Showing posts with label Skechers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skechers. Show all posts

Friday, November 03, 2023

Skechers GRR11 - 300km After


The Skechers GoRunRide 11 was first in service since August 14, 2023 and you read about the unboxing and first hand review here in my blog. It has been 89 days since (to today's writing) and I have clocked 312KM over 59 runs. That is average of 5.2km - and consistent with my everyday 25mins run over the same route, same time, same distance and same duration. This was my "everyday trainer" which the balance 30 runs I did were in other shoes I have. 

August 14 to November 3, 2023
The Skechers GRR11 is the heaviest shoe I had used in the past 2 years and it was a good daily trainer for those easy days and up-tempo day. I am a firm believer in using the heaviest least responsive shoe to train, and switch to a racing flat or carbon shoe for race. The old adage of "training with a donkey and race with a Ferrari" in this case. So the GRR11 coming in at above 300grams per side is hefty as it's stack height and midsole cushioning

Such coincidence of the weight and the mileage at today's review! I assure this wasn't planned!
This follow up review is based on my personal usage, running in all weather condition (hot tarmax, rain heavy rain, flooded tarmac) and in all condition of the shoe (new, damp, wet, smelly, sticky). So my experience could be different or vastly different than yours. 
Lets start with the outsole
This is the shoe outsole brand new
KM 0

This is how it is at KM 312. Close up of the wear area as expected due to my running pronation.
That dirt was actually a cellophane tape stuck on the base

Closer crop of the shoe heel area at KM 0

left foot significant wear on the outer heel, some wear on the heel


right foot wear on the outer heel. No damage to the heel
Closer crop of the front of the shoe brand new

KM312

left foot mid-foot significant wear

right foot mid-foot also significant wear
The grip after 300km remain to be good in all weather condition. The Goodyear rubber claim of good grip lived up to it's name. However, the wear is significantly faster when compared to my other non-Skechers shoe with some at higher mileage (like my Hyperion Max Green at >450km to date). I believe you trade the grip for faster wear - as with even vehicle tires, a gripper rubber meant a softer compound which wears off faster.
Outsole coming out
As I was checking the wear pattern, i noticed one part of the outsole is coming out from the midsole area. Unlikely caused by the cellophane tape, if ever. This area correspond to the area that is often under-duress as you lift and take off (area where the feet bend).
  • Outsole wear rate higher than expected. Perhaps it's my own thinking that Goodyear rubber will last longer.
  • Durability concern as this shoe looked like it could go for another 300km based on the wear rate, but may be hampered by the outsole coming out sooner than I think
  • Color change from neon green to flat yellow due to aging is expected.
  • "carbon infused" plate still has it's function. No issue with uptempo runs as needed
Now the Midsole
Midsole Hyperburst Ice brand new
This shoe is heavier due to the thicker midsole. It functions really well if you are looking for that addtional cushioning and response. It's there, but at time it felt flattish/draggy as well. Comes alive when you push it for some speed repeat or uptempo run, which is perhaps, a once-a-week workout.
Here is how it looked like after 312KM.
Right side of the shoe looked slightly "flatter" losing the curve

from the other side of the shoe. the "ArchFit" wording also wears off likely due to running gait
Again, this is how the shoe "curves" when new

New
KM312
The shoe does looked more compressed and "flatter", losing the heel up-tick at the back and significant compression on the word "Carbon Infused". Changes to the thickness of the outsole at where my thumb was, including at the midsole where you can't see the black-outsole from this angle.
Yeap, can see the differences
Here it is again, new
This is how the other side (left) looked like, consistent with the right



the other side aka left side also looked flatter than when new
  • While the midsole Hyperburst ICE retained it's support and cushioning, the shape of the shoe after 300km was much more stretched and become flatter
  • Outsole wear is consistent with observation that you sacrifice durability with grip
  • Given the two choices - I'll go for grip vs durability as I would rather have power transfer than slipping and falling on wet tarmac.
The Upper
Brand new
To expect the upper to be like new after 300km eventhough it's only been... 10 weeks, is unfair ;-). I would say it held up very well and only complain is that it takes at least 1 hot day to dry when wet, and when wet, it weighs you down as water dispersion is slow. On hot day, it gets hot (and i run sockless so i technically should be able to feel some air through right?)

Left

Right
  • Very solidly built upper - perhaps a bit more solid than i wanted it to be due to the heavier padding at the heel counter and the tongue
The Insole. Oh my...

This is the insole when new.

Brand new left and right side. With the right side showing the bottom
New. The side of the insole is straight up
300km, the insole flattedned out and shrunked

The insole is a patent pending ArchFit support that is soft and lend to the cushioning. It's the plushes insole I ever worn - and believe me as I've literally worn all insole from Skechers up till 4 years ago so to say. However, after 312km, the insole sort of baffles me... It shrunked. Like became almost 25% to 30% smaller than original size.

Yes, it's the same insole but look at the size vs the shoe. When new, it was almost the same length as the shoe inner
The insole vs the inside of the shoe - see how much it shrunked

the right side was significantly shorter 


  • No idea what happened. Could it be the occasional under the sun in-sole only drying after a wet day run?
  • Yes, the tip of the toes on both my feet now extend beyond the front of the insole in the shoe :D 
Overall after 300km...
Will it go beyond 600km? Perhaps I will continue to test/try/rotate it with other shoes I am using. At the moment, the failure point could be the outsole coming out, or the insole further becoming smaller. The shoe upper seems to indicate little failure point and could last 600km more if not because of the wear and tear on other parts. So, if i ever post the final end of life of this shoe - it be in this blog. 

Keep showing up!

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Skechers GoRunRide 11: Unboxing+Review

Hello.

A little over 6 years ago, I last worn and review the Skechers GoRunRide5. It was also my last pair of Skechers GoRunRide series I received and worn (close to 400km before the upper gave way). So when Skechers Malaysia asked if I am able to help give another pair a review, I could not say no. Those of you that has followed me on my journey would known that I was a former Skechers Ambassador for close to 5 years. 

It was a nice feeling to have the opportunity to "feel" and rekindle with the brand and Skechers Performance range again. This time around, it is the just released GoRunRide11 (GRR11). There is no GRR10, and the last version was GRR9. so it's 5 6 iterations after a 6-years hiatus for me.

Hello, again

The GoRunRide11

First a very quick the technical specs. Main features in bullets with explanations if that help. Bear with me as it's my first Skechers since 2016.

  • The GRR11 weigh 278grams for a US9 male version and my US11 came in at close to 313grams. Not the lightest of the lot when compared to more modern shoes. 
  • But there is a reason for the heavier weigh such as the thicker midsole that comes in at 38mm at heel and 32mm at the forefoot, giving it a very nice 6mm drop. Bear in mind that the "legal" stack height for a running shoe is 40mm and with a single plate. So this Shoe definitely is race legal. 
  • Plated? Yes, the GRR11 comes with a "carbon infused" plate (in H-shape; think of it as two T-shaped plastic plate arranged in H-shape, and the plastic plate is carbon-infused) and it is at the forefoot which then lend stability and also help to counter the cushioned midsole performance to allow for a smoother ride.
38-32 stack

Approximate location of the two T-shaped carbon infused plate in H-config

  • Plated (carbon infused) shoe for RM599 (retail)? Yes, I am not joking. Competitors comes in at about RM100 more and the fitting may varies. I am not going to compare this to other "plated" shoes, as this GRR11 stands on it's own. It is Skechers daily trainer that is (half)plated and cushioned - at a category on it's own.

313Grams for US11

  • What has significantly changed coming in from GRR5 was the Hyper Burst Ice, which is a dual density midsole foam. Skechers has long perfected the air-infused foam since more than 10 years ago (it was known as Resaltyte® back then)

Hyper Burst Ice
The super critical foam is actually a blown up EVA foam infused with air (carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen). Dual-density lends firmness and plushness for stability while lending bounciness (read: energy return). 
  • Next is the ArchFit which Skechers has claimed it was designed by podiatrist and developed with over 20 years of data and more than 120 thousands of foot scan. All these promises that the insole will mold to your feet while reducing shock and increasing weigh dispersion.
ArchFit Insole

"listen to the athlete"

Soft and loud (color)

Small disspointment the insole (top) is not bright colored

  • The insole was soft and felt like the memory foam-like. Reminds me of the Skechers Goga Mat. The bottom is sticky which I supposed to lend grip to the bottom to minimise slip. It be interesting to see how the stickiness reduce as the mileage goes in.
Based on the construct in midsole and insole, the GRR11 promises a great Ride (no pun intended) synonym with the comfort and cushioning that many are familiar with Skechers. 
  • Now throw in a solid Goodyear outsole - it gives you the confidence that this shoe will offer as much confidence in grip in all condition while providing all the comfort you need. With better tractions will provide stability (grip) and durability. 
Excellent Traction as promised

Promises grip and stability. Well covered at all direction
  • Skechers M-Strikes was something familiar to me, where it promotes midfoot strikes. Fast forward 6 iterations later, it is now known as HYPER ARC™ technology and that complete the midsole setup and promotes efficiency in each stride. 
Hyper Arch curves from side

Front

Heel
  • The upper of the GRR11 is made from synthetic and engineered mesh. It promises breathability and allow for the toes to splay out if required. 

A look into the shoe

  • The GRR11 comes with flat lace that does stretch about 10%. Additional hole for heel-lock lacing if you need more secure lacing. The thick tongue help with more comfort to prevent any lace-bite. The tongue is not gusseted aka not sewn down at the inside-sides. Some may not like it as the tongue may move but my personal take is the thicker tongue may actually limit movement as the laces are securely tied.
breathable engineered mesh and synthetic upper

The tongue is thick, and that would meant you can tie down the shoe pretty firmly without worrying of lace biting onto the top of the foot. The heel cup is also thick and padded, comfort is definitely the theme of the GRR11. 
  • The shoe is machine washable if you are the type that washes it that way. For myself, it be a rinse and drip dry, then air dry under shaded area. Not a fan of throwing shoes in washing machine. Just me.

Half a finger thick

Thick

First Feel
Soft. Cushioned. Cushy. Felt like GoWalk (walking shoes) just with higher stack and more structured top. True to size. Weight doesn't bother me much but compared to other shoes of similar stack height, it is a tad heavier due to the thicker tongue and heel neck/cup. Doesn't bother me much as I have ran in much heavier shoe. Stability while standing is a hit and miss, as I can feel the lateral movement as i shift my feet left and right when stationary.

The Hyper Arch or the rocker feeling is there and obvious as you move to the toe-off. At stationary, you will feel the shift in weight as you tip the toe. When new, the grip of the Goodyear outsole is obvious. My first thought is this shoe will definitely increase my ground contact time (GCT) due to the softer midsole. I have my Stryd pod to help me quantify it.

Lace tie down takes a bit of adjustment. The thicker tongue gives impression it is secured until you start to move. Heel cup slip happens if you do not secure it tighter; perhaps the heel lock lacing will do the trick.

First Run
My first run was without sock. No better way to test if there will be hot spot that may need mitigation in subsequent runs. Lacing was easy but took me a few attempts to lock the laces to the right pressure to prevent heel counter slip. Had to find the sweet spot.
The blue colorway with green-tinge HyperBurst Ice was ice catching under sunlight
Once the run was in motion, the Hyper Arch rocker with thicker mid that taper to thinner toe help to transition the feet pretty fast. The GRR11 will favor midfoot and forefoot runners. Heel striker may find it strange as the heel much more beveled compared to the mid section.
Image for reference on the more beveled heel pad and highly tapered toe

The comfort of this shoe when it comes to cushioning? Wow. This is the most cushioned trainer I have worn in years. There are energy return from the Hyper Burst Ice dual-density EVA foam, but it is not as pop-py as my other shoes. At some point during the first KM, the shoe felt squishy.
quick toe off
The upper engineered mesh while looked highly breathable and comfortable, it run a little hot due to (more) materials. I run sockless as mentioned, and it was pretty "hot" or sweaty. Good news, there is no hot spot. No blister potential for me equals to one more shoes that I can pick and go.

Skechers GRR11
With data in hand, I can share that for the same type of run I performed using a different shoe, the GRR11 resulted in higher ground contact time (223ms vs 219ms), higher vertical oscillation (7.46cm vs 7.34cm), lower Leg Spring Stiffness (LSS) (10.6kN/m vs 11.3kN/m), lower efficiency (0.27 vs 0.26) and lower power output 268W vs 261W). All these at expense of higher cushioning and comfort.

Brooks Hyperion Max
The Goodyear rubber outsole was good. I ran in light rain on wet tarmac and the outsole solidly gripped the road on every turn and changes in the elevation. Some loose gravels as I transition from main road to smaller lanes. Stability wise at corner was circumvented by the outsole. Can run in wet tarmac with confidence.
Can take sharp corner at tempo pace no issues


Pro
  • Cushioned. Loads of it.
  • Push it and it pick up speed
  • Comfy upper
  • Grippy outsole
  • Stable once in motion
  • No blisters
  • Awesome insole lend to more cushioning
  • Favour mid and forefoot runners
Con
  • Heavier
  • Need to find correct lacing pressure
  • Heel slip if not secured/laced rightly
  • Can get hot due to materials
  • Likely not ideal for heel striker due to aggressive heel bevel
There is a request for me to run a 21km in this shoe. I will endeavour to do it if it meet my training schedule (long run). Otherwise, the GRR11 is a very decent daily trainer and mileage eater. Versatile enough for easy days and good for tempo days. Cushioning will favour first time (virgin) marathoner that aim to finish the race within cut-off. 
Thank You Skechers Malaysia

Some photos (below) taken from Skechers One Utama. I was also given one Skechers Performance Top, one long pants, and a set of socks together with this GRR11.

This review is courtesy of Skechers Malaysia as an one-off seeding for me to rekindle with the GoRun series. This GRR11 retail for RM599 and is available in all Skechers outlet. Thank you Skechers Malaysia!