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Skechers GOrun Speed TRL Review

December 10, 2019

Taking Hyper Burst to the Trails

A trail racer that combines low weight, underfoot protection, and speed

Likes

  • Responsive
  • Lightweight
  • Great grip

Dislikes

  • Takes time to dial in fit

What's New

Skechers's Hyper Burst midsole is gaining fame for its incredibly lightweight and bouncy ride, and with the GOrun Speed TRL, this amazing midsole foam now has a home in a speedy trail racer. Combined with an H-shaped nylon plate, the springy outsole helps to propel the runner forward while providing plenty of stability and protection from sharp rocks and debris. A Goodyear rubber outsole with aggressive lugs provides durable traction on rough terrain. The shoe is finished off with a thin, breathable mono-mesh upper and a lace lock heel design for a performance fit when running fast on the trails.

The Bottom Line

Our tester loved the Skechers GOrun Speed TRL for fast trail efforts. The springy cushioning and midsole plate helped to propel him forward while shielding his feet from sharp rocks and debris. Although our tester found that the shoe offered a decent amount of cushioning for shorter trail runs up to 25K, he did not think that it provided enough protection for longer distances. The durable mono-mesh upper afforded a comfortable and secure fit that did a good job of keeping out debris, but our tester noted that the asymmetric gusseted tongue took a bit of adjusting for optimum comfort. Overall, if you are looking for a lightweight trail running shoe that's designed to go fast, the Skechers GOrun Speed TRL will have you pushing the pace with agility and ease.

Shoe Performance

Softness i

How soft or firm the shoe feels underfoot.
Firm Soft

Ride/Energy Return i

How much energy return the shoe delivers with each stride.
Less Springy More Springy

Underfoot Protection i

How much cushioning the shoe provides
Low High

Flexibility i

How much the shoe bends during the gait cycle.
Rigid Elastic

Upper Support i

How structured the upper feels as it wraps around the foot.
Structured Adaptable

Specifications & Fit

How It Fits

Toe BoxWidth: Medium to Narrow | Height: Medium
Midfoot VolumeMedium to Low
Heel WidthNarrow
Arch HeightMedium to High

Shoe Specs

WeightUnisex Shoe: 8.2 oz (Men's size: 9 | Women's size: 10.5 )
Stack Height26 mm (Heel), 22 mm (Forefoot) | 4 mm Heel-Toe Offset
TerrainTrail
StabilityNeutral
SizingTrue to Size
pair of shoes one sole facing out
midsole construction
heel construction
top view of shoe
shoe forefoot
forefoot tread
shoe outsole
pair of shoes one sole facing out
midsole construction
heel construction
top view of shoe
shoe forefoot
forefoot tread
shoe outsole

Our In-Depth Look

Shoe Softness i

Firm Soft

Erik: "The Hyper Burst midsole provides a somewhat cushioned and soft feel, but the thin stack height doesn't give the Speed TRL the softness of a shoe designed to go far."

midsole construction

Ride/Energy Return i

Less Springy More Springy

Erik: "The GOrun Speed TRL has a great feel and high energy return thanks to the Hyper Burst midsole and nylon plate. The shoe is springy and lively underfoot, making every run feel nimble and fast."

heel construction

Underfoot Protection i

Low High

Erik: "The combination of the Hyper Burst midsole and the midsole plate provide some protection on the trails. But with long miles or rocky terrain, I wanted more underfoot cushioning than the Speed TRL provided."

shoe outsole

Underfoot Flexibility i

Rigid Elastic

Erik: "Although it is a lightweight racing and training shoe, there is not much flexibility in the Speed TRL. The forefoot plate makes the shoe more rigid, but it allows for increased responsiveness on the trails."

shoe upper

Upper Feel i

Structured Adaptable

Erik: "The ripstop mesh and heel lock system provide enough stability in this shoe without it being overbuilt. The asymmetrical, gusseted tongue gave the GOrun Speed TRL a secure hold on my foot, but it took some adjusting to dial in the fit."

Skechers Men's Aero Spark

The Aero Spark is Skechers' take on a responsive, well-cushioned trainer built for weekly runs that lean quicker than easy.

Individual Thoughts

ErikOverall Score: 8/10

A lightweight trainer/racer for the trails, the GoRun Speed TRL excels with a fit and feel built specifically for the dirt. I think it is a great option for fast-paced workouts, medium-long runs, and hard racing. This shoe offers just enough cushioning, along with the secure fit needed to go fast.

Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable
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