Skechers GOrun 2. Hailed the shoe of the future.

[enayes]

http://i46.tinypic.com/wkp6y0.jpg

Meet the Skechers GOrun 2. The slight contoured shape and negative heel promotes a midfoot strike. Competitive runners across the country are hailing this the shoe of the future. Just released in late December of 2012, the GOrun 2 already has a cult like following.

I'm hoping to try these out soon, just have to fix my not having any money situation. I was hesitant to buy a pair of Skechers, but these are not the Skechers we are used to seeing. Plus I love the colors.

If anyone out there is still looking for that perfect running shoe, the GOrun 2 may very well be what you're looking for.

[9erempiree]

price?

[enayes]

price?

Retail price $80.

[enayes]

Will be purchasing soon. Full review to follow.

[Patrick Chewing]

When I was a kid you would get laughed at for wearing Skechers.


Why? I have always worn Skechers as my dress shoes for going out. Comfortable and stylish.

[sunsfan1357]

Might be worth a shot for $80, but shoes aren't really one style fits all so I'd have to try them out somewhere first.

[bmulls]

I'm the biggest skeptic in the world when it comes to fitness fads, but I truly believe in barefoot running/midfoot striking. I can already midfoot strike in my Nike Free Runs, but these look interesting.

[Flagrant 2]

It's a black thing
I'll show you Black Thing

[enayes]

I'm the biggest skeptic in the world when it comes to fitness fads, but I truly believe in barefoot running/midfoot striking. I can already midfoot strike in my Nike Free Runs, but these look interesting.

I tried on a pair today and they are very similar to Nike Free's. I've had 4-5 pairs of Free's and I've always loved them.

[StroShow4]

Wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of Sketchers. Would rather go barefoot.

[AboveTheRim.]

Not trying to burst your bubble, but this individual shoe has gotten no accolades from the world of competitive running. Skechers has made a big push in the last few years to stay relevant in the world of professional running (like sponsoring a few Olympians).

[enayes]

Not trying to burst your bubble, but this individual shoe has gotten no accolades from the world of competitive running. Skechers has made a big push in the last few years to stay relevant in the world of professional running (like sponsoring a few Olympians).

I read a few personal reviews of the shoe from long time runners that had nothing but positive things to say. This shoe just came out a few months ago.

[AboveTheRim.]

I read a few personal reviews of the shoe from long time runners that had nothing but positive things to say. This shoe just came out a few months ago.
Not knocking the shoe, just saying it will stay in the class of vibrams and other almost-barefoot running shoes, where it is more of a fad thing than a revolutionary training device.

[enayes]

Not knocking the shoe, just saying it will stay in the class of vibrams and other almost-barefoot running shoes, where it is more of a fad thing than a revolutionary training device.

I wouldn't call it a fad. It's been proven that heel striking is terrible for your entire body, so shoes that promote a mid/forefoot strike are here to stay.

I'm not saying they're for everybody but these type of shoes provide a much more effective and safer workout.

[rezznor]

Not knocking the shoe, just saying it will stay in the class of vibrams and other almost-barefoot running shoes, where it is more of a fad thing than a revolutionary training device.
it's not a fad. plenty of other big name shoe companies have embraced minimalist shoes, look at the popularity of nike frees. i would never wear the sketchers though..

[LJJ]

It doesn't promote a midfoot strike, that's a marketing phrase. It's only suitable for runners with a midfoot strike, that's a very different thing. If you are used to a heel strike and start using these shoes there is one thing they definitely promote, and that's a calf or tendon injury.

Also, there is no conclusive proof whatsoever that a midfoot strike is better or more healthy than a heel strike. Both have their benefits and negatives, it's much more important to get your stride correct. Most professional long distance runners heel strike: it's not slower, it's not unhealthier.

[brandonislegend]

Wouldn't be caught dead in a pair of Sketchers. Would rather go barefoot.

:roll: THIS.

[enayes]

When I first started midfoot/forefoot striking in my nike frees and fivefingers my feet, calves and legs were sore. For the first time in a long time I was actually getting a workout. I couldn't tell you how long it had been since my calves were sore after a run, but it was a great feeling.

I agree that everyone is different and many people do heel strike effectively, but I think everyone should try midfoot striking. It may change your outlook on running like it did mine.

[andgar923]

What kinda feminine shits is these?

[LJJ]

When I first started midfoot/forefoot striking in my nike frees and fivefingers my feet, calves and legs were sore. For the first time in a long time I was actually getting a workout. I couldn't tell you how long it had been since my calves were sore after a run, but it was a great feeling.

I agree that everyone is different and many people do heel strike effectively, but I think everyone should try midfoot striking. It may change your outlook on running like it did mine.

Whatever. Don't say shit like this:

"I wouldn't call it a fad. It's been proven that heel striking is terrible for your entire body [100% false], so shoes that promote a mid/forefoot strike are here to stay.

I'm not saying they're for everybody but these type of shoes provide a much more effective [very rarely true] and safer [very rarely true, and in the majority of the cases the opposite] workout."

[Zan Tabak]

Always thought sketchers were a female shoe...maybe that's just me?

[bmulls]

Also, there is no conclusive proof whatsoever that a midfoot strike is better or more healthy than a heel strike. Both have their benefits and negatives, it's much more important to get your stride correct. Most professional long distance runners heel strike: it's not slower, it's not unhealthier.

Try heel striking in bare feet. That is all the proof you need that a midfoot strike is the way the human body evolved to run.

[chains5000]

It doesn't promote a midfoot strike, that's a marketing phrase. It's only suitable for runners with a midfoot strike, that's a very different thing. If you are used to a heel strike and start using these shoes there is one thing they definitely promote, and that's a calf or tendon injury.

Also, there is no conclusive proof whatsoever that a midfoot strike is better or more healthy than a heel strike. Both have their benefits and negatives, it's much more important to get your stride correct. Most professional long distance runners heel strike: it's not slower, it's not unhealthier.
LJJ is correct.
Also, weight should be considered. Some DO need cushioning.

As for these shoes being the future, Adidas Boost technology seems to be the most importante "new thing" now.

[StroShow4]

Always thought sketchers were a female shoe...maybe that's just me?

They are a female shoe.

[bmulls]

LJJ is correct.
Also, weight should be considered. Some DO need cushioning.

As for these shoes being the future, Adidas Boost technology seems to be the most importante "new thing" now.

No, he's not correct.

Just because you're fat doesn't mean you can't run properly. You might need more cushioning than a pair of Vibrams, but you can still midfoot strike.

In fact, overweight people would get more benefit from a midfoot strike than a skinny person. Skinny people can get away with repeated heel striking because there isn't a whole lot of force placed on the lower legs in the first place. Fat people need to spread that force out on the appropriate muscles and other soft tissue structures.

[enayes]

LJJ you sound like you are a bit out of your element.

Nike created the first cushioned running shoe and it took the market by storm. They were promoting a heel strike technigue that was previously impossible to do in thin soled shoes/barefoot running.

It had been PROVEN that cushoined shoes INCREASE the amount of shock on your body. They do absolutley nothing to help. Do some research.

Nike even ADMITTED this and tried to rectify the situation by promoting their new Nike Free shoes, with the slogan "Run barefoot".

Heel striking is a method of running that was CREATED by the shoe industry and it has done nothing but cause more injuries to runners around the world.

Thankfully people are starting to realize this and if the trend continues, running related injuries should start to decrease.

[intrinsic]

LJJ you sound like you are a bit out of your element.

Nike created the first cushioned running shoe and it took the market by storm. They were promoting a heel strike technigue that was previously impossible to do in thin soled shoes/barefoot running.

It had been PROVEN that cushoined shoes INCREASE the amount of shock on your body. They do absolutley nothing to help. Do some research.

Nike even ADMITTED this and tried to rectify the situation by promoting their new Nike Free shoes, with the slogan "Run barefoot".

Heel striking is a method of running that was CREATED by the shoe industry and it has done nothing but cause more injuries to runners around the world.

Thankfully people are starting to realize this and if the trend continues, running related injuries should start to decrease.

None of what you wrote here is proof. It is good marketing.

[ace23]

Why? I have always worn Skechers as my dress shoes for going out. Comfortable and stylish.
:roll: :roll:

[rezznor]

None of what you wrote here is proof. It is good marketing.

What’s up with heelstrike?
Jun 15, 2010 by Jeremy
Why you probably shouldn’t strike on your heel
Many runners are under the impression that striking on the heel is the way to go. While many runners certainly do heel-strike and running shoes seem to be geared around this concept, it doesn’t seem to be the way of the most efficient runners. So why does everyone heelstrike and why is it such a popular notion in the running world today?
An ex-Nike employee told me that back when Nike first introduced the AIR sole into their running shoes (something that Nike wear testers at the time were STRONGLY OPPOSED to), the Air unit was only available in the heel. Nike went around the country teaching people to “take advantage of the cushioning” by landing on their heels. In this way, a new generation of high school runners, coaches, etc. were mislead into thinking that striking on the heel was the correct place to strike. Unfortunately, this myth is still popular today. In all actuality, it was just the most convenient place to “take advantage” of running shoe technology at the time—runners would have been better off without heel striking or shoes with big heels that encouraged it.
So where should my foot strike while running one might ask? The answer is underneath your body, which is usually pretty close to mid-foot for the average person. It may be a slight forefoot strike for some or a very slight heelstrike for others, but it should always be pretty close to midfoot. This reduces impact, saves a lot of wear and tear on the legs and knees, and puts more muscular attention on your stronger leg muscles. In short, you’ll be a more efficient, less injured, faster runner.
Here’s a great letter written to Runner’s World on the subject:

Is there embarrassment all round at Reebok?
What I’m talking about is their super-duper, full-color, fold out, three-page advertisement for shoes designed for heel-strikers that is illustrated by a great picture of an athlete who is blatantly NOT a heel-striker. (September).
Seriously. Why is the running shoe industry obsessed with heel strike? 90% of elite runners are midfoot/forefoot strikers (like the one in the ad)? Wouldn’t manufacturers better serve customers by preaching proper biomechanics, gait and form?
Heel striking is braking. It’s what you do when you want to slow down. Heel striking is biomechanically inefficient and leads to injury. Especially when shoes are padded so much that they allow runners to (temporarily) get away with heel striking with locked knees.
In the same issue you had what you called "Fall’s Best New Shoes". Why did you not include in your review the new Velocy (advertised page 98 in the same issue), a shoe actually designed to encourage runners to run "with gravity" and get off their heels? It is the only genuine breakthrough technology we’ve seen all year.
Simon Martin,
Boulder, Colorado.
http://recordrun.blogspot.com
Some great points were made in this letter and I hope that the running shoe industry will address the issue a bit better. Watch any race and you’ll see that the elites certainly aren’t heelstriking—why brake when you can use gravity to your advantage? For now we have some great companies like Vibram (for barefoot running), Velocy (forward momentum tech) and Inov-8 (low profile off road shoes) doing their bit to make running a bit more natural. And yes, of course we carry this great stuff at the store! If you are struggling with running or with an injury, maybe this is your answer…
-Golden Harper
Related Posts
Tagshttp://runnerscorner.com/articles/heelstrike/

[iamgine]

I want to try these barefoot shoes for basketball. Anybody knows one that's good for lateral movement?

[rezznor]

I want to try these barefoot shoes for basketball. Anybody knows one that's good for lateral movement?
no ankle support i wouldnt do it

[iamgine]

no ankle support i wouldnt do it
Some would say the ankle support actually cause injury.

[rezznor]

Some would say the ankle support actually cause injury.
true...

just fyi, there are different types of vibrams. some designed for trail running, some are for the track, some are all purpose. guess you would have to try them to figure out what's best for you.

[LJJ]

http://runnerscorner.com/articles/heelstrike/

Again, the vast majority of professional long distance runners heel strike, and I'm supposed to listen to a blog post saying it's "inefficient". If it was actually inefficient and had a strong relation to injury it would have been phased out of the professional sport a long time ago.

Please.

You guys have bought into the marketing of these minimal shoes hook, line and sinker.

This guy is pretty much dead on with his analysis if you ask me (he's not trying to sell you any shoes either):
http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/multisport-zone/multisport-lab/articles/footstrike-debate-022812.aspx

[enayes]

Again, the vast majority of professional long distance runners heel strike, and I'm supposed to listen to a blog post saying it's "inefficient". If it was actually inefficient and had a strong relation to injury it would have been phased out of the professional sport a long time ago.Please.

You guys have bought into the marketing of these minimal shoes hook, line and sinker.

This guy is pretty much dead on with his analysis if you ask me (he's not trying to sell you any shoes either):
http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/multisport-zone/multisport-lab/articles/footstrike-debate-022812.aspx

Heel striking is still a relatively new method of running, as posted by rezznor (thanks bud) Nike produced this new shoe in the late 70's I believe. Before that NOBODY was heel striking because you simply couldn't without it being painful. That is PROOF that it is bad for your body.

Do you run LJJ? If so, try running barefoot while coming down on you heel first. It is the most uncomfotable and awkward feeling in the world.

Minimalist shoes are simply allowing us to run how we were always meant to run.

[LJJ]

Heel striking is still a relatively new method of running, as posted by rezznor (thanks bud) Nike produced this new shoe in the late 70's I believe. Before that NOBODY was heel striking because you simply couldn't without it being painful. That is PROOF that it is bad for your body.

Do you run LJJ? If so, try running barefoot while coming down on you heel first. It is the most uncomfotable and awkward feeling in the world.

Minimalist shoes are simply allowing us to run how we were always meant to run.

Look, I'm completely willing to buy your claim if you had proof. Evidence.

Proof isn't "when people run barefoot they use a midfoot strike, so that's proof it's also better to run the same way in shoes". No, natural is not better per definition. Not brushing my teeth is also natural, but I still do it.

Proof would be this: Professional, experienced runners who utilize a midfoot strike are in general less likely to get injured and more succesfull runners than those who utilize a heel strike. This is simply not true. You have no evidence, no proof. The Marathon WR has been comfortably held by heel strikers for as long as I can remember, and I can remember six of them. One of them actually was a natural midfoot striker and he never came close to a WR until he adopted the heel strike.

[rezznor]

Again, the vast majority of professional long distance runners heel strike, and I'm supposed to listen to a blog post saying it's "inefficient". If it was actually inefficient and had a strong relation to injury it would have been phased out of the professional sport a long time ago.

Please.

You guys have bought into the marketing of these minimal shoes hook, line and sinker.

This guy is pretty much dead on with his analysis if you ask me (he's not trying to sell you any shoes either):
http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/multisport-zone/multisport-lab/articles/footstrike-debate-022812.aspx


so when Nike was marketing it's cushioned shoes were we also buying into it hook, line, and sinker? now Nike is promoting it's own minimalist shoes, the Frees...which Nike am I supposed to believe?

From personal experience, I used to always get shin splints and knee pain when I ran in my old shoes...after a few weeks in my Vibrams, that pain went away. That's good enough for me.

[LJJ]

so when Nike was marketing it's cushioned shoes were we also buying into it hook, line, and sinker? now Nike is promoting it's own minimalist shoes, the Frees...which Nike am I supposed to believe?


None. You shouldn't believe what a shoe company tells you about shoes at all.

Look at factual data. Problem solved.

[rezznor]

None. You shouldn't believe what a shoe company tells you about shoes at all.

Look at factual data. Problem solved.


you are right, but my question was a bit rhetorical. the answer isn't found in the shoe, the answer lies in correct running technique. a professional runner would probably have just as much success with a cushioned shoe as a minimal one, but that's because he has his biomechanics down. the advantage that minimalist shoes do have, however, is that they help to encourage you to run correctly.

[enayes]

None. You shouldn't believe what a shoe company tells you about shoes at all.

Look at factual data. Problem solved.

There is no factual data to support the idea that cushioned running shoes prevent injury or increase running times.

[enayes]

so when Nike was marketing it's cushioned shoes were we also buying into it hook, line, and sinker? now Nike is promoting it's own minimalist shoes, the Frees...which Nike am I supposed to believe?

From personal experience, I used to always get shin splints and knee pain when I ran in my old shoes...after a few weeks in my Vibrams, that pain went away. That's good enough for me.


Hey rezznor, how far do you run in your vibrams?

I went on a 5+ mile run in my vibram bikilas today and it felt great. I was pretty sure I wanted a shoe with a little more cushion (hence this thread) but now I'm not so sure. I have a goal of doing a half marathon in September and running it in my fivefingers seems like a daunting task.

I think I'm going to run in my fingers for a couple weeks before I buy a new pair of shoes.

[enayes]

"Going barefoot is certainly the best way to quickly develop and maintain good form. And shoes certainly can interfere with our form. " -Unknown

This is what I mainly feel is very important for people to realize. There are a lot of people running with terrible form and getting away with it because of their shoes.

[rezznor]

Hey rezznor, how far do you run in your vibrams?

I went on a 5+ mile run in my vibram bikilas today and it felt great. I was pretty sure I wanted a shoe with a little more cushion (hence this thread) but now I'm not so sure. I have a goal of doing a half marathon in September and running it in my fivefingers seems like a daunting task.

I think I'm going to run in my fingers for a couple weeks before I buy a new pair of shoes.
farthest i have run in vibrams is 12 miles. i ran in saucony kinvaras for my marathon. i do know people who run full marathons in vibrams, as well as 2 brothers who are dedicated pure barefoot runners. they have run over a dozen marathons without shoes.

[iamgine]

true...

just fyi, there are different types of vibrams. some designed for trail running, some are for the track, some are all purpose. guess you would have to try them to figure out what's best for you.
Any other brand? I checked out Vibram and dislike their five fingers design. Surely would attract stares and unwanted attention.

[rezznor]

Any other brand? I checked out Vibram and dislike their five fingers design. Surely would attract stares and unwanted attention.
yes, there are plenty that uses vibram's actual materials but on regular shoe styles. the nimbus is one http://www.irunfar.com/2011/02/merrell-trail-glove-vs-new-balance-minimus-trail-review.html

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

Why? I have always worn Skechers as my dress shoes for going out. Comfortable and stylish.
Are you a small child?

[enayes]

Got my pair of the GOrun 2's today. I decided to go for a short run around campus. Forefoot/midfoot striking in these shoes was not comfortable for me. The only style that felt "good" was too close to heel striking for my liking. I ran for about 5 minutes. I have already cleaned them and will be returning them to Zappos tomorrow.

I wish I could have given them more of a chance, but I didn't want them to get too worn to return. I was hoping these shoes would be a nice balance between barefoot/fivefingers running and normal running shoes but it was not to be.

Afterward I went for a 30 minute barefoot run on our indoor track and felt great. So it looks like I'm going to stick with barefoot/vibrams for now.