Skechers GOrun Razor 4 Introduction
The Razor identify is a type of which has been used so usually by Skechers that the product line has turn out to be actually complicated. First, there was the Razor 1, 2, 3 and three+. Then got here the Razor Elite which was a lighter, sooner model of the common Razor and a Razor TRL, a path model.
Within the final 2 years, the Razor Extra 1 and a pair of have been additionally launched they usually have been extra cushioned variations of the Razor. Now, they’ve dropped the Extra identify and they’re again to the Razor 4. Skechers says that the Razor 4 is a mixture of the common Razor and the Razor Extra however that it was nonetheless designed for velocity coaching and racing.
Final yr I examined the Razor Extra 2 and I discovered it to be a wonderful velocity coach for runners who don’t like stiff, carbon-plated velocity trainers. I loved how clean its transitions felt and the way it supplied arch help for flat toes.
The Razor 4 is the primary Skechers shoe to function the brand new Hyper Burst Professional midsole foam which is a supercritical TPU foam. The Razor 4 has a forefoot carbon-fiber plate but it surely’s attention-grabbing that on the Skechers web site, there’s completely no point out of the plate which is generally one of many key options of a plated velocity coach.
The Razor 4 now weighs 8 oz (227 g) for a males’s US9. This is a rise of 0.8 oz in comparison with final yr’s Razor Extra 2. Skechers has the inaccurate weight of 6.4 oz listed on their US web site which is fake and deceptive. The stack top stays the identical because it was within the Extra 2, 30 mm within the heel, 26 mm within the forefoot.
The worth is $130 on Operating Warehouse however $145 on the Skechers web site which additionally doesn’t make any sense.
Skechers GOrun Razor 4 First Impressions
The primary time I attempted the Razor 4 on, it was in my common dimension however the toe-box felt alarmingly slender. I might sense that this might trigger me issues so I made a decision to dimension up. Skechers doesn’t usher in half sizes into Malaysia so I needed to go a full 1 cm bigger than my common dimension.
My first run was a 12 km steady-paced run and I used to be actually glad I sized up. The match felt barely lengthy however nonetheless very snug.
I used to be impressed with the experience of the up to date midsole: it felt softer and extra cushioned than the Razor Extra 2. Transitions felt clean and the experience felt extra bouncy; extra energetic.
The brand new midsole jogged my memory of the PEBA foam within the Endorphin Velocity 2 nonetheless the Razor 4 felt much more secure than the Endorphin Velocity 2.
It didn’t really feel as quick as its predecessor due to the softer experience but it surely felt way more snug and enjoyable at sluggish paces.
Skechers GOrun Razor 4 Higher
Skechers makes use of a brand new poly-mono mix for the higher with a low water primarily based dying course of which makes use of virtually no water. The brand new higher materials feels softer, extra snug and extra premium than some other Skechers higher I’ve felt.
It has a flat, non-gusseted tongue which slides barely downwards throughout runs and it has a frivolously padded collar space which may be very snug round my ankles. Heel lockdown is nice though I do have to make use of a runner’s knot to get an excellent lockdown.
The Razor 4’s largest disadvantage is its tremendous slender, pointy toe-box which even runners with actually slender toes will discover uncomfortable. I needed to go up a full dimension from my regular dimension but it surely feels abnormally lengthy, virtually like clown footwear.
The midfoot and forefoot are accommodating but it surely’s nonetheless not a shoe for large footed runners because of the slender toe-box.
Skechers GOrun Razor 4 Sole Unit
Skechers brags that their Hyper Burst Professional midsole foam is 100% supercritical TPU. The explanation that they use Hyper Burst Professional within the Razor 4, and never common Hyper Burst (which is supercritical EVA) is as a result of Hyper Burst Professional is lighter and extra responsive.
I actually benefit from the experience of Hyper Burst Professional and I desire it to Hyper Burst: it compresses extra and it rebounds extra. I discover that it has a softer, much less dense really feel and it’s extra participating. Although it’s softer than Hyper Burst, it’s nonetheless firmer than the opposite tremendous foams like ZoomX, Fuelcell, FF Blast+ and Nitro Elite.
The Razor 4 can now be labeled as a each day coach as a result of it’s smooth sufficient for straightforward/restoration days. It has a extra versatile forefoot than the Razor Extra 2 so it feels extra relaxed and never as snappy. The forefoot carbon plate is barely noticeable.
For intervals and tempo runs, you possibly can nonetheless use the Razor 4 as a result of it has a comparatively mild construct with an energy-returning midsole but it surely feels extra sluggish than the Razor 3 and the Razor Extra 2 which had firmer rides. I really feel that the Razor 4 is extra suited to simple or reasonable runs.
The Razor 4 has much more long-distance consolation than the Razor Extra 2 on account of its softer experience so it’s a a lot better long term and marathon shoe than any of the earlier Razor fashions. It’s positively extra versatile. It additionally has a outstanding rocker geometry which feels energy-saving and environment friendly.
Arch Match arch help can also be a function of the Razor 4. It’s an insole which is built-up on the medial aspect to offer light arch help for runners with flat toes corresponding to myself. I discover it actually snug and by no means intrusive.
The outsole rubber on the Razor 4 is thicker and extra considerable than its predecessors. The rubber now covers the excessive put on areas on the outer heel so the midsole foam has extra safety. There may be little or no put on exhibiting on the outsoles of my pair and grip is superb even on moist surfaces.
Skechers GOrun Razor 4 Conclusions
General, the Razor 4 feels prefer it has the next construct high quality than earlier Razor fashions which had onerous, scratchy uppers and midsoles that felt like plastic.
Skechers designed the Razor 4 for velocity runs and racing however I truthfully really feel that it capabilities higher as a each day coach for runners who don’t like smooth, mushy rides; it’s secure, cushioned, and environment friendly.
It’s not as snappy or quick as earlier Razor variations but it surely does really feel extra bouncy and extra premium on account of its Hyper Burst Professional midsole and upgraded higher materials.
There’s not rather a lot to dislike in regards to the Razor 4: it has a extremely slender toe-box however you possibly can treatment this by sizing up. The carbon plate in its forefoot just isn’t very noticeable so it doesn’t present a lot velocity help and it’s additionally heavier than earlier Razors. It’s nonetheless very mild for a each day coach.
I’ll proceed utilizing the Razor 4 in my rotation after I need to use a each day coach that feels quick and energy-saving.
It’s a greater possibility than a Pegasus, Ghost or different comparable conventional each day coach as a result of its midsole foam is a lot extra advanced- extra bouncy and extra versatile.
