Article by Peter Stuart, Jeff Beck, Mac Jeffries, and Derek Li
Skechers GOrun Max Road 6 ($130
Introduction
The Skechers Max Road 6 is the latest iteration of, you guessed it, a max cushioned daily trainer. With a 41mm heel and a 35 mm forefoot, this is one stacked shoe. The shoe weighs in at about 10.9 oz and features a carbon infused “H plate” to help keep things moving forward.
Pros:
Not too mushy considering all the foam Peter / Jeff B/ Mac / Derek
Relatively stable Peter / Jeff B/ Mac / Derek
Great outsole that will run forever Peter / Jeff B / Mac / Derek
More traditional build (not prior pods/columns) midsole leads to zero collapse Jeff B
Comfortable, adaptable upper: Mac
Strong value at $130 for a max cushion plated shoe with supercritical foam
Cons:
So high up off the ground that there’s almost no proprioception. Peter
Upper could be more breathable Peter / Jeff B / Derek
Feels a bit heavy. Peter / Jeff B / Mac / Derek
Tongue is ridiculously over-padded Peter/ Jeff B
Stats
Weight: 10.9oz / 309g (Men’s 9) / 8.5oz/241g (Women’s 7)
Samples: men’s 12.17 oz / 345 g US10.5, 11.25oz/319g
Stack Height: men’s 41mm heel / 35mm forefoot ( 6mm drop spec)
$130. Available now at our partners including Running Warehouse HERE
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Peter: The Skechers Maxroad 6 is a pretty basic looking old school upper on top of a huge whack of foam. The tongue is way too padded adding to the hotboxing that my foot gets from the somewhat dense engineered mesh. Fit is good. The shoes I got were a half size smaller than what I usually wear, but didn’t take any toenails or produce any blood. Overall the upper feels a bit claustrophobic to me.
Jeff B: Peter isn’t wrong, there’s an element to this shoe that screams “standard issue dad shoe” outside of the super fluorescent yellow colorway. It’s not terrible looking, just a little blah. I appreciate that Skechers Performance has gotten away from the individual column/pods that they’ve used in the last few models of the Max Road.
As a heavy weight supinator that spends a lot of time on the lateral edge of every shoe, I could absolutely feel previous iterations’ columns collapse as I landed on them. So while it is a big block of solid foam, the new geometry helps keep the shoe from being overly dynamic in all kinds of ways you don’t want (seriously, I had a 200% blister rate any time I took the MR3 longer than 2 miles).
The fit is true-to-size lengthwise, and overall the width is about average. I wouldn’t mind just a bit more room in the toebox, but it isn’t cramped - I just always appreciate a wide setup in the forefoot.
The engineered mesh upper has reinforced overlays throughout the shoe, with a fairly beefy heel counter all the way to a slightly reinforced toe bumper.
They’ve gone fairly standard with the heel collar being decently padded, though I experienced an odd fit a few of the times I ran in them that I had to really get my heel planted before lacing them, otherwise I’d get some slip.
I couldn’t replicate it on purpose, but it happened a few times. If it was more common I’d just use the extra eyelets for a runner’s loop, which usually kills any heel slip issues, but it wasn’t enough to bother. They did include a heel pull tab - and unlike so many others, this one is very well thought out and very functional. We’ve reviewed more than a few shoes over the last year with really cool looking, and completely impractical pull tabs, so I always appreciate that.
The overlays and extra 3D-printed layers of the upper are no joke. It’s a toasty shoe. The tongue isn’t plush, it’s way beyond what most plush shoes have, which makes for a pretty comfortable upper - though I’d imagine it’ll be more popular in fall and winter.
Mac Man, it always feels cool to receive a pair of shoes that come in a bag instead of a box. Makes it feel like someone snuck these off of the assembly line to smuggle them to the RTR wear testers.
I hope you can hear all of our thoughts over the color of the Max Road; this neon is LOUD! Personally, I dig it.
My 13.5E foot had no issues with the 14s that I received. The sock-like upper adapts to the shape of my foot nicely, even if I do need to cinch it down a little harder for serious runs. Some of my colleagues complained about the overly padded tongue; in my experience, I was GRATEFUL for the padding, which allowed me to cinch the laces down without any discomfort.
Midsole
Peter: Perhaps there is too much foam underfoot in the MaxRoad 6. It utilizes the same Hyperburst Ice foam that is featured in the Ride 11, but more of it. Because of this there’s very little feeling of the road. There’s a “carbon infused” H plate under the front of the shoe, but it doesn’t propel you forward the way it does in the Ride 11.
The foam, while very thick, isn’t particularly mushy.
Jeff B: This midsole is massive, and despite the large stack, it isn’t remotely mushy. The H-plate may help, though I think the plate played a bigger role when the midsole would inherently collapse, this very stout midsole doesn’t seem to need much reinforcement. I’ve long held Skechers Performance Hyperburst as one of the best midsole materials on the market, and the followup Hyperburst Ice here in a dual density with a firmer outer carrier of what we are used to with Hyperburst and a softer inner carrier doesn’t change much from the original flavor.
Inside the shoe there’s two things that set it apart from so many of its brethren: it’s the most built up Skechers insole I’ve ever run on, and there’s no partially finished liner underneath the insole inviting you to remove the insole altogether if you’d like a slightly less cushioned/more roomy fit. The insole has pretty substantial cushioning, especially around the arch, and bears the ARCHFIT label. For what it’s worth, I didn’t notice it much while running, either good or bad, but it definitely plays a part in one of the most cushioned shoes out there.
Mac: Hyperburst still has a special place in my heart, as Skechers was the first company to truly challenge Nike’s Zoom X foam with its supercritical Hyperburst. Oddly, what I have historically noticed about Hyperburst is that it seemed to perform better the less of it there was: it would get mushy when used in large deep amounts. The H plate used in the Max Road 6 - as well as in the Razor Excess - perfectly rectified that phenomenon. The end result is a highly cushioned trainer with zero sluggishness.
Outsole
Peter: The Goodyear outsole is a durable, grippy and has lots of rubber. Works well and will last “forever”.
Jeff B: I appreciate all the branded rubbers we’re seeing, and Goodyear outsoles have always been impressive. This is no different, with great performance in both traction and durability. Between the overbuilt upper, midsole, and insole, this shoe truly might never wear out. They designed the outsole with some gaps in the rubber, but the shoe doesn’t have much flexibility - though the exposed midsole isn’t a concern, and anything they can do to help keep the weight down is appreciated.
Mac: Once again, Skechers has hit a home run in their partnership with Goodyear. This partnership - along with the one of Adidas + Continental - remain the gold standards in outsole partnerships. Exceptional expected durability, zero slippage on wet pavement, and the grooves work perfectly with the flex point of the foot. A+
Derek: GoodYear rubber never fails to disappoint when it comes to durability and grip. Don’t expect any big surprises here. I have to say, I am not sure if moving away from the old podded design is necessarily the best move for the shoe. There is a lot more rubber coverage which would be good for durability, but it surely adds more weight to the shoe, and i think it also takes away from the torsional flexibility that the MR 4 and 5 had so transitions are a little less smooth at mid-stance. I do know that people have complained about the rubber pods having premature glue separation from the midsole in the past, so perhaps this more traditional outsole approach is an attempt to remedy that.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Peter: The ride is a bit detached from the road. The MaxRoad is well cushioned without being mushy, but lacks some of the fun factor that I get from the Skechers Ride 11 which while also massively cushioned doesn’t get to the heights of the Max having 7mm less stack front and back.. The upper is a bit dated and the tongue is way too thick. Overall a decent recovery day shoe/daily trainer for some but, for me, is likely to stay at home while I go frolic around in the Ride 11 (RTR Review). If you want a ton of protection and don’t mind hot feet, the MaxRoad is a good choice.
Peter: 7.5/10
I wanted to like the Max Road 6 more than I did. It pales next to its stable partner the Ride 11 . Overall not a lot of fun to run in, though very protective. I think the Ride 11 is pretty much as Max as I can take.
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Jeff B: Peter nailed it. It doesn’t have the same super bouncy (and kind of out of control nature) the Max Road 3/4/5 flirted with, though I don’t think that’s completely a bad thing. It’s not the most fun shoe, but it does make for a great easy day or recovery shoe, especially for bigger runners. The upper and heat retention can be an issue, but if you are getting out first thing in the morning, it’s not a deal breaker for a supremely cushioned shoe. It might be the best value in a running shoe at $130, I could see this thing lasting almost until the heat death of the universe with that thick of a midsole, that overbuilt of an upper, that robust of a midsole, and rhwn paired with Goodyear rubber. While it isn’t nearly as exciting as other versions, it’s much easier to live with.
Jeff B: 8.55/10
Ride (50%): 8 Fit (30%): 9 Value (15%): 10 Style (5%): 7
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Mac: I have a much higher opinion of these than my colleagues. Possibly because I am a larger runner, currently 220 lbs, the ride is exactly what I want in a highly cushioned trainer. Lots of energy return, very little mushiness, and plenty of shock absorption. Great recovery day shoe, and larger runners should even consider these for longer races. For the money ($130), these are a no-brainer for me.
Derek: The ride of the MaxRoad 6 is very plush and springy, with a nice forward roll at easy paces. I did find myself struggling to hold the pace if i picked it up in this shoe so i’d say it’s best use case is easy recovery runs. This is quite different from the MR4+ and 5 for me, where i was quite happy using those shoes for longer runs up to moderate and uptempo paces, and where the slower recovery paces didn’t in fact feel as smooth and forgiving.
I would also say that if you run in warm conditions, you might start to feel the heat build-up after 6 miles or so. I know i started to feel the sockliner heat up as the runs progressed.
I do want to point out that this is one of the more stable max cushion shoes for me, especially when you consider how relatively soft the heel is in this shoe. I think it comes down to the relatively wide heel footprint and the raised midsole sidewalls. If you like max cushion shoes but need a little more heel stability, this could be the ideal shoe for you.
Overall, I’d say Skechers now has a good recovery day shoe in the line-up, but it’s not a shoe i would readily use for long runs in Singapore. I was also somewhat disappointed in the big weight increment over the previous version. Yes the stacks are higher now, and there is a lot more outsole coverage, but this is supposed to be ameliorated somewhat by advances in midsole foam technology.
The MaxRoad 6 was a 70g jump from v5 for my size, a near-3oz jump, which is a lot to swallow. I expect a lot more wow from the ride and i didn’t quite get enough of a ride improvement here.
Derek’s Score: 8.525 / 10
Ride (50%) 8 Fit (30%) 9.5 Value (15%) 8.5 Style (5%) 8
Smiles Score 😊😊😊
11 Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Skechers Max Road 6 vs. Max Road 5 (RTR Review)
Peter: The 5 felt a bit mushier and, for me, a bit easier to run in. The 5 is about half an ounce lighter than the 6.
Jeff B: The 5’s plate was necessary for me to stay upright so I didn’t collapse the outer pods with my front supinating landing, and it ran much lighter and bouncier. The 6 cleanly slots in as a well-cushioned daily trainer/recovery shoe, while I never quite figured out where the 5 fit into my rotation.
Skechers Max Road 6 vs.GO Run Ride 11 (RTR Review)
Peter: the Ride 11 is the hands down winner here. Plenty cushioned while still being fun and fast.
Jeff B: As a parent you look for teachable moments of “too much of a good thing”, which is why I’m going to make my 9-year-old read this review. The GRR11 shares more DNA with the Max Road 6 than it does with previous GRRs, but the 11’s restraint works better, and makes it a much easier shoe to recommend for daily use. And for the slow/easy/recovery stuff, it still has plenty of cushioning for that.
Skechers Max Road 6 vs. Hoka Bondi 8 (RTR Review)
Jeff B: The Bondi has been the max king of the road for years, but I think it may have been dethroned. In head-to-head, the Bondi platform is wider, with the interior space is much tighter, especially in the arch and toebox. The MR6 midsole is miles better, feeling both more dynamic and overall much more cushioned. The Bondi upper is more breathable, even though it’s a heavier shoe.
Skechers Max Road 6 vs. NB Fresh Foam More (RTR Review)
Jeff B: I missed out on the FFMv4, but I did review the 3. Very similar to the Bondi, the FFMv3 has tons of cushioning, but it doesn’t feel nearly as good as the Hyperburst Ice in the MR6. Its upper is a step up from the MR6, but otherwise the Skechers Performance is the better shoe.
Skechers Max Road 6 vs.ASICS Nimbus 25 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Nimbus and the Max Road both just feel a bit slow to me. A little ponderous on the ground and not the snappiest of shoes. Pretty similar.
Jeff B: Nimbus 25 was a massive step forward for the Nimbus line, and it felt truly max cushion - but against the Max Road 6 it feels …just well cushioned. The N25 has a much softer landing, and actually has a “sinking in” feeling compared to the MR6. The N25 upper is also a big step up and even though it’s still uber plush, it’s much more breathable and comfortable.
Skechers Max Road 6 vs.ASICS Superblast (RTR Review)
Superblast is far lighter and far more expensive.
Derek: I am true to size in MaxRoad 6, while i went a half size down in the Superblast. The Superblast is noticeably harsher underfoot, but is a whole lot smoother and more efficient at faster paces. At the same time, MaxRoad shines at easy paces while the Superblast does not like to go slow at all. In terms of versatility, the Superblast is the more fun shoe to own.
Skechers Max Road 6 vs.Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 (RTR Review)
Jeff B: The Endorphin Shift is much firmer, though both have similar stacks, and has a pronounced rocker. The bounce of the Max Road 6 is muted compared to early Max Road models, but is a world away from the borderline dull ride of the Saucony PWRRUN midsole.
Skechers Max Road 6 vs. Hoka Clifton 9 (RTR Review)
Peter: The Clifton feels softer but somehow more responsive and easier to push through miles. For sheer cushion I’d consider Clifton, for a bit more of a standard trainer on Max volume perhaps the Max Road. The Clifton has a better upper for sure.
Mac: I offer this comparison because each uses a slab of Hyperburst coupled with an H plate to mitigate mushiness. MR6 for training; Excess for races for me.
Skechers Max Road 6 vs Puma Magnify Nitro 1 (RTR Review)
Derek: I am true to size in both shoes. The Magnify Nitro was the first shoe that came to mind as a comparison when I went for that first run in the MaxRoad 6. They are very similar in terms of thickness of the upper and outsole performance. Magnify is a little more traditional in terms of midsole feel, and is consequently a more stable shoe for me, while the MaxRoad 6 is softer and bouncier. I see myself using both shoes for very similar types of runs: the kind of run where you need to squeeze out that extra 5-6 miler on dead legs. I am currently leaning more towards the MaxRoad 6 as the recovery shoe of choice.
Skechers Max Road 6 vs Nike Zoom Invincible 1 & 2 (RTR Review)
Derek: I am true to size in all 3 models. I had major issues with hot spots on the inside of the 1st met head with Invincible 1. This was better with Invincible 2 though it would occasionally happen deep into longer 13 milers. So far in terms of comfort and hot spots, the Max Road 6 is the best of the lot, though the overall warmth of the upper is highest among the 3. The Invincibles are softer and bouncier,but also tend to bottom out a little for me, making MR6 the more cushioned shoe with less ground feel. I want to point out that I don't own the Invincible 3 so am unable to comment on that model. Overall, and perhaps somewhat of a surprise even to myself, the Max Road 6 is the best of the bunch for me now, if I want to go for a recovery run. I think i might lean more toward Invincible 2 if I were aiming for a little bit more of a moderate pace.
Tester Profiles
Peter lives in Austin, Texas and has been a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a 1:21 half marathoner in recent years.
Jeff Beck is the token slow runner of the RTR lineup, and as such his viewpoints on shoe and gear can differ from those who routinely finish marathons in three hours or less. Jeff runs 20 miles per week on roads and trails around Denver, CO (and sometimes on the treadmill when the weather gets too much for a Phoenix native). Jeff only got into running in his 30s, as a result his career PR's are 4:07 for the marathon and 5K at 23:39. Jeff has finished several ultra marathons, from 50K up to 50 miles, and is still debating if he wants to go down that road again.
Mac is a former 275 lbs American football defensive lineman who took up running at age 30. Now, at 6’4” (193cm) 220 lbs (91kg) , he has PRs of 19:19, 1:33:34, and 3:19:20. He coaches high school runners.
Derek is in his 40’s and trains 70-80 miles per week at 7 to 8 minute pace in mostly tropical conditions in Singapore. He has a 2:39 marathon PR from the 2022 Zurich Marathon.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes.RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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