This weekend I was able to try out my new Skecher GoBionics. At first impression, this is an awesome shoe! Yes, the company that made ShapeUps and pretty much was the laughing stock of the shoe industry is now making a running shoe that is pretty phenomenal. The GoBionic and the GoRun2 are shoes you should really try on at your local shoe retailer and see what I am talking about. Until then, continue reading about my experience in the GoBionic.
Since I like to run in Altra's I was looking for another running shoe that I can throw into the mix and prolong the life of my kicks. Ever since I started wearing Altra's I have been very picky about any new shoes. Too many of the running shoes out there are very restricted when it comes to the toe-box of the shoe. This is one of the main selling points for me in a running shoe. The others, I will get to; but first lets look at the shoe.
Now, the GoBionic is a slick looking shoe. The upper has a nice suede feel to it and as you can see in the picture to the right. You can wear these kicks with pretty much anything. Wearing jeans? These babies will look great. Wearing some cargo shorts? What to you thing? Skechers did a great job on the aesthetics of the GoBionic in which you you can wear this shoe with pretty much anything you wear.
Since I like to run in Altra's I was looking for another running shoe that I can throw into the mix and prolong the life of my kicks. Ever since I started wearing Altra's I have been very picky about any new shoes. Too many of the running shoes out there are very restricted when it comes to the toe-box of the shoe. This is one of the main selling points for me in a running shoe. The others, I will get to; but first lets look at the shoe.
Now, the GoBionic is a slick looking shoe. The upper has a nice suede feel to it and as you can see in the picture to the right. You can wear these kicks with pretty much anything. Wearing jeans? These babies will look great. Wearing some cargo shorts? What to you thing? Skechers did a great job on the aesthetics of the GoBionic in which you you can wear this shoe with pretty much anything you wear.
As soon as you take it out of the box you will notice how light the shoe is (another selling point). Skechers indicates that the shoe weighs in at 6oz in a mens size 9. Not only is it light but very flexible (as you can see in the pics below) which is something I like in an everyday trainer (selling point!). By being flexible you will notice that the shoe rides very smooth and quite because your foot is allowed to flow with your natural gait pattern then in a stiffer shoe. Basically, less pounding/jarring movement on your heel/arch due to forefoot strike in a stiffer shoe.
The reason why the GoBionic is so flexible is because of these large gaps on the sole. These foot pads is specifically designed to hit key areas of the foot to help protect bones and muscles from the impact of your foot-strike. Thinking that these gaps might be felt on the run, I was quite surprised that I felt nothing of the sort. The shoe feels GREAT walking around and on a run. I even had a small pebble in one of these gaps and did not feel it on the run.
The reason why the GoBionic is so flexible is because of these large gaps on the sole. These foot pads is specifically designed to hit key areas of the foot to help protect bones and muscles from the impact of your foot-strike. Thinking that these gaps might be felt on the run, I was quite surprised that I felt nothing of the sort. The shoe feels GREAT walking around and on a run. I even had a small pebble in one of these gaps and did not feel it on the run.
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The one complaint I have on the GoBionic is the insole. As you can see, the right insole bunched up on me for some reason a mile into my run which makes it unusable. So I opted to run with the insoles out which the GoBionic has a finished footbed. By removing the insole the toe-box was even roomier then before (which for me, was a problem on the right foot) and the foot pads/gaps could be felt while I was standing around. Once I was running, the shoe felt great!
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I contacted Skechers about the insole problem and they are shipping me new insoles as this obviously should not have happened.
All-in-all, I like this shoe a lot! It will be a great shoe to add to my rotation as my training and miles increase. I will have to find a different type of insole (thinking I will use the Altra Wedge found in their Provisions) on my next run and will let you all know how it goes.
Kyle
Train Hard = Race Easy, Train Smart = Race Fast.
All-in-all, I like this shoe a lot! It will be a great shoe to add to my rotation as my training and miles increase. I will have to find a different type of insole (thinking I will use the Altra Wedge found in their Provisions) on my next run and will let you all know how it goes.
Kyle
Train Hard = Race Easy, Train Smart = Race Fast.
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