At $130, the Skechers Go Run Ride 9 is a mid-cushioned, neutral road running shoe that is comfortable, easy to break in, and will last for miles.

The Skechers Go Run series has become increasingly popular and positively reviewed, largely attributable to the introduction of ultra-responsive Hyberburst EVA foam used in the full line’s midsole in 2019.

Hyperburst uses a unique process of mechanically blowing up EVA foam for optimal lightness and responsiveness.

The Go Run Ride 9 is comparable to the Brooks Ghost, Mizuno Wave Rider, or Nike Pegasus – a versatile and reliable daily trainer that serves the needs of all levels of road runners. This update drops the weight by about 1 oz. from the previous version..

Skechers GOrun Ride 9 First Impressions

picture of Skechers GOrun Ride 9

These are the first Skechers shoes that I’ve worn since the 90s, and the first Skechers shoes that I’d run in ever. Despite my initial research on this shoe to learn about how impressed others have been with Skechers’ running shoes, I still had some skepticism.

Out of the box, I did not find the Grey/Multi colorway or design of the Ride 9 to be particularly stylish. I was surprised at how lightweight the shoe was and was excited about the curved, rocker shape of the midsole/outsole.

They were comfortable from the first run – firm but cushioned in all of the right places and required minimal break-in period. The fit was true to size and easily optimized with sufficient lock-down.

Skechers GOrun Ride 9 Sole Unit

picture of Skechers GOrun Ride 9

As a mid-cushioned daily trainer, this may be the goldilocks of the Skechers Go Run line up (compared to the max-cushioned Go Run Max Road) or an option that may not quite have a use in your running shoe quiver.

The 28mm forefoot stack and 34 mm heel stack height (6mm drop) are on par with comparable mid-cushioned daily trainers. The rocker shape of the midsole, Skechers’ “M Strike” technology, is designed to promote a midfoot strike; but I didn’t get the same rocker feel midfoot to toe-off as I’ve experienced on my favorite pairs of Hokas.

The most noticeable and beneficial feature of this shoe is its weight. At 6.8 oz (W)/8.4 oz. (M), this shoe is considerably lighter than the Brooks Ghost at 9.0 oz. (W)/9.9 oz. (M) and Mizuno Wave Rider 8.1 oz. (W)/9.7 oz. (M).

However, for its weight, the shoe did not feel fast for a short-distance race or speedwork.

The energy return and responsiveness left something to be desired for me in a road running shoe. While the cushioning provides sufficient protection from hazards and impact on the road, the Hyperburst foam doesn’t have the springiness described in other models (like the Go Run Speed Elite Hyper or Go Run Razor). Impact on the road often felt flat (and at times even heavy for a super lightweight shoe) because I expected more energy return from the midsole.

Goodyear rubber on the outsole provides sufficient traction on wet and snowy road surfaces and has maximized durability. The outsole is wide enough to create stability. The traction and balance inspire confidence, which make the Ride 9 comfortable and reliable for long runs and recovery runs.

Skechers GOrun Ride 9 Upper Unit

picture of Skechers GOrun Ride 9

The upper is durable and comfortable after over fifty test miles. Breathable engineered mesh provides sufficient ventilation and comfort without sacrificing protection for road running. I primarily tested these in winter conditions, and my feet did not get too cold.

Strategic upper construction maximized the lightness of the shoe without compromising fit or performance. Cushioning was provided in all of the right places – the heel cup was plush but the tongue was not fully padded. Tongue padding begins closer to the front of the foot rather than at the top of the tongue to protect the foot from the laces. Omitting an overlay also contributed to the lightweight.

The tongue is non-gusseted but did not negatively affect the comfort or fit of the shoe. Because the tongue is thin up top, it lays flat against the top of your foot, minimizing debris entry into the shoe. Utilizing the fabric loop on top of the tongue was sufficient to prevent laces from sliding around. The laces provided sufficient lockdown and stayed tied.

picture of Skechers GOrun Ride 9

The toe box is wide enough to accommodate a wide foot or toe splay over a longer run. Overall, these were comfortable out of the box and did not cause any irritation or hot spots.

Skechers GOrun Ride 9 Conclusion

picture of Skechers GOrun Ride 9

The Go Run Ride 9 elevated my opinion of Skechers’ running shoes and demonstrated that the brand makes a running shoe that should be considered amongst the Brooks and Hokas of the world.

The overall lightness and midsole/outsole cushioning are remarkable. I could run for hours and feel minimal impact and fatigue from the road both during and after my runs, especially for a mid-cushioning shoe (vs. maximal cushioning).

For a race or speedwork, I would prefer something more springy and responsive, as I felt my steps fell flatter than was desirable.

While the cushioning on this shoe is sufficient for mitigating impact from the road (especially for its weight), this Ride 9 is not a maximum cushioned trainer and may not necessarily fill the same need.

I enjoyed my experience with this stable, mid-cushioned daily trainer and would consider the Go Run Ride 9 as a versatile single road running shoe or as a long/recovery run shoe.

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Skechers GOrun Ride 9 at Running Warehouse with our own money.