Article by Courtney Kelly, Sally Reiley, Renee Krusemark, and Zack Dunn
Skechers Aero Tempo ($170)
Introduction
Courtney: The Skechers Tempo is the last to be released in the Skechers’ new Aero line and I think it's safe to say it’s a “save the best for last” scenario. The Aero Tempo has an aggressive geometry that is begging to go fast. With the successful Aero Spark (RTR Review), a daily trainer with surprisingly good responsiveness, on its heels I was excited to see what the Tempo had to offer.
Pros:
Very stable: Courtney
Responsive yet natural feel: Courtney, Sally, Renee, Zack
Great outsole grip/worked well in wet weather: Courtney, Sally, Renee, Zack
Very secure forefoot hold (but combined with very poor heel hold) : Sally, Zack
Great during warm ups and recoveries. Not an “only fast” shoe: Courtney
Cons:
Some heel slippage though less noticeable on the run: Courtney
Crazy heel lift and slippage, even with runner’s loop: Sally/Renee/Zack
Outsole cutouts vulnerable to rocks getting stuck: Courtney
Tongue tends to slide down and buckle over itself, causing lace bite at the top with the knot above the tongue: Sally, Zack
Very low heel collar: Sally/Renee
Skinny strings for shoe laces that are too short: Sally, Zack
Stats
Sample Weights:
women’s 8.85 oz / 222g US9; 7.4oz / 210g US W8
Stack Height: 37 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot
Platform Width: 76mm heel / 50mm midfoot / 100mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Courtney: I’m not completely in love with the “Coral” colorway that reads more fluorescent orange than beachy coral. Sally so accurately compared them to a traffic cone in her instagram post. The good news is, the color of the shoe isn’t going to make or break it for me. Plus, there is a more subtle color option available.
The laces are quite thin and the lockdown was trickier than competitors. The thinness of the lace was a bit of a concern combined with the minimally padded tongue. There is some noticeable heel slipping as lockdown in the heel isn’t great.
The heel cup sits deeper than it looks from the exterior of the shoe, but the proportions seem off. The padding inside hits the heel directly rather than sitting above the calcaneus to cup the foot well.
The race-like upper is a coated wide woven, single-layer mesh, creating great breathability and a firm hold over most of the foot. I did a speed/hill workout in moderate rain and I found the performance impressive. I barely noticed the water in them and I was surprised to find them dry just a few hours after my run. More on wet weather performance in my outsole comments below.
Renee: I think the heel hold might be a common theme across reviews of the Aero Tempo. The shoe has padding across the heel collar and counter, but there’s heel slippage nonethless. The padding seems too minimal on the heel counter to make a difference in providing security, which can be seen (somewhat) in the creases in the padding (below pic).
It’s not all bad news, as the shoe runs well despite this issue. Otherwise, the upper fit is good. The forefoot is secure yet roomy. The midfoot security is good for average to narrow width feet. I recommend true to size. If between half sizes, consider a half size down.
Sally: What is with all the shoe brands coming out with safety cone orange colorways? Skechers calls this coral, but the Aero Tempo is truly an eye-catching fluorescent safety orange and a crazy looking shoe.
I was duly impressed with the Aero Burst (RTR Review), Skechers new more cushioned daily trainer, the Aero Spark (RTR Review) being the third in the series and the lighter trainer, so I was excited to run in the Aero Tempo. I must also admit that I am very biased in favor of shoes that like to run fast and make tempo paces feel easier and more attainable.
The Aero Tempo fits true to size but the aforementioned challenge of heel lift is apparent immediately.
The full plate makes the shoe rigid, yet the heel cup is low and not overly padded, constructed of the same suede-like thin material as the tongue.
The tongue has multiple mesh-like slits for ventilation and the laces… well, they are more like skinny strings.
After the first few strides I had to stop and resort to a runner’s knot to help mitigate the heel lift, and those thin laces were basically too short. The forefoot fit and hold is solid, so if you don’t need to land on your heel you are good!
Zack: The upper on the Skechers Aero Tempo was a bit of a mixed experience. On the positive side, the shoe offers excellent breathability thanks to its lightweight engineered mesh, which kept my feet cool even during extended sessions in warmer weather. The midfoot lockdown was another strength, once locked in, the shoe gave a confident fit for uptempo efforts.
However, the heel counter felt too thin which led to a unsecure lockdown in the heel, occasionally causing some small heel slippage.
Additionally, I experienced some discomfort around the lateral forefoot, where hotspots began to develop during longer runs.
My final gripe of the upper was the tongue/laces, as I am not the biggest fan of thin tongue and laces combo, as I feel like it really cinches too much on the top of my foot. Overall, I felt pretty neutral about the upper, strong breathability and midfoot security, but had a bit of heel, tongue/laces, and toe issues. In all honesty, I would say the upper is probably the worst part of the shoe for me.
Midsole & Platform
Courtney:The midsole and platform of the Skechers Tempo is what truly shines here. Hyper Burst is a super critically foamed EVA creating a soft and bouncy ride; the same foam we saw in the Aero Spark. The Tempo features an aggressive geometry that works in conjunction with the foam and plate to roll you forward.
The heel bevel starts behind the shoe, coming under the heel at a steep angle to make those transitions super smooth even at slower paces. As a runner that heel strikes more at slower paces, this bevel is important during recoveries, warmups and cooldowns.
At the forefoot we see a sharp forefoot rocker similar to the Hoka Rocket X3. Shoes like the Boston 13 and Endorphin Speed 5 have slightly less sharp angles. The result is a fast and smooth transition. In combination with the full length plate that adds to a rigid and propulsive toe off, the Aero Tempo keeps you rolling through the miles.
Although the rear platform is somewhat narrow and there is not much sole flare, the Tempo rides quite stable overall.
It proved agile on turns and capable over uneven surfaces, like my not so favorite bumpy sidewalks. I believe this is in part due to the winged full length plate. The winglets provide that extra support at the midfoot despite the midsole cutouts. I picked up a pebble in the forefoot groove on one of my runs. So there is a risk of this when running off road. Fine during training, not so much during a race.
Renee: Courtney has a great description of the midsole. The shoe has an aggressive geometry that is rigid given the plate but it rides smoother than expected after my initial strides.
The midsole has some give to it if running with a quick cadence, making the shoe great at moderate paces (ie not just tempo paces). Just standing in the shoe, it feels like a negative drop because the heel is soft and rocketed and the forefoot is firmer and rigid (as are many plated trainers). Initially, I thought the shoe would require too fast of a forefoot landing to be comfortable, but that’s not the case.
Sally: The midsole is definitely the highlight of this shoe. It is responsive without being too bouncy, and the forefoot is firm for a quick toe-off. The rocker geometry is very noticeable in a good way, and your foot rolls nicely forward with a pleasant smoothness. I found it plenty stable and it holds well laterally even when cornering. Every run I went on ended up being a progression run because the shoe encourages a quickening pace, and it feels better when the cadence is quicker.
Zack: Where the Aero Tempo truly excels is in the midsole. Skechers loaded this shoe with their Hyper Burst foam, a supercritical EVA compound that delivers a soft yet responsive feel underfoot. Paired with a full-length carbon-infused H-Plate, the midsole offers a great balance of snappiness and cushioning without feeling overly stiff or aggressive. The result is a smooth, rolling transition from landing to toe-off that made this shoe optimal for tempo runs and progressive long runs.
While it doesn’t quite have the snappiness or aggression of a true racing shoe, it fills the gap between daily trainer and race-day performance perfectly. For runners looking for a versatile workout shoe that’s fast but still forgiving, the Aero Tempo hits that sweet spot. I would say it is very comparable midsole to an Adidas EVO Sl, or Zoom Fly 6, see my comparisons below.
Outsole
Courtney:The outsole of the Aero Tempo sports a decoupled rear and forefoot Goodyear rubber which provides excellent traction. Deep grooves into the foam on either side of the midfoot allow some side to side flex, but overall the shoe is quite rigid. The Tempo did well in the rain and I had no problem navigating sidewalks, puddles and wet slightly slippery surfaces during a hill repeat workout. I tend to be very timid when conditions aren’t dry, so this really speaks to the grip of the shoe. There is no wear and tear on my pair yet and I expect solid durability.
Renee: The platform of the shoe is wide enough under the forefoot, although the midfoot portion is a bit sparse. From a visual standpoint, the shoe looks as if it would be much more unstable than it runs. Like others, I ran through water, washed out crushed rock and small sections of pavement. I was cautious but the traction was good.
I had no issues with small rock/pebbles trapping in the grooves until I stepped through some unavoidable light mud. Even then, the amount accumulated was minimal.
Sally: The Goodyear rubber of this outsole is fantastic, grippy and quiet and most likely also very durable. I ran in a downpour one day with heavy rain and puddles and the traction was impressive. My feet were wet, but I did not slip. I have not had any issues with stones catching in the grooves, even when running on gravel. All in all a great outsole!
Zack: There’s nothing innovative about the outsole, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Skechers kept things simple here with a durable Goodyear rubber coverage pattern that grips reliably across a range of surfaces. Whether on dry pavement or slightly wet roads, I never had worries about traction. The rubber placement also contributes to the smoothness of the ride by only having it where it matters, also saving weight in the process. While it won’t wow you with anything, the outsole gets the job done in all the ways that matter.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Courtney: Despite some initial fit concerns, the Tempo still runs beautifully. It’s especially comfortable during workouts when paces change frequently and agility is necessary. It is stable, natural and speedy when you need it to be. Although not the softest or most resilient foam, the tradeoff is a firm and poppy toe off. For its reasonable price point, I think the Tempo is a great investment for your long runs, up-tempo workouts, intervals and for some a decent race shoe. For the price of $170, that's a sound investment.
Courtney Score: 8.80/10
Ride (50%):9, responsive, stable but not my fastest shoe
Fit (30%): 8, areas of concern at the heel.
Value (15%):10, great value for a uptempo trainer
Style (5%): 8
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Renee: I enjoyed all of my miles in the Aero Tempo, from 8 milers to 14 milers and at moderate to tempo paces. I enjoyed them, but I never looked forward to them mostly because of the heel lift/security.
The shoe is fairly stable despite the narrow platform under the midfoot and heel. I was careful when running over rutted crushed rock, but neutral runners will find it stable enough especially on paved surfaces. The heel hold is the major issue with this shoe, and it’s not a shoe I would choose for short intervals or speed workouts for that reason. As the name suggests, this shoe is for tempo paces although it feels fine at moderate and easy paces too.
At $170, the cost is on par with other plated trainers. The shoe can work as a racing shoe, but it won’t be as capable as the more race-orientated (and pricer) shoes. As someone who prefers a non-plated daily trainer, I’d choose the Aero Spark (RTR Review) over this shoe if I’m looking only at Skechers. I enjoy HyperBurst (since the Razor 3, one of my favorites) and with a few tweaks to the heel hold, the Aero Tempo would make a great uptempo and distance shoe.
Renee’s Score: 8.45/10
Ride (50%) 9/10, Fit 7/10 (30%), Value 9.5/10 (15%), Style 8.5/10 (5%)
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Sally: The struggles with the heel hold were real for me and definitely influenced my overall thoughts on this shoe. I also had serious issues with the tongue slipping down during the run and bunching up at the bottom, resulting in a painful lace bite where the skinny string knot of the runner’s loop dug into the top of my foot. I made it through one 12 mile run at a fairly decent clip, but then I developed a nasty blister on the medial edge of the big toe on the next run.
All of my fit issues (I have a slightly narrow foot and fit issues like this with an upper are unusual) have unfortunately detracted from my appreciation of the well done midsole and the great foam. Skechers has come a long way in the performance run category and this Aero line shows much promise, especially the cushy Aero Burst (RTR Review). The Aero Tempo has not worked well for me because of my fit issues with the upper, especially the heel lift, but that does not mean it isn’t a good shoe for other runners. This is why Road Trail Run does multi-tester reviews!
Sally’s score: 7.95 / 10
Ride (50%): 8.5 Fit (30%): 6.0 Value (15%): 9.8 Style (5%): 8.5
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Zack: The ride of the Skechers Aero Tempo hits a sweet spot for specific types of workouts. I used it for a range of sessions, including a 10x 30 sec. on / 2:30 moderate fartlek, split tempos like 2x4 miles, and an 18-mile long run that worked down to tempo pace. It performed exceptionally well across all of them. The Hyper Burst foam combined with the H-Plate provides a smooth, stable, and responsive feel that really shines at moderate to moderately-hard efforts.
It excels when you're locked into tempo or moderate pace, with a natural rolling sensation that makes cruising at those speeds efficient and comfortable. However, the shoe isn’t very versatile, as it's too structured and aggressive for easy days, and a bit too heavy and not aggressive enough for short, high-intensity intervals. Heel slippage also became slightly noticeable during faster work, but never taking away from the ride.
The Aero Tempo is a strong pick for runners looking for a dedicated workout shoe that thrives in the middle-intensity range, such as tempo runs, longer intervals, and progression long runs. It fills the workout shoe role well, offering enough cushion for longer miles while maintaining a performance feel. Just don’t expect it to double as a daily trainer or race-day option. If you already have a softer recovery shoe and a true racer in your rotation, the Aero Tempo fits neatly in between, delivering efficient, comfortable miles when you need to push.
Zack’s Score: 8.5/10
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7 Comparisons
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 (RTR Review)
Courtney: The Endorphin Speed 5 is another snappy trainer and a popular pick for many. The upper in the Speed 5 is less snug at the forefoot and the mesh is more forgiving than the Skechers AeroTempo’s. The Speed 5 has good hold on the foot with a well cushioned heel collar, tongue and lacing. The Tempo has a pared down upper and feels more akin to the Vaporfly upper.
When running there is more under the forefoot in the Tempo. You can feel the lower drop height, with a little more propulsion from the foam and plate combo. The Speed 5 is more flexible in the forefoot which for me doesn’t provide quite as much energy return as the Tempo does. I think I would choose the Tempo for speedier interval sessions and the Endorphin for uptempo longer runs.
Renee: I ran in Speed 4 not the v5. Courtney has a good comparison. The Tempo has a more secure upper in the forefoot and midfoot, but the heel hold is not great. The Tempo’s ride has a bit more snap and energy while the Speed seems more user friendly at all paces. Sizing is comparable.
Adizero Boston 13 (RTR Review)
Courtney: In the same uptempo category, The Boston has a complex arrangement of foams and energy rods that can really propel you forward at the right pace. Although lower in stack height at 36mm/30mm and 235grams, the Boston is heavier and more specific to uptempo uses. I found the AeroTempo does well at a variety of paces and can be used for many different kinds of training or racing.
Adidas Adizero SL EVO (RTR Review)
Zack: The Adidas Adizero SL is a close comparison to the Skechers Aero Tempo. Both shoes bridge the gap between daily trainers and racing shoes with soft yet responsive midsoles for tempo and long progression work. The Lightstrike Pro foam in the Evo SL provides comparable cushioning and smoothness to Hyper Burst Pro, but lacks the full plate of the Aero, having an under the midfoot small shank. The Evo SL’s upper is more secure, comfortable, and affordable, making it a better choice for most runners seeking value and comfort in this workout shoe category.
Zoom Fly 6 (RTR Review)
Zack: The Nike Zoom Fly 6 fills a similar role but executes it quite differently. While the Aero Tempo feels smoother and a bit more forgiving over longer efforts, the Zoom Fly 6 comes across as clunkier and heavier on foot. However, it makes up for it with a noticeably stiffer carbon plate and more responsive ZoomX foam, offering more pop during uptempo runs or generally faster efforts. The upper on the Zoom Fly is also a step above, as it provides better lockdown and structure, especially at the heel, making it more reliable for fast work. Despite being around $10 more, I’d choose the Zoom Fly 6 if you’re prioritizing snappier turnover and upper security, especially for higher-intensity efforts.
Hoka Mach X2 (RTR Review)
Renee: The Mach 2 has a more stable platform and works better on a mix of terrain/surfaces for that reason. The Tempo has more responsiveness from an aggressive forefoot. Both shoes have heel counter issues. For truly uptempo paces, the Tempo. For long runs, the Mach 2. Sizing is comparable.
Skechers Aero Spark (RTR Review)
Courtney: A much more flexible daily trainer, the Aero Spark is a responsive and comfortable companion to the Tempo. The H-plate in the Spark allows for some structure within the foam, but is still quite flexible and bouncy. We see the same solid midfoot/forefoot hold, but lack of hold at the heel. The Spark ran long while the Tempo is true to size.
Renee: I agree with Courtney. The Aero Spark is a good daily trainer. The plate helps with structure not necessarily responsiveness wherein the plate in the Tempo does the opposite. For the price, as someone who doesn’t like to train in aggressive plated-shoes several times each week, the Spark is a far better and more cost-efficient choice. Both ran long for me as someone in between half sizes. The Spark has a midfoot rocker as opposed to the Tempo which feels fine landing wherever but shines from an aggressive forefoot landing.
Brooks Hyperion Max 3 (RTR Review)
Renee: If the Max 3 is heavier and more shoe than needed, the Tempo is a good alternative. For me, the Tempo does fine at moderate paces and given that it’s much quicker than the Max 3 (and $30 less), it’s the better option for me as someone who dislikes heavy shoes. The heel hold in the Tempo is an issue for fit. I think most runners can wear the same size in these shoes.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Tester Profiles
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a college lacrosse player turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and 8. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, winning second place in a time of 1:26. She decided to take running a bit more seriously, joining Wicked Running Club and trying some training plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. In addition, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She looks forward to getting some more strength and speed under her belt this next season, before taking a crack at the marathon again. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs.Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mother to her girls.
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.
Sally is a lifelong runner and mother of five who agreed against her better judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the past twelve Boston Marathons, three NYC Marathons, two Chicagos, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights (Berlin in 2025, Tokyo 2026). With a Boston PR of 3:25:55 in 2022 and three consecutive 2nd place in Age Group awards in NYC, she has competed in several Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships and placed 6th in the world in W 60-64 when she ran an all-time PR of 3:24:02 at age 63 at the 2022 London Marathon. She also competes in USATF races of all distances with the Greater Lowell Road Runners team. To add meaning to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Team Eye and Ear and has raised over $350,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally stands tall at 5’2’’ and 105 pounds, and lives in Marblehead, MA where she trains outdoors year round. She blames her love of skiing out West for any and all Boston Marathon training challenges.
Zack Dunn: is a college runner at Lewis University. He has been running for 9 years, and focused solely on running after deciding to move on from years of playing baseball and wrestling. He races distances between 1500 meters and 10K whether it be on the track, the roads, or on cross country courses. He does most of his training on the roads, some training on the track, and occasionally run trails logging anywhere from 70-90 miles a week. His typical training consists of easy days, long days, workouts (fartleks, tempos, interval training, etc.). His typical training paces range from 7’30 a mile on easy days to sub-5 minutes a mile on fast interval days, and with many paces in between. His personal bests are 4:18 for 1600m, 8:30 for 3000m, 14:30 for 5K, 24:45 for 8k, and 30:40 for 10k.
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