Skechers GOrun Ultra 2 Trail-Running Shoe (Spring 2015)
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
9.3 oz | 8mm drop | $90
The Dirt: With its plush midsole cushioning, undetectable seams and soft, airy upper, the GOrun Ultra 2 is all about comfort; in the words of one tester, it has “the feel of a well-loved bedroom slipper.”
The downside to the pliable upper and high platform is that the shoe lacks stability on uneven, technical terrain, making it better for smooth, dry dirt or road-to-trail transitions. The tread grips well on a variety of surfaces, including loose dirt and snow, though the deep-set lugs tended to collect rocks and mud, and a few testers raised concerns about the durability of the hard-foam outsole.
Best For: Long runs, ultras or recovery runs on groomed trails or asphalt; an affordable option for runners looking to try out their first max-cushioned shoe.
Fit: Roomy; narrow-footed runners may find the fit too wide in the midfoot and heel. Without the removable insole, the heel-to-toe drop is 4mm.
>More spring 2015 trail-running shoes
Tester Raves
“Best for runners looking for a softer ride on dry, hard-packed terrain or mixed road-trail training where speed takes a back seat to a well-cushioned ride.”
—David Stango, Aston, PA
“They are so lightweight and cushiony that I felt like I was running on clouds.”
—Amy Peck, Eagle, CO
“Very comfortable—no annoying seams or rigid stitching on the upper, just soft, stretchy fabric.”
—Stephanie Ehret, Boulder, CO
Testers on Fit
“These shoes felt very roomy, with plenty of wiggle room for my toes, yet they were secure around the rest of my foot.”
—Amy Peck, Eagle, CO
“This is one of the most comfortable trail shoes I’ve ever worn. Its upper hugs my foot securely but without ever binding, even after two hours on the trail. I imagine it would make a fantastic shoe for people who have problems with their feet swelling in ultra events.”
—Sara Daum, Colorado Springs, CO
“The slight stretchiness allows the upper to conform naturally to the shape of the foot.”
—Stephanie Ehret, Boulder, CO
Testers on Tread
“Although the upper dried quickly, the sole picked up mud and snow, so I recommend it for dry conditions on any trail surface, from sandy to rocky terrain. It also seamlessly transitioned from the road to the trail.”
—Sara Daum, Colorado Springs, CO
“This shoe has some impressive tread: grippy on a variety of terrain, including rocky, snowy, icy and loose dirt.”
—Stephanie Ehret, Boulder, CO
Testers on Downsides
“The downside of the soft, stretchy upper is its instability, especially on steep, technical terrain, bushwacking, heavily canted traverses and side-hilling. The foot squishes from one side to the other, because the upper doesn’t have enough integrity to hold the foot in place.”
—Stephanie Ehret, Boulder, CO
“The cushioning broke down after a month or so of wearing these shoes, and I felt like I needed a new pair.”
—Amy Peck, Eagle, CO
“The cuff isn’t very padded, and is relatively low cut. This shoe is highly susceptible to allowing trail debris to work its way in.”
—Sara Daum, Colorado Springs, CO
“The deeper grooves in the sole collected moist dirt and mud more than a typical shoe.”
—Brian Perconti, St. Petersburg, FL
>More spring 2015 trail-running shoes
