Are Skechers Good for Running?

With their comfortable designs and affordable prices, Skechers has become one of the most popular casual and athletic shoe brands today. But how well do they perform for running? Can you really log miles in Skechers without hurting your feet or risking injury? Let’s take a closer look.
The Short Answer
Skechers can be good shoes for running, but they’re best for beginners doing occasional short runs rather than serious runners pounding out high weekly mileages.
Some of their well-cushioned performance styles work well for easy paced training runs. But serious runners doing speedwork or marathon distances would be better off looking at brands designed specifically with runners in mind.
Cushioning And Support
Many Skechers sneakers are well-cushioned, prioritizing comfort over speed and weight. Cushioning is important in running shoes to help absorb impact, reducing the pounding on your feet and joints. Models like the Skechers GOrun and Skechers GOrun Max Road have a lightweight responsive foam midsole to cushion your stride.
However, running shoes need to balance cushioning with stability to properly control excess motion that can lead to injury. Where Skechers tends to fall short is support. With their focus more on lifestyle than athletic performance, most Skechers lack stability features like firm medial posts to prevent overpronation. Without these, runners vulnerable to rolling their ankles or arch collapse may get hurt wearing Skechers.
Shoe Weight
In general, Skechers run a bit heavy compared to performance running shoes from Nike, Brooks and other brands engineered for speed. The extra weight usually comes from the more generous cushioning focused on comfort rather than propulsion. This makes them better suited for slower paces rather than trying to set PRs. A shoe like the GOrun Max Road tips the scales at almost 11oz for a men’s size 9, considerably heavier than a dedicated racing flat.
Traction And Durability
The outsoles of Skechers running shoes utilize various traction patterns and rubber compounds fairly effectively without showing excessive or premature wear.
Skechers are affordably priced shoes, so the materials used in their construction may feel a little cheaper compared to premium running shoes. But their durability does tend to match what you would expect for the price you pay.
Fit And Feel
Where Skechers shines through is the comfortable fit their shoes provide right out of the box. Most running focused Skechers have a roomy toe box allowing your feet to splay naturally and ample cushioning underfoot to keep you happy mile after mile.
Just don’t expect the precise foothold serious runners demand to run fast efficiently. And some report the knit upper materials holding more heat than mesh designs better at keeping your feet cool and dry when racking up the miles.
Best Skechers For Running
The Skechers GOrun and GOrun Max Road models represent their most credible shoes specifically designed for running. So which you choose largely depends on the type of running you plan to use them for.
The GOrun 7 Hyper Burst offers a firm responsive ride for faster paced training or races up to a half marathon. At 8.7oz it feels nimble and features a rocker-shaped sole for smooth transitions but lacks the cushioning for all-day wear.
Alternatively, the well-padded GOrun Max Road 5 provides noticeable bounce for easy long distance runs up to marathon distance. An 10.8oz shoe, it feels most at home going at relaxed paces.
Other athletic lifestyle Skechers incorporate performance features that can work for casual jogging. Though lacking the elite pedigree of true running shoes, the gel cushioning and support technologies they do include suit occasional short runs at easy paces.
So in summary, Skechers work reasonably well for recreational jogging but come up a little short meeting the demands of serious runners compared to performance brands like Saucony, Asics and Brooks.
Their strengths lean more towards casual comfort over race-ready speed and support. Prioritizing cushioning and affordability has its advantages for more casual runners on a budget. But competitive runners need to look elsewhere for elite technology engineered to enhance speed and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about using Skechers for running.