Article by Renee Krusemark, Peter Stuart, Zack Dunn, Bryan Lim, Beto Hughes, Mac Jeffries, Joost de Raeymaeker, and Sam Winebaum
Skechers Performance GO Run Razor Excess 2 ($140)
Introduction
The Razor Excess 2 is a lighter daily trainer to up tempo running shoe sitting between the Razor + and Ride in the Skechers line up. For 2022 it gets,as will the Ride 10, the carbon infused H plate previously seen in shoes such as the Speed Elite. It differs from the Razor + in having 3mm more stack height of cushion, a wider on the ground platform, a rigid now plated rocker profile, and a broader fit. See our Skechers The Running Event preview video here.
Skechers lively and light supercritical Hyperburst foam returns as does the 30mm heel / 26mm forefoot full stack height and Goodyear outsole.
Addressing the issues of the prior upper (RTR Razor Excess 1 Review), instead of a full mono mesh upper we see a mono mesh and polyester blend material, more collar and tongue padding as well as Skechers new ArchFit sockliner which is more substantial than the prior flat thin sockliner. As a result we do gain some weight to 8.05 oz / 204 g (US men's 9) so a 1.2 oz / 34g gain which is still remarkably light and which in our testing proved well worth it in terms of fit, comfort, cushion feel and plate performance.
Pros:
Cushioned and responsive ride: Renee/Sam/Peter/Zack/Bryan/Joost
Comfortable and versatile for a variety of paces and distances: Renee/Sam/Peter/ZackBryan/Joost
By measurement and feel the foam is softer, taking the hard edge of v1 off for me Sam
Moves from mostly uptempo type shoe to light daily trainer class Peter/Sam
ArchFit sockliner a clear plus, support, additional cushion (particularly forefoot) Sam/Peter/ZackBryan/Joost
H plate gives a moderate impulse (and even seemingly more forefoot cushion feel) and is not over rigid or harsh Sam/Peter/ZackBryan/Joost
Considerably improved upper and fit. Toe box sharp creasing gone Sam/Peter/ZackBryan/Joost
Decrease in toe box volume: Bryan
Overly thin tongue and laces in v1 addressed in v2: Mac
Cons:
Not the roomist of toe boxes: Renee/Peter/Sam/Joost
1.3 oz / 36g gain in weight (upper, ArchFit sockliner and new H plate) but well worth it in comfort and performance Sam/Peter/Zack/Bryan/Joost
Some heel slippage: Bryan
Not quite as springy as v1: Mac
Stats
Estimated Weight: men's 8.05 oz / 204 g (US9)
Samples:
men’s 8.1 oz / 229 g (US9.5), 8.02 oz / 228g (US8.5) 8.80 oz (Men’s 11)
10 oz / 284g (M12.5 US)
women’s 6.98 oz / 196g (US8)
Razor Excess 1: 6.81 oz / 193g (US8.5) 7.95 oz (men’s 11)
Stack Height: men’s 30 mm heel / 26 mm forefoot
Available now including at our partner Running Warehouse here. $140
First Impressions and Fit
Renee:
I love HYBER BURST® . Runners who are fans of other Skechers HYBER BURST® shoes will enjoy the Razor Excess 2. Review over.
Just kidding. If you’re reading RTR, you want all the details, and you’ll get them because we love talking about running shoes. The Excess 2 has the same great qualities of other Skechers performance shoes. The HYBER BURST® midsole is magic, and the shoe is lightweight, versatile, fast, cushioned, and well priced.
I ran easy paces, tempo paces, and speed runs with the Excess 2, ranging from 4 to 20 mile runs (including some mud and gravel). After 50 miles, the shoes look and feel unworn (despite my muddy/gravel runs). I’m hard pressed to find something “wrong” or negative with the shoe, but as with any shoe, some runners will like the Excess 2 more than others. I suggest true-to-size (typical Skechers sizing); for runners between half sizes, I suggest the half size up because of the toe box shape.
Zack: I never had never run a Skechers, but I had definitely heard about the Razor Excess. Opening up the box and holding the shoe in hand, I got excited. I tried it on and the fit was perfect, with a comfortable upper and true-to-size fit. The shoe was cushioned, felt lightweight, and had some stiffness, all which made me immediately put the shoe in my practice bag for a track workout later in the day.
Peter: I wanted to love the Razor Excess, but ultimately had some major issues with it. The original Excess gave me some blisters on the inside of my foot around the ball of the foot, didn’t stay comfortable on long runs and ultimately just didn’t pay off on the premise of ‘great razor feel with a little more cushion’. It’s a shoe that I occasionally tried to return to but found to have the same problematic fit and uninspiring ride each time I ran in them. When the Razor Excess 2 came in, I didn’t have particularly high expectations. Wait, they got heavier? Oy.
I’m happy to say that there are several changes to the Razor Excess 2 that make it a much better shoe than the Razor Excess. The fit is better, the upper is more comfortable and the ride is excellent. They are true-to-size for me, but if you’re on the fence, size up a half size. The toe-box is a little on the narrow side.
Sam: I found the original Excess a bit firm and rigid, a bit minimal and rough in upper fit and while very light weight a bit lost as to utility for me. Not really a day to day trainer, not exactly a tempo or race shoe. The H Plate, upper changes, ArchFit and what I immediately sensed all put together as a slightly softer overall ride and more secure and comfortable fit had me eager to test. The weight gain did not concern me at we are still at just 8 oz in a US9, great for both racing and training given the 30/26 stack.
The fit is true to size but as others have said a bit narrow in the toe box as it now conforms to the foot more securely there unlike the crinkly thin and rougher feeling folding toe box of v1, see below. The tongue is more padded as are the heel collars.
And this new more comfortable front fit, if on the narrow side, was clearly felt during an A/B run, one on each foot with our contributor Joost (all blue pair) who was getting ready for Boston and will join the review soon..
Beto: The Razor Excess 2 has upgrades that make the shoe a better one, starting with the new upper, new H-Plate and the new ARCHFIT insole that is now removable rather than glued in as in the original Excess. On foot the Monomesh and Polyester upper hugs the foot very well has just enough stretch for my wide foot.
The ride is very smooth and has a pronounce rocker that works excellenlyt with the Hyperburst midsole it feels responsive and has a nice toe off thanks to the H-Plate.
Bryan: Skechers have really listened to feedback when designing the Razor Excess 2. The original Razor Excess was a shoe that I would have loved on paper, but it was ultimately let down by its fit. I’ll start with fit - the Razor Excess 2 fits true to size, but on first wear there were concerns of heel slippage.
The shoe also features several upgrades that my peers have canvassed through, so I’ll skip that and jump to my initial thoughts. The shoe works a treat. The combination of the H-Plate, new insole and re-designed upper complement each other in providing a softer and more inspiring ride as compared to its predecessor. I was initially concerned about the weight gain but given the improvements, and that this is a training shoe, it's really no biggie especially when it's still lighter than the vast majority of training shoes, plated or unplated. For context, my pair of the Excess 2 weighs the same as the Adios Pro 2!
Mac: I loved the Excess v1. Still do, in fact. I went back to read my review for the original Excess, and I am honestly shocked that the v1 didn’t have a restraining order put on me. It seriously is one of my favorite shoes I have ever tested. So yeah, I might have been a little pumped when I heard V2 was on its way.
I didn’t have any of the issues that some other testers had with V1, so I was more worried than excited about the announced changes. I needn’t have worried; although this certainly has a different personality from its predecessor, it is a worthy follow and pretty great in its own right.
The fit is True to Size; my 13.5E foot has zero issues in the size 14. I did stop and tighten the laces mid run both my first run as well as my first fast run, but other than that, the fit is spot on.
Joost: The Excess v1 has been sitting on its shelf ever since I first reviewed it. As much as I wanted to love it, running in it for more than half an hour was a sure way to get blisters on the outside of my big toes. This unfortunately happens to me with almost all Skechers with a mono mesh upper unless I size up to the point where the upper buckles because it’s too big longitudinally. I was quite happy to see that the pair of Excess v2 that arrived at Sam’s place as I was in my last days before Boston had a different upper and what felt like a slightly different upper material. I’m a huge fan of Hyperburst, so I was really looking forward to some blister-free runs.
Upper
Renee: The Excess 2 upper is similar to the rest of the current Razor lineup, a “hyper mono mesh and polyester upper” which is lightweight and very breathable. During the first 2 miles of my 20 mile run, the temperature was 17℉, and I attest that the breathability is good (too good for cold weather, but thankfully the temperature increased quickly).
The tongue is not gusseted, but I had no irritation or issues with it sliding or slipping. Above the midfoot, the tongue has a fair amount of soft padding, which I think works well. I wore the Razor 3+ for a 50k, and I had some issues with my foot feeling numb across the midfoot because I laced too tight. I felt no issues with the Excess 2 during my long run, and I think the padding might be the reason. Initially, I thought the heel fit was loose, but after I started running in them, the heel has shaped around my foot. The toe box is a bit narrow on the medial side (same as the rest of the Razor lineup), and although it looked like my small toe would be crammed, I didn’t notice while running.
Zack: I really enjoyed the monomesh / polyester upper. I found it to be soft and comfortable in the heel and collar area, while still maintaining a lightweight factor to it in the toe box, to allow for lightweight breathability. The thin but padded tongue sat very nicely on the foot and was slightly cushioned for the right amount of comfort, without being too soft. My thoughts on this upper is that it is not as cushioned and supportive as a daily trainer’s, but not as stripped down and lightweight as a racer which makes it a great lightweight, fast paced training shoe upper.
Some small but nice details added was a pull tab on the heel, as well as some reflectivity in the front. Overall, I was really pleased with the upper and how it felt and was engineered to perform.
Peter: The upper is a nice play on the zebra pattern of some of the Skechers prototypes. The mesh looks and feels good and has just enough stretch to make them comfortable over the long run while also maintaining a solid mid-foot lockdown.
The tongue has an ideal amount of padding near the top laces and breathability down lower, and though not gusseted, has stayed in place just fine. It is more substantial and a little longer than v1 as shown below.
There’s a handy pull-tab on the rear of the shoe and a nice line of reflective dots on the outside edge of each toebox. Ankle/heel collar padding is good and holds the foot very well. The big improvement to the upper from the original Razor Excess is the new ARCHFIT insole. Unlike many previous Skechers shoes except the Razor Excess 1, the Archfit is glued in, so there’s no option to run with/without it. It’s there. And is far more substantial than the thin flat one of the Excess 1.
And that’s a good thing. It’s a much better and more supportive insole than in the previous model. The insole holds the foot very well and seems to have eliminated the friction points that led to blistering in the original. Overall a good looking and comfortable upper that functions perfectly.
Beto: The upper is a Monomesh and Polyester material that feels very comfortable, breathable and light weight. The blue with black zebra print looks really good on the Excess 2 like a fast prototype shoe.
The heel counter is simple but holds my heel very secure with no heel slippage, the tongue which has no gusset didn’t move around. It stays in place and if you tied the laces tight has just enough padding to prevent pressure.
The lockdown is very good holds my foot in place and is very nice balanced between a daily trainer and a racer feel. The toe box is a bit narrow but the upper has enough stretch that I didn’t have any problems with my wide foot.
The upper is very breathable, no issues with that even during 98% humidity and 98f runs. I never felt the upper as hot so it breathes well and doesn’t hold that much moisture.
Bryan: So it seems like I got the odd a.k.a. unique colourway! Not quite a fan at first, this blue black zebra pattern has grown on me.
Aside from the addition of the H plate, I suspect most of the weight gain in v2 is due to the revamping of the upper. Unlike the ‘race-ready’ upper in v1, which was not a good thing due to its poor design in providing a lockdown fit, the upper here has been redesigned to use a monomesh and polyester mix that’s comfortable and breathable. You will immediately notice that the upper is seamless but fear not as the toe box and heel counter are sufficiently reinforced . The shoe is nicely padded throughout, with a substantial ARCHFIT insole, an ideally padded heel counter and mildly padded tongue. The upper generally worked well for me, but it lacked confidence in the heel area with some slippage. The midfoot and forefoot worked perfectly for me.
Mac: Hard to call the upper anything other than an improvement. Although the v1 upper didn’t give me the same problems that it gave others, v2 is noticeably more comfortable. The v2 upper is a little less rigid with a slightly thicker tongue and laces.
Others mentioned a narrow toe box. That is a common complaint from me, but I have to respectfully disagree with my colleagues. Any narrowness (is that a word? It is now!) is offset by the slight stretch in the forefoot. Two thumbs up from me.
Joost: The technical details have more than been covered by the others. As far as uppers go, this is a step in the right direction from Skechers for us wide feet people. It still is quite narrow and has low volume, but the main ingredient that was causing me blisters has been redesigned. I’m talking about the toe lift! Gone is the weird too thick padding with a cutout that would rub my big toe. You can now go true to size.
Midsole
Renee: Again, I love HYBER BURST® . I wish all midsoles were as lightweight, cushioned, and responsive. If you’ve enjoyed other Skechers performance shoes, rest assured that the Excess 2 provides the same awesomeness. The forefoot has a carbon-infused plate, which Skechers says provides an “extremely high stiffness-to-weight ratio, which promotes stability and next level energy return.” I did not find the plate “stiff” in a bad way; rather, it provides extra spring off of the forefoot (see more in the ride section).
Zack: This is my first experience with a Skechers shoe with Hyperburst cushioning, and I was quite pleased with it. It had all the factors of what is personally wanted in a performance shoe; lightweight, not too soft and not too firm, and had quite a bit of responsiveness in it, without being too overbearing in one of those factors. To me, the foam felt quite comparable underfoot to Asics Flytefoam Turbo, but not as soft. Integrated into the midsole is Skechers carbon infused plate, which takes shape as an “H”, and helps promote stability and a high level of energy return. I definitely felt both of these, but never found it to be overly stiff, instead just allowing for a very smooth toe off.
Peter: Yup, they nailed it here. The addition of a carbon-infused H plate (effectively spreading the carbon plate out so that it’s not a slab under the forefoot) adds some snap to the excellent HyperBurst midsole. There’s a bit of a magic trick here, because while the shoe is snappier and feels more responsive, it’s also noticeably softer feeling on the run. The carbon H plate adds some focus and control to the ride. As much as I love the Razor 3, they can feel just a little unstable laterally. The Razor Excess feels very stable laterally and it feels like all of the energy is focused so that the shoe rolls forward. It’s a nice addition to a great foam.
Sam: I measure the Hyperburst here as about 10% softer than v1 and this is felt particularly at the forefoot in an A/B test and this even with the addition of the H plate. But there is more making the ride friendlier, the Arch Fit sockliner.
It is considerably more substantial than in the prior thin flat one in the Excess 1 not only taking the rough kind of firm edge off the v1 but also I think it provides more protection and cushion over the new H Plate. As such not only does the H Plate provide clear propulsion in v2 but overall the forefoot is more cushioned. One cannot say that the Excess 2 is a plush ride, in Skechers for that look to the higher stack ( 28/34 vs 26/30 here Ride but this midsole (Hyperburst, H Plate, and ArchFit) is now much more versatile allowing not only more cushioned easier days but snappier faster days runs. My only slight concern with the midsole is that one can slightly sense the front of the H Plate at toe off as an edge. I wish this “interface” was a bit more gentle.
Beto: Hyperburst is one of the best midsole foams out there. It is lightweight, durable, soft and responsive. Now that midsole also includes a carbon infused H-Plate that helps with stability and helps to roll foward for more propulsion at each step.
The Hyperburst midsole in the Excess 2 is soft and bouncy at the same time and you can feel the energy return. The H-Plate brings stability and rigidity on the toe off that doesn’t feel stiff. It just rolls very smooth and the cushion at the forefoot is just perfect making the shoe very versatile in a variety of paces or trainings. The H-Plate is something I notice on my landings as I supinate. I can feel how it guides my foot to my forefoot The plate stabilizes my landings in a smooth midfoot to toe off fashion and that is something I enjoyed a lot when picking up the pace doing some reps.
Bryan: As Peter said, they’ve nailed it here. Instead of the responsive plod in v1, the H Plate and softening of the Hyperburst midsole results in a fantastically snappy but yet pleasant ride. As Sam mentioned, there is substantial protection from the H Plate through the Arch Fit sockliner. Feeling all the benefits of a plate but not feeling the plate is how I would describe the implementation.
More importantly, the benefits of the H Plate is noticeable as it acts also as guardrails on both medial and lateral sides, providing stability to the ride. The geometry of the midsole via HyperArc is also friendly in that if one slows down or loses form and starts the heel strike, the shoe encourages you to roll towards to a forefoot toe-off.
I suppose if there was one weakness, it would be the snappiness of the forefoot that might not be suitable for recovery days. This is nitpicking, as the midsole is great for just about every other training run at any other pace!
Mac: I honestly didn’t feel as many differences between v1 and v2 as my colleagues here, but that is a good thing. I loved v1 and I love v2. If anything, I suppose that I agree that the v1 has a little more pop and is equally capable as a trainer or a racer, whereas the v2 is a more of a trainer that CAN be used as a long distance racer.
I have always believed that the runner’s weight makes a huge difference in the overall experience. What was a little too firm for many in v1 was perfect for me at 215lbs, and what seems to be perfect for many in v2 feels just a touch softer for me. But I am nitpicking: it is still the best non-pebax midsole on the market today.
Joost: Nothing much to add. I must be one of Hyperburst’s biggest fans out there since running in the original Razor: 3 Hyper. The extra softness felt in combination with the H-plate for some added stability is just the right mix. It’s snappy and fast feeling. I’m also a fan of the new sockliner with what Skechers calls ArchFit. It offers enough protection so you don’t feel the plate and has a little arch support, which I also really appreciate.
Outsole
Renee: The Goodyear outsole will look familiar to anyone who owns any other Razor shoe. I expect the durability to be similar to previous Razor renditions, although I had a lot more wear on my Razor 3+ outsole at 50 miles than I see with the Excess 2. I ran a 20 miler on flat, relatively smooth crushed rock, a 6 mile speed run on gravel, and another 4 mile easy run on muddy country roads (about 100ft of hill gain per mile). The outsole does nothing for traction, but the midsole and plate combo help with stability for anyone leaving pavement and running on other surfaces.
Zack: I really enjoyed this outsole. It is made of Goodyear Rubber, and I found it to be naturally grippy, as well as providing coverage in vital places. It did just fine on road, and does decent on dirt/gravel terrain, but anything past that i would not recommend. After 50 miles, I don't see very much wear. I can see this shoe lasting at least 350 miles, though I'm not sure how long the midsole will last.
Peter: Plenty of rubber on the bottom with nice big flex grooves to keep things flowing. I haven’t had any traction issues at all and agree that there’s little visible wear after a few good solid runs in these.
Sam: A fine outsole with plenty of coverage and unchanged from the prior version. I do wish the outsole (and midsole), given the addition of the H plate and the 4mm drop had a deeper more extended forward decoupling to assist transitions a bit more at slower paces. I have never been much of a fan of the prior M-Strike and now here Hyper Arc, both focused on mid foot striking runners than more heel striking runners such as me.
Beto: The Goodyear rubber is a very good outsole with the pattern about the same as in most of Skechers models, it is durable, grips very well on dry and wet roads, and the pattern helps to keep stability plus how the H-Plate guides the foot. Durability looks very good so far while it is not a thick outsole to keep the weight down.
As Sam mentions, the Hyper Arc worked very nice on midfoot to forefoot strikers I had no issues and I can notice the benefit of how it works in combo with the H-Plate as it helps in the transition from mid foot to toe off, guiding the foot very smooth and the plate gives a nice propulsion at toe off that is not aggressive but is noticeable.
Bryan: No complaints about the Goodyear outsole generally although if we were to compare tire manufacturers venturing into the running shoe scene, Continental rubber seems to have the edge in Adidas shoes. No issues with durability as even after 50km+ on the road and on compact gravel, there is essentially no wear.
Mac: I have said it before, and I will say it again: the outsole is like a deep snapper: you only notice it when it screws up. Nothing but positives to report here; what used to be a weak link in a great shoe line has become a strength since adding Goodyear rubber: zero slippage on wet asphalt, and only minimal slippage on wet cement. Expected durability is great.
Joost: Since Skechers moved to GoodYear rubber for their outsoles, I haven’t had any problems with wear or grip on my normal running routes, which are mostly road and some dirt road thrown in.
Ride
Renee: The ride is so smooth! Honestly, I’m not sure if HYPER ARC™ is different from the M-Strike® or if the rewording is a branding issue. The transition feels much more pronounced under the forefoot as compared to the ride of Razor 3 or Razor 3+, but that could be from the carbon-infused plate and not the geometry. The ride is smooth from the midfoot, which I love. During a speed workout, I was landing more on my toe/forefoot, and I could feel the energy return from the carbon-infused plate. Over 6 miles of 150m intervals, my forefoot was a bit sore. During my long run (20 miles) and tempo day (10 miles, 20 seconds faster than marathon pace), I was striking midfoot, which felt awesome. The geometry of the HYPER ARC™ plus the HYBER BURST® , plus the carbon-infused plate made each stride smooth and effortless. The cushion feels thicker and more comfortable when heel or midfoot striking.
Zack: Overall, I was very pleased with the ride, especially with it being my first Skechers shoe. I found that it does everything well–from track workouts to road tempos. For shorter fast intervals, on both the road and the track, they perform quite well. They are very lightweight while still having cushion and spring from the plate, but they don't quite match up to track spikes or very high-end racers when hitting high paces, such as the lightweight Nike Streakfly or Adidas Takumi Sen 8. With that being said, they most definitely excelled at the longer fast-paced work, such as tempo runs, or even fartleks. The reasoning behind this is that they had a fairly high cushioning, which reduced fatigue and increased comfort, but still had spring and responsiveness from the carbon plate. I personally wouldn’t use this for racing, but for someone who wants a more budget friendly half-marathon/marathon racer, in comparison to $200-$250 shoes, this would most certainly get the job done. In terms of anything other than face-paced work, such as long runs or daily training runs, I would go for a different option, as I prefer a non-plated, less stiff ride on moderate-easy pace runs, and would think most would want an easier ride for those kinds of runs.
Peter: Smooth is the key word here. The ride of the Razor Excess 2 is just soft enough to make every step comfortable, just snappy enough to make things fun at tempo and just firm enough to keep them feeling efficient. They don’t have the super fun moon bounce of some other new foams, but they are a great feeling everyday light trainer or tempo trainer. At a recent trade show, Skechers were very excited about the ArchFit insole and I was skeptical, but now that I’ve run in a shoe with the ArchFit insole, I’m a believer. I think it really smooths out the ride and helps the overall harmony of this shoe.
Sam: As the others have said…smooth and particularly so at faster paces and not so much in the sand above! Not a soft ride or a bouncy ride but a springy one not only from Hyperburst foam which is clearly energetic and springy but from the H Plate which gives a clear impulse without overdoing a far to the front spring effect or overemphasizing the need to mid foot strike. Compared to the Excess 1, run side by side, the ride is clearly more cushioned and friendly especially upfront making a wide range of paces more feasible even with the plate in the mix. Clear credit to the ArchFit insole here and to what I sensed on the run and measured as very slightly softer foam. If you like a snappy faster paces training or even racing ride with springy but not overdone zip and comfort the Excess blends them well.
Beto: The shoe runs very smoothly and is lightweight and responsive. It has enough cushion with the H-Plate giving a nice springy ride that can be felt. The shoe is very versatile. I took them to a variety of paces and can go from easy to even race day paces as it is light and responsive. The shoe worked amazingly well during fartleks where I need it to go on and off. I enjoyed the shoe one every run. On rainy days the Goodyear rubber sticks to the road very well with no slipping which helped me feel more secure on the run.
Bryan: It seems that ‘smooth’ is the most frequently used term in this section of the review, and I second… wait, sixth it! In addition, words like energetic and responsive come to mind. The ride is cushioned and protective but is by no means soft. The ride is therefore versatile in its usage. I found the Razor Excess 2 to be an excellent choice for uptempo, longer runs and longer effort fartleks, on track, on the road and on Melbourne’s compact gravel running tracks.
However, for shorter track speed sessions and racing, I would look elsewhere, e.g. Reebok Floatride Run Fast Pro for track sessions and the Asics Metaspeed lineup for racing. But if you are looking for one shoe that is durable and could do all, the Razor Excess 2 might be it.
Mac: Did you know that “straightforward, easy, effortless, trouble-free, untroubled, well ordered, simple, plain-sailing” are all recognized synonyms of “smooth”? Let it never be said that I copied a review of my colleagues!
(But yeah, it’s pretty darn smooth ;-))
Again, if I am nitpicking, I probably prefer the v1 for true speed work… but I imagine this will scratch a lot of itches for a lot of runners on a lot of different types of runs. That, combined with practically zero midsole compression after 50 miles at my 215 pounds, should put this shoe near the top of anyone’s Do-Everything-Shoe list.
Conclusions and Recommendations
Renee: The Excess 2 provides a great cushion-weight ratio with a midsole ride that transitions well, especially with a midfoot strike. I thought the Excess 2 felt good at a variety of paces (easy, uptempo, and speed work), although it’s probably not a daily trainer or “easy/slow” day shoe. I found the Excess 2 feels the best for uptempo paces at mid-distances, but I like it so much I wore it for my easy days and 20 mile long run.
Renee’s Score: 9.5/10
(-.25 narrow toe box, -.25 forefoot landing firm)
Zack: Skechers really hit the mark with this shoe, and I am very happy this was my first Skechers running shoe experience. It provided everything that I wanted in a faster-paced road running shoe, with it being lightweight, cushioned, and responsive, all at a fair price of $140. All parts of it were great, with an upper that was both comfortable and lightweight, a grippy and nice outsole, and a cushioned and responsive midsole, but nothing being super outstanding or mind blowing.
Zack’s Score: 9.4/10
Peter: A great improvement on the Razor Excess 1, and a shoe completely worthy of the Razor lineage. The Razor Excess 2 actually does everything just right and nothing to “excess”. It’s not too soft, too firm, too bouncy or too heavy. The upper is excellent, breathable and comfortable and the shoe feels great on the road. I agree that it isn’t laugh out loud fun, but it’s a terrific lightweight daily trainer that has no problem going fast. At 8.8 oz for a men’s 11, it’s still plenty light and should last for many miles.
Peter’s Score: 9.5/10.
Sam: The Razor Excess 2 is a versatile trainer on the more uptempo side of the scale, Those seeking light and fast in a daily trainer can for sure consider it along with those looking for a more budget friendly long racer at $140. It has a great cushion to weight ratio, comfortable upper and an energetic combination of sufficient Hyperburst cushion and its new H plate for some propulsion and front stability. While it gained some weight to about 8 oz it is still on the very light side for its capabilities underfoot and for its comfortable and substantial upper and new and effective ArchFit which adds to cushion and support. It is a very successful update as it takes the edges off the predecessor firmer ride and thinner feeling forefoot while also significantly improving its upper comfort and hold.
Sam’s Score: 9.25/10
Ride 9.25 (50%): Energetic, fast, well enough cushioned. I think given the new plate the Excess could benefit from more heel cushion and more drop than 4mm drop to land transition more easily. Hyperburst could be a touch softer yet.
Fit (30%): A vastly improved near ideal upper could benefit from a touch more toe box room and softness
Value (15%): a superb value for a carbon infused plate durable and versatile shoe
Style: (5%): Subtle and sophisticated and quite a contrast from early Razor “Speed” billboards.
Beto: The Excess 2 is such a great shoe it can be your daily trainer but it is more uptempo oriented than your average daily trainer yet at the same time is very versatile at any pace. It has enough cushion to do long runs, is responsive for those tempo days and is light enough for race day. It is definitely a winner if you only want one shoe. The updates made the shoe even better than Excess v1. Thenew Hyper Arc, Arch Fit Insole and H-Plate worked together perfectly to make the shoe move very smoothly on every run with the upper holding the foot in place very comfortably and securely.
Beto's Score: 9.4 /10
Ride: 9.5 (50%) Fit: 9.3 (30%) Value: 9.0(15%) Style: 10 (5%)
Bryan: The Razor Excess 2 ticks a lot of boxes for me. It's versatile and a very capable shoe for longer and quicker runs. It is still very lightweight, notwithstanding the ‘hefty’ weight gain from v1, and compensates many times over through the improvements made to all aspects of the shoe. Whilst the retail price in Australia is still unknown, I suspect it will not stray far from the AUD $200 price tag of v1. That is superb value against competing plated training shoes. Overall, it is a fantastic everyday training option.
Bryan’s Score: 9.3/10
Ride 9.5 (50%) Fit 8.5 (30%) Value 10 (15%) Style 10 (5%)
This update to one of my all-time favorite shoes is one of my all-time favorite shoes. I am a little worried about the direction Skechers is taking this line with the extra softness of the midsole, but as it is, it should be on anyone’s list of Must-Try Shoes this quarter.
Joost:
I hope Skechers keep on churning out Hyperburst shoes with improved uppers for a long time. This one is the Razor (I’ve tried all of the different Razors) that has ticked the most boxes for me. It’s a pleasure to run in, no longer causes me blisters and doesn’t look half bad either. Recommended.
Joost’s Score: 9.4/10
Ride 9.8 (50%) Fit 9 (30%) Value 9 (15%) Style 9 (5%)
12 Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Skechers Razor Excess 1 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Razor Excess 2 is an improvement in every way. The upper is more comfortable. The blister issues I had with Excess 1 are gone, and the new Archfit insole adds a layer of cush. The ride is smoother, softer and somehow also feels more efficient.
Sam: Agreed with Peter. Faster, more forgiving, better fitting what’s not to like! The 1.3 oz weight gain is really not a negative here as we are still at 8 oz and end up with a much more versatile shoe.
Mac: Give me the upper of v2 with the midsole of v1, and I’d have probably my all-time favorite shoe. v1 for fast stuff, v2 for a little bit of everything.
Joost (M9.5 in both): Blisters vs. no blisters. Easy choice. V2 for the win.
Skechers Razor 3+ (RTR Review)
Peter: The Razor Excess adds a controlled maturity to the Razor line. I think the toe-box on the Razor 3 is a little tighter and the ride is a little softer. The Razor 3 can feel a little bit unstable at times, especially while cornering. The Razor Excess 2 feels snappier and a little more controllable.
Renee: Like Peter, I think the toe box on the original Razor 3 is slightly more narrow than the Razor Excess 2 (could be the upper/overlays). The Razor 3 has a better ground feel and works better for me as a speed day (intervals) or a tempo run shoe. The Razor 3 and Razor 3+ are fine for me at long distances, although I think the stack and cushion of the Excess 2 is better suited for 15+ miles. The Excess has a more prominent rocker from the forefoot while the Razor 3 and 3+ have a more traditional rocker/ride from the midfoot.
Mac: For a long time, it seemed like Hyperburst worked better the less of it there was. The v1 Excess was the first to capitalize on a larger helping of the foam in the midsole (after other attempts, like the Ride 8, came away feeling dull and clunky). I LOVE the Razor 3 and 3+, but the Excess does everything they do and do it better.
Joost (M9.5 in both): The Razor 3+ was basically a Razor with a looser upper (good for the blisters). With the added H plate, the Excess has the more stable ride. It feels more controllable, as Peter wrote.
Skechers GoRun Razor Elite Hyper (RTR Review)
Peter: Now that’s a lot of words for a shoe name. It’s a killer race shoe though. I’d highly recommend the Razor Elite Hyper to anyone who wants to race fast. I think it got overlooked, but it’s a hell of a shoe. The Razor Excess 2 makes an excellent training partner for the Elite. It’s still a great shoe for tempo runs and longer work and I’d certainly race a half marathon in the Excess.
Renee: In terms of ride, the Razor Elite feels more like the Razor 3 than the Excess. The midsole and ride are firm on the Razor Elite, and it doesn’t have enough comfort or cushion for me at a racing pace past the half marathon distance (I prefer the Razor 3/3+). For training and comfort for long distances, I’d choose the Excess 2. I had some discomfort on the ERazor Elite on the midfoot because of the thin tongue, which is not an issue with the Excess 2.
Joost (M10 in the Elite, 9.5 in the Excess): I really liked the ride of the Elite for fast work, and it’s incredibly light, but unfortunately, it was also very narrow, even half a size up and caused me blisters on my big toes.
Skechers Ride 9 (RTR Review)
Sam: The Ride 9 with more stack height at 28/34 and 2mm more drop weighs about the same in its current version. It slots in as a daily trainer to the Excess’s more uptempo feel in the line up. Ride 10 coming soon will get the H Plate and a similar upper and ArchFit so will gain some weight to an expected 8.78 oz / 248g so about 0.75 oz more than Excess.
Puma Deviate Nitro (RTR Review)
Sam: Also plated, the Deviate is an ounce heavier and more than double the drop at 10mm with that extra cushion felt most at the heel. As such it is easier to transition for me and somewhat more slower pace friendly. The Deviate has softer bouncier supercritical foam than Hyperburst. The plates are similar in feel and action with the Excess’s more isolated from the foot (2mm more stack) while also at the same time the midsole there feels firmer as Hyperburst is fimer. While the Skechers outsole is fine, if you really need grip or head on dirt the PumaGrip is superior. Both are true to size for me with a somewhat roomier toe box in the Deviate and better heel and mid foot hold in the Excess.
Joost (M9.5 in both): The Deviate Nitro feels like a shoe that’s a lot more built up than the Excess. The Puma feels more comfortable on my feet, and I might pick it for slower runs, but I prefer the ride of the Excess.
ASICS EVO Ride 2 (RTR Review)
Renee: I wore a women’s size 8 in both. The toebox room and overall length are very similar in both shoes. The EvoRide 2 has a much more prominent rocker from the forefoot, which made it feel somewhat clunky to me under the midfoot and heel. The Excess 2 ride and midsole are more responsive and more comfortable in comparison.
Joost (M9.5 in both): A very different ride in both shoes. The Evo Ride has that incredibly pronounced rocker effect and feels a bit more constricted because of it.
Hoka Mach 4 (RTR Review) and Mach Supersonic (RTR Review)
Peter: Even though they have about the same stack, the Mach feels like more shoe. I’d say that the Razor Excess is smoother, but if I was headed out for more than 12-14 I’d probably grab the Mach 4 first. The Supersonic didn’t really do it for me, and I’d probably go with the Razor over the Supersonic.
Bryan: Weighing it at almost exactly the same weight, 225g / 7.94oz in the Excess and 228g 8.04oz in the Mach 4, the Excess feels quicker and equally as stable with the implementation of the H Plate in the fore- to midfoot. The Mach 4 is definitely the more capable shoe for everyday runs and slower paces, as well as for longer efforts. I would say they are equally good shoes, but for different purposes.
Sam: The Supersonic is a plateless equivalent to the Excess with about the same stack height and with a somewhat bouncier vs here springier ride due to its bottom layer of rubberized foam midsole as outsole. Both have similar fitting more performance oriented uppers. I prefer the Supersonic for more moderate training uses as it is a bit more forgiving and more flexible than the rigid Excess while I lean to the Excess for faster efforts.
Joost (M9.5 in both): The Mach 4 is still one of my favorites, ever since I first reviewed it. Once in a while, I take it out for a spin, even with many hundred kilometers on them. The Excess is the faster shoe, but the Mach is more comfortable, even though it’s also quite narrow.
Nike Zoom Fly (RTR Review)
Zack: The Zoom Fly I have the most experience with is the Zoom Fly Flyknit, which is somewhat comparable to the newer version, moreso in the midsole than anything else. I would say the midsoles have a different feel, with the Zoom Fly having a firmer, more durable foam, but with a stiffer carbon fiber plate. On the other hand though, the Excess 2 has a soft, lightweight foam with a less-stiff plate as well. The upper of the Zoom Fly is definitely lighter weight, but not as comfortable as the Excess 2, so preference will be a factor for this one. Overall, both shoes are great for running; I would say the Zoom Fly is better for longer runs (due to the carbon fiber plate for running economy), while the Skechers is more so for faster paces, as it is lighter weight and has more responsive foam.
Mac: Respectfully disagree with Zack; the Zoom Fly came off feeling stiff for me - both in the upper and midsole - whereas the Excess feels light and springy. Excess for me all day.
Saucony Endorphin Speed (RTR Review)
Sam: Close competitors. I prefer the Speed’s flexible nylon plate to the more rigid H Plate of the Excess but it is close. The Excess is more stable at the rear and more slower pace friendly and versatile towards that end of the spectrum. For uptempo the Speed still reigns but if you need a shoe for a wider range of uses the lower cost Skechers is the way to go.
Beto: I agree with Sam, These two shoes share a similar feel but the Speed feels more bouncy and its nylon plate is more flexible. The Excess 2 feels more stable from heel to toe and is more versatile at a variety of paces especially at slower paces with the H-Plate feeling a bit more rigid than the nylon plate.
Bryan: I’ll chime in here and have to agree that the Endorphin Speed shares a similar feel to the Excess. However, I prefer the H Plate in the Excess which is a little snappier and I suppose more fit for purpose on quicker runs. It also offers better stability than that in the Speed. However, the Speed is bouncier and more forgiving. The Speed is definitely the more versatile of the two and if I had to pick a ‘one-shoe wardrobe’, the Speed reigns supreme, as it too is also capable of quicker paces.
Mac: I echo everything Bryan says exactly. I would also like to point out that we are comparing two of my favorite shoes of all time, so you really can’t go wrong here. But of course, you are going to get both anyway, right???
Saucony Freedom 5 (RTR Review)
Beto: The Freedom 5 is a versatile CrossFit/Gym/Runner shoe that works very well at a variety of paces but is best for uptempo workouts. The Freedom 5 is bouncy but a bit firm as it has an almost full coverage rubber outsole to keep everything more stable for gym workouts (and running). It has no plate and is made of PWRRUN PB (Peba), same as the Endorphin Speed and Pro, but without their plates. The Excess 2 is more of an uptempo trainer but it is very versatile. The midsole feeling is different but at faster pace the Hyperburst and H-Plate worked together delivering a very smooth ride. The Freedom feels more snappy and flexible and the Excess 2 more springy and more rockered thanks to the H-Plate. Can I do cross training and run in the Excess 2 I will say yes but it would not be my first choice.
Joost (M9.5 in both): The main difference here is that the Excess really feels like a running shoe. You can run in the Freedom 5, but you can’t kick the feeling that it would rather be at the gym.
Puma Velocity Nitro 2 (RTR Review)
Renee: I wore a women’s size 8 in both shoes. The Velocity Nitro 2 is slightly longer and for that reason, has more room in the toebox. The 4mm drop and geometry of the Excess 2 work better for me than the higher drop Velocity Nitro 2. For all distances and paces, I’d choose the Excess 2. The Velocity Nitro 2 can work better as a traditional daily trainer, especially for those wanting a higher drop shoe.
New Balance Rebel v2 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Rebel is hard to beat for me. I love the bouncy, soft, energetic and fun ride. Personally I’d choose it over the Razor just for the fun factor, but I wouldn’t be mad if you told me I had to take out the Razor Excess 2 instead.
Renee: The Rebel 2 is one of my favorite road shoes. The Excess 2 has more cushion and firmness under the heel and midfoot, making it a better long distance shoe in my opinion (although I have ran the Rebel 2 up to 18 miles). The Rebel 2 has a more natural landing for me at the midfoot, while the Excess 2 has a more prominent rocker from the forefoot. For shorter, faster, and more natural strides, I’d choose the Rebel 2. For long distance tempo runs, especially when I want the help of a plate, I’d choose the Excess 2. I wore a women’s size 8 in both; the toebox on the Excess 2 is slightly more narrow.
Beto: The Rebel v2 is a good comparisson but for me the Rebel v2 feels more bouncy and energetic at faster paces. The Excess 2 has that responsive and smooth ride that I enjoyed so much and it is also more stable so I’ll take the Excess 2 for longer runs and Rebel v2 for shorter runs.
Joost (M9.5 in both): I never officially reviewed the Rebel 2 and got a pair pretty late in the game, late last year, and I absolutely love them. I’ve run everything in it, from strides to long runs. It’s less durable than the Excess (my upper burst open after 450km of rough treatment), but is more fun.
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Tested samples were provided at no charge for review purposes by Skechers. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased through affiliate links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'
3 comments:
Hello RTR team,
Odd comparison request, but can you compare the ride of the Razor Excess 2 to the Razor TRL? I have actually found the Razor TRL (with lugs shaved down) to be a great long range road shoe. Thanks! #razor3forever
Hello RTR team,
Odd comparison request, but in the spirit of all things hyperburst, could you compare Excess 2 ride to the Razor TRL? I find it to be a fantastic road shoe (with lugs shaved down). Appreesh! #originalRazor3forever
Hi Irwin, with you on TRL! A bit less shoe but its plate gives it a more all around any terrain and road ride. Razor Excess clearly more substantial. TRL IS Road race flat meets trail speedster! My favorite Skechers ever. I wear tested for them going through 5 slightly different plates and picked the production one with lots of the testing on road A/B different plates to find the differences. Sam, Editor
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