We are going to kick this off again with a pretty controversial statement, but we will shout it as loud as we can. Skechers is making some of the most innovative running shoes out there right now and no we don’t mean those walkers your parents might be wearing, but instead there Performance lineup whose team is built from ex-Nike and more. The GORun Forza 4 continues this trend by bringing some of their best technical features to a simple stability everyday runner. There is a lot to like and of course a few things they can work on, so on with the review.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- Weighs in at 9oz or 255g for a US Men’s 9
- Has 26mm of cushion and a 6mm heel/toe drop
- Billed as a Stability Road shoe, but with some definite pop.
- Retails at $145.00 USD
- Comes in 2 colors for Men and Women
Run Test
I’ll be honest and say I am a pretty big fan of the Hyperburst midsole and every time I get a chance to test it out I am super excited by it. First thoughts on the Forza 4 out of the box was a mixed bag. Fit and feel were fantastic, but I do not love the styling of this. The Razors are getting cooler looking and the Ride 8s were looking more everyday consumer, but this design is just off a bit for us.
On the good side, the shoe feels fantastic on your foot. That mono mesh upper feels great against your foot but definitely wears quickly. It breathes well and provides you ample space in the toebox. I am guessing there won’t be a lot of complaints from anyone on this material choice. As we move to the midsole, the ride is just as good as the majority of other Skechers out there. The medial stability post they call UltraFlight does provide you some level of stability, but it does firm up the shoe quite a bit. This is beneficial on declines and does really reinforce the support element. Depending on how you like your ride, this will definitely be better for some than others because they never lose than firmness. Lastly, the Goodyear material used on the outsole has great grip even in rainy weather but can be a little noisy depending on your size and footfall.
The net result of this run test is that if you need stability, then this is a great option because you get the fun out of the Hyperburst midsole while also getting a touch of support and firmness. The upper feels great and if you can get past the looks (or enjoy it) then the Forza 4 is definitely one to check out.
Construction: Upper
The upper on here is a single layer of mesh and polyester which makes it nice and breathable, while also offering a bit of structure. We did notice the durability here is questionable and Skechers actually markets this as highly durable, but we had several wear spots after ~100 miles or so. They also have added a pull tab for easy on and off and it sports a molded heel counter for structure and hold during a run.
Close up of that mono mesh polyster mix 
A look at the flat laces 
Closeup of the interior of the Forza 4 
Broader view of the heelcup and cushioning
Construction: Midsole
The midsole on the GOrun Forza 4 uses their always amazing nitrogen injected EVA more commonly known as Hyperburst. We have been singing the praises of this for over a year now, but it remains really impressive. It delivers a lighter weight but maintains maximum cushion while also being highly responsive. On the Forza 4, they have also included a medial support element which provides a slight amount of stability.
Midsole – lateral rear 
Midsole – lateral front 
Midsole – medial front 
Midsole – medial rear
Construction: Outsole
The outsole is a nice thin piece of Goodyear rubber. It is a proprietary blend that Skechers and Goodyear have co-developed to keep the weight down and still provide decent durability and a ton of traction.
Outsole overhead
Style & Aesthetics
Definitely our biggest trouble spot with the Forza 4, these things just do not look great from our perspective. The upper gets dirty very quickly and it lacks a bit of that premium feel some of their other models have had lately. Also, the two color options available are really just not great. We have seen this before with the Maxroad 4 and honestly, this issue plagues the current Skechers lineup. They are just all over the map.
Overall Conclusion
The Skechers GORun Forza 4 is a really solid runner and honestly, there isn’t a lot to complain about it. It is lightweight, feels great on the foot, has a nice wide toebox, and that Hyperburst midsole continues to deliver that really solid responsiveness we love. The one big problem is the styling on these things, frankly really just not great, and it is an issue that is pervasive in the Skechers lineup. They really need to lock down their design metaphor and find some uniformity in design. The other issue we see is the durability on the upper, it wears down very quickly. It does run well though, so if you like how they look, then go for it.
Learn more on the Skechers website
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.
