Review by Johnny Lyons. Shoes provided by Skechers.
I’m a creature of habit. Set in my ways, if you will. I wear the same three t-shirts, eat the same thing for lunch, run the same running routes – any recommendation to try anything new typically goes right out the window. I have seven pairs of the same exact running shoe. Same color, same size. I know what I like and I know what works and why would I want to do something differently anyway? So, needless to say, I laughed a little when Thomas asked me to review the Skechers GOrun Ultra. Has he even met me? I know he’s a huge fan of the GOrun line, but I think that he was secretly trying to convert me. This is the same company that makes the Shape-Ups, mind you. Why on earth?
Right, so I was skeptical about the Skechers (see what I did there?), but after having my feet scream at me for 21 technical miles at Susquehanna State Park in my old trusty clunkers, I figured what the hell? I had made last minute plans that Sunday to put in a few more trail miles. I messaged Thomas and picked up the shoes that morning.
My first impressions were amazing, to say the least. It’s a good looking shoe, man. You know how hard it is to find a decent looking black athletic shoe that doesn’t look like it belongs on an elderly man with white socks pulled up to his knees? I instantly noticed the 6mm drop, but I’m used to wearing something with a more dramatic drop. My toes had room to move around and I didn’t feel any rubbing on either side. I think you sneaker-geeks call that the toe box, but I don’t want to write that in my review. I was tremendously surprised with how light-weight they were too, especially for the size of the sole. Which, by the way, they do an excellent job of hiding with the black on the top.
They tout this shoe as having 65% more cushioning than their GOrun ride, and you can feel it as soon as you put the shoe on. I ended up running 11 miles and could have easily put in more – even after 21 the day before. My feet felt protected. I was still able to tip-toe through roots, but I could also bound over rocks and just barely feel them. They dried out well through streams, laces stayed tied and tight – I even had a friend comment that I wasn’t heel striking like I had been the previous day!
I liked this shoe so much that I ended up wearing them for a 50 miler after only having them for two weeks. Amazing, amazing shoe. I honestly can’t think of anything bad to say about them. And for only 80 bucks?! It’s a working man’s Hoka. These are easily my new go-to for trail running and definitely for any 6, 12 or 24 hour road events in the future. Thomas – you converted me.
Robert Youngren has put a lot of miles on the Ultra as well here is his Hardrock 100 recap where he sported the Skechers GOrun ULTRA. Here is Robert’s comprehensive review of the ULTRA.
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This is the most exciting thing that I’ve read all week! I love my Skechers GoBionic Trail shoes. These look perfect!
this is the first that i’ve heard of these – and it’s exciting to say the least!
Any idea what the drop on these is?
4mm
How is the fit compared to the GoRun Ride2’s, is it about the same, especially the toe box.
Johnny, who was the reviewer has not run in the GR2. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
I run in the GR series from the GR2s and GRR2s to the he GR Ultras.. I’ve PRd 5ks in the GR Speeds as well. The ultras have more of a volume in the toe box than the GR2 and GRR2s. It is is the same width, but there is more height to allow your feet to swell. I also run in Hokas and I call them a cross shoe between the Hokas and my GRR2s. A perfect shoe for me for Ultras.. They have the cushioning, the toe box volume, and heal drop.
Skechers is doing their homework.
Great review — I love the line they are “a working man’s Hoka”! DId they fit true to size or did you need to go down a 1/2 as I have seen mentioned elsewhere? I never seem to have enough room in the toes when recommended to size down, so any advice before ordering online is appreciated.
Thanks!
I think they fit true to size. I do size down a half size in the GObionic Trail.
Just a quick comment to say that I have the Skechers Go Run Ultra, and I am really liking it. I run in it without the sockliner for a 4mm drop shoe, and I only run in it on the trails. I run trails about once per week on a very rooty, sometimes rocky technical singletrack and the GRU is exactly what I was looking for in a shoe that offers a low heel-toe drop, lightweight, flexibility, and enough cushion that I don’t have to worry about the rocks and roots. I don’t think that I would ever take it on the roads as I have heard negative things about the durability of the Resalyte outsole, but for the trails, it’s great!
Hi Mike, Sounds like the Ultra are a great shoe for you. I have put all my Ultra miles in on the roads. There is some wear on the outsole, believe me I am tough on shoes. I believe that the wear is more cosmetic. The shoe after more than 100 miles still rolls through my gait without noticeable impediment from the wear.
What I didn’t say earlier is that the other reason that I don’t wear the GRU on roads is that I prefer more ground feel on the roads. However, for what the GRU is (a shoe geared towards ultras) I think that it’s almost perfect.
I hear you, sometimes I like ground feel on the roads. Recovery runs in the Ultra are pretty plush on the other hand.
The soles on these ultras are not good, and will wear out after 50 miles on pavement. I’m upset about that. Just 5 miles on mine, and already see excessive wear. Not good.
I am thinking about buying these to use a hiking shoe. Does anyone see a reason why this would not work?
Thanks
They are really comfortable, I am sure they would be fine for hiking. I don’t know much about what makes a good hiking shoe though.