below a standard drop. An 8 mm drop allows for a natural, but not forced, gait cycle as well as enough cushioning for heel strikers.
Stability
The GORun Forza provides good stability without sacrificing responsiveness. The main stability feature is the Resalyte Medial Posts that help correct excessive overpronation. The 3D printed upper, heel counter and inner support strap work together to keep the foot locked in as well as promote a natural gait cycle.
Flexibility
The GORun Forza provides pretty good flexibility especially considering it’s a stability shoe. The Flex Grooves in the forefoot area allow for a more natural toe off transition. The 3D printed upper provides a secure fit and allows natural foot movement. The stability features such as the medial posts, do take away from the overall flexibility, but for those looking for a stability shoe, flexibility may not be your top priority.
Traction
The durable rubber outsole does a good job providing good traction on smooth surfaces such as pavement, asphalt, and track. Since the outsole is so durable, traction isn’t compromised over a period of time. Since this shoe does not have raised lugs, it will not provide enough traction on mild to technical trails but will do okay on some light trail runs.
Bottom Line
For runners looking support and responsiveness, the GOrun Forza is a solid running shoe. Thanks to many of the stability features such as the medial posts, this shoe works especially well for moderate to heavy overpronators. For those who have mild overpronation issues, the stability might be a bit too much. The combination of cushion and responsiveness makes this a perfect daily shoe as well as a racing shoe. It is not overly heavy like some motion control shoes can be. The outsole is extremely durable making it tough enough to withstand daily training. There were a few complaints with the durability of the outsole, but for the most part, runners had no issues with shoes and were able to use them as a daily trainer without noticing any premature wear. Overall, there were few complaints about this shoe, making this shoe a solid choice to add to your running shoe arsenal.
