Skechers GORun Razor Excess Review
The Skechers GORun Razor Excess expands on the highly successful performance trainer line that they have built with the Razor. The Razor Excess continues to use a similar bevel and rocker design with a full contact outsole with the main change being an increase in the stack height. The Razor Excess also re-introduces the non stretch mesh upper but with a more accommodating fit throughout that does not fit as snug or narrow as the previous models.
Note: Find our review of the brand new Razor Excess 2 here.
Weight: 7.5 oz / 213g (men's size 9) 5.9 oz / 167g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 30 mm / 26 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Classification: Max Cushion Lightweight Trainer
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
Matt: The Skechers Razor Excess is a max stack Razor, yet is a completely different shoe. A lightweight, smooth ride with plenty of HYPERBURST (and some HYPER ARC?) cushioning with a breathable yet performance fit, the Razor Excess provides plenty of cushioning for daily training and uptempo work. A mono-mesh upper provides great security with a normal to slightly snug fit. Yet there is a bit more volume than the normal Razor, providing a little more versatile fit. Best for those looking for a max cushioned lightweight trainer or those who want a Razor with more cushioning. The Razor Excess provides plenty of protection and excels at daily training, long runs and uptempo efforts.
David: The Skechers Razor Excess is essentially a higher stack Razor 3 that changes the shoe in a very positive way (not that I didn't like the original Razor). The Skechers Razor Excess gives you a lightweight feeling of hyperburst midsole that is soft and protective enough for daily mileage while still keeping some responsiveness and durability. The upper is a non stretch mesh similar to the original Razor 3 but it is more accommodating with more volume and space that will fit a larger variety of foot types well. For me it is a really fun daily training and long run option to compliment workouts in the Razor 3.
FIT (LENGTH / WIDTH / COMFORT)
Matt: The Razor Excess fits me true to size in my normal men's size 10. There is more volume throughout the length of the shoe, although the toe box was a hair snug initially. The heel and midfoot are fairly average width, but the mono mesh upper provides a little extra volume overall. The mono mesh is incredibly light but durable. The tongue is incredibly thin, but is secured very well by the laces that also integrate very well with the upper. There is a heel counter in the rearfoot that provides a secure lockdown, but the additional padding and flexibility did not cause me any issues. There is a mild internal toe guard that has prevented me from wearing the shoe sockless. This is the reason for the slight snug fit up front, but that breaks in within a mile. The fit overall has a decent amount of volume and accomodates swelling very well on long and hard runs.
David: The Razor Excess fits me true to size in my normal 9.5 and fits normal width throughout. The toebox is a little bit wider than the previous Razor and accommodates swelling very well. The lacing locks the shoe down very well throughout and the tongue is incredibly thin and lightweight. It is of a suede material and holds well without an excessive translation or slipping. The fit of the shoe overall leans more towards a daily trainer which I think many people will like, since it is a little bit less "performance" like and not nearly as snug throughout. The heel counter is present but lightly padded and not overly involved in anyway. Overall the upper is very impressive. There is some slight creasing in between the tongue and the toebox that can be irritating but it is minimal and really only noticeable after long mileage.
PERFORMANCE (RIDE / SPEED)
Matt: The Skecers Razor Excess is the shoe I always wanted the Razor to be. A perfect lightweight trainer with a smooth ride from heel to toe with enough cushioning for longer miles. The HYPERBURST is a little firm upon initial step in, although this does break in after a few miles. This breaks in to mild firmness with a decent amount of responsiveness. There appear to be two different layers of HYPERBURST in the midsole. The bottom looks more traditional, while the topsole, called HYPER ARC, feels a bit firmer. That may explain the perception of a slightly firm ride for a HYPERBURST shoe. Despite not having a plate, the forefoot is fairly stiff. This is offset by very well done toe spring and makes for a smooth transition up front. The midfoot has a great, quick transition from a nicely rockered heel. There is a 4mm heel drop, but thanks to the solid rocker design I did not notice this at all. The Razor Excess feels great during daily training and long runs. There is a good amount of cushioning and protection underfoot for long miles. The rocker and slight stiffness also creates a very efficient ride (without a plate). There is plenty of HYPERBURST and the shoe is light enough for workouts. I have used this shoe for fartleks, hill repeats and tempo runs. While the Razor Excess can do everything, it works best at more uptempo and easy paces. I can see this being an excellent marathon shoe for those wanting a bit more cushion but not a plated shoe. I personally would use this potentially as an ultramarathon 50k road shoe. The outsole is definitely not made for trail and I am getting my normal wear on the posterior lateral outsole. I expect 250-300 miles, ie slightly below normal for a lightweight trainer due to a bit of early wear, however my pair has almost 50 miles on them already. There is more outsole rubber here than in other Razor models so I may get many more than normal. Most people who don't kill shoes will get normal mileage out of these thanks to the thick sole and GOODYEAR rubber coverage.
David: The Skechers Razor Excess does great with long runs and daily runs for me. The shoe is still light enough to push the pace a little bit if you want to but overall it leans more daily trainer for me. The ride is very lightweight and soft. The shoe does have GOODYEAR full contact outsole which helps with ground feel and making the platform a little bit more rigid. The shoe still has a crash pad design in the midline of the heel. The shoe no longer has "M strike" on the midfoot but the platform still seems really similar in feel. Overall the ride is really similar in a lot of ways to the original Razor with transitions with normal ground contact time and quick transitions in the heel and forefoot. The main difference is the increased stack that feels much nicer for daily paces and gives enough protection for longer mileage as well. For me this is a phenomenal training companion for the Razor +/3 and the Razor Elite.
STABILITY
Matt: This is the most stable Razor I have experienced. The Razor Excess is not a stability shoe (please see the Skechers GOrun Forza 4 HYPER Review), but there are several elements that make this shoe stable. The stiffer and rockered sole certainly contribute to maintaining forward motion. The toe spring is done extremely well, which combined with mild sole flare and a wider forefoot last makes for a naturally stable ride up front. The HYPER ARC firmer topsole also provides a firm yet stable ride throughout the length of the shoe. The heel counter and slightly raised side walls in the heel provide very subtle guidance in the rearfoot. This is not posting by any means, but does provide very mild guidance. Those that need mild stability will do very well in this shoe. I have been able to run up to 14 miles without issue in these. Those who need more stability however will need to look at the Forza series.
David: For being a higher stack shoe the stability is pretty decent. The midsole is softer and the shoe does run for neutral mechanics. Because of this there are no formal stability mechanisms, but there are some indirect things that help. The upper is non stretch and locks down on the foot pretty well. It does well in trails and in unstable surfaces which helps with stability. The GOODYEAR outsole is full contact and provides good traction on the road and some rigidity to the platform. The beveled design also helps keep mechanics linear. Overall the shoe has pretty good stability for a high stack, cushioned, neutral shoe. It isn't going to be the most stable shoe out there compared to a lot of other footwear but they did a decent job with stability given the goals of the shoe.
THOUGHTS AS A DPT / FOOTWEAR SCIENCE
The Skeches Razor Excess is a more maximally cushioned, rockered and stiff shoe. The is not very much flexibility in the front of the shoe and some very well placed/executed toe spring compensates very well here. It should be known that despite this stiffness, which feels smooth and efficient especially at uptempo speeds, there is no plate. The recent plate craze (which is NOT new) has everyone looking for shoes with this component. However, what the plates essentially do is stiffen and stabilize the ride. Some can provide some rebound effect if enough force is placed into them, but they mostly stiffen the sole. We know from the current literature that they only contribute about 1% (max) to running economy based on some previous research (Roy & Stefanyshyn, 2006). The larger picture view is to look at sole stiffness overall. The stiffer the sole, the less flexibility. Combined with a more resilient and responsive foam, the sole may snap back quicker during the transition from midstance to toe off, potentially aiding the runner with forward propulsion. With a more stiff sole, it is better to have the sole be rockered to maintain forward motion, as there is an optimal amount of stiffness. This optimal amount of stiffness is the key, as each person, based on unique biomechanics, will do better with different levels of stiffness or flexibility (Mcleod et al., 2020). They also will react uniquely to other variables, such as plate placements, foam materials, heel bevel/toe spring angles and more (Herbert-Losier et al., 2020).
These plates are not magic. The Razor Excess is able to create an efficient, stiff, rockered ride without one and may do better for those looking for a lighter, cushioned but snappy shoe for distance racing that isn't as aggressive. We again know that different people react differently to different shoes. So for those looking for a non-carbon fiber plated, cushioned marathon racer, this may be a good choice.
The key to remember is that no shoe will work with every person's biomechanics. Some will do well with plates, others will not. Some will benefit from rockered shoes shifting loads to other joints (like from the ankle to the knee/hip), others will not (Brown et al., 2004; Sobhani et al., 2014). Your body is unique and you must determine what is best for you. The best shoe for you is the one that feels good and helps you run your best (not your friend, neighbor or running rival). Right now, the evidence is very mixed on matching shoes to people, outside of Dr. Benno Nigg's comfort paradigm/filter, which suggests that shoes should be match to people based on what they find most comfortable (Nigg et al., 2015). So try some shoes on and go with the one that matches you (not someone else).
-Matthew Klein PT DPT OCS FAAOMPT
References
Brown, D., Wertsch, J., Harris, G., Klein, J., Janisse, D. (2004). Effect of rocker soles on plantar pressure. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 85(1): 81-86.
Hebert-Losier, K., Finlayson, S., Driller, M., Dubois, B., Esculier J., & Beaven, C. (2020). Evidence of variable performance responses to the Nike 4% shoe: Definitely not a game-changer for all recreational runners. (Pre-Print).
Mcleod, A., Bruening, D., Johnson, A., Ward, J., Hunter, I. (2020). Improving running economy through altered shoe bending stiffness across speeds. Footwear Science, 1-11.
Nigg, B. M., Baltich, J., Hoerzer, S., & Enders, H. (2015). Running shoes and running injuries: mythbusting and a proposal for two new paradigms:‘preferred movement path’and ‘comfort filter’. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(20), 1290-1294.
Roy, J. & Stefanyshyn, D. (2006). Shoe midsole longitudinal bending stiffness and running economy, joint energy and EMG. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: 38(3), 562-569.
Sobhani, S., Bredeweg, S., Dekker, R., Kluitenberg, B., Heuvel, E., Hijmans, J., Postema, K. (2014). Rocker shoe, minimalist shoe and standard running shoe: A comparison of running economy. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 17(3): 312-316.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: My major suggestions for the Razor Excess are in the upper. I would suggest redoing the toe guard to free up the toe box a little. I might suggest some reinforcements in the midfoot just for a little more lockdown. Other than that, I don't want this shoe to change.
David: My main recommendation for the Razor Excess would be to refine the upper a little bit more at the distal region of the tongue and the toe box. The width throughout is good but the shoe does have a flex point at the tongue/toe box junction that can be a little bit irritating. I did get some hot spots there but thankfully did not blister. The midfoot lockdown could slightly be improved as well but it is still pretty good as it currently is.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR (Conclusion)
Matt: The Skechers Razor Excess is a fun lightweight trainer with decent volume in the upper and a smooth, rockered ride that will work for many people as a marathon racer. The ride is very protective, yet smooth with moderate responsiveness. The upper is accommodating throughout with just a but of snugness up front (that breaks in). The Razor Excess excels at long runs, uptempo runs and daily training, making it a great shoe for when you aren't sure if you are going to do an easy day or workout. This is a fantastic addition to the Razor line and will pair very well with the Razor Elite, Razor + or Razor Elite as a Trainer/Racer combo.
David: The Skechers Razor Excess is a lightweight and highly cushioned daily training option that will work for a lot of people. The upper is much more accommodating for a larger variety of foot types than the original Razor 3 and leans more in the daily training lane. The shoe is very lightweight, cushioned, with mild to moderate responsiveness and does great for long runs for me. The Skechers Razor Excess is a phenomenal addition to the Razor line and will work well for those looking for a shoe with a performance trainer like feel, but with additional stack and cushioning.
GRADING (SHOE CATEGORY)
Matt
Fit: B+ (Great secure fit that accommodates swelling well. Very light upper, heel counter done perfectly. Slight snugness at the toe box initially)
Performance: A- (A great lightweight trainer. Responsive HYPER is paired with firmer HYPER ARC for a stable, smooth ride. The shoe is rockered very well with perfectly tuned toe spring. While there is no plate, the ride is stiffer and efficient. Great for long mileage, daily training and uptempo efforts.)
Stability: B+ (Great stability elements for a neutral shoe. Firmer HYPER ARC, subtle sidewalls and well done toespring/rocker)
DPT/Footwear Science: B+ (Wider outsole, mild sidewalls, good rocker without the need of a plate is good)
Personal: A+ (I really like this shoe. A perfect lightweight trainer that can handle uptempo work and long runs. Great fit with a fun efficient ride that will keep you going for miles).
Overall: B+ (Agreed with David. This is the Razor that many people were waiting for. There is plenty of cushioning with enough volume for longer miles. A great long run/lightweight daily trainer that can still handle some uptempo runs. Perfect for pairing with the Speed Elite and/or Razor Elite. However, )
David
Fit: A- (The upper overall fits very well. It is very lightweight and does well with swelling. There is some creasing from the tongue to the toe box that can be a little bit irritating but overall a great design.)
Performance: A- (The shoe does great with cushioning and is very lightweight. The shoe does lose some speed with how much softer hyperburst is present but overall still a responsive and cushioned, great long run shoe)
Stability: B+ (The midsole and stack height aren't the most stable, but the full length GOODYEAR and non stretch mesh upper secures the shoe well)
DPT/Footwear Science: A- (The Excess is not excessive. The higher stack has some good components to help stabilize and keep the platform fluid and not mushy. The security is solid throughout and the outsole has good traction.)
Personal: A- (This is an awesome shoe for daily training and long runs for me. It is lightweight and provides a really refreshing ride throughout. It is not quite responsive enough for me to take to the track or use for workouts, but a fun shoe that I continue to reach for)
Overall: A- (This is the Razor I think a lot of people have been hoping for. The shoe has a lot more cushion and more volume to the upper that will fit more foot types. The shoe leans more daily training and long run type efforts. It isn't as fast or responsive, but a really nice addition to the rotation.)
POST REVIEW Q&A
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FURTHER READING
Compare
Find our review of the brand new Razor Excess 2 here.
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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. IG handle @kleinrunsdpt
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 60 to 70 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
Bach Pham MS
Marketing and Social Media Manager