Find Best Price For Skechers Mens Bionic Running Charcoal
Last year I reinvented my running form after reading Born to Run and part of the Barefoot Running Book. As I progressed, I went through several Merrell barefoot products and loved them, but I was training for a 25K trail run, and much of the terrain was either packed gravel logging roads, steep and slippery dirt paths, or rough, sharp rocks on various paths and roads. Oh and some smooth and rough pavement as well. At a certain distance, the rocks were finally getting to me, and I got an Altra zero-drop trail runner, which was wonderfully cushioned and grippy, but seemed so much harder to run in, and I feel it masked my poor form, allowing me to start regressing.
After so many $100 pairs of shoes in the same year, after reading a review of the GoBionic, I figured for $65 I'd give 'em a try. While I have not put on more than six miles at a time, it seems like the perfect shoe. Just enough padding to deal easily with a rough rocky road, but firm and thin enough to feel stable and give good feedback on how each landing went. They are super light and fit well. I have a bunion on one foot that causes blisters in some shoes, but the Go Bionics seem roomy and flexible enough not to be a problem there, while the other "normal" foot feels perfectly happy as well.
My favorite fit feel is still the Merrell Road Glove, but these are still very good. I suspect the new Merrell Bare Access II might be very similar; the original one with the foam sole wore out quickly on gravel paths, and didn't have quite enough protection against rocky surfaces. The GoBionic also has a pretty grippy bottom for going up and down the dirt switchbacks. Smooth pavement feels good as well.
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Made the move to "barefoot running" two years ago w/ Vibrams and didn't heed the warning to progress gradually into them--killed my calves and achilles. The change to midfoot strike definitely got me addicted to running w/ no knee issues (both knees have had ACL reconstructs). Ran in Brooks Pure Flow for first marathon and training over the last year but was ready to get back to the feel of the Vibrams w/ just a little more protection. After reading tons of reviews of many different shoes, decided to try the Go Bionics and they are EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR! Almost the same feel of the road as the Vibrams w/ zero drop and just a little more protection for running longer distances on asphalt. My form has improved even more w/ these shoes, no calf issues, no Achilles issues--perfect. Have about 60 miles on them now w/ the longest run of 8 miles.
If you are a mid to forefoot striker and are like I was, get over the stigma of running in Skechers---you will love them!
I don't use the word "amazing" freely, but that's the first word that came to mind when I put these bad boys on.
First off, the GoBionic shoes aren't your typical Skechers. Although I usually opt for adidas, these shoes are ridiculously light, yet at the same time they provide the valuable support and cushion of running shoes. They train you to run with better form (rather than heel striking) and seem to improve my posture. But what I like most about them is the comfort. They have added toe width to accommodate my thick feet and required no breaking in thanks to the sturdy yet flexible structure. They're excellent for walking. I'm sure everyone knows how awkward it can be to walk up and down hills in typical flat sneakers. It's uncomfortable. These shoes make any sort of walking enjoyable.
The GoBionic's are even better for running. I have every confidence that these shoes would hold up for a marathon, but they're also great for short jogs. They're actually great for anything. They give you a tactile feel and tons of spring in your step for basketball, combat training, and lifting weights (which are what I did in them today). The only thing to keep in mind is that these are designed to feel like "barefoot shoes". They are closer to Asics than Vibrams, but those used to massive, cushy heels may find that they need to adjust their running style. Make sure you know what you're buying.
The best part is that these shoes make you look good. They are the furthest thing from clunky/ugly; they're as stylish as Nike Free's, and from the side, they resemble low-profile sneakers like Converse due to the reduced heel (~0.66 inch compared to the average running shoe's 1.2 inches) and thin breathable exterior, even though they're clearly athletic apparel. IMO, they are better-looking than shoes from adidas, Asics, Saucony, Brooks, and most other brands.
Only beef I have on my second day of wearing them is the words on the removable insert are peeling/fading; they seem to come off easily. I will certainly update if the quality of the actual shoe deteriorates.
As far as sizing goes, they're very true to American standards. US 12 is UK 11. I'm 19, 6'3.5" 200. My feet are about 11 inches, maybe a hair more, and the size 12's leave a thumb's breadth of space at the toe, which is perfect for me.
All in all, these are my favorite shoes already and I couldn't be happier. Give them a try!
Last year I reinvented my running form after reading Born to Run and part of the Barefoot Running Book. As I progressed, I went through several Merrell barefoot products and loved them, but I was training for a 25K trail run, and much of the terrain was either packed gravel logging roads, steep and slippery dirt paths, or rough, sharp rocks on various paths and roads. Oh and some smooth and rough pavement as well. At a certain distance, the rocks were finally getting to me, and I got an Altra zero-drop trail runner, which was wonderfully cushioned and grippy, but seemed so much harder to run in, and I feel it masked my poor form, allowing me to start regressing.
After so many $100 pairs of shoes in the same year, after reading a review of the GoBionic, I figured for $65 I'd give 'em a try. While I have not put on more than six miles at a time, it seems like the perfect shoe. Just enough padding to deal easily with a rough rocky road, but firm and thin enough to feel stable and give good feedback on how each landing went. They are super light and fit well. I have a bunion on one foot that causes blisters in some shoes, but the Go Bionics seem roomy and flexible enough not to be a problem there, while the other "normal" foot feels perfectly happy as well.
My favorite fit feel is still the Merrell Road Glove, but these are still very good. I suspect the new Merrell Bare Access II might be very similar; the original one with the foam sole wore out quickly on gravel paths, and didn't have quite enough protection against rocky surfaces. The GoBionic also has a pretty grippy bottom for going up and down the dirt switchbacks. Smooth pavement feels good as well.
I bought the Go Run shoes earlier in the year and used them a lot.
They were Ok, but had two issues that bothered me. 1) The bump, 2) small toe chamber.
The Go Bionic fixes both of those issues and has become my main running shoe.
I ran 12 and 13 mile long runs as soon as i got them and ran a new PR in a Half marathon wearing them.
Great shoe, very comfortable, light as a feather.
Very happy with it.
Replaced my Nike Frees with these. Much more affordable and super lightweight. They look great too. I use them exclusively indoors at the gym for high intensity crossfit, strength training and cardio. I haven't run long distances in them, but they are great for running on the treadmill or laps around the gym's track.
The main thing I like about them is the weight and minimal design. You can really fly in them while doing burpees and other exercises where a lightweight shoe is a benefit. For the price, they can't be beat.
I usually wear a 10.5 or 11 depending on the manufacturer. I ordered size 11 and had to send them back. Way too big. 10.5 fits pretty well.
One word AMAZING!!!! Great shoes for everyday use if its for walking or running. Super comfortable. Can wear them all day if I could. One of the best running shoes I've bought in a long time. Best skechers shoes hands down.
I'm a fan of Skechers "go" series shoes, so after working with the goRun Ride Ultras for a while, I picked up a pair of these for an even more "minimal" experience. (As an aside, I love Amazon's prices--about $95 for both pairs in unpopular colors.) I'm just learning about the whole "minimal" shoe movement, which is inspired by an effort to find a perhaps saner alternative to "barefoot" running or those funny-looking toe shoes.
That said, these shoes are quite "minimal," and probably too much so for your average casual runner or fitness enthusiast--at least as a first shoe in this category. The sole is thin and flexible, but rugged enough to provide meaningful protection from rocks and other road hazards. There is some cushioning, but very little compared to a typical running shoe, and much less than the Rides. As with other shoes in the go line, the toebox is very roomy, which is awesome for my broad forefoot but may require those with narrow feet to size down a half size. They are ultra-light--somewhere in the 6-7 oz. range.
I took these out for a few mile test run on asphalt after receiving them, and boy do they give you road feel and stability. It is pretty much impossible to heel strike while running with these--you'll inevitably land on your midfoot or further up, which is definitely easier on the knees and ankles for me, and just feels more natural. But I could really feel the after-effects of this first run the next day in the form of soreness in the calves and in certain muscles of my feet that have apparently been atrophying by being coddled in over-supportive shoes for years. Many people will be put off by the necessary adjustment period.
The upshot is that I recommend rotating these shoes with more cushioned ones in the beginning. I do this with my Rides, and slowly but surely my feet, calves and achilles are strengthening and adjusting. That said, running on a treadmill with the Bionics is something I think many people can do right away, and those that do will likely feel much more stable and effortlessly balanced than they do with traditional running shoes. These are also excellent for weightlifting and as general purpose court shoes because of the flat sole and broad footprint. But for running on pavement, most people would not want these as their only pair of shoes right away. You'll need to transition.
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