I’m a big fan of the Skechers GOrun 3 for both training and racing (you may remember they were my shoe of choice for the 2014 Cayman Islands Marathon), so it was really just a matter of time when I’d get around to trying out the much-anticipated update. I purchased the GOrun 4 online back in December and having racked up 200+ miles in the shoe so far, it’s as good a time as any to share some thoughts.
To start with, the GOrun 4 is a completely different shoe to the GOrun 3, but in a weird kind of way, it retains many of the great characteristics I enjoyed in the original. The sole has been updated, the upper redesigned, and although the 4 is almost an ounce heavier than the 3, the extra weight is really a non-issue.
Let’s start with the sole, which for the most part is exposed Resalyte midsole material with 7 rubber patches placed strategically around the perimeter of the shoe. The pods are holding up nicely, but I wish there were a couple more of these patches on the lateral heel area, as this tends to be a heavy wear section for me on all my shoes. The all-new M-Strike component is a nice touch and is designed to promote efficient running mechanics by encouraging a midfoot strike. I’d say it does the job nicely as you can really get a good stride going with this shoe. The sole feels slightly more cushioned than the GOrun 3, but is still very flexible and super soft. If you enjoy a firm ride with your shoes, I’d suggest the GOrun 4 is not really for you.
The synthetic mesh one-piece upper is breathable, lightweight and just stretchy enough to allow a little bit of toe splay. The stitched overlays provide a modicum of support and are accented by several reflective details. The forefoot is roomy enough despite its bullet-like shape compared to the GOrun 3, but if you do find the fit a tad on the snug-side, you can always remove the Ortholite sockliner and take advantage of the finished footbed. By the way, the plush footbed is great for sockless running if you’re into that sort of thing.
The lacing system is pretty traditional and allows for locking the heel in place as I do with all my shoes. The heel counter is curved and not as cushioned as on the GOrun 3, but it suits me fine and has given me no trouble whatsoever. The “Quickfit Portal” hole beneath the heel counter is a bit of an odd feature, but I guess it saves some weight and might come in handy for some. Apparently, it’s intended to be used as a finger-loop to help pull the shoe on quickly, but I’ve never used it, and doubt I ever will. One last comment on the upper, the tongue is now slightly padded which is a big improvement on the wafer thin tongue of the GOrun 3.
Stack height in the heel is 23mm with 19mm in the forefoot, giving a heel drop of 4mm which is typically the sweet spot for me. Zero drop is fine a couple of times per week, and on occasion I don’t mind venturing into the 8mm drop range, but give me a 4mm shoe and that’s where I’m usually the happiest.
My size 9.5 weighs in at exactly 8 ounces compared to 7.2 ounces for the same size in the GOrun 3. Truth be told, I don’t notice the extra weight at all, and if I’m looking to grab one of the lightest shoes in my closet, I typically reach for the GOrun 4. It’s an excellent shoe and has served me well on everything from short, slow recovery runs to mid-distance tempo runs and also 20 mile Sunday slogs. I even wore the GOrun 4 for 40 miles at this year’s Rocky Raccoon 100. The race didn’t exactly go to plan, but at least I had happy feet.
So, all in all a great update from Skechers and with an MSRP of $100, the price point is pretty good too, although if I’m honest, I’m not totally convinced an increase of $25 from the GOrun 3 is totally justified – that’s a pretty big increase don’t you think? Anyway, if you’re interested in purchasing the GOrun 4, scroll down a bit for the best current online prices.
From the Skechers website:
Details
- Improved breathability and flexibility
- Roomy forefoot
- Form fitting and virtually seamless sublimated mesh upper with lightweight overlays
- One piece upper engineered to deliver a comfortable and supportive fit
- TPU side overlays with integrated lacing for a supportive, secure fit
- GOimpulse™ Sensors offer flexibility and feedback for a responsive running experience
- M-Strike® Technology promotes a midfoot strike
- Custom insole is removable for an even more minimal feel
- 4mm Heel Drop
- Resalyte® Midsole – Proprietary lightweight injection-molded compound with memory retention helps absorb impact
- Resalyte® Power Pillar™ cushioning provides a soft and responsive ride
Construction
- Flatlock stitching detail for seamless feel and lighter weight
- Soft smooth fabric shoe lining for easy barefoot wear
- Weight: Radically lightweight 7.8 oz per shoe based on a men’s size 9
Other Skechers GOrun 4 Reviews:
Runblogger.com
Running Shoes Guru
Solereview
The Ginger Runner
Relentless Forward Commotion
My only issue with this model was some odd bending over the big toe area when it was stretched. It would buckle in and rub the top of my toe. At speed I would forget it was there, but on any easy running or recovery jogs, it just annoyed me. Other than that, a very nice shoe
Interesting… Did experience a bit of buckling, but thankfully no toe rub. Thanks for the comment!