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The RW Takeaway: A lively daily trainer and long-run shoe that heaps on the cushioning without feeling heavy or mushy.
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- Published: Aug 22, 2022 3:03 PM EDT
Type: Road
Price: $145
Weight: 8.7 oz (M), 6.6 oz (W)
Drop: 6 mm
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Skechers continually iterates on its performance running shoes, rolling out high-tech materials to its entire lineup after they’ve been proven on lighter, speedier models worn by its elite stable of runners like Meb and King Ches. We’ve seen its Hyper Burst foam adopted widely, but another innovation is making its way across the line: an H-shaped carbon- infused plate. Embedded in this thick sole, it makes the long-run shoe more stable and lively. At easy paces, it supports the forefoot by stiffening the platform; at faster paces, it lends a subtle pop on toe-off.
Pros
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Cons
- Published: Aug 22, 2022 3:03 PM EDT
- Shoes & Gear
One wear-tester, an overpronator who runs 45 miles a week at around 7:45 pace and previously gave the Razor Excess high marks for cushioning, praised the cushier Maxroad. “This shoe supports me in the right areas, puts a spring in my step for speed workouts, and maintains its bounce through my long runs,” she said.
Along with several other testers, she was also surprised by how light the shoe felt. Some weight savings comes from Goodyear pods on the outsole, instead of a full-length sheet of rubber. But mostly, it’s the magic—or rather, the science—of Hyper Burst foam. It’s made from a supercritical process that yields a lightweight, bouncy foam that’s more resilient than standard EVA. The softness is less affected, though; Hyper Burst is forgiving but not especially plush. Given the Maxroad’s stack height, that’s a good thing. A super-squishy midsole this thick could otherwise feel like sinking into a beanbag chair. That’s not the case here.
This chemically complex midsole meets a downright simple upper. The collar is smooth and soft with generous padding to hold the heel snugly, and the upper mesh stretches readily with light 3D-printed overlays for support. Testers, especially those with wider feet, agreed that the less-is-more approach works.
While the length runs true to size, the shoe is higher-volume than the average. Those with narrow feet still got a secure fit, but said the mesh creased and puckered when they laced up tight.
Tester’s Take
Steph N. | Tester since: 2012
Shoes & Gear
“The feature I liked most was the lightweight, cushioned midsole. It felt more flexible on toe-off than previous shoes I have tested (On Cloudstratus, Asics GT-2000). This made it feel like the shoe almost disappeared on my foot. The fit was comfortable and I had ample room for my toes, but I did not like how loose the shoe felt around my ankle and midfoot. It was not snug enough and I felt less supported due to a bit of shifting. The thin upper material would get bunched up and did not give much support around the ankle. For that reason, the shoe felt unstable. If you need extra support Goodyear rubber pods provide grip with less weight.”
