The Skechers GOrun Razor has always been a do it all shoe. Version one was very similar to other classic lightweight 4mm drop trainers. Version two slimmed down and had a much faster feel to it. The GOrun Razor 3 Hyper continues that tradition, further defining the lightweight trainer/racer category. A new Hyper Burst midsole, a newly designed upper and a more durable outsole make this a great update. Let's jump into the details.
Specifications (per Skechers Performance)
Weight: 6.4 oz (men's size 9)
Stack Height: 24mm / 20 mm
Drop: 4mm
Classification: Lightweight Trainer / Racer
FIT/UPPER
Matt: I typically wear a men's size 10 in most shoes and the Skechers GOrun Razor 3 Hyper fits fairly true to size. The upper is higher volume throughout compared to most racing shoes but the laces respond very well to being tightened. The upper no longer uses GOknit and instead a Ripstop mesh provides far more security. The 3D printed overlays in the midfoot help lock the foot down very well when the laces are tightened. The fit is typical Skechers with a little more room through the mid and forefoot. However in the Razor 3 I had some additional pressure on my first toe as the mesh no longer stretches as much as the knit upper of version 2 (which is the trade off for more security). This went away after a few miles and for those that are sensitive to this, know the upper will break in.
There is a mild heel counter in the rearfoot that provides some structure to the upper, but is very flexible and will not cause issues for those with sensitive heels. I don't normal discuss insoles, but the Razor 3 Hyper has a glued in one. While this is nice as there is absolutely no slippage even with quick turns, for those looking to put an orthotic or separate insole in the shoe, you can heat the glue on the underside up with a hair dryer and the insole will come out. The perforated insole provides good traction with a sock on, but less than ideal comfort for wearing barefoot. Thus this is not the most optimal shoe for wearing without socks.
David: The Skechers GOrun Razor 3 HYPER fits true to size for me in my normal 9.5, however does fit like a performance trainer/racing flat. The shoe does lean on the snug side because of this. The forefoot is in between normal and narrow, the midfoot is snug and held well with the non-stretch reinforced mesh upper, and the heel is normal width. There is a mild counter that stabilizes the heel relatively well without being overly involved. The upper is constructed of a non-stretch mesh that breathes well and keeps the shoe very light. Because it doesn't stretch, for those with wider feet may want to look into potentially sizing a half size up, but the shoe does run true to size for me.
RIDE/MIDSOLE
Matt: The GOrun Razor 3 Hyper is the first Skechers shoe to debut the Hyper Burst midsole. This new midsole is both lightweight, cushioned and responsive. The cushioning is of a shoe far heavier than the 6.4 oz listed weight but remains responsive thanks to the rebound of the sole. Often time cushioned midsoles in lightweight shoes will bottom out as the pace picks up, but Hyper Burst remains consistent both new and as it ages.
The midsole is full length Hyper Burst so the ride is consistent no matter where you land. The midsole is slightly more rockered than previous version with the return of the M-Strike design. The beveled heel and cushioning provide a very smooth ride for any rearfoot landings. The midsole is also flexible at the forefoot and combined with the gentle toe spring provides a smooth toe off as well. The Razor 3 Hyper retains the 4mm drop of previous versions. Given the midsole compression of the Hyper Burst, this may change depending on where you land (heel drop is dynamic, not static).
David: The ride of the GOrun Razor 3 HYPER is very fluid with a decent amount of responsiveness due to the toe spring built in. The toe spring is more on the flexible side though, so the runner will have to put some effort into pushing off the ground when the pace picks up. For being only 6.4 ounces the shoe is also surprisingly plush. The shoe has a gradual bevel in the heel as well that keeps the shoe feeling very momentous from heel to toe when coupled with the toe spring. The shoe has a 4mm drop ratio, but feels negligible because of how fluid the heel and toe off mechanics are. The shoe feels great at all paces. I have taken it at 8 minute/mile pace and also at 4:46 mile pace during kilometer repeats with no problems. For some this will be their racing flat, and for others a daily trainer.
STABILITY
Matt: The Skechers GOrun Razor 3 has a unique last for a racing shoe in that the midfoot is not extremely narrow and the shape of the outsole is on the wider side. This provides plenty of inherent stability along with the gently rockered M-Strike sole to move you in the right direction. The forefoot is particularly wide and provides a very stable toe off. Outside of those aspects, the Razor 3 Hyper has no additional stability measures. The sole is full Hyper Burst with no additional materials, so for those with stronger ankles and are used to these neutral rides, the Razor 3 Hyper will work well.
David: The GOrun Razor 3 HYPER is a neutral performance shoe and does not have much stability built into it. The shoe has surprisingly good ground feel for the amount of foam. It also has a reinforced non-stretch upper that locks the shoe down and adds stability. Traction is not great on dirt... so I advise not running in those conditions. However, I did fine doing workouts in clean grass conditions. Overall it has decent stability for a neutral performance shoe.
SPEED
Matt: The Hyper Burst midsole is a good combination of responsiveness and cushion. The ride lends itself to both daily training, long runs and uptempo workouts. This has been my go to shoe for tempo runs and faster long runs of all distances. The Skechers GOrun Razor 3 Hyper works well for half to full marathon pace workouts and races. For faster efforts, the amount of midsole slows the ride down a bit. The lighter weight and Hyper Burst midsole do contribute to a faster feel but the ride provides more protection than all out speed. This combination is what makes the ride so versatile compared to other shoes in this weight class.
David: I have always heard this shoe is fast. For many doubling this shoe as a daily trainer... didn't really think it would be as fast as it ran when I put it to the test. I saw Edward Cheserek run mid 13's in the 5k in this shoe on the road and thought I should put the shoe through PR 5k pace on my own. I took the shoe at 4:46 pace through well kept grass and held up just fine. It is actually pretty mind boggling how the HYPER midsole seems to get more responsive and smooth when the pace picks up, but doesn't feel "pushy" when running at slower paces as well. The toe spring is flexible, which does require a little bit of active work when pushing off the forefoot in the toe off phases of gait when running fast.
DURABILITY
Matt: The new rubber outsole provides far superior durability to previous versions. Combined with the long lasting Hyper Burst, the Razor 3 will last for some time. I have over a 100 miles on one of my pairs and they have not lost any responsiveness and have minimal outsole wear (which is rare for me). If anything, the midsole has firmed up slightly with time, making the Razor 3 Hyper more responsive with time. Thus I would expect to get a similar number of miles in this shoe compared to most trainers (300-500) if not a little less due to the lighter weight materials.
David: I have around 40 miles on my Razors at the moment with no significant wear on the outsole. Aesthetically the pattern has scratched a little, but hasn't "bit in" to the rubber yet. The exposed foam has some mild abrasion but has held better than I thought it would. The midsole has not wavered in ride or responsiveness yet and I don't expect it to break down anytime soon. With the rubber outsole being so thin, I can see the outsole potentially chewing through quickly once the outsole begins to show signs of breaking down. Despite this it is durable enough, and I can see it lasting the normal industry standard or just shy of it.
THOUGHTS AS A DPT
Hyper Burst is one of my favorite new materials on the market. It manages to remain responsive, lightweight, cushioned and durable all at the same time. This has been a difficult balance for companies to find. Nike has the supposedly incredible ZoomX, which I have found to have terrible durability and stability. The Adidas Boost is responsive, soft and durable, but very unstable and heavy. 361's QU!CKFOAM is very stable and responsive, but on the heavier side. Altra's EGO midsole is soft and responsive, but not the lightest either. Saucony's EVERRUN is on the firmer and stable side, but lacks the high level of responsiveness I would expect. Finding a balance can be difficult and it is challenging to do everything well. The Skechers GOrun Razor 3 Hyper does a great job of covering all the bases. It is lightweight at 6.4oz (men's size 9), it has a good fit and upper security, the sole is responsive and durable and there is enough midsole to provide a cushioned ride. Hence why this shoe does so well over long distance workouts. It may not be the best for all out speed, which is what happens to many of these distance shoes with the increase in cushioning, but this is definitely worth checking out as a do it all shoe.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR (Conclusion)
Matt: The Skechers GOrun Razor 3 Hyper is for those looking for a versatile lightweight shoe that can be used for long distance races to daily training. The Hyper midsole provides enough cushioning to be used for mileage and is responsive enough to be used for uptempo workouts and distance racing. The fit is higher volume for a racing shoe and once the forefoot breaks in a little provides plenty of room. So for those looking for a do it all racer/trainer, take a look at the Skechers GOrun Razor 3 Hyper.
David: The Skechers GOrun Razor 3 HYPER is a performance neutral training/racing shoe that is incrediby versatile. For one it may be their go to racing flat and to another person their daily trainer. This is a "do it all" shoe. With how light the shoe is, I would be hesitant to run daily mileage in it, but the shoe is well capable of doing it. Pretty much any runner can find a use for it in their arsenal. I have a minimal recommendations for the Razor 3, but would like to see a more flexible and comfortable upper. The upper is not uncomfortable, but the non-stretch may not agree with some runners out there. I would also like to see the heel bevel shifted posterior/lateral in the heel a little more along with a slightly more rigid toe spring in the forefoot. That would make the shoe a little smoother throughout the gait cycle and more snappy at toe off. Overall a great shoe.
SIMILAR SHOES
Nike Vaporfly 4% - The most commonly requested comparison. The Razor 3 is lighter, lower drop, does not have a plate and is more versatile (can be used easily for daily training). The Vaporfly 4% is much higher off the ground, less stable, has a higher drop and the midsole has much more give to it. Both make for great long distance racers.
Hoka One One Rehi - Very similar shoes. Similar stack height, fit and weight. However the Hyper Burst foam of the Razor 3 is far more responsive. Whereas the midsole of the Rehi has far more give to it. Thus the Razor 3 Hyper has a bouncy feel no matter where you land.
Altra Escalante Racer - The Razor 3 Hyper has slightly higher drop as the Escalante Racer is zero drop. The fit is different as the Escalante Racer has a slightly snugger heel and wider forefoot. The EGO midsole is also firmer due to the lower stack height.
GRADING
Matt:
Fit/Upper 8/10
Ride/Midsole 10/10
Stability 8/10
Speed 8/10
Durability 9/10
David:
Fit/Upper 9/10 (narrow forefoot, non-stretch mesh may not agree with everyone)
Ride/Midsole 9.5/10 (bevel could slightly be adjusted, toe spring made a little more rigid)
Stability 8.25/10 (average stability, poor traction in dirt, reinforced upper helps with turning)
Speed 9.75/10 (about as fast as a training shoe gets without adding a plate)
Durability 8.5/10 (normal/average durability, exposed midsole may take more wear to midsole)
Total Score: 86% (M: 86%, D: 90%)
Thanks for reading!
Editor's Note: As always, the views presented on this website belong to myself or the selected few who contribute to these posts. This website should not and does not serve as a replacement for seeking medical care. If you are currently injured or concerned about an injury, please see your local running physical therapist. If you are in the Los Angeles area, I am currently taking clients for running evaluations.
Dr. Matthew Klein PT DPT OCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Kaiser SoCal Manual Therapy and Sport Fellow Graduate
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Kaiser SoCal Manual Therapy and Sport Fellow Graduate
David Salas PT DPT CSCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
***Disclaimer: These shoes were provided free of charge in exchange for a review. We thank the people at Skechers Performance for sending us a pair. This in no way affected the honesty of this review. We put at least 50-75 miles on trainers and 10-25 miles on racing flats prior to reviewing them. Currently I have 101 miles on my first pair and 12 on my second pair (Matt) and 42 (David). My views are based on my extensive history in the footwear industry and years testing and developing footwear. If you are a footwear rep looking for footwear reviews or consultations on development, we are currently looking to partner with companies to assist, discuss and promote footwear models. Partnership will not affect the honesty of our reviews.
Like and Follow Doctors of Running
Facebook: Doctors of Running Twitter: @kleinruns
Instagram: @doctorsofrunning Direct Contact: doctorsofrunning@gmail.com
Please feel free to reach out, comment and ask questions!
