Article by Jacob Brady, Derek Li, Michael Ellenberger and Sam Winebaum
Skechers Performance Speed Elite Hyper ($190)
Stats
Weight: 5.8 oz /164 g men's US 9 (verified with size 9 sample)
Stack Height 23mm heel / 19 mm forefoot (not including board and sockliner, 28/24 with), 4mm drop
Unisex sizing US8-US12. Whole sizes only.
Available now. $190
Introduction
Jacob: The GOrun Speed Elite Hyper is Skechers carbon fiber infused polymer-plated racing flat that has been on the radar for a while, with prototypes (and roadtrailrun’s preview) circulating over a year ago and an initial release date of Fall 2019.
The Hyper Burst midsole material used in the Speed Elite has been phenomenal across the Skechers Performance line, most famously in the Razor 3 and recently in the ultralight racing flat, the GOmeb Speed 6—it is lightweight and resilient with great energy return.
Carbon plates, rockered geometry, and high rebound foams have become standard in top-tier racing shoes over the past year, and the Speed Elite represents Skechers first shoe in this realm. Unlike many modern plated racers which have huge slabs of soft foam (most famously the Nike Vaporfly series) the Speed Elite is relatively firm with a low (23/19) stack height. It’s a modern version of a traditional racing flat: low, light, responsive, and designed for speed.
Derek: I’ve been dreaming of trying the zebra shoe for over a year and now it’s finally here. Skechers’ answer to the carbon arms race and it is the real deal. Ever since Galen Rupp had a custom Vaporfly with a truncated carbon plate that only extends back to the midfoot, I’ve been wondering how that would change the ride and whether maybe we could get a softer heel while still preserving that forward roll. I still hold out hope for a limited release zebrafledge colorway but for now we will just have to make do with what is still the best looking racer of the year thus-far.
Michael: This shoe is a looonngggg time coming. As Skechers Performance continues to craft class-leading trainers (including the GoRun 7+ Hyper and GoRun Ride 8) and carbon plate-less racing flats such as GoRun Razor and mid foot only plated racers such as the Go Meb Speed 6, we have been dreaming of the day when the production model of that zebra-stripe racer - the Skechers Speed Elite Hyper - is finally real. Friends, that day has come. As if Skechers followed the Marvel’s Avengers model of hype-building, we were teased along the way with the allures of Hyper Burst, the refinements to uppers and fits, the snap of the Speed 6 until finally - finally! - we get the Speed Elite. Time to run.
Sam: The Elite’s product brief was first to reduce weight as much as possible, wherever possible, while delivering the stiffest, most resilient ride possible. Lighter weight translates to running economy and efficiency.
I tested some early “Zebrafage” Skechers carbon plated prototypes and found them a very firm with a quite harsh ride, if a fast one, reminding me of a track spike with some cushioning. The prototype shoe shown above is dated January 2018 and was actually a plated variant of the Razor. That is how long it takes to iterate to a great shoe!
Too much carbon in a relatively low stack shoe at 23 mm / 19 mm is not necessarily a good thing for distance racing beyond the shortest of races. Skechers went to work to mellow the ride somewhat with Hyper in the midsole and substituting a mid foot to forefoot carbon infused polymer winglet plate all to extend the shoe’s versatility while still focused on the lightest possible weight and Speed! So how did they perform?
Pros
Jacob/Sam/Derek: Incredibly lightweight
Jacob/Sam/Derek: Well-sized, precise race fit
Jacob/Sam/Derek: Encourages a quick turnover—fast!
Sam:Lots of shoe for the weight
Sam: Soft enough heel, very dynamic snappy forefoot and toe off
Michael: Upper is an improvement even over the Speed 6, and is race-ready.
Michael: Hyperburst, as always, is the real deal.
Michael: Aggressive geometry makes this a capable shoe, 5K to marathon.
Cons
Jacob: At slow paces, not smoot, hard to run in
Jacob/Derek: Durability
Jacob: Limited versatility
Sam: a fairly firm ride for most for long racing. Add more stack and keep under 6.5 oz and I would be happier
Sam: Pricing at $190
Michael: Versatility concerns - who wouldn’t say no to a little more Hyperburst?
