Skechers finally delivers on what is missing on their performance line in that is the high stack distance carbon plated shoe we all are waiting for… it’s the GOrun Speed Freek. A lot of us reviewers loved their initial carbon for a with the Speed Elite which led into the Razor Elite, but when it came to marathon race day, they were lacking. Every other shoe manufacturer was giving us more cushion, a more comfortable toe box, and this is Skechers’answer. It doesn’t shift the recipe all that much from what we’ve seen, but it is still fun to run in and does deliver.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- High cushioned carbon plated race/speed day shoe (finally!).
- Still love that Hyperburst midsole tech.
- Weighs in at 8.4oz or 238g for a US Men’s 9, 5.8oz or 164g for a US Women’s 7.
- Features 34mm of cushion and has a 4mm heel/toe drop.
- Retails at $200.00 USD and comes in 1 color for Men and Women.
Run Test
If you have ever run in any of the other Skechers Elite models, then the Speed Freek is not going to feel all that much different. You just get a touch more of that chunky Hyperburst and a slightly wider toe box which allows for better foot recovery during longer races. That monomesh upper will feel almost identical and even the underfoot feel, aside from getting a bit more cushion, also remains very much the same.
Keep in mind this is definitely a speed day or race day shoe, so don’t expect a lot of structure in that upper. The monomesh they use does provide some lateral stability, but it’s actually one area we’d love to see Skechers start to reimagine. That upper design is feeling a little antiquated and There are other material designs they can explore that would probably be just as secure while also adding more breathability. Just not sure we love the feel of that model mesh after weave seen some new offerings in the market.
As to the question of how they run, they fly just like you might expect. If you strap a carbon plate into a really light shoe, and give it a bit more cushion, then boom… you’re off to the races. Hyperburst has always been a great technology as a midsole, especially for rebound so you can expect some great times out of these shoes. All these very light carbon plated shoes will definitely hammer your legs and while the midsole should help with some of that, you will be going faster than you probably ever have before. Make sure you are strong and well-trained before making the jump into these. Note, that goes for any carbon plated shoe for that matter, and not just the Speed Freeks.
Construction: Upper
The Speed Freek uses the same breathable Hyper monomesh upper that we have seen before on the Speed Elite and Razer Elite. It is super light, but also supportive as well providing a bit of stability. This is a race day shoe, so minimal heel cup, padding, etc. The toebox is wider than prior iterations like the Speed Elite it feels like which is a huge benefit.
That monomesh upper up close 
Simple lacing column 
No real padding up top and no real heel cup
Construction: Midsole
Skechers has included 34mm of their awesome nitrogen-infused midsole, Hyperburst, which has garnished a ton of praise from us over the last few years. They were one of the first to do this honestly and now many brands are following suit. They have also included a carbon-infused winglet in the shoe so you can expect a solid balance of cushion, rebound, and performance.
Lateral midsole view 
Medial midsole view
Construction: Outsole
The Speed Freek uses targeted portions of Goodyear rubber for enhanced grip and durability. The strips are incredibly thin, yet do their job well and do not wear as fast as you might expect.
Just a touch of Goodyear rubber down there
Style and Aesthetics
Like so many of the shoes in this line-up, we only get one color option from Skechers for these speed style shoes and they all bear a very similar aesthetic. Would love for them to broaden this a bit, use some solid color or color blocking, but at the very least this is a touch different.
Overall Conclusion
The overall here is that Skechers now has a marathon contender and people will overlook it simply because it is a Skechers shoe, but the Speed Freek does perform well. You can easily stack it up next to most of the other high-end Carbon Racers out there and it will hold its own. Hyperburst remains a great missile technology, the shoe is light yet provides ample forefoot room, and these things can go. Sure, we would love a change to that monomesh upper and more color options, but at this price point, it is very competitive.
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.
