Skechers GOrun Razor + Hyper Review
Following the success of the GOrun Razor 3 Hyper, Skechers aims to improve on what it has already built with the Razor line. The Skechers GOrun Razor + delivers with new features including an entirely new upper and full length Goodyear rubber for an outsole. The shoe builds and expands on the beloved training companion for many with a shoe that is able to take it fast and slow day in and day out with a shift to a slightly more daily training favoring Razor.
Specifications (per Running Warehouse)
Weight: 6.4 oz (men's size 9), 4.9 oz (women's size 7)
Stack Height: 27 mm / 23 mm
Drop: 4mm
Classification: Lightweight Trainer/Racer
HIGHLIGHTS
Matt: The Skechers GOrun Razor + Hyper is the latest Skechers shoe to receive the "+" treatment. Featuring an all new upper that improves fit, breath-ability and lockdown. Featuring a snugger and consistent fit from heel to toe with a far softer upper, the Razor + update allows for a a closer and more comfortable fit. Featuring the same stack height but with a full length Goodyear outsole, the ride remains protective, fast and bouncy as ever with much better durability. For those with stable mechanics, you may find this continues to be a lightweight "do everything" shoe.
David: Versatile and ready to run fast or slow the Skechers Razor + is a step above the prior Razor 3. The two main updates are the upper and the introduction of full length Goodyear outsole. The midsole remains the same and ride remains similar to the much loved Razor 3 HYPER. The shoe is incredibly light and can tackle pretty much anything.
FIT
Matt: The Razor + fits true to size in my normal men's size 10. The fit is snugger, particularly in the forefoot, but the new mono mesh provides a fit that is comfortable, supportive in the right places and dialed in. The "+" series features all new uppers and the Razor + is a complete redo. The fit as mentioned is snugger, particularly in the midfoot and forefoot compared to version 3. However, with the snugger fit comes a more consistent fit and the toebox does not taper as strongly as before. The mesh is breathable and does stretch, but features mild overlays that reinforce the midfoot very well. The laces and upper interact very well together and it is easy to get a good lockdown. The heel fits average to slightly snug. There is a flexible heel counter in the rearfoot that adds to the lockdown and has not caused me any issues. Between the snugger fit, heel counter and midfoot lockdown, I did not have to lace lock the shoe despite running mostly fast and aggressive miles in this shoe. The tongue is very thin, but is hooked into the laces and has remained in place even while turning. There is no insole and although the upper is very comfortable against bare skin, I would use socks given the additional traction of inner part of the shoe. Overall the upper is breathable, secure and snug.
David: The new mesh upper is constructed really well. The upper is breathable and provides a light amount of stretch to it, different than the non-stretch upper of the previous Razor 3. The fit does run narrow overall but is true to size. The midfoot hold is really good and heel feels secure. The toe box is slightly more narrow than the previous version, but as noted before some stretch is possible. The upper feels softer and more sock like rather than synthetic. Overall the upper is pleasant and dialed in. I would say a "performance fit". With that said, those with wider feet may have some difficulty but a shoe worth trying on to see.
Nathan: The mono-mesh and polyester upper is, in a word, wonderful. On first step in, when compared to a new pair of Razor 3s, the upper feels more snug. However, the Razor + is wonderfully accommodating and not restrictive. Despite the initial more narrow feel, it will likely accommodate better for those who had trouble with the Razor 3. For a shoe this light, the upper does a perfect job of locking down the foot for some of those harder efforts and turns. The upper is also quite breathable and I had no issues with rubbing at any area in the shoe. Again, WONDERFUL.
RIDE
Matt: The Razor + is a cushioned, low riding, lightweight and fast shoe. There is a rocker despite the sole having some great flexibility. The HYPER feels a little firmer and more resilient than the Razor 3, making for a more stable and protective ride that will not bottom out even with longer miles. The heel is slightly soft with a nice bevel and rolls forward smoothly. The cushion and heel rocker provides a quick transition forward. The midfoot transitions nicely as it is almost the same width as the heel and this moves into a slightly wider, flexible and rockered forefoot. The forefoot flexibility is great. The thicker and slightly firmer Hyper in this version combined with some toe spring and flexibility provides a smooth and natural toe off. The amount of flexibility is much higher than other current performance trainer/racers as there is no plate, but the ride is more forgiving on the toes. For those coming from plated shoes, some adjust may be needed to get used to normal forefoot flexibility. So overall a smooth, protective, flexible ride that has plenty of resilient HYPER cushioning that doesn't bottom out and stays consistent.
David: The Razor + rides quick. The shoe only weighs 6.4 oz in Men's size 9, my pair around 7.0 (9.5). The transition is overall smooth throughout heel to toe. For such a fast feel, the shoe does have more flexibility in the forefoot compared to other performance like shoe, but this also makes it more able to double as a training shoe. The 4mm drop feels accurate but the rocker build of the shoe seems to make the shoe feel more fluid and less aggressive of a feel compared to some other low drop shoes. The ride feels more stable through the midfoot with the addition of the outsole panel. The transition from heel through the midfoot feels really fast with a little more time riding in the forefoot region. Overall very pleasant and feels like a performance trainer that can easily double as a racing option for many who don't like really aggressive forefoots.
Matt: The Razor + has no traditional methods of stability outside of a heel counter. However, the slightly firmer ride, the more consistent last width, great traction, rockered sole and great upper support do provide some natural stability. The Goodyear rubber seems to add some firmness to the ride, which combined with the rockered sole and nice forefoot flexibility, the transition tends to keep things in the forward direction. Additionally, the filled in medial section on the outsole with Goodyear rubber seems to create a little more stable ride and transition through the midfoot. This is a lightweight neutral shoe, so those with less stable ankles will need to take some time to transition into this shoe type.
David: The Razor + is very stable for such a minimal neutral performance trainer. The hyperburst is not overly soft and provides enough protection for long miles. The addition of Goodyear and the extra panel give the shoe much more traction in most conditions than before. Since the shoe is a neutral trainer the shoe doesn't have any formal stability features. Overall good stability with smooth transitions, good traction, and decent hold in the upper throughout.
Matt: The Razor + can wear many hats. This is a fast shoe, but has enough protection for use as a lightweight trainer. From fast repeats (hill sprints), to tempo runs and uptempo long runs, the Razor + combines lightweight protection with speed. The Hyper sole does very well going fast, although the forefoot flexibility takes away some of the edge at higher level speeds. For those looking for a lightweight, flexible long distance racer, the Razor + will definitely fit the bill. The snugger fit provides good security for fast paces and the lightweight responsive ride makes speed easy. For those that are used to lightweight trainers and minimal shoes, the Razor + will make a great light workout and uptempo training shoe given the protective Hyper and improved durability.
David: I'm not 100% sure where to categorize this shoe, performance trainer, training companion, or racer... why not all of them? The Razor + is fast. I took this shoe on both road and track and have run everything from 4:40 mile pace up to 7:30 mile pace. The shoe feels good when moving quick and light on your feet. The forefoot is flexible and might take away from spring at the most upwards of paces but overall very fast and versatile for many paces. Fast to easy. At easier paces, slightly clunky with longer transition in forefoot and such a quick transition in the rear and midfoot. I personally would probably reach for something more specific for racing when going for it, but this will still work for fast workouts and tempos as well. But who am I, Ches ran a killer 5k in the Razor 3's with no issue.
DURABILITY
Matt: There is a marked improvement in durability from version 3. The Razor + has a full length Goodyear outsole that has only a little wear after over 40 miles of hard use. The HYPER midsole continues to remain resilient and responsive, with no loss of bounce. The upper continues to look brand new with no signs of wear. My normal posterior lateral heel wear is present, but is far less than the Razor 3. This makes me suspect that the Razor + will last as long as most lightweight trainers (250 to 300 miles as David mentions below).
David: Durability has improved. The foam is holding up just fine throughout testing. The Goodyear outsole has held up very well throughout mileage. The posterior lateral heel and forefoot does have some minor wear, but nothing concerning. I'm predicting normal durability for a performance trainer upwards of lower end of daily mileage type shoes. (Approx 250-300 miles on prediction).
Nathan: Durability is great in this shoe. The HYPERBURST has proven its durability over time with all the previous models and the additional rubber and the transition to Goodyear has improved outsole durability as well. I expect to get the miles out of this shoe that I get out of my daily trainers (given that I don't beat up shoes very quickly).
THOUGHTS AS A DPT
Matt - Minor tweaks to a shoe can completely change the ride and best use of a shoe. The Razor + features a snugger fit, and a slightly firmer ride which pushes it on the faster edge of the spectrum. While still featuring enough protection that many will be able to use for longer miles, this change makes it a little better on the faster end of the spectrum. This is in contrast to version 3, which had a slightly wider fit throughout and slightly softer cushioning which made slightly it more forgiving, softer and better for daily trainer and longer miles. Although the Razor 3 is still a fast shoe and works very well as a distance racer (as David mentioned, Edward Cheserek ran a 13:30 5k in them), those slight changes can shift a shoe's personality. The Razor + reminds me more of the Razor 2, which had a snugger fit and similar narrower last that made it an excellent distance racing shoe (I paced the CIM women's OTQ group in 2017 in the Razor 2 and it performed wonderfully even with 9 hours notice that I was running a marathon). Geometry is something more companies are starting to look at as a way to influence ride and stability. From a stability standpoint, I think it is a much more natural way than using posting. I should note that different things will work for different people, so posting may work great for many people. However, we know from the research that the foot and ankle will often continue to move in the same way regardless of how much posting a shoe has (Nigg et al., 2017). So posting the foot may be a slightly outdated and limited way of thinking. Geometry, like sole flare, beveling, width, rockers, midsole hardness and other measures may do a better job at subtly influencing motion and supporting an individual's preferred motion. This is in contrast to trying to control motion, which may be beneficial to some and cause problems for others (and may be ineffective all together for many). This is an exciting time as the concept of stability and ride is changing rapidly and will hopefully create a more versatile line of running footwear that will work with a larger population. This is very clear with the Razor 3 and Razor +, which despite having similar materials are two unique shoes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: Although this was supposed to be an upper update, improvements to the sole and outsole have been great. Overall I really like this shoe, but the one recommendation to keep it as versatile as the original is the widen the midsole/outsole for stability. I have not had a problem and have been able to do longer miles in these, but do not feel that I can do this frequently. A little more room in the forefoot may also be helpful for many, although those with narrower feet will love this fit (which is rare for Skechers).
David: I really like the Razor + and feel that Skechers has done a great job of advancing an already loved shoe. The toe box is a little on the narrow side. It is fine for me, but I know it will definitely not agree with everyone. I think keeping everything relatively the same and creating a slightly wider toe box would benefit the fit for the masses, or making a wide version of the shoe available.
Nathan: As I referenced early on, I was thankful to see small, calculated updates to such a fantastic shoe. Given the arrival of the Razor Elite, I'd love to see some small transitions even further towards a training companion. This could include things like widening the outsole contact a bit to add some stability, adding just a touch more stack, and possibly widening the toe box a bit (or create a wide version...because I personally LOVE this fit).
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR (Conclusion)
Matt: The Razor + is for some looking for a versatile trainer/racer with a snugger fit, protective but fast ride than can handle long and speedy miles. The Razor + fits in many categories despite the very lightweight, but leans toward the faster, uptempo, racer side of the spectrum. The upper redesign is very comfortable and secure, providing a home for those with normal to narrow feet. There is some stretch to the upper but it still fits on the snugger and faster side. The updated midsole and outsole provide improved durability and a little firmer ride compared to the Razor 3. This is a smooth, flexible and fast riding shoe that provides a slightly different option for the Razor line.
David: The Razor + is a shoe for someone looking for a trainer/racer that can tackle speed day and daily runs in a complete package. The shoe is very capable of both categories but does lean towards speed day. The fit is overall slightly narrow, but the mesh has a small amount of stretch to it. The feel is very fast but not as aggressive as a lot of the other speed day type shoes out there. A very fun shoe to run in that will last a good amount of time. For me, workouts, fartleks, long runs.
Nathan: The Razor + is possibly the most fun shoe in the Skechers line-up and would be a great one to try out if you haven't dipped your toe in the Skechers pool before. For those who like a responsive, lightweight shoe that still has a soft feel, you will really enjoy the Razor +.
GRADING
Matt
Fit 9.5 /10 (Breathable, snug and secure fit. -.5 for narrow forefoot)
Ride 9.5 /10 (Smooth, flexible, protective and responsive ride)
Stability 9.5 /10 (Heel Counter, full Goodyear outsole improves stability, -1 for narrower last overall).
Speed 9.5 /10 (Versatile as a very lightweight trainer, workout or speed shoe. -.5 for slight difficulty with all out paces)
Durability 9 /10 (Greatly improved over v3 and should last as long as most lightweight trainers)
David
Fit 9.75/10 (Dialed in, great soft yet durable upper, narrow toe box only thing)
Ride 9.5/10 (Quick transitions that are smooth, slightly clunky at slow paces with fast heel transition)
Stability 9.25/10 (Goodyear in medial aspect improves, overall good for neutral performance shoe)
Speed 9.75/10 (As fast as a training shoe gets. As racer, top speeds hard with flexible forefoot)
Durability 9.5/10 (Durable for performance shoe, noticeable wear in posterior lateral heel and in forefoot)
Nathan
Fit 9.75 /10 (-.25 for narrow forefoot)
Ride 9.75 /10 (Smooth, fun, and quick ride)
Stability 8.5 /10 (-1.5 for overall softer foam and more narrow midfoot, high marks for upper security)
Speed 10 /10 (Wonderfully versatile and quick)
Durability 9.25 /10 (Thin layer of rubber may be the thing that goes first)
Total Score: % (M: 9.3/10 D: 9.55/10 N: 9.45/10 )
Thanks for reading!
TESTER PROFILES:
Dr. Matthew Klein is a 140 lb male with notable PRs of 14:45 for 5k and
2:32:44 for the full marathon. He typically runs 70-100 miles per week
and trains at a variety of paces from 8min per mile recovery runs to
4:40 per mile 1k repeats. He prefers firmer and responsive shoes with
snug heels and medium to wide toe boxes. He is particular to less
cushioned shoes and close to the ground shoes, but can handle a little
cushion when he gets beat up.
Dr. David Salas is a 135 lb male with notable PRs ranging from 3:54 in
the 1500m to 1:08:36 for half marathon. He typically runs 50 to 60 miles
per week and trains from about 7:30 recovery runs to fast shorter
efforts at 4:30 pace. He normally prefers neutral shoes with a firmer
ride, but is completely open to other types of shoes. He is a footwear
enthusiast at heart and will always appreciate a high quality shoe when
it comes around. For updates on training or testing, IG handle:
@docsofrundavid
Dr. Brown is a 155 lb male with notable PRs of 18:18 5K,
39:25 10K, 1:29:01 half marathon, and 3:54 marathon. He typically runs
between 20-40 miles per week at a variety of paces from 7:30-8:30
min/mile for recovery runs to 6-6:45 min/mile for tempo runs. He
typically prefers shoes that provide some cushioning underfoot but still
maintain a more firm and responsive feel. Current goals for 2020 are to
break the 1.5 hour half marathon and 3:30 marathon. IG handle:
@nate.docsofrunning
Doctor of Physical Therapy
References
1. Nigg, B. M., Vienneau, J., Smith, A. C., Trudeau, M. B., Mohr, M., & Nigg, S. R. (2017). The preferred movement path paradigm: influence of running shoes on joint movement. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 49(8): 1.