Skechers GOmeb Razor & GOrun 5 Review

Below are a couple paragraphs analyzing the performance of  Skechers GOmeb Razor and GOrun 5. Head over to RoadTrailRun.com for my full length review, complete with photos and more!

In Depth Comparative Review: Skechers Performance GOmeb Razor & GOrun 5

First Impressions

GOmeb Razor Razor

These shoes scream speed right out of the box and their flashy, patterned design is certain to turn some heads. As someone who sticks to low-drop, lightweight shoes, the GOmeb Razor fits right in amongst the rest of my trainers, offering a natural and versatile ride.

GORun 5

The similarity in the look and specs of the GOrun 5 to the GOmeb Razor is wild, considering how vastly different they feel on the foot and on the run. A snugger, narrower upper makes the GOrun 5 seem more like a racer, although it’s softer midsole would beg to differ. This plush, cushioned feel makes it perfect for longer races, protecting runners from wear and tear while still providing some rebound.

Upper & Fit

GOmeb Razor - The step in feel of this shoe is great. Featuring a GO KNIT upper, the GOmeb Razor provides a secure yet freeing feel around the foot. The upper material is a bit thicker than the material used on the GOrun 5, likely improving the durability of the shoe. The flexible upper combined with the more natural foot shape (no pointy toe box here!) has meant zero foot issues for me, no matter what the distance (and as a fan of sockless running for practically all my runs, this is definitely something I’m happy about). The heel counter has a “barely there” feel and the width of the heel is about average. The reflective detailing on the upper is a nice touch, making them highly visible in low-light conditions.

GOrun 5 - The GOrun 5 features a GO KNIT upper similar to the GOmeb Razor, but is made of a thinner and softer material. There is also an integrated inner support strap-on either side of the second eyelet. This, combined with a narrower last and lower forefoot volume, gives the shoe a dialed-down fit, like that of a racing flat. The laces do not have as many eyelets as the GOmeb Razor (or your typical shoe), which means they have to be pulled a bit tighter to feel secure. The GOrun 5 also features a narrower heel, which holds the foot nicely. A quick-fit pull tag is also attached allowing for quick on and offs. Sockless runs in the GOrun 5 left me with no worries!

Midsole & Outsole

GOmeb Razor - The midsole of the GOmeb Razor is made of Skechers 5Gen material. While running they have a firm feel with a bit of pop, but still offer plenty of cushion for longer runs. The GOmeb Razor also features a full ground contact outsole (with a diagonal/diamond pattern), with some additional durable rubber in the heel and forefoot. This really impressed me, as it led to a very smooth ride. The GOmeb Razor is designed to be a more cushioned version of the GOmeb Speed, but still offers plenty of energy return for faster efforts.

GOrun 5 - Just like the GOmeb Razor, the midsole of the GOrun 5 utilizes Skechers 5Gen material, although it’s durometer (hardness) is a few notches down. The outsole has the same full ground contact outsole (with a diagonal/diamond pattern), designed to provide grip on a variety of surfaces.

Ride

GOmeb Razor - The GOmeb Razor has a very unique (in a good way!) ride. The snappiness was very apparent, and I found myself looking to pick up the pace while wearing this shoe. The versatility of the shoe is pretty surprising, as I’ve taken this pair with me on a wide range of runs and paces over the past couple weeks. Whether you’re racing or headed out for a casual jaunt around the neighborhood this shoe will live up to your expectations every time.

GOrun 5 - The GOmeb Razor and GOrun 5 both come in at around 7.5 ounces, and both have an airy, “barely there” feel on your feet. The ride of the GOrun 5 differs from that of the GOmeb Razor in that it has a softer underfoot, with a bit of bounce to it. The GOrun 5 also features a full ground contact outsole like the GOmeb Razor, making the transition from landing to toeing off very fluid. Similar to the GOmeb Razor, the GOrun 5 can be used for a variety of runs, but based off of the fit of the upper, I personally think the GOrun 5 is better suited for race day or a hard, uptempo workout.

Recommendations and Conclusions

GOmeb Razor - Impressive to say the least! With a thumbs up in the looks department and a performance to match, this shoe confirms my belief that Skechers deserves a place right next to other top running shoe brands. I am excited to see what is to come from the brand in 2017 and beyond. 

GOrun 5 - A great shoe overall, and an improvement from past iterations of this model, the GOrun 5 is a soft yet fast performance trainer, with a low to the ground, bouncy ride. After testing both models over a couple weeks of high mileage training, I’d also like to point out the durability of these shoes is pretty spectacular. With little noticeable wear on the sole after 50 miles, these shoes have plenty of pop left, feeling practically the same as when they were first taken out of their boxes.

Comparisons

GOmeb Razor / GOrun 5 vs. Altra One 2.5 - My go-to shoe, the Altra One 2.5, has a similar soft feel to that of the GOrun 5, but a more open and natural-shaped forefoot like that of the Razor. The Altra One 2.5 is the lightest of the three shoes, and is zero-drop as opposed to 4mm drop like the Skechers.

GOmeb Razor / GOrun 5 vs. Saucony Kinvara 7 - The Saucony Kinvara 7 falls into the same ballpark as the GOmeb Razor and GOrun 5, but more so the GOmeb Razor. All three of these shoes are 4mm drop, and designed to be lightweight, versatile trainers/racers. The Kinvara 7 is the firmest of the three shoes, but the GOmeb Razor feels like it has more pop. The Skechers are a little more flexible and feature more comfortable and smooth engineered-mesh uppers.

Skechers GOmeb Razor / GOrun 5 vs. Hoka Tracer - The Hoka Tracer is a lighter, much firmer shoe than both the GOmeb Razor and the GOrun 5, but all three feature a 4mm drop, and are great for both speed workouts and long distance races. The GOrun 5 and Tracer have a similar, snug fitting upper to one another, and the GOmeb Razor has a quick, responsive feel like that of the Tracer.