Skechers GoRunRide 11: Unboxing+Review

Hello.

A little over 6 years ago, I last worn and review the Skechers GoRunRide5. It was also my last pair of Skechers GoRunRide series I received and worn (close to 400km before the upper gave way). So when Skechers Malaysia asked if I am able to help give another pair a review, I could not say no. Those of you that has followed me on my journey would known that I was a former Skechers Ambassador for close to 5 years. 

It was a nice feeling to have the opportunity to "feel" and rekindle with the brand and Skechers Performance range again. This time around, it is the just released GoRunRide11 (GRR11). There is no GRR10, and the last version was GRR9. so it's 5 6 iterations after a 6-years hiatus for me.

Hello, again

The GoRunRide11

First a very quick the technical specs. Main features in bullets with explanations if that help. Bear with me as it's my first Skechers since 2016.

• The GRR11 weigh 278grams for a US9 male version and my US11 came in at close to 313grams. Not the lightest of the lot when compared to more modern shoes. 

• But there is a reason for the heavier weigh such as the thicker midsole that comes in at 38mm at heel and 32mm at the forefoot, giving it a very nice 6mm drop. Bear in mind that the "legal" stack height for a running shoe is 40mm and with a single plate. So this Shoe definitely is race legal. 

• Plated? Yes, the GRR11 comes with a "carbon infused" plate (in H-shape; think of it as two T-shaped plastic plate arranged in H-shape, and the plastic plate is carbon-infused) and it is at the forefoot which then lend stability and also help to counter the cushioned midsole performance to allow for a smoother ride.

38-32 stack

Approximate location of the two T-shaped carbon infused plate in H-config

• Plated (carbon infused) shoe for RM599 (retail)? Yes, I am not joking. Competitors comes in at about RM100 more and the fitting may varies. I am not going to compare this to other "plated" shoes, as this GRR11 stands on it's own. It is Skechers daily trainer that is (half)plated and cushioned - at a category on it's own.

313Grams for US11

• What has significantly changed coming in from GRR5 was the Hyper Burst Ice, which is a dual density midsole foam. Skechers has long perfected the air-infused foam since more than 10 years ago (it was known as Resaltyte® back then)

Hyper Burst Ice

The super critical foam is actually a blown up EVA foam infused with air (carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen). Dual-density lends firmness and plushness for stability while lending bounciness (read: energy return). 

• Next is the ArchFit which Skechers has claimed it was designed by podiatrist and developed with over 20 years of data and more than 120 thousands of foot scan. All these promises that the insole will mold to your feet while reducing shock and increasing weigh dispersion.

ArchFit Insole

"listen to the athlete"

Soft and loud (color)

Small disspointment the insole (top) is not bright colored

• The insole was soft and felt like the memory foam-like. Reminds me of the Skechers Goga Mat. The bottom is sticky which I supposed to lend grip to the bottom to minimise slip. It be interesting to see how the stickiness reduce as the mileage goes in.

Based on the construct in midsole and insole, the GRR11 promises a great Ride (no pun intended) synonym with the comfort and cushioning that many are familiar with Skechers. 

• Now throw in a solid Goodyear outsole - it gives you the confidence that this shoe will offer as much confidence in grip in all condition while providing all the comfort you need. With better tractions will provide stability (grip) and durability. 

Excellent Traction as promised

Promises grip and stability. Well covered at all direction

• Skechers M-Strikes was something familiar to me, where it promotes midfoot strikes. Fast forward 6 iterations later, it is now known as HYPER ARC™ technology and that complete the midsole setup and promotes efficiency in each stride. 

Hyper Arch curves from side

Front

Heel

• The upper of the GRR11 is made from synthetic and engineered mesh. It promises breathability and allow for the toes to splay out if required. 

A look into the shoe

• The GRR11 comes with flat lace that does stretch about 10%. Additional hole for heel-lock lacing if you need more secure lacing. The thick tongue help with more comfort to prevent any lace-bite. The tongue is not gusseted aka not sewn down at the inside-sides. Some may not like it as the tongue may move but my personal take is the thicker tongue may actually limit movement as the laces are securely tied.

breathable engineered mesh and synthetic upper

The tongue is thick, and that would meant you can tie down the shoe pretty firmly without worrying of lace biting onto the top of the foot. The heel cup is also thick and padded, comfort is definitely the theme of the GRR11. 

• The shoe is machine washable if you are the type that washes it that way. For myself, it be a rinse and drip dry, then air dry under shaded area. Not a fan of throwing shoes in washing machine. Just me.

Half a finger thick

Thick

First Feel

Soft. Cushioned. Cushy. Felt like GoWalk (walking shoes) just with higher stack and more structured top. True to size. Weight doesn't bother me much but compared to other shoes of similar stack height, it is a tad heavier due to the thicker tongue and heel neck/cup. Doesn't bother me much as I have ran in much heavier shoe. Stability while standing is a hit and miss, as I can feel the lateral movement as i shift my feet left and right when stationary.

The Hyper Arch or the rocker feeling is there and obvious as you move to the toe-off. At stationary, you will feel the shift in weight as you tip the toe. When new, the grip of the Goodyear outsole is obvious. My first thought is this shoe will definitely increase my ground contact time (GCT) due to the softer midsole. I have my Stryd pod to help me quantify it.

Lace tie down takes a bit of adjustment. The thicker tongue gives impression it is secured until you start to move. Heel cup slip happens if you do not secure it tighter; perhaps the heel lock lacing will do the trick.

First Run

My first run was without sock. No better way to test if there will be hot spot that may need mitigation in subsequent runs. Lacing was easy but took me a few attempts to lock the laces to the right pressure to prevent heel counter slip. Had to find the sweet spot.

The blue colorway with green-tinge HyperBurst Ice was ice catching under sunlight

Once the run was in motion, the Hyper Arch rocker with thicker mid that taper to thinner toe help to transition the feet pretty fast. The GRR11 will favor midfoot and forefoot runners. Heel striker may find it strange as the heel much more beveled compared to the mid section.

Image for reference on the more beveled heel pad and highly tapered toe

The comfort of this shoe when it comes to cushioning? Wow. This is the most cushioned trainer I have worn in years. There are energy return from the Hyper Burst Ice dual-density EVA foam, but it is not as pop-py as my other shoes. At some point during the first KM, the shoe felt squishy.

quick toe off

The upper engineered mesh while looked highly breathable and comfortable, it run a little hot due to (more) materials. I run sockless as mentioned, and it was pretty "hot" or sweaty. Good news, there is no hot spot. No blister potential for me equals to one more shoes that I can pick and go.

Skechers GRR11

With data in hand, I can share that for the same type of run I performed using a different shoe, the GRR11 resulted in higher ground contact time (223ms vs 219ms), higher vertical oscillation (7.46cm vs 7.34cm), lower Leg Spring Stiffness (LSS) (10.6kN/m vs 11.3kN/m), lower efficiency (0.27 vs 0.26) and lower power output 268W vs 261W). All these at expense of higher cushioning and comfort.

Brooks Hyperion Max

The Goodyear rubber outsole was good. I ran in light rain on wet tarmac and the outsole solidly gripped the road on every turn and changes in the elevation. Some loose gravels as I transition from main road to smaller lanes. Stability wise at corner was circumvented by the outsole. Can run in wet tarmac with confidence.

Can take sharp corner at tempo pace no issues

Pro

• Cushioned. Loads of it.
• Push it and it pick up speed
• Comfy upper
• Grippy outsole
• Stable once in motion
• No blisters
• Awesome insole lend to more cushioning
• Favour mid and forefoot runners

Con

• Heavier
• Need to find correct lacing pressure
• Heel slip if not secured/laced rightly
• Can get hot due to materials
• Likely not ideal for heel striker due to aggressive heel bevel

There is a request for me to run a 21km in this shoe. I will endeavour to do it if it meet my training schedule (long run). Otherwise, the GRR11 is a very decent daily trainer and mileage eater. Versatile enough for easy days and good for tempo days. Cushioning will favour first time (virgin) marathoner that aim to finish the race within cut-off. 

Thank You Skechers Malaysia

Some photos (below) taken from Skechers One Utama. I was also given one Skechers Performance Top, one long pants, and a set of socks together with this GRR11.

This review is courtesy of Skechers Malaysia as an one-off seeding for me to rekindle with the GoRun series. This GRR11 retail for RM599 and is available in all Skechers outlet. Thank you Skechers Malaysia!

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