Details
Brand
Skechers
Breathability
6.9/10
Terrain
Road
Type
Lightweight
Key Features
• GoRun Ride 4• 4 mm drop heel to toe offset• Skechers Resalyte foam material• Impulse Sensors located on outsole• M-Strike rocker technology• Seamless non-stitch overlay construction• Quick Fit loop for convenient fastening
Upper
The upper has seen the most changes. The use of stitched overlays has been reduced in order to lessen the weight of the shoe. Instead, Skechers opted for the use of seamlessly welded overlays which provide a better fit, more flexibility and add durability.;The interior features a mesh lining which helps with breathability. Interior padding has been reduced and the walls in the heel area have been elevated for more structure and support. The rear area contains Quick Fit which is a feature that allows you to stick your finger through a loop and pull the heel toward you for faster fastening of the shoe.
Midsole
One of the changes to the Go Ride 4 has been with Skechers’ proprietary Resalyte foam. Resalyte is a mixture of durable rubber and EVA foam. The change in the foam materials has resulted in a more firm and responsive platform. The GoRide 3 had a much more cushioned to it than this one and the extra softness did not work well with every type of runner. This time around, the firmer foam means that the body’s natural biomechanics are enhanced organically rather than having to rely on a padded midsole.
Outsole
No changes have been implemented on the Ride 4’s outsole from the last version. The outsole and midsole are actually one single unit. The underfoot carries what are known as Impulse Sensors. They bear the appearance of neatly patterned dots scattered through the bottom of the surface. They are strategically placed in high usage areas for added durability to prevent premature wear and tear. In addition, the sensors also help with providing smoother heel to toe transitions.
Breathability
Ventilation is a bit on the warm side. While bonded overlays are great for adding flexibility and reducing weight, the enclosed nature of this system constricts the ability of airflow to target the interior. The Ride 4 does have perforated outer mesh material but it’s limited to the front only. Consequently, there aren’t many areas on the shoe that allow for air to seep in. This is an area that could benefit from further improvements.
Comfort
Breathability aside, the shoe’s overall comfort levels are substantial. The changes to the upper have resulted in a shoe that provides a comfortable glove-like fit. The top portion wraps around your foot securely and adapts very well to its movements during running. In and around the interior wall areas, padding has been perfected by incorporating just the right amount, not too much and not too little. This reduction has also benefitted with reducing weight and bulk.;As far as cushioning is concerned, Skechers did intend for this shoe to be firmer than the last. This could turn off some runners who relied on the softer platform that its predecessor provided.
Style
Skechers makes this shoe available in 3 colorways, all of which feature some combination of subdued colors with brighter tones. Skechers’ emblematic “S” logo is featured on its side. Also, the bonded overlays provide smoother contours which were a needed improvement for the shoe’s structural appeal. This version looks much cleaner and smoother than the last one which appeared to look too unfocused.
Durability
Taking a quick look at the outsole, it’s very obvious that it’s built in a very basic form with only the Impulse Sensors as the single feature that stands out. Other than that, there is no tread pattern, no use of lugs, or any other components that would normally be placed for the protection of the outsole.
Protection
A toe cap is located in the front part of the shoe in order to protect against any flying debris. Also, a long strip of leather is placed just above the toe cap — and while this extra piece of a material increases the weight of the shoe, it does serve as greater protection against the entire front of the foot. The raised heel collar also adds a measure of security by keeping the rear portion of the foot locked in place.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness has seen the biggest change since the Go Ride 3 by the fact that the dynamics in the Resalyte foam have been altered to create a firmer platform. On top of this difference, Skechers’ rocker technology, M-Strike, adds to the response of the shoe. The heel is scooped up further up giving the shoe the rolling mechanism that gives runners a rocking motion during the gait cycle. Therefore, as runners land on their feet, their foot performs a forward roll that helps to propel more energy into their stride moving forward. The result is a seamless heel to toe transition with a boost of energy.
Support
Support is given through subtleties that promote the body’s own natural mechanics rather than through direct components. We’ve just described the way in which the shoe’s rocking-chair technology functions. On top of generating additional responsiveness, it helps with allowing your body to support itself rather than relying on specific components of the shoe. To be more specific, when your foot strikes the ground, M-Strike allows your foot to roll forward so that the result is a mid-foot strike rather than a heel strike. The shoe’s technology forces your body to use its own dynamics as support.
Terrain
The Go Ride 4 will serve you well over flat terrain like road, track, or for use on the treadmill. However, anything beyond that will not be a suitable match for the simplistic dynamics of the outsole. Other than Impulse Sensor technology, the outsole is not outfitted with any other features. Consequently, usage on rougher terrain will prove to be more detrimental for the shoe’s durability and is not recommended.
Price
The Go Ride 4 has been discontinued and has now been replaced by the Go Ride 5. The Go Ride series has always been the least expensive out of the Skechers running line. Price for the Go Ride 4 falls under $100 and can range as low as $50. On average, it’s priced around the $80 range. Skechers has always been known as a brand that provides good value in their footwear and the Go Ride series is no exception. However, there are other brands like Nike that make comparable shoes to the Go Ride and cost about the same price. Taking that into account, the Go Ride’s price tag may lose some of its appeal when matched against some of the other brands that have been in the running market for much longer.
Drop
Forefoot height measures 23 mm in the heel and 19 mm on the forefoot. The resulting drop offset is 4mm. The Go Ride 4’s drop measurement makes it another one of its key selling points. A runner can expect midfoot and forefoot landings with a considerably low heel to toe drop differential. Nevertheless, the Go Ride 4 still provides plenty of support and stability through its midsole platform. The benefit in having a low drop ratio is the fact that it promotes a more neutral heel to toe transition and eliminates heavy heel striking. By doing so, runners can enjoy the benefits of smoother landings and reduce their chances of injury.
Stability
Even though the Go Ride 4 falls into the racer category, it provides a generous amount of arch support. This extra boost provides your foot with the right amount of support to keep it stabilized during your runs. It’s also the distinguishing factor that sets it apart from more neutral-type racers that provide little to no stability features whatsoever.
Flexibility
Despite the use of some printed overlays on the upper, the Go Ride 4 has not lost any of its flexibility. It adapts very well to your foot and its movements throughout transitions. The upper hugs your foot in a comfortable and secure manner without any restrictions. In addition, the combination of the shoe’s physical attributes with the rocker technology results in a winning duo that exceeds the expectations of anyone looking to for a shoe that adapts to their foot’s movement with little to no effort.
Traction
This shoe has no specific features to provide traction. As we’ve just mentioned, the outsole has a very basic construction and does not include any treading, lugs, or any other features that are intended for grip. The outsole’s soft texture makes it inadequate for surfaces that require greater control. Therefore, running over flat and uncomplicated terrain is your best bet if you want to get the most out of the Go Ride 4.
Bottom Line
Although they have yet to become an authority in the world of running, Skechers continues to improve and show they can produce running shoes capable of surviving in a competitive industry with giants such as Nike, Asics, or Adidas to name just a few. With every updated release, their running shoes become more refined and it’s clear they are no longer held by the limitations of a casual footwear brand.;With shoes like the GoRun Ride 4 and others among its stature, they demonstrate their ability to design performance running shoes effectively. Skechers shows not only the ability to understand the technological concepts that other brands employ when engineering their running shoes. They prove that they can be just as innovative as well. This is reflected in concepts like the M-Strike and Reslyate material — two innovations that prove Skechers is able to put together its talent and creativity by producing two proprietary technologies that perform well enough to keep their running shoes our feet.;While there are areas that can be improved on the Go Ride 4, the shoe is essentially effective at providing what it sets out to do — that is to deliver a piece of running footwear that employs support and stability while still incorporating the essential racer ingredients such as light-weight construction and a low heel to toe offset. With this in mind, we can only anticipate what other great things can come out of Skechers as they start to garner more experience under their belt. It would be no surprise if we start seeing more Skechers footwear among elite marathoners as well.
