Based on my review of the Skora Phase I was given the big brother model, the Skora Form, to try out. I felt the Phase lacked enough cushion to handle longer runs on city streets and roads. I love the Phase, but the ultra minimal sole kept them from getting my highest marks. Let’s see how the Form did at CrossFit and running.
When I first put the Phase to the test it was right after the Summer Solstice. This time, with the Form, it was right at the start of the real cold weather during the Winter Solstice. I’m just getting back into regular running after a sore calf needed some time to heal after a tough Baltimore Marathon. So getting a package from Skora in late November was timely and got my enthusiasm way up. As per my initial experience with Skora the packaging is just slick and minimal, like everything from them. Upon opening the box I was blown away by these shoes in real life. They are just beautiful. I have the Blue/black style. The goat leather upper was stiff at first and I thought the shoe felt heavy, especially when compared to the Phase, which are feathers. I didn’t waste any time lacing up the Form to my bare feet and heading out the door for a 3 mile run with my dogs. Unlike the Phase these shoes do need a few wears to properly break in and the more I wear them, the more they seem to mold and customize to my feet and form. In other words they seem to get better and better after each wear. The look of the Form is so nice, Thomas said he thinks I can wear them to work (But I only wear Chuck Taylors to work if I wear sneakers). The break-in phase took only a couple runs before the Form upper and sole became limber and more flexible. The shoes felt responsive, form fitting, and comfortable. It’s as close to a second skin as I’ve ever experienced from a shoe. And like I said, they seem to keep getting better.
In December I wore the Skora Form to run the annual Winter Solstice 5 Miler at Druid Hill Park in Baltimore. My calf was still a little sore so I didn’t go all out, but maintained a strong effort in the unseasonably warmish morning air. Typically the weather for this race consists of arctic wind and snow, but we were fortunate to get only near freezing temps. As usual I ran sockless and my feet were not very cold (and sorry, I didn’t get any kilt pictures this year). I biked a few miles to the race and the Skora Form felt good while pedaling, unlike the Phase. I ran into some of my PUSH511 CrossFit friends at the start and they were very intrigued by the Form. I have to say, the Form look great and perform just as well. I had a fun race and had no issues running hard on the blacktop and salty roads. Based alone on how they perform as a running shoe, they might just turn out to be my favorite shoe yet. But let’s see what a couple WOD’s do to them first.
Because of my healing calf I ended up doing many more workouts at PUSH511 than runs around Baltimore in the Skora Form. I have plenty of options for shoes but I keep going back to these Skora. Like I mentioned above, the more I wear them the better they get. The goat leather is the reason. It is durable, tough, yet form fitting, quick drying, and sexy. I particularly like how low the shoe comes up around my ankle. It has a very low profile and really helps give the second skin feeling. Outside of needing true weightlifting shoes from time to time , the Skora Form may be the perfect every WOD CrossFit shoe. You read that right. These shoes are amazing. The durability of the leather enabled me to handle all the burpees and box jumps I could throw at them. They feel great running out the door for 100s, they protect my toes while maxing out on double unders, and most importantly they left my feet and toes do what they want and splay and grip as needed. All this, while they keep fitting better and looking great.
What Skora says:DESCRIPTION
FORM is definition of premium performance. Featuring a full-leather upper made of Pittards Goatskin leather with WR100X leather lining, FORM is designed with asymmetric lacing and no-tongue construction to provide a glove-like fit in combination with stitch-down construction and an Ortholite insole.
A perfect balance of comfort, cushioning and control, FORM will take you further on any road, trail or running surface you throw at it with a zero-drop, 13mm stack height platform engineered for excellent ground feel.
FORM is built on the R01 platform composed of the REALFIT™ last, developed to offer a unique anatomical fit that closely matches the foot’s shape. The R01 platform also features a zero-drop outsole/midsole with minimal cushioning and a curved section profile in both the forefoot and heel. This allows for optimal natural movement and performa
Features
The Good
These shoes are the real deal. While their price point may scare some away, I believe they are a worthy investment that will last and last through runs and WODs alike. While Skora may not have ever considered these shoes as a CrossFit or cross-training model, I highly recommend them as such.
Best features
The Bad
They might be a little hot during the summer heat and humidity, but we are months from that so it remains to be determined. As of now, there are no negatives.
Overall Conclusion
You want a shoe for all occasions? The Skora Form is that shoe.
Use the code: BELIEVE_15 for 15% off any Skora shoe now through Feb. 3, 2014 Code only valid on Skorarunning.com
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I’ve worn the Form during the summer months in South Dakota and as long as I have good socks on (I like ToeSox) I never felt the leather was too hot. Good review!
Nice review on the Skora Form! With a little break in time, I found the Skora Form to be a super comfortable shoe as well.
And it looks great too!
Today, I purchased the Skora Core. It has the same outer-sole, and felt as comfortable as a slipper right out of the box!
I have also found the Skora shoes to be very durable.
My mistake, I actually purchased the Skora Base yesterday. The Skora Base has the same outer-sole as the Form. I made a slight adjustment to the adjustable strap at the rear of the shoe, and I was good to go! No break in period with the Skora Base, and tremendously comfortable!