Skechers Performance GO RUN RIDE 8 HYPER Multi Tester Review: Is it GRR8?

Article by Peter Stuart, Derek Li,  Mac Jeffries, Jeff Beck, Hope Wilkes and Sam Winebaum

Skechers Performance GO RUN RIDE 8 ($115)

Introduction

Sam: In the past year Skechers Hyper midsole foam has literally "burst" onto the running scene for its light weight and dynamic run feel and now comes to Skechers' daily road trainer the GO Run Ride 8. 

Hyper Burst is an EVA based midsole foam but processed in a very different way than the usual. Instead of being injected or compressed an EVA form is saturated with CO2 in a supercritical state to expand it creating a myriad of bubbles with durable side walls. Springy, light, consistent in feel, and highly cushioned yet with responsive pop Hyper Burst is one great midsole material. 

Hyper Burst started in the Razor 3 Hyper, a performance trainer/racer, then the Run 7 Hyper  a fast and fun trainer with to put it charitably a “challenging”, for some, stretch knit upper, then the Max Road 4 Hyper a super light and flexible maximally cushioned trainer with a podular outsole and compression knit upper and most recently the Speed TRL Hyper, a very light and protective trail speedster with a Hyper heel and front injection nylon plate. Let’s just say nothing conservative or will work for just about any foot or runner in these first models except maybe the popular Razor 3. All were bold and with great personality but not for everyone.

The Ride 8, the follow on to last year’s popular Ride 7 takes a fairly traditional geometry 6mm drop shoe, a steady as she goes daily trainer if you will, and gives it the Hyper Burst foam treatment and 2mm more stack at very close to the same weight at 9.3 oz / 262g, adds a Goodyear rubber outsole and upgrades the upper with a stitch free engineered knit.

Peter: The GO Run Ride 7 was a surprise winner for me. I put about 400 miles on my first pair of the Ride 7 and loved them so much I bought another pair. They were a little soft for some folks, but I just loved them. Didn’t love the upper, but loved the Ride. I was excited to hear that the Ride 8 would be coming out with Hyperburst as the midsole foam. The Razor 3, featuring Hyperburst, was one of my favorite shoes from last year. It’s great material. So, how does Hyperburst translate into a training shoe? Is it smooth, is it mushy?  Let’s find out. 

Hope: This was my first experience in a Go Run Ride, but not my first time in Skechers. Having loved a few recent models for their dazzling HyperBurst midsoles, I came into the GRR8 review primed to love the shoe.

Pros

Derek: snug and comfortable fit, solid bouncy ride, good cushioning:weight ratio

Peter: Smooth ride, comfortable fit, good traction

Sam: Great upper, light weight for big stack and tons of cushion, very solid value

Mac: great energy return, relatively lightweight, good - not great - price point

Jeff: Bouncy but smooth running, huge improvement from last year’s upper and midsole

Hope: classy good looks, great upper, smooth ride, hard wearing outsole

Cons

Derek: Shoe feels a bit warm 

Peter: A little plain looking

Mac: The upper bunched up on me a little; had to work a little to get the lacing right

Sam/Hope: Not enough rocker, decoupling and flex grooves and fairly stiff

Jeff: Geometry could use some work, as could aesthetics

Hope: about a half size too big from what I’ve come to expect from US men’s 8

Tester Profiles

Jeff is the token slow runner of the RTR lineup as such his viewpoints on shoe and gear can differ from those who routinely finish marathons in three hours or less. Jeff runs 40 miles per week, both roads and desert trails in Phoenix, Arizona. He has a PR's of 4:07 marathon and 5K at 23:39 both he is working to demolish as he trains for his first 50 mile race in December 2019.

Mac is a former collegiate defensive lineman who runs to fill the competitive void left after school and to stay in shape. He is in his late 30s, runs 50-80 mpw, and at 6’3”, has come down from his playing weight of 275 lbs to a steady 205 lbs for the last 10 years. Jeff’s PRs are 19:30, 1:33:xx, and 3:23:xx; he also teaches and coaches XC & T&F.

Peter lives in Austin, Texas and has been a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a 1:25 half marathoner in recent years

Derek is in his 30’s and trains 70-80 miles per week at 7 to 8 minute pace in mostly tropical conditions in Singapore. He has a 2:41 marathon PR.

Hope is in her 20’s and after several ultras is now more on the road. She has a marathon PR of 3:47. She trains about 50 miles per week with many of her runs in the (broad) 8:00-10:00/mile range. She is happy to hit 7:30 miles on tempo days.

Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 62 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. Sam has been running for over 45 years and has a 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the 1:39  range and trains about 40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Park City, Utah. He is 5'10" tall and weighs 165 lbs.

Stats

Estimated Weight: 9.3 oz / 263 g US men's 9

Samples (including sock liner): 9.03oz /256g US M8.5, 273g / 9.6oz / 273g US9.5

    10.1oz/ 287g, 9.5oz / 273g US M10.5, 8.99 oz/255 g US M8

GO Run Ride 7: 9.24 oz /262 g men’s US9

Total Stack Height: 27mm forefoot / 33 mm heel, 6mm offset  (including sock liner)

Releases 10/24/19. Available now for pre-order at Running Warehouse here

Watch Initial Video Review 

First Impressions and Fit

Derek: Initial step in feel was very good. Compared to the GRR7, this GRR8 feels noticeably more snug around the heel and midfoot, which I think people will appreciate. This is especially so for those of us who were using the GRR7 sans sock liner for the more responsive feel, as the GRR7 sans sockliner would result in a very high volume shoe; not so much with the GRR8, so that makes it even more versatile from that perspective. The knit upper used in the GRR8 also feels more refined and elegant compared to the designed used for the GRR7, bearing in mind the $20 price increase here. Overall the fit is true to size. Toe box volume and width seems unchanged from the GRR7 for me.

Peter: I stepped in to a smooth and comfortable upper that fits true to size. Not the most exciting looking shoe, but the addition of Hyper Burst makes me eager to run in them. 

Mac: Hyperburst? Did someone say “Hyper Burst”? Dang, I now know what our dog felt like when someone said the word “treat”. Probably True to Size, but I did switch out the insole to something just a tad thinner to accomodate my 14E foot (you can also simply remove the insole; they are designed with that purpose.) The feel is similar in structure to the GRR7; there is definitely more structure to the upper and fit than, say, the GOrun 7 or even the Razor 3. Also, some folks have been over-meh-d by the look of the shoe, but I think it is pretty classy. I mean, yeah, the S is still there, but the solid navy with the understated neon green accents look great. Maybe it just needs the word “SPEED” slathered across it in a really obnoxious font…

Jeff: I’ll admit it. I was one of the few who was completely underwhelmed by the GRR7 and even at one point suggested that using it to mow the lawn could be its best use. I stand by that, but the GRR8 is a whole different beast. I immediately thought the toebox had improved just a bit (which is all the 7 needed, it was not great, not terrible, it’s toe box was 3.6 roentgen if you watched Chernobyl), but the big story is underneath the foot. It’s loads of HyperBurst in a traditional design, and the result is well, keep reading. Definitely stay true-to-size, even if you take the insoles out, you wouldn’t want to size down.

Sam: A great secure true to size fit for me. The fit is closer to a performance type fit than a comfort plush fit and that is what I prefer. It is softer on the foot that the somewhat rough feeling GRR7 and has better heel hold. Every lace up is once and done. 

There is a touch of stretch in the toe box for comfort and no slop anywhere. No issues whatsoever on try on or in testing. The styling of my Navy blue engineered knit with some of the two tone neon knit at mid foot showing through is elegant and somewhat conservative, no visual flash as some of the other recent Skechers have had announcing in a ways that this is that steady as you go daily trainer.

Hope: I’m a fan of the understated look. I received the same Seahawks-ish colorway that the guys did. The medial side is S-free and could easily pass for one of those “you can wear these to work” sneakers. Step-in feel didn’t leave a big impression on me. The Hyperburst is denser than in some other models RTR has reviewed and this lends a less dramatic bouncy feel (more on that later). Fit is maybe a half size too big in US men’s 8, the size I prefer so I can get darker blue shoes on my feet whenever possible (this gal has a favorite color).

Upper

Derek: The 2 tone knit upper feels great and is very comfortable, though I would have liked the shoe to have used a thinner or more ventilated knit. As is I think the upper breathes just fine for moderate temperatures, but it may feel a bit toasty for humid summer conditions. (Disclaimer: I train in 80-90F 80-90% humidity year round.) Having said that, I think the shoe breathes better than the MaxRoad 4, by way of comparison. I think part of the breathability issue is that Hyperburst while being a very lively and springy foam, does not seem to dissipate heat very well, and so when you pair that with a thick sockliner and dene knit upper, you run into problems if the weather is on the warmer side. 

Aside from this, the shoe has a nice understated elegance to the upper, and in the GRR8, the knit is snug and supportive in all the right places for me. During my first run in the shoe, the knit over the toe box was a bit stiff and was flexing into the top of my foot a little (think Salming Greyhound), but this completely went away by the 5th mile, and it was never causing any pain to begin with, just a bit of pressure. That has been a complete non-issue on all the subsequent runs. 

Peter: The upper is a nice balance of plush and functional. The materials are smooth and soft, the padding is just right all around and the tongue, while thin, does its’ job and stays in place. The foot is held evenly and there’s a decent amount of room in the toe box. Overall a great fitting upper. 

The only thing that’s a tiny bit weird to me is that the top eyelet feels slightly higher than it is on other shoes. This effectively makes it feel that I’m tying my shoe closer to the ankle than I usually would. It hasn’t affected fit or led to any tension issues, but it did take a minute to get used to. I agree with Derek on the breathability. I think it will be fine for fall, winter, spring--but here in Texas for the last couple of weeks I’ve wound up with a very wet shoe at the end of runs, and it’s taken all day to dry out. That said, it’s a nicer upper from Skechers and I think it’s fine for most people on most days. 

Mac: The upper is just ok for my E width foot; 

I had to really experiment with the lacing - and eventually resort to cutting a small slit outside the 5th metatarsal - to strike the right balance of lockdown and comfort. (Some of you may read the idea of taking a knife to a pair of shoes with dread, but tinkering is just in my nature. I would guess that 90% of my shoes have switched out insoles, no insoles, a cut or two in the upper, or SOMEthing other than factory spec. So, don’t get too freaked out about that; a D width foot will be fine, and I would even encourage an E width foot to give these a shot. They are that good.) How does the upper play into all of this? It bunches up a little when you cinch down the laces, almost like there is a tad too much volume. To be sure, the hold from this knit upper is WAY more secure than the GOrun 7 - these have fine lockdown - but I had to really fight to get it juuuuust right. Also, the knit is just a tad on the thick side. Northerners rejoice! 

Jeff Beck: There’s a lot said above me that I’d agree with. It’s looks are understated, but not bad. The knit is fairly thick, but I didn’t find it held heat too badly, and we’re still hitting 90s most days in Phoenix. I did think that the shoe held my foot as well as any similar designed trainer has in the last few years. After running in the GRR8, it made the Epic React’s upper feel flimsy, that’s how dialed in it is. Peter is right, the lacing is a little high, which is kind of noticeable but not really bad - though if you have a finicky foot you may need to tinker like Mac did. As a fairly common “slightly wider than a D foot” runner, I didn’t have to mess with lacing at all, this thing locked down my foot without a second thought.

Sam: The gang has described the upper just right. A state of the art engineered knit upper is what we have here. It is amazing what these 2019 knits achieve in terms of foot hold and comfort without any overlays to speak of. And most of the neon detailing with the exception of the logos is achieved with two tone (2 colors blue and neon) knit in varying densities which also provide varying zones of support and breathability, 

Along with the Hyper Burst midsole and Goodyear outsole what do you also get for that $20 price hike over the GRR7?

You get a stitch free upper with only a single thin welded overlay at the last lace up which is for all intents and purposes invisible in the photo above. The GRR7 upper (left above), while fine, is crude in comparison, visually and in smoothness of fit with its thick stitched last lace up overlay and stitched on lace eyelets holder and heel cup overlay as well as more monolithic pattern knit with no discernable variability of density as we clearly have with the GRR8.  

Note the denser knit around the front toe area of the GRR8 in the photo below. It creates structure and height while the central toe area is thinner and stretchier for breathability and room. The GRR7 resorted to a low internal underlay and was lower over the toes

Hope: The upper reminds me of a somewhat more relaxed Nike Epic React. Construct that shoe with a slightly stretcher knit and traditional tongue and you’d have something a lot like the GRR8’s upper. Like the ER, the GRR8 only has overlays at the heel and eyestay. 

As long as I’m making a Nike comparison, I’ll say this about the much-maligned Skechers S that features prominently on the lateral side of the GRR8: Nike has a brand image that’s edgy, cool, and anti-corporate, which is why people are eager to wear casual sneakers, performance shoes, and even some work boots that showcase the swoosh. Skechers is known for great value in casual, work, and kids shoes — that’s not a compelling enough story to overcome the hokey S. If you plan on continuing to make fantastic performance runners, give them the sharp looking logo they deserve! 

Toebox height and stretch is ideal for me — feels roomy, but secure since it’s not cavernous. I really appreciate the reflective pull tab at the heel. 

Midsole

Derek: The Hyperburst really comes through very nicely in the GRR8. I think it is set at the right stack height for that sweet spot between being overly mushy and sufficiently responsive to handle a wide variety of paces. For me, this is the best illustration of how good a foam Hyperburst is, even more so than the Razor 3. There's not much else to say, really. It's great!

Peter: Hyperburst just works. It’s the right weight to cushioning ratio. The shoe may run a hair softer than the Pegasus, but it’s comparable. The material has felt good at all tempos and all temperatures so far. 

Mac: It feels like a disservice at this point to leave so short of a review for the Hyperburst midsole - I acknowledge that we are simply spoiled at this point - but Hyperburst is LEGIT. If you still haven’t tried Skechers because they are, well, Skechers, shame on you! 

Jeff: I think this is Skechers best implementation of HyperBurst so far. I wanted just a touch more in the Razor 3, the pod design in the GoRun 7 and Max Road 4 had issues, and the Trail Speed Hyper didn’t use HyperBurst throughout. The GRR8 takes arguable the best midsole material on the market (not hyperbole - if HB isn’t alone at the top it is easily in the top three), and uses a lot of it in a traditional midsole shape. The result is a great running shoe that I think nearly every runner will enjoy. The Max Road 4 had a higher stack and a bouncier ride, but also gave me blisters in the first three miles of every single run, which is quite the caveat. This shoe has no caveats, no warnings, no qualifications. The GRR8 is an outstanding daily trainer, full stop.

Sam:  I won’t repeat what the others have said, but I guess I will! Skechers Hyper Burst is a brilliant new approach to midsole foams combining low cost materials with an innovative processing method which infuses an  EVA solid form in a chamber with CO2 in a supercritical state. The process creates a multitude of bubbles in the EVA as it expands with consistent side walls. The feel is light and springy but also well controlled as the material does not “squish” laterally as say a TPU based pellet midsole such as Boost does which can to stabilize can require plastic pieces or extensive outsole rubber

My only negatives at all with the GRR8 concern the midsole geometry and the forefoot dynamism. There is plenty of cushion and response up front but the flat profile of the geometry, lack of decoupling or deeper flex grooves make for a somewhat ponderous stiff toe off as pace picks up. The GRR7 was more flexible up front but I found THEM not particularly stable. Here we have for sure improved forefoot stability but the pendulum may have swung too far.  

LEFT: GO Run Ride 8                                 RIGHT GO Run Max Road 4

I am not talking all the way to the very flexible popular design of the Max Road 4 which I loved but which presented issues for some of our testers as the pods compressed to far creating hot spots but a design somewhere between the two with I might suggest deeper midsole flex grooves, more longitudinal decoupling or a more pronounced rocker.

Hope: Less airy than Hyperburst mixes that we’ve seen before, the compound feels denser and less flexible in the GRR8, but it still has excellent responsiveness. The shoe looks like a traditional trainer and runs like one, only better. I don’t want to encroach too much on the upcoming Ride section, but I attribute nearly everything great about the underfoot feel of the shoe to the Hyperburst. As Sam mentioned above, I’d like to see more of the M-Strike rocker here since the GRR8 is missing some flexibility.

Outsole

Derek: I'm a convert to this GoodYear rubber collaboration. It is honestly too early so say much about durability but the grip is very good for a “smooth” outsole pattern. There is a subtle tackiness go it that is usually only seen in blown rubber that wears down fairly quickly, but so far so good for me. It's been very confidence-inspiring on wet roads and pavement.

Peter: The layout of rubber on the outsole is pretty much the same as it was in the GRR7 with the exception of the two extensions from the lateral side towards mid foot , but the material is now the Goodyear™ rubber. I don’t know if it just feels grippier because it says Goodyear on it, but it grips nicely and coverage seems to be perfect. I see almost no wear at about 50 miles.

Mac: Agreed, the Goodyear rubber is strong. It grips well, even on wet asphalt… and grip in wet conditions has been one of the few negatives for Skechers in the past 18 months of Hyperburst bliss. I am optimistic about long term durability as well. 

Jeff: Skechers outsole design is a great compromise that doesn’t leave you wanting. They use enough rubber to give you great traction, but not so much to make the shoe bottom heavy or overly stiff. You won’t confuse these with any version of Nike Free, but they have some give to them, and a solid sheet of rubber, Goodyear or not, would affect that. Durability seems to be top notch in early testing, and I’d be shocked if these failed before 300-400 miles, and perhaps even beyond.

Hope: I don’t have a lot to say that hasn’t already been said. Durability is great — basically no wear after 40 miles. I swoon over the Continental rubber used on some Adidas models. This is easily that good. 

Sam: The others have said it well. The Goodyear outsole is outstanding.

Ride

Derek: The ride is springy in the heel with good responsiveness in the forefoot. It is a very strong combination to have for a daily trainer. I think even more so than its predecessor, this shoe will be a very good daily trainer and jack of all trades for many people. Skechers tends to favour shoes that have drops in the 4-5mm range. I would have liked them to make the drop a little more, especially with the use of softer and bouncier foams, as when you land hard on a soft heel, suddenly that 4-5mm drop becomes a -5mm drop to overcome to try and roll through the shoe. This is especially so when the shoe has a high overall stack like the GRR8 or MaxRoad. Having said that, I am not an extreme heel striker, and the shoe transitions just fine for me at my preferred easy to moderate paces. I also put the shoe through some 80s 400m reps and some hard 80m strides and the shoe has performed admirably in terms of grip, though it felt a little bit too soft for my liking for hard strides. 

Peter: The ride on the GRR8 is so even, smooth and pleasant that you might take it for granted. I’ve tested a couple of other shoes this week that remind me this is no easy feat. The Hyperburst bounces along nicely when you speed up, and is very forgiving when you slow down. The ride has smoothed out even more as I’ve put more miles on them. It’s a great riding shoe. The GRR8 is easily the best daily trainer Skechers has made--and I’d say it’s one of the best daily trainers period. I still prefer the Razor 3 for faster days, but really enjoy the GRR8

Mac: Ditto Derek and Peter. If I were going to nitpick, I think I have come to appreciate a nice rocker design, and the Ride 8’s rocker is fairly muted. That said, this is a very fun shoe to run in on easy days, it has plenty of cushion for long days, and it has enough spring to pick it up on Tempo days, even if it is a tad heavy for true speed days.

Sam: The Ride 8 has a near ideal daily training...ride. Consistent, very well cushioned, now stable, and light in feel it is a safe bet with no wrinkles to go with its springy Hyper Burst which provides some fun to what is a pretty sober ride feel. To go with the looks it is more conservative more muted in ride excitement for me, much more so than say the Max Road with its flexy and springy forefoot pillars...which didn’t work for everyone but did just fine for me. I found all slower to medium pace runs enjoyable and smooth if a bit to stiff in transition, When I picked up the pace to faster tempo that front stiffness in combination with low rocker and lack of decoupling and deep enough midsole grooves started to get in the way of toe off but I did appreciate the great front stability. 

Jeff: Surprisingly I enjoyed the GRR8 more with the insole out, and I’m usually the guy clamoring for squish. It isn’t that the shoe didn’t run well with the insole in, but with the insole out the shoe was very well cushioned but also just a hair more responsive. Most of my miles in the GRR8 so far have been easy pace between 9:30-10 minutes per mile, but at the end of a run earlier this week I hit ~6:30 pace during strides, and they felt fantastic at a faster clip. It doesn’t have quite the bouncy exaggeration of the Max Road 4, but I know a number of runners don’t actually like the moon bounce feel, so that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A touch more toe spring/rocker would be nice, especially coming straight from the ASICS GlideRide (which has toe spring in spades), the geometry felt a little lacking. Not enough to ding the shoe (or suggest that it be used for lawn duty - this is a capital R Running shoe), just a slight nitpick.

Hope: I think my experience is closest to Sam’s and Peter’s. I appreciated the forgiving, smooth underfoot feel of the Hyperburst. I ran them during a weird training week: after somewhat low mileage to keep my legs fresh for some half marathons, my coach pumped up the mileage with an eye towards increasing my ultra fitness quickly. Assigned a weekend of a 17 miler followed by a 12 miler, I picked the GRR8 for the 12 miler. I ran faster and more comfortably on tired legs than I’d thought possible. The moon  bounce effect is missing, but the high cushioning to weight ratio is not, making for a very forgiving ride for daily training and longer efforts. Like other Hyperburst models, it picked up the pace admirably without punishing me for slower splits when I didn’t want to stomp on the gas.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Derek: Overall a very versatile shoe, and for me an improvement over the GRR7 in terms of overall fit with a move towards a more performance-oriented snug feel. At this price point, it may well be the best non-plated, non-rockered shoe on the market for 2019. Targeted at the heart of the training market, the mainstay shoes that get runners through their daily miles the Ride 8 is without wrinkles, elegant, comfortable, 

Derek’s Score: 9.6 / 10

Ride 40% 9.5, Fit 40% 10, Value 10% 9.5, Style 10% 8.5 

Peter: Fits great, runs great, looks decent. It’s a shoe that will work for pretty much anyone. Heel Strike, forefoot landing, light, heavy, speedy, less speedy. All good. 

Peter’s Score 9.5/10

Mac:

Overall, another solid entry from Skechers. (And yes, that still feels weird to say, lol.) RIDE is great with lots of bounce; I just wish it were a little lighter. The FIT gave me a few correctable issues, but having to play with the lacing and insoles as much as I did - plus having to cut a slit in the side - hurt this score. VALUE: $115 for a shoe with the performance and expected durability of this shoe is, unfortunately, pretty good these days. STYLE: Not a standout, but the Neon Green on Navy is good looking. 

Sam: The Ride 8 is a successful upgrade to the Ride 7 and for me is Skechers most polished shoe yet. Hyper Burst provides a springier and at the same time more cushioned midsole feel and a few more millimeters of it at no additional weight,  While more stable in the forefoot for me than Ride 7, my biggest gripe with that model, the Ride 8 is somewhat stiffer and with less of a rocker and as the pace really picked up (half to 10K pace) those factors made them a bit more ponderous to spring away and go as I would like. At slower daily training paces, even recovery paces, they were great  The upper is refined and comfortable with a no nonsense, no loose spots no tight areas hold. With the durable and grippy Goodyear rubber now in the mix with Hyper Burst, the Ride 8 is a very solid value at $115. With low weight for cushion, state of the art materials, classy looks, and solid training miles performance the Ride 8 is a great choice if you want to keep your rotation simple and versatile.

Sam's Score: 9.2/10
Ride: 8.5 (50%) Fit: 10 (30%) Value: 10 (15%) Style: 9 (5%)

Jeff: What a difference a year makes, my hat is off to Skechers for making one of the best daily trainers on the market. If this shoe doesn’t get runners to try Skechers Performance for the first time, they are legitimately missing out. It isn’t flashy, but the performance and value outweigh the fine aesthetics by quite a bit. The upper breathes better than last year (and has a more premium feel to it), the midsole is sublime, and the perfectly fine outsole now uses an improved (allegedly) rubber compound, and at that price point - what’s not to love? 

Jeff’s Score: 9.6/10 

Ride: 10 (50%) Fit: 9 (30%) Value: 10 (15%) Style: 8 (5%)

Hope: Good, if not GRR8. (See what I did there?) This model delivers premium materials at a fair price and a fast yet forgiving feel with a somewhat toned down version of Hyperburst. If you’d value a do-it-all trainer with hard wearing rubber for daily use, this shoe should be at the top of your list.

Hope’s Score: 8.8 

Ride: 9 (50%) Fit: 8 (30%) Value: 10 (15%) Style: 8 (5%)

Comparisons Index to all RTR reviews: HERE

Skechers Performance GO Run Ride 7 (RTR Review)

Derek: The GRR8 comes in with a more performance oriented fit, a slightly firmer and more responsive feel, and better outsole grip, albeit with a $20 premium. The only small drawback for me is that she shoe feels a bit warm, but otherwise the GRR8 wins on all counts against the GRR7.

Mac: I didn’t love the GRR7 as much as many of the reviewers here. That said, ditto Derek: The 8 is an improvement in every way except the pricetag. 

Peter: The fit and upper are improved greatly and the ride is a hair firmer and a bit smoother. A good iteration of a great shoe. 

Jeff: Best $20 increase you’ll ever find. Upper is markedly better, midsole evolution makes the kid who played Neville Longbottom’s own transformation look tame, and a good outsole got better. Both true-to-size, but only look at the 8.

Sam: A solid all around evolution for the model featuring state of the art materials and construction to go with a lively new Hyper Burst midsole. At $115 still and maybe a better value yet.

Skechers Performance GO Run 7 (RTR Review)

Derek: The GRR8 with its more traditional fitting upper just works much better for me. The GR7 wins out in terms of weight and responsiveness, but the GRR8 fits me better and is an overall more versatile shoe as a daily trainer. 

Mac: Now that I have the GR7H’s upper figured out, it is my go-to lightweight trainer. It gives me none of the fit problems of the Ride 8, plus it is lighter… but the Ride 8 has a more secure upper and significantly better traction. If I had to pick one, I am leaning slightly towards the GOrun 7, but reasonable people will disagree with me, and besides, there is room for both in your quiver :-)

Sam: The Run 7 is clearly a lower profile, more flexible faster underfoot platform. It’s upper doesn’t keep up with the ride for me as well as it should. GRR8 is a bit more ponderous, more cushioned, and more stable so is a better choice for daily mileage. Put the GRR8 upper on the GR7 platform and we have a winner.

Peter: I just couldn’t make the upper of the Go Run 7 work for me. I love the ride and can’t wait for the upcoming Go Run 7 + (with a mesh upper) as I think that will be a home run. So, the GRR8 is better----for now. 

Jeff: If you’re like me and just learned of the existence of the Go Run 7+ from Peter, wow, that sounds amazing. But for the version that’s out in the wild, the difference is striking, both in upper and midsole. I appreciate the lighter weight of the GR7, the problematic upper (that I never got sorted out) and the unique styling of the midsole made it a hard shoe to recommend without qualifying it. The GRR8 doesn’t have any of those issues, and is one of the easiest shoes I’ve ever been able to say - just try it, you’ll probably love it, and you definitely won’t hate it.

Hope: I had the same experience as Jeff — the GR7H is crazy fast and bouncy, but it suffered (and I suffered) from its ill-fitting upper. The GRR8 delivers fewer thrills, but is far better in terms of comfort and stability.

Skechers Performance Max Road 4 Hyper (RTR Review)

Derek: The MaxRoad has a bit more of a rockered transition feel in addition to the Hyperburst midsole and I think that is the main part of the difference. There is clearly more stack with the MaxRoad but for the most part, I think the MaxRoad transitions better because of the forefoot rocker. The rocker is not so noticeable in the GRR8 and it has a more traditional transitional style and ride from that perspective. Both shoes have great cushioning and vibration dampening and neither should hold you back from that 20 miler you had planned. I think the MaxRoad upper is more insulated and if you run in colder temperatures, the MaxRoad would be a better option. For regular road running, I think I prefer the simpler fit and better breathability  of the GRR8.

Sam: Not only more rockered but more flexible with less rubber and more Hyper Burst, the Max Road 4 was not as stable or useful at slower paces as the GRR8 with its more extensive rubber and flatter more stable on the ground profile  but is considerably more fun and faster as the pace picks up. The upper and podular front midsole outsole created issues for some, but not all our reviewers but not me, so reading the linked review is advised.

Peter: The MaxRoad is fun, but rides strangely at slower speeds. It’s a lot of shoe, and therefore I prefer the GRR8

Jeff: Sam is talking about me, in part, about having issues with the Max Road 4. That still hurts, because that shoe is an absolute joy to run in, but the podular design (it’s a good word that fits if you’ve looked at that midsole) does not work for my stride and a matching set of blisters at mile three of every run makes it a big swing and a miss. The GRR8 doesn’t have many minor flaws, let alone fatal ones, so that is my recommendation.

Hope: I gave the MR4 a positive review despite some big issues I had with it (Hyperburst is just that good), but the GRR8 is more stable, more breathable, better-looking, and more durable, so it’s my pick.

Skechers Performance Razor 3 (RTR Review)

Mac: The Razor 3 is one of the best racing / speed day shoes made in the past 18 months. Plenty of cushion in a 6oz shoe, very good durability, great energy return… just a fantastic debut for Hyperburst last year. The Ride 8 is a perfect compliment to the Razor 3: it is more substantial, better expected durability in both the outsole and upper, and a little bit heavier, but with a similar feel. Comparison? No need. Get both. 

Peter: Train in GRR8, Race in Razor 3. But if you made me choose one and one only, it would be the Razor. 

Jeff: Peter and Mac nailed it, they are very much the flipside of the same coin. If you had only two road shoes, and it was the Razor and GRR8 you could do much worse. However, if it has to be only one, I’d go with the GRR8. The extra cushion and room up front make the difference for me, and I went a half-size up in the Razor.

Hope: I agree with the guys. Happily ran a marathon in the R3 last fall. I’m practically salivating for the update. If you’ve got the coin, don’t choose. Just get both. Train in the GRR8 and do workouts and races in the R3.

Hoka Carbon X (RTR Review)

Mac: Maybe a little bit of an unfair comparison, since the Hoka comes in nearly 40% more expensive, but for the extra money, you get a well-designed carbon plate, more spring, lighter weight… and a better looking shoe. (Interestingly, both uppers gave me the same issue of squeezing my E width forefoot and both shoes now have a small cut on the outside to alleviate that pressure, but I digress.) I will say this one comes down to how much you want to spend for a little better performance, but both are great options for longer runs, even if you want to pick up the pace!

Sam: Carbon X is lighter yet, more cushioned and carbon plate powered with a spring effect of a flatter variety than Vaporfly or Zoom Fly up front but considerably more of it than in the GRR8. It clearly leans towards marathon or a bit faster pace running while the Ride 8 towards more moderate daily training paces. The price differential is significant and if training is your purpose the GRR8 is a better value,

Jeff: The Carbon X has a similar geometry propulsion to the ASICS GlideRide (but I daresay that ASICS does it better), and head-to-head with the GRR8 both work well. The Carbon X upper may breathe better, but the GRR8 fits my foot in the right places better. Also, the majority of the cushioning in the Carbon X feels like it is in the heel, and as a midfoot striker I don’t take much advantage of that. Nothing against the Hoka, but for the massive price difference and better upper fit, make mine GRR8.

Hope: The Carbon X didn’t blow me away (apart from my first few steps in it) like I’d expected, I think for the reasons Jeff lined out here. These are different shoes for different purposes so I don’t feel great about comparing them, but it pressed I’d pick the GRR8 and pocket the (sizable) price difference.

Hoka Clifton 5 (RTR Review)

Derek: The latest Clifton 5 is quite a soft shoe, compared to the GRR8. I would say the GRR8 is probably closer to Rincon and Carbon X than Clifton in this regard. Both Clifton and GRR8 are very similar in weight and drop. I find the GRR8 to be a more versatile shoe, that can handle a bigger range of paces, though if I had to pick a shoe for recovery runs, I think the Clifton would still be a better option. The Clifton upper is more breathable than the GRR8, if that's a consideration. 

Sam: Both have relatively muted stiffer rides although GRR8’s Hyper Burst clearly is more lively and dynamic in feel. GRR8 has a far superior upper and better outsole coverage and wins out for me by a decent margin.

Peter: Comparing against the Clifton 6 here--the GRR8 is as forgiving on a recovery run, but feels like far less shoe. I find the GRR8 transitions more smoothly and is more fun to run in. 

Hope: The bucket seat midsole geometry made the Clifton 6 unrunnable for me (terrible arch blisters). I liked its bounce, but not much else. Easy win for the GRR8.

Hoka Rincon (RTR Review)

Jeff: The much, much, much lighter Rincon is one of my favorite shoes out there, and the GRR8 holds its own on the left/right comparison. Not a huge surprise, the EVA cushioning in the Hoka does pack down some over time, and isn’t quite as springy - while HyperBurst in the GRR8 doesn’t suffer the same. Also the additional rubber outsole on the GRR8 means you’ll get quite a few more miles. As much as I’m a Rincon disciple, I have a hard time thinking that it is a better shoe than the GRR8.

Reebok Forever Floatride Energy (RTR Review)

Derek: The GRR8 has less ground feel than the FFE, and the overall balance of the shoe is also better (the FFE can feel a big bottom heavy). That said, I am a very big fan of the FFE upper, for its simplicity, breathability, and execution. Both shoes have a very similar degree of forefoot firmness and bounce, though I feel that there is noticeably more “give” in the heel strike zone than the FFE, which ironically feels lower drop than the GRR8 for me. This is a tough comparison for me. I think if I tend towards faster runs, I would go with the FFE, but if I tend towards slower runs, I would go with the GRR8 as it has a more forgiving underfoot feel. Throw in the $15 price difference and you end up really splitting hairs between the 2. My advice: get both!

Mac: The RFFE is significantly firmer and $15 cheaper, and it still has a nice, responsive midsole. However, the SGRR8 has a good deal more stack at essentially the same weight; I expect to log way more miles in the Ride 8 moving forward.

Asics Glideride (RTR Review)

Mac: The AGR is one of my favorite new shoe lines this year, possibly only being challenged by the Carbon X. It is an ounce heavier and $25ish more expensive, but the upper is flawless, and it has a similarly great midsole. I have no rational reason for picking the heavier, more expensive Asics over the Ride 8… but I keep reaching for it on Long or Easy days. Maybe it just fits my foot better? Anyway, definitely try BOTH if you are in the market for a mileage hog! 

Sam: The Glideride is a stiffer shoe yet its rocker geometry rolling along beautifully to toe off at pretty much all paces, Like the GRR8 it struggles a bit at faster than half pace for me with the Glideride seeming to pop more vertically than I like with the GRR8 feeling flat and stiff at those paces. The underfoot feel is similar with the Glideride somewhat bouncier and denser feeling, more decisive, while the GRR8 is springier and lighter and less dense in feel. They have similar fitting uppers. A tough pick. Lighter weight for GRR8, more dynamic smoother transitions for Glideride. I lean Glideride..

Jeff: Not many road shoes can make the GRR8 feel like a low/medium stack height shoe, but the GlideRide has a lot of material between your foot and the ground. ASICS takes the cake when it comes to upper (better fit and more breathable), and while I like the midsole of the GRR8 more, I think the geometry of the ASICS gives it the edge between these two shoes. Around the block with one on each foot, the GlideRide just transitioned so much smoother through the gait cycle. Definitely worth considering both, but I’d give the slight edge to the Glideride.

Hope: I get what ASICS is doing in the Glideride, it’s just not for me (even though I love shoes with aggressive toe spring). GRR8 has the better midsole for my money.

Brooks Revel 3 (RTR Review)

Sam: Clearly bouncier and more flexible the Revel 3 is less cushioned but more fun to run. It has a fine upper but one that is not quite as secure as the GRR8.   Not sure I would daily train in it as I would the Ride 8. I won't even mention the dull Launch much, hands down GRR8.

Hope: The Revel 3 is a mega value shoe that’s wildly fun to run in, despite lacking flashy tech. Sleeper pick for the win: I prefer the Brooks in this matchup.

New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel   (RTR Review)

As a long time supinator I love the extra ridge NB put on the lateral edge of the midfoot, and Fuel Cell cushioning is top notch along with an upper that holds the foot in the right places without strangling it in the wrong places. All that said, there's no comparison, the GRR8 rides that much more bouncy, and feels that much better at pace. GRR8 all day long.

Saucony Ride ISO 2 (RTR Review)

Sam: The Ride ISO 2 has the forefoot agility and ground feel the Ride 8 lacks leaning it more towards faster pace running than the Ride 8. Hyper Burst and the overall greater stack of cushioning makes the difference when it comes to daily training and heavy miles if that is what you are seeking from the shoe

Salomon Sonic RA Max 2 (RTR Review)

Jeff: Two very similar shoes in weight, ride quality, and cost. Both fit true-to-size, and the Salomon upper breathes better, and is better looking. And while it rides so well, the GRR8 rides that much better. The Salomon outsole is also more robust, but the Skecher’s outsole isn’t lacking by any means. I keep banging the drum the Sonic RA Max is criminally overlooked, but in this case, I have to give the nod to the GRR8.

Nike Pegasus Turbo 1 (RTR Review)

Derek: I didn't try Turbo 2, but I own 2 pairs of Turbo 1. I think the GRR8 has a more bouncy ride than the Turbo 1, in the sense that you get more rebound for every stride. The GRR8 also has less ground feel and is more of a trainer feel as opposed to the Turbo which I think can be used as more of an uptempo shoe. The price difference between these 2 shoes is significant, so I say go with the GRR8. (I did not have any breathability issues with the Turbo1 or any other fit issues, but I do find the GRR8 to be on the warmer side.)

Peter: The Peg Turbo (1) and the GRR8 are actually fairly similar. I think the Peg Turbo is a bit softer, but they both ride nicely. The Peg Turbo 2 was un-runnable for me. Caused lots of foot pain. GRR8!

Jeff: Peg Turbo is half-size up 11. I reviewed the Peg Turbo 1, and found it had some major issues, and have only run a little in the Peg Turbo 2 (which I already like substantially more than the 1). In a head-to-head around the block, the Peg Turbo 2 really makes the GRR8 look great. Well, maybe not look great, because aesthetically the Nike runs laps around the Skechers, but the heavier (and MUCH less expensive) GRR8 feels much better underfoot. Toeboxes are about the same, but the GRR8 is much smoother, and with that much of a price difference, take the GRR8. 

Sam: I agree with Jeff's take on the Peg Turbo 2 (RTR Review) vs. GRR8. I found the Turbo 2 kind of sharp edged in feel around its midsole perimeter whereas the GRR8 is smoother and more cushioned.

Hope: GRR8 runs firmer and has a better fitting, more breathable upper than the OG Peg Turbo (haven’t tried the update). That’s what I like in a trainer and a go-fast shoe, so it’s my pick.

Nike Epic React FK (RTR Review)

Derek: The degree of compressibility of the mid soles in these 2 shoes is actually quite similar, but I much prefer the GRR8. The GRR8 has better overall fit and lockdown, has better cushioning in terms of ground feel for a daily trainer, and has much MUCH better outsole grip, especially on wet surfaces.

Sam: I agree with Derek here The Epic React mid foot midsole geometry is awkward in its flatness and React foam is dull in comparison to Hyper Burst even as both share front stiffness.  Not a fan of Flyknit and its constricting fit feel, it's old school engineered knit in comparison to the GRR8's at this point or the $35 price difference. This said the Epic React weighs more than an ounce less.  

Jeff: Epic React is a half-size up, 11. I liked the Epic React upper until I ran in the GRR8, and it showed me how well it could hold my foot. React is great, but Hyperburst is better. Save the money, get the GRR8.

Hope: I love both versions of the Epic React, but I too will give the GRR8 the nod for its more relaxed upper and more dynamic underfoot feel. No clicking outdoor pods either!

New Balance 1080v9 (RTR Review)

Jeff: These two are surprisingly similar. The 1080v9 upper has a little more stretch to it, especially in the toebox, but it is still the only shoe I have to use a runner's loop to eliminate heel slip. Something about that design just doesn't work for me, and if I remember the review, Hope had the same issue I did. The 1080v9 upper also breathes better. Fresh Foam is much firmer than Hyper Burst, and the GRR8 has a much bouncier ride to it. I really like the 1080v9, it was such a massive improvement over the v8, but the GRR8 is much more fun to run in. Durability wise, the 1080 might have a minor edge because of all the rubber covering the outsole compared to the GRR8's strategic rubber placement, but both shoes will last very well. Personally I heavily favor the GRR8.

Saucony Triumph ISO 5 (RTR Review)

Jeff: I believe this is the heaviest road shoe I've ever run in. It feels super premium, the upper materials have plushness to them that few shoes can match, and while the toebox isn't Altra/Topo level, it's very close. But the Everun midsole is so dense and heavy, and reminds me a little of the Nike Zoom Fly Flyknit, in that the balance of the shoe feels a little off. I like how it rides, and the crystal rubber outsole is great, but it is nowhere near as energetic as the Hyper Burst in the GRR8. Running up and down the street with one on each foot makes it super clear how much Everun is a heavy and dense material that's made to take a beating, but not one that you want for any type of uptempo effort. GRR8 by a country mile.

Saucony Triumph 17 (RTR Initial Video Review)

Jeff: I only have a couple run in the 17, but so far I'm enamored with it. PWRRUN+ is the update to Everun, and if the T17 is any indication, Saucony is on to something good. The upper is more refined than the ISO 5, but still feels super premium (though not loving the tube-style laces, but that's the easiest fix there is). Definitely a better toebox than the GRR8, but the big question is midsole/outsole/ride. Plainly put - it is REALLY good. PWRRUN+ reminds me a lot of Hyper Burst (though more dense and heavier, it also makes me think it might be more durable - not that HB has durability issues) in that it is soft without being mushy at easy paces and feels outstanding at faster speeds too. Not the shoe I'd bring to the track for 400s/800s, but a great choice for tempo runs or fartleks - and of course long runs. I'm on the fence on which I'd prefer, the GRR8 has a much better price tag, while the T17 has a better feeling upper and arguably a better ride. I'm enough of a toebox snob I'd probably give the edge to the Triumph, but both are truly fantastic shoes.

GO Run Ride 8 releases 10/24/19. Pre Order Below!

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The product reviewed was provided at no cost. The opinions herein are the authors'.

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