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Tom's Guide
17-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I ditched my $170 Hoka running shoes for these $85 Skechers — and I'm blown away
I'm not going to lie, when I saw that the Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 sneakers were just $85, I was a little suspicious. Why? Because some of the best running shoes cost an arm and a leg. My personal running shoes, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX, are no different, at $170. Yes, I know that the Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 and the Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX are a different caliber of shoe with different purposes. For starters, my Hokas have Gore-Tex, and the Skechers don't have any waterproofing. On top of that, my Hokas are a trail-running/hiking shoe, whereas the Skechers are a beginner-friendly road running/treadmill shoe. Even so, I didn't expect to like the Skechers as much as I did. The Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 have a pretty unbeatable MSRP of $85, but right now the pink style (the one I tested, and the one in the image above) is on sale from just $40 (women size 6, I tested the 8.5, which is $58 at time of writing). At this price point, I don't think you'll find a cheaper running shoe that's actually good. If you want to get into running, now's the best time. If I could change one thing about my Hoka sneakers (other than the price), I would change their bounciness levels. Yes, they have Vibram soles, but there's very little foamy cushioning in the soles themselves. The Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 are a different story. The sneakers have Skechers' 'GogaMat' foam sole. This foam sole basically cools your foot while you're running and is super cushioned. I don't call myself an avid runner — actually, I need to be almost forced to go for a run most of the time — so the cushioned sole was a really nice feature. I felt like the shoes were propelling me along, and I didn't have to put much effort in at all. I also embarked on a sprinting race with my boyfriend (who is an avid runner, and has completed marathons) and, with the Skechers' help, I won! Trust me, this never happens. He may have been letting me win, but boy, I felt like I was flying thanks to the super-cushioned GogaMat sole and the rockered toe box. I know all the running gear quickly adds up. Due to cost, I only have one pair of shoes (two, now, thanks to this review pair of Skechers), and I don't have any running gear like vests. So while running can be a daunting hobby to take up if you don't want to invest loads of money into something you might end up hating, the Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 are the perfect starter shoe. At just $85, these sneakers are cheaper than almost any other running shoe I've ever come across. There are some sacrifices due to price, like no waterproofing, but as a whole? I could barely tell the difference between my Hokas and the Skechers. Actually, the Skechers were more immediately comfortable. I do think my Hokas are better suited to cross-country, muddy, or longer runs than the Skechers will ever be, but for short road runs or treadmill runs (which is what beginners will get up to, I think), the Go Run Elevate 2.0 shoes are perfect. But... All that being said, I don't think the Skechers are for everyone. As I touched on earlier, I think runners who gravitate towards cross-country or long runs might be better off elsewhere — I'd always go for my Hokas in those cases. On top of that, runners who do a lot of speedwork, need more physical supports due to gait, or marathon training will need something more supportive. In that case, I can recommend the Saucony Guide 17 (for support) or the Brooks Glycerin 21 (for comfort on long runs). Even so, for just $85? These Skechers are the ideal choice for complete beginners, and I recommend them wholeheartedly.
Tom's Guide
15-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 review: These beginner-friendly running shoes are just $85
The Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 are some of the best running shoes for beginners. At just $85/£80, they're budget-friendly, so an ideal amount of investment for someone just starting. If you're running on a treadmill or just on the road, these could be the best beginner-friendly shoes on the market right now. I loved how comfortable these running shoes were. The 1½-inch foam heel provided excellent bounce and cushioning during road running. On top of that, Skechers' GogaMat sole foam is cooling, which helped me on runs in 70°F weather (hot for the U.K., trust me). While the sneakers aren't waterproof, they performed excellently in dry weather on the road and during sprint training. I'd get another pair for trail running as I doubt the Go Run Elevate 2.0 would perform as well on rugged or muddy terrain. I'll discuss everything in detail in this Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 review. Price $85 / £80 Size availability US: 6-13 / UK: 2-13 Weight 8.2 ounces (women's size 6) Colors Various Materials Vegan synthetic Waterproofing No Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 are $85 from Amazon U.S. (women), $85 from Amazon U.S. (men), £80 from Amazon U.K. (women) and £80 from Amazon U.K. (men). They're available in both men's and women's styles and sizes. This is a very good price for cushioned running shoes; my personal running shoes are the $175 Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX, which, granted, have Gore-Tex, but are still more than double the price of the Skechers. Our best running shoes, the Ascis Novablast 5, are $139 from Amazon U.S. I think if you're just starting out and unsure if you want to spend over a hundred dollars on some running shoes, then the Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 are a perfect option. The Go Run Elevate 2.0 are available in the following colors: Black, Bluish Pink, and Fuschia Pink, sizes 6-11 (U.K. 2-8). I tested the bright pink version, but I probably would have chosen the black. In the men's style, they're available in: Black, Gray/Orange, and Red, from sizes 9-13 (U.K. 7-9.5). Right off the bat, I'm going to say it's amazing that the Go Run Elevates are completely vegan, so anyone can use these regardless of lifestyle choice. I'm not vegan, but I only buy vegan clothing and footwear so this gets a big thumbs up from me. The upper is made from a synthetic knit fabric with no waterproofing, but very breathable. The shoes are laced and the laces stay tied up even on one knot, which is more than I can say for the Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTXs, which love to come untied. Unfortunately, there's no physical support around the heel or the Achilles. In no way did I feel unsupported during testing, but it's worth noting that if you need extra support from your running shoes, you'd be better off looking somewhere else. I can recommend the Saucony Hurricane 24. I also loved the padded tongue, which was super protective of my foot bridge and made the shoes even more comfortable. The midsole has ultra-light cushioning, which is effectively just a foam sole. Given the price point, this is a basic sole and doesn't live up to Brooks Glycerin or Puma's DNA Loft V3, but I found the shoes gave decent arch support and cushioning without being heavy. Even when I was landing quite hard, the shoes absorbed a lot of the shock. My ankles and knees didn't hurt at all after running. The soles have Skechers' trademark GogaMat foam. Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 shoes have a 9mm drop, which provides a lot of heel support and bounce during use. The soles are 1½ inches high at the heel and I found this cushioned my feet during runs well. I ran in around 68°F weather (very hot for the U.K., trust me) and my feet never overheated or got sweaty. The shoes did well to combat the outside heat. The breathable materials paired with the cooling foam really did the trick. Perhaps the only complaint I have with the Go Run Elevates is that they're pretty roomy around the toe box and the ball of my foot. While this is good for those with wide feet, it's worth noting for narrower-footed people. Right now, these shoes are only available in standard width. I have narrow feet, but it also meant that the shoes creased easily when I was running. When I tried to tie the laces tighter to prevent this roominess around my toes, the shoes were too tight on my bridge. Obviously performance is very subjective: what I like may not equal what you like. I loved the Go Run Elevate's bouncy, airy soles and the 1½-inch height. This enabled me to run with ease, and my legs felt supported and comfortable during sprinting. I have a neutral gait, so my feet and ankles don't tend to roll. If yours do, it's worth looking at shoes with more support such as the Saucony 24 Hurricane I mentioned earlier. Thanks to the rockered ride and bouncy foam, I felt comfortable and assisted on runs when my legs were getting tired. The bouncy soles were truly a lifesaver when I didn't want to go any further, as the shoes almost did all the work for me. The Go Run Elevate 2.0 are plate-free running shoes. Plate-free basically means there's no carbon plating between the sole and cushioning. This means they're lighter and more breathable, but might not be ideal for longer or more intense runs. As a result, I'd recommend these shoes for beginner runners or those who tend to do 5ks rather than marathons. Given the 8.2-ounce weight, these shoes are incredibly versatile and lightweight. I could barely notice any weight on my foot whatsoever. The Go Run Elevates are lighter than the Saucony Ride 18 ($140) and the Brooks Glycerin 21 ($160). More seasoned runners may want to look elsewhere: I recommend the Brooks Glycerin Max ($200, which has a nitrogen-infused sole for supreme bounce) or the carbon-plated Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 ($275). The Skechers Go Run Elevate 2.0 running shoes are ideal for beginners. I say beginners because they're pretty cheap — just $85. Runners who need a carbon plate shoe (for racing or speedwork) should look elsewhere. Considering they're just $85, it's not surprising that they don't have waterproofing. I'd recommend these for use on a treadmill or casual road running. If you're a trail runner, you might want to look at Gore-Tex sneakers like the Hoka Speedgoat range. For me, though, these running shoes are ideal. They're very comfortable and the 1½-inch thick foam provided extra help on runs where I needed a little extra help. If you're a beginner, I can't recommend these enough.
