Since initially being contacted by the design team behind the Skechers Go Run, a local ultrarunning friend (Nate Sanel) and I have been working with them regularly on several shoes that they currently have in development (note: I receive no payment from them aside from the prototype shoes I have been testing, which are provided free of charge – I simply enjoy the process of being able to help make a better shoe). It basically works like this: they send us each a pair of shoes, Nate and I run in them a bit (his mileage being significantly higher then mine), and then we share our thoughts with the design team. We then receive a second iteration of the shoe incorporating some of our feedback as well as that of individuals in their wear test program. This goes on until the designers are prepared to put the shoe into production.
So far Nate and I have been testing out three separate shoes, and two of them are now going into final production. Of these, the one that I have spent the most time with is a shoe called the Skechers Go Bionic. I’ve been running in these on and off for several months now over a few iterations, and I have to say that I am rather impressed by the final product!
What Skechers has done with the Go Bionic is take the concept behind a shoe like the Nike Free 3.0 and make a shoe that has a zero drop sole (11.5 mm thickness), slightly greater flexibility, and a significantly roomier toebox. As such, if you like the feel of the Nike Free but find them to be narrow and a bit too high in the heel for your taste, the Go Bionic is the shoe for you.
A few months ago I wrote an extensive review of the Skechers GoRun shoe. In that review I mentioned that though I loved the upper of the shoe (possibly the best of any shoe I have worn), the rockered sole with a distinct ‘bump” under the midfoot felt a bit awkward when standing in the shoes. The Go Bionic does away with the rocker as well as the midfoot bump. Although the shoe in the image above appears to have a slightly rockered bottom, that appearance is due to mainly to the fact that it has an undercut heel much like that on the Go Run, Brooks Pure, or New Balance Minimus Road. When you stand in this shoe, it feels completely flat.
Where the Go Bionic stands out among the current crop of zero drop shoe offerings is in it’s combination of flexibility and cushioning. This is one of the most flexible shoes that I own, and the outsole grade Resalyte foam in the sole feels very much like the foam in the sole of the Nike Free – this is not a firm shoe, but it is also not squishy. It shares a property found in the Free of making very little noise when it hits the ground. I always enjoyed the silence of running in the Free 3.0, and I get a similar feeling when running in the Go Bionic. The large gaps in the sole make it flexible longitudinally (front to back), transversely (side to side), and torsionally (i.e., you can easily twist the forefoot relative to the rearfoot). I particularly like the torsional flexibility as it decouples rotation of the heel portion of the shoe from the wide forefoot in a forefoot strike. This makes for a very smooth feeling as you run, not the jarring transition that can occur in a forefoot strike in a shoe with a stiffer sole.
The fit and feel of the Go Bionic is fantastic. I’ve run almost all of my miles in this shoe without socks, and short of one small blister on the inner side of the ball behind my big toe, I have not had any abrasion issues – they are actually moving the seam that caused my blister as a result of my feedback, so hopefully this will be taken care of in the production version. As mentioned, the toebox is quite spacious, and I have found them to be quite comfortable on the occasions that I have worn them all day at work.
One initial concern that Nate and I had is that because the grooves in the sole extend all the way through the sole to the footbed (hence the tremendous flexibility), you can feel the sole gaps with your foot when you stand or walk in the shoes. We found that once running in them (with a forefoot or midfoot strike) this was not an issue. However, we suggested that they include an optional, thin, flat insole that can be inserted over a finished footbed – they agreed and the shoe can now be used with or without the insole with comfort. The insole does prevent me from feeling the gaps in the sole, so I use it if I’m wearing the shoe out and about, but I generally take it out before I run. Without the insole, the Go Bionic weighs in at right around 6.0 oz.
One concern that some people expressed when I posted a photo of the sole on Facebook is that there is no outsole rubber under the lateral forefoot. For some this might be a concern, but I have not noticed any abnormal wear in this area. But, then I don’t tend to wear down the lateral forefoot of the Saucony Kinvara either, so I think the tendency to wear in this area is highly individual. I did ask about this and was told that they had not observed accelerated wear on the lateral forefoot among their group of wear testers. That being said, if you know that you tend to destroy this area of shoes, this might not be the best choice for you. Since I have not put enough miles on a single pair to assess long term durability, I can’t comment on that. I do wonder how the exposed footbed will hold up with long-term use, but so far no problems, and there is apparently a layer of cement applied to the base of the footbed that should help with durability.
I’ve mainly used these shoes for relatively short runs (max seven miles – have not been in marathon training), as well as for a few speed workouts. I’ve had all positive experiences so far, and I think they would perform just fine on longer runs. That being said, Nate has done some long road runs in them (30+ miles) so you can check out his review for commentary on their long run performance.
All in all, Skechers has made some very positive strides with this shoe, and I suspect that those who had issues with the rockered sole of the Go Run will find this shoe to be a big improvement. Some people will find it hard to wear a shoe with the Skechers name on it, and it may take awhile for Skechers to overcome the baggage that comes along with its brand name, but I have had a very positive experience working with the design team for the “Go” line – they are very receptive to feedback and genuinely want to make a better shoe. To be honest, the team at Skechers has allowed a level of access to the design process that no other shoe company has provided to me, and I can’t say enough about how impressed I am with the group that is designing this shoe. I highly recommend the Go Bionic and plan to continue using it regularly myself.
The Skechers Go Bionic can be purchased in a variety of color combinations at Skechers.com and Shoebuy.com. It can also be purchased for 15% off at Shoe Metro with code TURKEY15 (Expires 11/30/2012)
For another take, check out my buddy Nate Sanel’s review of the Skechers Go Bionic.
About Peter Larson
Pete,
Would this be a good shoe for someone who still heel strikes slightly? I currently run in the Nike Free 3.0, which has a heel toe differential, but my everyday shoes are all zero drop.
I’m excited to try this one out. The Nike Free Run and the Sketchers Go Run are my current favorite shoes. I was even thinking about buying a second pair of the go runs to wear around, but I might hold off and try these. Thanks for the review.
Oh my….Sketchers took some of my cash when I purchased a pair of GORuns, a pair of shoes that are very nice to run in….with the release of this shoe, they may end up some more of my money.
Great review. And Nate’s review complements yours nicely…plus he gave me confidence this shoe can work for ultras too. Can’t wait for this shoe to be available.
Congrats to you Pete for being able to have such an influence on a shoes’ design. That must be awesome for you on many levels. Perhaps a shoe company is in your future…
Nah, quite happy in my current line of work. It’s kind of like being a grandparent – I get to play with the shoe, but at the end of the day it goes back to the parents who do all the hard work :)
Sent from my iPod
Pete, I have a question with respect to the shape of the sole which, to me, appears to be slightly rockered. If the intention is to land midfoot, with the heel touching down slightly before toe-off, what’s the impact of having the middle of the foot more built up? Intuitively, I would imagine when the heel comes down, the toe would lose contact with the ground which would mean you have to rock the shoe forwards again and most likely the lift off is more likely on the middle of the foot as opposed to on the toes (if you follow my reasoning). It appears this shoe is intended to have the person avoid the heel completely by making it very unnatural to touch down with the heel.
If the shoes were stiff as a board, you’d be right. But even the GoRun, with the much greater rocker than the GoBionic, the shoe flexes and does not lift the toes when the heel comes down.
Exactly – the Bionic only looks rockered without a foot in it. Stand in it and it’s flat. Because it is so flexible, any longitudinal tension in the upper will curl it a bit.
Thanks. This is what I was worried about. It totally looks rockered in the picture. And people have been saying the rockered aspect of the Go Run makes it feel really awkward when walking (although not so much when running). So it feels flat whether you’re walking, running, or just standing?
Yep, Bionic feels flat in all conditions, and I’m one who finds the Go Run to feel very weird while standing in it.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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Wow beat Nike to the Free 0.0 nice work Pete!
Yep, I meant to say that in the review. They had the guts to go where Nike had yet to go.
Another great review. You have one of the best jobs in the world! I’m currently using the PRO TR for cross-training, jogging, sprinting, and playing basketball. I look forward to getting one ASAP just solely for jogging and sprinting thanks to your review. More power and many thanks.
Very impressive Dr. Larson!; I will give them a try when they come to http://www.runningwarehouse.co… or another store near me!
The rocker appearance did throw me a little.
Many thanks for your work keeping us informed.
I was close to buying the GoRun but gave it a miss when Pete mentioned the ‘prototype’ that he had seen. From the looks of this review, that was a good option
Pete, I have a pair (actually several) of the Go Runs. I alternate between them and the Bionics. They feel very different. The Go Runs “bump” puts you in a forward leaning position that makes running “elegant”. I find that that they are a little gentler on my calves when they need a break. If you can swing it, get both.
How interesting. Gentler on my calves is a good thing. I may have to spring for the Go Runs just to check them out.
I’d love to get both but I’ve already purchased 4 new pairs of shoes since I started reading this blog late last year! And this is a guy who used to go through a new pair every 18 months. Also the GoRuns have only just been released here in Australia so I’d say it’ll be a while before we see the Bionics…….
A comfortable zero drop shoe with a bit more cushioning! Wish it was available now. Thanks for the great review.
Big groves invite small stones into them
True, this would not be a great choice on trails, but I have not had too much trouble on roads so far. The grooves are wider than on Nike Free so stuff tends to fall out easier.
Just out of curiosity: Was this the color scheme of the shoes you tested? Grey, lime green, and purple are an odd combo. Was each version a different color? It seems like they might just use whatever color materials they have lying around, kind of like car makers who use odd paint jobs and plastic coverings to mask their pre-production test vehicles.
Also, would you be willing (with the permission of Skechers) to give us more insight regarding the development and testing process, such as the differences between the versions you got, what they asked you about them, and what you reported back to them? It might be interesting to learn more about how it all went down.
From what you and Nate have written, Skechers seems to be more transparent in their R&D than other big name shoe companies, which is refreshing.
Aaron,
I think this is a new direction for them, perhaps because performance running has never been their thing and they have suffered from the toning shoe fiasco. There are multiple colorways coming, the test versions we had were mostly all black with a white sole. The pictures I posted were gray, maroon, and a yellow sole – they actually look really nice in person (my wife approved as well, which is not common for most of my shoes:).
Testing basically involves us receiving a prototype, running in it a few times, than discussing what we liked and did not like. As an example, the first iteration of the Go Bionic did not have an insole, just a finished footbed. We noted that you can feel the sole grooves through the footbed, and suggested adding in a thin, flat insole that could be placed over the finished footbed for use when not running. Skechers increased the volume of the shoe a bit and added the insole, and we got the new version a few weeks later. Similarly, I was developing a hot spot from a seam on the inner side of one shoe – based on this, they opted to move the seam back a bit to hopefully avoid this problem. So it’s basically an iterative process of run-tweak-run-tweak-etc.
Pete
Nice work on helping develop a nice looking light 0-drop shoe. My reservation is that while I like the idea of a flexible sole, the fact that you can almost roll it up is a little overkill isnt it? – feet don’t bend like that. I run in similarly flexible shoes (Frees), and whilst I enjoy them, I think I’d give up a bit of flexibility and lose the grooves – the stone collecting properties are getting a little annoying. :)
Fill in the grooves and you add weight – it’s a tradeoff.
You add weight when you pick up stones, so you might as well have a non-hard, flexible addition that won’t give you metatarsalgia.
How do you think these shoe compare in performance and comfort to the Merrell Bare Access? Both shoes offer a decent amount of cushioning and are very light, minimal, & flexible.
The Bionics are more flexible for sure, maybe a tad softer as well. Depends on personal preference I guess.
I can’t comment on the Bionics, but I have the Hattori and Bare Access. I find the Access MUCH more firm and stiff. Great toe box, great to walk in, but I never feel as good after a run in them compared to other shoes. The EVA sections got beat up after only a few runs.
The Hattori have been great for me. They are my go to race shoe for anything on pavement up to a half. They have worn better than expected.
From what I can gather, the Bionics are more similar to the Hattori than the Access.
I would agree. Bionics feel similar to Nike Free 3.0 but have a much better upper and are zero drop.
Sent from my iPad
Any thoughts on how they compare to the Hattori?
Similar feel underfoot, but Bionics have a more traditional upper. The upcoming Hattori LS will be the closest competitor to this shoe I think.
Is the tongue sewn to the upper like the Go Run? That was a deal breaker for me. I tried on a pair at an expo. When I tied the laces the tongue folded over itself and created a large seam. The upper couldn’t slide over the tongue like a traditional shoe. I have this problem because I have an extremely low volume foot. It may not be an issue for other.
Thanks,
AB
Yes, it is. The tongue is much thinner than in the Go Run though, not sure if it will make a difference.
Hi Pete!
Me again, I think I’m forced to ask how they compare to the Minimus (MR00 and MR10) :). Thanks! And I’m subscribing to your blog!
Softer than either of the other two, but equally roomy. If you like more cushion this is a better choice, if you like a firmer feel the NB would be the way to go.
I have already problems with little stones/seeds getting into the sole in my zignano. I see the sole in this one and I guess that I will have the same issue?
It’ll happen, but not too bad for me.
I continue reading and reading your blog :). Kinvaras are in a different league? I know the 3rd iteration is coming but I’d like to know the difference with NB and Skechers.
Kinvara ha a thincker sole and some heel lift, also narrower through the forefoot, but not as bad as some shoes on the width front.
Thanks for your comments. Have you run more miles in these shoes, and if so – do you have any updated views?
I wear the frequently – nothing much to add beyond what I wrote here.
I’m 60 years old and run 10 miles a day, 6 days a week, on pavements. I’m a forefoot striker and not prone to injuries.Which of the following would you recomend: Go Bionic, Hattori LS or Kinvara?
All are solid shoes, best approach is to just try them all on and go with the one that feels best on your foot. Hard to pick one over the others.
Sent from my iPad
Pete, very excited to try this shoe. I contacted Skechers to see when they’d be available, hoping to be able to pick some up when I’m back in the US. They said August, unfortunately…
In other (related) news, I just executed my marathon debut in the GoRuns last weekend with at 3:23 in Stockholm. Are you listening, Skechers?
Any word on a release date for these?
They are out in some Skechers stores now, wider release in next few weeks.
I wondered because they don’t show on the website. I’ll be on the lookout. Thanks
Just in from Skechers
“Women’s will be available in store the end of August and as for Men’s they will be available October”
How does the Bionic compare to the Ride/Ride ULTRA?
Much less shoe – the Bionic is completely flat and has less cushion.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
My book: Tread Lightly – link to ow.ly
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The GO Bionic ‘s are available at Skechers.com now.
interesting shoes… but i fall within the category of the rare runner “that wears down the lateral side of the sole”. kudos to skechers though for their advances in the running shoe line.
Just ordered a pair of Go Runs, and a pair of the Go Run Rides, got the Rides in yesterday, and going for a long run in them shortly. Anyone have clue to why the Go Run Speeds got cancelled, they look like a good shoe.
Tried the Brooks Pure Connects, and got immediate pain in the arch, and didn’t go away for 2 days, due to the arch band. I was a loyal Brooks fan, but it might go away unless the Pure Drifts just blow me away.
Go Run Speeds were on Meb’s feet at the Olympics – the commercial version is in development (I have a prototype now)
Great review Pete. Looking for my first zero drop shoes after running mainly in Kinvaras the past 18 months or so. Hattoris, Minimus Road zeroes, and Go bionics are the shoes I’m looking into.
How’s Go Bionic’s cushioning compared to Kinvara’s? I’m not a fast runner (aiming for a 1:55 half this fall), and I’d imagine I could use some cushion for my first zero drop shoes.
Also, have Skechers done away with the midfoot BUMP completely, or have they merely lessened it? I gambled on GoRuns and lost out BIG.
Thanks!
Bump is gone in this shoe, I’d call it a bit firmer than the Kinvara, but more flexible.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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FYI I’ve been VERY happy with the Altra Instincts as my next step after the Kinvara. That being said I have just picked up a pair of the Go Bionics as well!
I’m interested in the go bionics because of the wide toe box. Are they true to size? (In Nikes I have to go up a half-size from my normal shoe size). Thx.
Yep, true to size for me. May even be a bit roomy if you have a narrow, low volume foot, but that can be remedied by swapping in a thicker insole.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
My book: Tread Lightly – link to ow.ly
Work: link to anselm.edu…
Blog: https://runblogger.com
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Twitter: link to twitter.com
In your opinion-what are the main differences between the Go Bionic and the GoRun Ride?
Totally different shoes. Bionic is closer to ground, more flexible, no bump under midfoot – I much prefer it to the Ride, less shoe all around.
Sent from my iPad
Hi,
Did three runs in the Bionic and ended up with a bad rub / hot spot on the bottom of my foot at the line where the big toe meets the foot.
Looking at the sole this is exactly where there is a “gap” in the sole. Bummer as I liked them.
I decided to try out the GoRun/Ride instead. These have very similar soles to the GoRun. I like them even better than the Kinvara2 which has been my favorite show for a while.
In the replies here I think there might be some confusion (the names don’t help). The initial GoRun had the ‘bump’ midfoot. The GoRun/Bionic and GoRun/Ride do not have this. Or maybe I’ve got something mixed up? I’m wearing the GoRun/Rides now and they most definitely don’t have the big bump.
Did you use the insole when running in the Bionic? It removes the feeling of the gaps for me.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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Hi Pete,
I did have the sock liner in. I might try a little thicker one and see if that helps, but I’ve already listed them on eBay so I expect they are not sticking around.
thanks,
hi Pete,
Based on your review I bought the GoBionic when it became available. After 9 runs with ~ 80 miles I can say they are among my top 2 favorite shoes ever (the other is the MWU). Nice wide toe box, snug heel fit, not too heavy (I’ve been going without the insole), nice and flexy, enough cushion so the rocks don’t hurt (except the ones that go in the gaps – those definitely hurt, and no weird structures to mess with my gait. So major kudos to the design team (and feedback providers). Obviously durability remains to be tested (I get at least 1000 miles out of a pr of MWUs and it is always the uppers that give out first).
Now here is my next request:
All of the above miles have been on dirt. No hills to speak of, but traction is pretty poor on loose inclines. I know these were not designed for offroad use, so here is what I want: GoBionic upper on a sole with no more stack height than they currently have, same flexibility and not too much heavier, if it all (keep it under 7 oz), but a little more tread and a little more outsole. Keep the flex grooves, just reduce the midsole enough to make room for more outsole without increasing stack height. I don’t need massive tread, but even something simple like the NB 110 would be an improvement. I’ll keep the original GoBionic for tame trails, and use the GoTrailBionic for rougher more technical terrain.
Pass that along to the designers ;).
Thanks,
Bob
Stay tuned :) Glad you’re liking them!
hmm, I see a GoTrail in the latest TrailRunner mag, but it has a 4mm drop :( That seems to be the latest trend – backing off from extremely thin soles, and stopping short of zero drop. I still want zero drop, but with a small amt of firm cushion (like the GoBionic !). Add traction outsole for a trail shoe… Keep wide forefoot and light weight
Maybe the Altra Superior (but that is not light weight). ..
Nope, that’s a different shoe than the one I’m hinting at :)
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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Cool. I feel better now :)
For anyone reading this thinking about getting a pair, I just picked up a pair a few days ago. So far I have done a 7 mile hill workout and an easy 5 miler. I ran all summer in the New Balance Minimus Road (MR00), so I’m used to a pretty minimal shoe. I stepped on a rock though and bruised my foot pretty bad so I needed something with a little cushion until my foot heals completely.
Anyway, the GoBionic fit the bill perfectly and both runs have been great. The extra padding is very noticeable, but compared to the Kinvara’s, which I ran in for about a week before the GoBionic came in, the shoe is decently firm.
It looks to be great quality from an upper standpoint, way nicer than a lot of my other shoes. My only concern is the soft rubber on the outside edge (think pinky toe area) of the forefoot. That, in my opinion, needs to be something a little more abrasion resistant/durable.
Fit is similar to the way my MR00s feel, except a little wider, and they were perfectly true to size in 9.5s.
Overall a very good shoe. If you want to transition from the Kinvara or Nike Free down to something with 0-drop, I don’t know that you could find a better choice.
P.S. – I would not recommend them for interval work or sprinting, to me they are too soft for that.
Thanks for the review, I agree with all of your descriptions!
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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I wear a size 10 in the MR00. Would you suggest a size 10 in the GoBionic? The length is the concern as the MR00 are plenty wide for my foot.
I wear same size in both.
The only drawback is that they have much more textile in the upper than most running shoes. Not as breathable as the rest.
I agree – put the GoRun upper on the Bionic and you have a near perfect shoe.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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According to customer service at Sketchers.com that discount code, ENT15, is not valid on any of the Go shoes. Found that out after email them to figure out why it was saying it didn’t meet the $75 minimum as a $90 shoe.
Thanks for the info – used to work, they must have changed terms. There may be other codes floating about.
Just put some on. Felt nice. Didn’t buy them yet, tho.
Any comments on the trail shoe in the go line? I really like the go rides mainly because of the soft heal counters which feel great on my surgically repaired achilles insertion. I run trails in them when it is dry, but they do not handle the mud very well.
I’m wear testing the trail version of the Go Bionic now, awesome shoe! Like it more than the Go Run Trail.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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Just purchased a pair which have turned up this morning. Traditionally i’m a size 9 but these were huge on my feet. I appreciate these shoes are supposed to be roomy in the toebox but does anyone feel you need to order these in half a size down?
I’ve heard this from people with narrow feet, they do fit true to size for me.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: link to ow.ly
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
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Pete
When is the release date for the Go Bionic Trail? I am looking for a good pair of trail shoes. I have tried the Merrell TG and I am not a huge fan. For me the traction is just not there. How would the GBT match up to the MTG? Or can you comment on that yet?
Keep up the good work….Love the site…
Can’t comment on the Bionic yet, still in development and not sure of the release date. Merrell Trail Glove is very minimal, the Merrell Mix Master might be a better option, or something like the Inov-Trailroc line.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
-My book: Tread Lightly: link to ow.ly
-Blog: https://runblogger.com
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Hi Pete;
First off I wanted to say that I love your book as well as your reviews. I am really enjoying running in Sketchers. Î am running in the rides which have taken the place of my Kinvara’s for longer runs. I find them more flexible and roomy than the Kinvara’s . I also love the Bionics, I have both the original as well as the Bionic Rides which I really like a lot. I just ran a 5k in the Bionic Rides and they felt great!
Thanks!
Rick
Awesome, great to hear it!
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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-Blog: https://runblogger.com
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Pete, I bought a pair of the GoBionics after reading reviews from Thomas, Nate and yourself. I have now run about 50kms in them and like them a lot, perhaps my favourite road shoe at the moment. I love the flexibility, light weight and wide toe box – they are what the Nike Free should have been. Not that keen on the looks but that’s not that important to me. Interestingly, despite doing almost all of my running in zero drop shoes over the past 18 months I have been feeling it in my calves after running in the GoBionics so they must be working some different muscles for me. Now looking forward to hearing more about the GoBionic Trail – lets see if Skechers can come up with an innovative way to maintain the flexibility but keep the stones out of the soles! Cheers, Paul
I like trying new shoes- RunBlogger likes Go Bionic, so I bought a pair. I’ll do my own mini-review.
I had a wet run yesterday. The shoes are red, so now my socks have big red areas. The shoe dye ran. Cheap!!
I expect if you run in the summer without socks and get sweaty feet, you will have shoe dye on your feet. I have read elsewhere that there was no problem running wet. I don’t understand that. My socks are definitely very red.
During the last half-mile, a lump developed under my right
arch. (I kept the optional insole.) I stopped and moved my foot around. The lump seemed to disappear.
I could use a bit more space for my little toe. But I can live with the toe-box.
What’s good? These are the lightest shoes I have ever worn.
That feels good.
I like the way the sole is reduced at the back of the shoe. –Undercut at the back of the heel. It seems to reduce the impact of my midfoot strike on the heel and shift it more to the midfoot arch. Works for me. My heel felt great after the run.
Overall, a good run, no pain. But I think that Altra Instinct is better.
Mike
Thanks for the review Mike. I have not had an issue with sock staining, but I don’t have the red shoes so it may just be an issue with the particular dye used for that version.
—-
Pete Larson’s Web Links:
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-Blog: https://runblogger.com
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For anyone that would like to try these but needs to save money, I just saw some GoBionics at a Skechers outlet store. They must be some of the prototype models – the colors are a bit different, the uppers are simpler and have some funny stitching. But at $40, they might be a great way to test these out. I was super tempted, but am really enjoying my new Altras.
hi Pete, I am going to try these shoes on this weekend. Will try the Go Bionic, Go Bionic Ride, and Go Run Ride. Are the bionics shoes you can put on and run normal miles in immediately or should you be cautious and gradually increase your miles in these shoes over the course of a few months??
Depends on what you are wearing now. If you are used to zero drop shoes, no problem, if not, the a slow progression is warranted and you will likely deal with some adaptation soreness in your calf muscles.
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Hi Pete
Any idea why the GoBionic disappeared from Skechers’ site?
I think they may be going with the GoBionic Prana, new upper material, same shoe.
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Is the new upper material thin and breathable like the old one?
Don’t have the Prana so can’t comment
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HI Pete. I just bought a pair and they’re quickly becoming my favorite pair. only one complaint so far and that is the sockliner moves all over the place during runs. Have to glue it down. I don’t like them without because of the gaps in the sole.
Any chance you know if a) gobionic2 is in the works and if yes then b) is there a release date?
Thanks!
I have not seen a proto of the Bionic 2 yet so don’t know where it stands. I do know that fixing sockliner slippage is a big part of all updated shoes in the line that are now coming out, the new sockliners should do much better in this regard. You could try swapping a liner in from another shoe if it is causing big trouble.
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Hey Stan – sorry for the late reply, all of your comments just came through today for some reason. Yes, GoBionic 2 is in development, I have an early prototype and the sockliner will be fixed. Upper is completely changed in a good way!
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I love the Go Bionic- it is very minimalistic, very flexible, but has just enough cushioning to feel the ground and protect the feet. Do Skechers plan on continuing to make them? Zappos and other retailers seem to be running out of them. Only the obnoxious colors seem to be left in my size!
Yes, I have an early prototype of version 2, love it, and looks more “athletic” than v1
Pete what is the difference between the Gobionic and the Gobionic Prana
Just a different upper, same sole
I just ordered a pair for $35.24 can’t beat that.
Any word on plans for the go bionic 2?
Yep, I have three iterations of the GB2 prototype :) Excited about it!
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If I’m gonna do some long distance jogging,can I use GoBionic Trail or is GoBionic still a better option?
GoBionic Trail will have reduced durability on roads, so if that’s the surface you plan to run on I’d go for the GoBionic. If on trails, get the trail version.
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Ouu..okay.By the way,I’ll be hiking Mount Kinabalu(hope you know where it is) in like 3 months time.The floor there is kinda slippery.Okay,very slippery.Can GoBionic Trail support the surface or should I go for a bigger bulkier shoe?Any suggestions?
Haven’t run in these on slick rock. My guess is something with sticky rubber might be best?
Sticky rubber?can I have some affordable suggestions please?
Since I don’t do a lot of trail running not sure what is best. Maybe try asking in the Forum?
Please, please, please can you ask Skechers to make some spikes for those of us who do x-country and track. The current crop of spikes are awful – no flexibility throughout any shoe, and each and everyone appears to be designed solely for people with wafer-thin feet.
Not sure they are ready to enter the spike market, but I can ask :)
Cheers, Peter. Or any of the running shoe companies, come to think of it.
Hello prte, a little question here..I’m contemplating to get one of this as my shoe rotation, but currently in skechers’ stores the provide the M version(which i believe is the one you reviewed here) and the R version (stands for Ride if I’m not mistaken)..have tou tried the Ride version?is it still retain the zero drop of the M version?..which would you preffer to recommend?..i plan on using to strengthen my feet..thanks
I did not like the Ride version of the Bionic, didn’t feel right to me for some reason. There is a GoBionic 2 on the way if you hang on a few months, much prefer the upper on the 2.
GoBionic2..wow..I sure will wait for that one, along with your review on it pete hehe..thanks a lot for the heads up
I just love the go bionics, love them. I’m a big guy, beyond Clydesdale…more mastodon-ish in size and I have never had shoes these good. It may seem odd, but it is true. And even though I’ve been told that one day I may have physical issues with them, due to my size, knock on wood, some nine months later I’m having no issues, knock on wood. I’m afraid that Skechers will discontinue the line. Any word that you may have heard that Skechers will stop making the bionics, or upgrade them?
New version will be available in a few weeks.
Glad to hear about GoBionic 2 coming soon. I have the GoBionic for about half a year now, I really love the shoe but I have some issues with it. The sockliner in the right shoe bunched up under my foot and I can’t seem to straighten it. Running without the sockliner makes me feel the grid lines of the midsole pods which is uncomfortable at times especially when standing still. Also, there are no reflectives on the shoe at all, a bit dangerous to use at night.
If these issues are fixed, then it would be perfect. GoBionic is one of the very few shoes I can run sockless in for 21k without much chafing, other than my Virrata.
The sockliner in v2 is thicker so hopefully will take care of the slippage issue.
Hi there, what type of show would you recommend for a person with runners knee pain. I been searching for the right shoe that can handle 10 miles run. I recently purchased Nike shoe and thought it could help but still the same. I have no problem running from the treadmill but when i run outdoor is when i feel the knee pain. i constantly have to stop for 50 steps and run again whenever i felt the pain. someone recommended a VIBRAM but i would like a good review before i purchase another pair. You probably can recommend a good pair for like me have Knee pain issue. i believe i have a high arch heel. I am 113 lbs, so weight is not an issue.
For knee pain you could go either to a very minimal shoe like a Vibram or Merrell Road Glove and see if that makes a difference, but you would need to build very gradually as they can be hard on your feet. Alternatively, you could go for something maximally cushioned like a Hoka Bondi. That being said, if pain is sever the best approach would be to see a therapist who can help find the root cause of the pain.
had some with rounded back heel that strengthen legs , have now worn out after much use , what are they called ? bought them in USA in size 10 as previously bought size 9 , then realised they have different size , how silly ! anyone have unwanted uk size 9 or US 10 unwanted for sale ? look forward to responses regards