Skechers continues to fight the good fight and this update proves that they most definitely aren’t your parent’s shoes. Instead, the GOrun Ride 8 Hyper is something that looks remarkably simple but packs a lot of smart thinking under the hood. From the implementation of their Hyperburst midsole to their integration and partnership with Goodyear for their outsoles, Skechers is firing on all cylinders.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- The addition of Hyperburst is a game changer for these
- Weighs in at 8.7oz or 247g for a US Men’s 9
- Has 33mm of cushion and a 6mm heel/toe drop
- Retails at $120.00 USD
- Comes in 4 colors for Men and Women
Run Test
The first thing I noticed quickly was that the forefoot and toe box on the shoe definitely feels a little narrower before. The engineered knit upper does stretch a bit, but we wish they would have kept this a bit wider. The shoe is anticlimactic visually but remarkably comfortable and that upper is highly durable and even handled inclement weather well.
In run is when the shoe springs to life. Thanks to the addition of a softer version of their Hyperburst midsole, the Ride 8 remains remarkably responsive and cushioned and while not meant for performance… they are fairly utilitarian and have quite a bit of pop. The nice part about Hyperburst is that it leaves your legs feeling fairly refreshed which means more runs, more often, and more distance to boot. The Goodyear outsole is a great addition and it tracks remarkably well, even on wet Portland days.
If we have some drawbacks, then first it’s obviously the tapered toe box and we would love to see this widen again on the lateral side. Next, we are noticing a gap that develops at the front of the toebox either due to insole slippage or a small space at the front. Either way, as you run it becomes increasingly wider which is annoying. Lastly, it’s just a little bland looking. The visual design of the shoe just doesn’t match its potential, but if you can get past that then its definitely enjoyable.
Construction: Upper
The GOrun Ride 8 Hyper features a breathable engineered knit upper that expands and moves with your foot but also has reinforcement at the midfoot to prevent side to side rotation. It also adds a new asymmetrical gusseted tongue and a reflective heel tab to make it easy to get them on. The toe box has narrowed slightly, but the knit does allow you to push against it a bit as needed.
Construction: Midsole
Finally, Skechers is bringing their HYPERBURST midsole technology to the rest of their lineup. This semi-translucent nitrogen-infused is super lightweight yet still durable and allows Skechers to give you 33m of cushion at a sub 9oz weight. This midsole is both plush, yet delivers significant responsiveness and the addition of a mid-foot strike zone means every stride should be better than the last. HYPERBURST is one of the best midsoles on the market… yeah, we said it.
Construction: Outsole
Due to their new partnership with Goodyear, the blended rubber outsole on the GOrun ride 8 is both durable and tracks supremely well. It also works well in the weather, so no problems at all in the rain.
Style & Aesthetics
This is probably where the shoe misses the mark for us the most, it is just so unassuming and looks more like an everyday shoe than a runner. It is also where it will turn people off the most which is a bummer given how well it performs and while it comes in 4 colors it is still a bit boring.
Overall Conclusion
We always preach it, but not everyone is listening so we will say it again, Skechers is hot right now. Sure the visual aesthetic isn’t always dead-on, but the technology in the shoes is pushing on the big boys and they are definitely noticing. The GOrun Ride 8 Hyper is no exception, it is innocuous and unassuming yet has enough bounce and cushion to go the distance for most average runners.
Learn more on the Skechers website
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Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
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