Wednesday, January 30, 2019

First Run Impressions! Skechers Performance Introduces GO Run Max Road 4 Hyper-A Super Light, Max Cushion Trainer: Fire on Ice!

Article by Sam Winebaum

GO Run Max Road 4 Hyper
Introducing the max cushioned Skechers Performance GO Run Max Road 4 Hyper, announced today at Outdoor Retailer.  Coming Fall 2019 with an expected MSRP $125. It features a Hyper Burst midsole and a flat knit upper. I have been wearing testing Max Road 4 Hyper.
This very light, maximally cushioned trainer is a joy to run. It almost seems impossible that such a light shoe (my latest prototype weighs 8.4 oz / 238 g, right on the listed spec) can have so much springy and zingy cushion, plenty of stability, reasonable flexibility and go fast feel. 

I have tested many versions as Skechers Performance tuned the platform and upper based on feedback. I am particularly pleased with the support and comfort of the multi zone stretch knit upper in the latest prototypes.
Comments and Questions  
Welcome Below!
Please Like and Follow RoadTrailRun
Facebook: RoadTrailRun.com  Instagram: @roadtrailrun
Twitter: @RoadTrailRun You Tube: @RoadTrailRun

RoadTrailRun receives a commission for purchases at the stores below. 
Your purchases help support RoadTrailRun. Thanks!
SHOP RUNNING WAREHOUSE FOR SKECHERS PERFORMANCE
USA  Men's HERE Women's HERE
FREE 2 Day Shipping EASY No Sweat Returns

25 comments:

Dan said...

I've noticed the new uppers have a lot of volume in them and don't lock down the best. I had to return a pair of GoRun 6s due to a sloppy fit (and I loved the 5s). Is this improved in the newer versions or is it still very roomy?

Reza S said...

Is this finally a serious contender for Clifton OGs?

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Reza,
Exactly! Although the cushion is denser and more stable than OG Clifton. I found OG Clifton very unstable and soft at the heel, strange pains I never get with that one. Not so here.
Sam, Editor

Kuz said...

Tried the Gorun Ride 7 last year and pleasantly surprised, it is my current daily trainer now compared to NB 890, Brooks GTS 17, and Zante 3. Excited to see what to come from Skechers this year. How the new Hyperburst compared to the Flight gen from last year?

Anonymous said...

do you think this will be a good marathon shoe?

awan

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Awan,
I think an excellent marathon shoe especially on a hilly course. The cushion to weight ratio is very high and while not a snappy race type ride a protective and forgiving one.
Sam, Editor
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run! See our page with links 100’s of in depth shoe and gear reviews HERE. You can also follow RoadTrailRun on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews.
Shopping through links on articles help support RoadTrail Run and is much appreciated!

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Kuz,
As you mention GRR 7 Hyper Burst plus the new outsole design makes the new Max Road more stable. I found the GRR7 quite unstable at the forefoot. Hyper Burst itself is a bit denser in feel with less of a rubbery bounce compared to Flight Gen. As far as cushion I think it is superior as the make up keeps the midsole from deflecting as much so smoother in feel front to back and of course lighter.
For other insights into Hyper Burst see our review of the Razor 3 Hyper at the link below. The big difference in addition to more stack for me having run both is that the Max Road has a far better heel outsole which helps prevents bottoming out if on the heels.
Sam, Editor
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run! See our page with links 100’s of in depth shoe and gear reviews HERE. You can also follow RoadTrailRun on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews.
Shopping through links on articles help support RoadTrail Run and is much appreciated!

amadeus303 said...

Sam,

How does this new shoe compare to the predecessor, the Maxroad 3 Ultra? That's currently my long run/recovery shoe, and the cushion to weight ratio is pretty great there as well.

Two quick observations:

1) It looks like the weight is a touch higher than the M3U (8.4 vs 8.2 ounces)
2) It looks like Skechers Performance finally hired some shoe designers...the aesthetics on this look fantastic!

Keep up the great work! Your site is one of my go-to consults before I add anything to my rotation!

Mike

Jimo said...

I am a big fan of the last two road models. I liked the 5Gen in the Ultra Road 2 better than the Flight Gen in the MaxRoad 2 because it seems softer and less bouncy. I do like the upper on the MaxRoad 3 better than the Ultra R2 because it has a bit more width and a better toebox. Is the new models cushioning as soft as the last two models and it the upper as wide? Thanks for your great reviews!

Michael Busch said...

Looks interesting. Quick question/thought though: What good are all these new Skechers shoes if they don't manufacture them? I run exclusively in 4mm drop, lightweight, neutral shoes. The new Razor looks great but nobody, including Skechers has them in stock except in very small sizes. When they are good I love Skechers shoes but they seem to have a consistent problem with quality control and manufacturing in general. Again, what good is it offering desirable shoes if they aren't available for purchase?

NP said...

I didn't really want to have to post this here but do you have any contacts at skechers that can assist with a shoe return? Skechers received shoes that i returned on the 11th of January and they still haven't refunded me or replied to any of my comms. It looks like i am not the only person who has had this problem with getting a refund from them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bill said...

I'm a big Skechers fan, and am on my 3rd pair of Ultra Road-2. I ran a 50k trail race in the Maxtrail yesterday. But...I'm not a fan of the knit uppers, at least not in the way they are building them. I cannot "lock down" my foot in either the GoRun-6 or the Maxtrail shoes. There is no way to tighten the fit with the shoelaces without cutting into your foot. They need some sort of padded area where the tongue used to be, or maybe a burrito wrap system. And the heel counters in those two shoes do little to keep my heel from sliding around. They are very comfy standing or walking, and at moderate paced running, but anything uptempo requiring a snug fit isn't happening without ending up with pain on the top of your foot from the laces digging in. I'm still going to be getting Skechers, but the sloppy fit is making me look at Hoka again.

Bill said...

Oh, I forgot to say that THIS shoe looks like it will be great! The upper looks more functional than the GoRun-6. I just hope they don't change the look from the prototype to the retail version like they did with the Razor Hyper; the zebra prototypes were SOOOO much better looking than the retail ones with "SPEED" emblazoned on them in a tacky, Walmart styling.
(when I get a pair, I'll experiment with removing the SPEED lettering, and share the technique on youtube if I'm successful)

Josh Hsu said...

do we know when this one will be released?

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Josh,
Max Road 4 Ultra will be released later this year, most likely by summer.
Sam, Editor

Josh Hsu said...

thanks! do you have any other info about Skechers 2019 fall lineup?

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Josh,
Not definitively beyond expect Hyper Burst everywhere and the Speed Elite carbon plated race shoe will come to market at some point.
Sam, Editor

Josh Hsu said...

What would you say is the biggest difference between Max Road 4 Hyper vs. GoRun 7 Hyper? Will you be doing some comparison between those two any time soon?

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Josh,
I have run both quite extensively. The Max Road is a considerably more cushioned shoe. It's upper is also more secure. I would call it a super fine max cushion daily trainer. The GR7 is also a trainer but on the lighter side in support and cushion and better suited to faster shorter runs. We will have full reviews and comparisons of both when we Skechers gives us the green light. You can read some initial impressions of the Max Road 4 under Skechers at the link below.
Sam, Editor
Thanks for reading Road Trail Run! See our page with links 100’s of in depth shoe and gear reviews HERE. You can also follow RoadTrailRun on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews.
Shopping through links on articles help support RoadTrail Run and is much appreciated!

bill brewer said...

Hey Sam, once again you are the go-to for info on Skechers performance running shoes. I have your site bookmarked for frequent visits! I just can't wait to get hold of these MaxRoad 4 shoes. and it would be GREAT if they released a version of the Speed Elite to the public.
You mentioned that the hyperburst is going to "be everywhere" in their line soon. I chanced across something that hints at some upcoming hyperburst trail shoes. What do you know about the "Speed Trail Hyper"? And any other upcoming trail shoes.

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Bill,
Thanks so much for reading. The Max Road is great. I expect Speed Elite road to come to market, guessing fall. As far as trail shoes stay tuned...
Sam, Editor

JazzRunner said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JazzRunner said...

Hi Sam,

Thanks for all the great reviews. How would you compare the Max-Road 4 to the Max-Road 3? How about to the Adidas Ultra Boost ST? Thanks for any insights you can provide.

Bill said...

Any updates on availability for this new Max Road 4 Hyper? We are at August 1 now, wondering about fall marathons.

Sam Winebaum said...

Hi Bill,
Our last official update from Skechers was that Max Road 4 Hyper will release during the first 2 weeks of September. Our RTR review will post in the next couple of weeks.
Sam, Editor