Shoe Review: Skechers Delivers with the Aero Razor
In April, I wrote a review of the Skechers Aero Tempo, a “high-performance race day shoe” that had team members from the company excited for the future of its running line. The team’s excitement got to me, and so I laced up the Aero Tempo with high expectations. I was quickly let down. The shoe was perhaps my least favorite of the 2020s.
At the end of that review, I mentioned that I did have another pair of Skechers to try out. I wrote that “perhaps that will be the shoe that convinces me that the company is, in fact, back to compete in the running game.” That shoe was the Skechers Aero Razor. I approached my first test in the Razors with a completely different mindset than I’d had going into the Aero Tempo run. Instead of excitement, I had quite low expectations. I was ready to have another disappointing series of runs in a sub-par shoe.
Just like with the Tempo, I was surprised, but this time pleasantly so. As soon as I took the Aero Razors out of the box I was struck by how light they are. When I slipped my feet into them, it was immediately apparent that they would provide a very comfortable ride. My first run in them was meant to be easy, but half a mile into it I realized I was running far quicker than I’d planned to — the shoes just seemed to promote speed.
After my last experience with Skechers, I was far from convinced the company was ready to give it another shot at running and high-performance shoes. The Aero Razor has changed that, and if future releases from Skechers match this quality, I’ll happily put more of their shoes into my running lineup.
Aero Razor Specs
- Weight: 6.9 oz (U.S. men’s size 9), 5.6 oz (U.S. women’s size 7)
- Drop: 4 mm
- Stack Height: 36mm (heel) / 32 mm (forefoot)
- Price: US$140
As I already mentioned, the Aero Razors are remarkably light. Unlike the Aero Tempo, you don’t notice these on your feet, which is a great sign for a shoe. You want something that blends into your running style, not a shoe that you need to make work for you.
The stack height of 36 mm at the heel to 32 mm at the toe is nothing crazy (many shoes nowadays will be 36 mm at the toe with an even bigger drop from the heel), but when running in these shoes, you don’t feel like you need anything more. The shoes are very comfortable with plenty of cushioning underfoot that not only absorbs the impact of each step, but also provides generous energy return.
Running in the Aero Razor
The Aero Razor has given me many great runs. I have taken them for slower sessions, but where they shine is on fast days. The team from Skechers says the shoe is “built for speed and smooth rides,” and that’s exactly what you get from them day in and day out.
The smooth and comfortable runs are thanks to the Hyper Burst Pro midsole cushioning and the “podiatrist-certified arch support” in Skechers Arch Fit technology. Right from my first stride in these shoes, it was clear they were going to be comfortable the whole way.
The cushioning system also deserves credit for the shoe’s speed, as well as the Razor’s built-in H-wing carbon plate. The team at Skechers says this delivers a “snappy toe-off,” and I have to agree with them. The Hyper Burst Pro pairing with the H-wing makes for very fast runs, which is why this shoe is great for hard sessions and even races.
This is a world of difference from the Aero Tempo, which featured Hyper Burst cushioning (not Hyper Burst Pro) and a full-length carbon plate. This combo was incredibly stiff and uncomfortable, and it seemed to suck the energy out of each step as soon as I made contact with the ground. While I did not enjoy the stiffness of the Tempo, I find the Razor to be better. It’s still stiffer than some other shoes on the market, but not too stiff. Skechers seemed to have found the perfect middle-ground on the stiffness front to develop a shoe that is both fast and comfortable.
The Razor’s outsole features Goodyear rubber, providing excellent traction and stability (I took these shoes on many rainy and wet runs and never felt like I was at risk of slipping), as well as tremendous durability. As for the upper, its mesh design (which contributes to its super-low weigh-in) is extremely breathable and comfortable. It’s so soft that I could see myself ditching my socks and swapping out the laces to wear these Skechers for a sprint or Olympic triathlon.
On the topic of laces, if I did switch the stock ones for an elastic, quick-tie option, I would certainly miss the original setup. This is not to say that the shoe would perform any worse without its original laces (I don’t think it would), but rather that the sawtooth laces are clearly a perfect match for the Aero Razor. Pair them with the shoe’s softly padded gusseted tongue and your feet are locked in comfortably for every ride with no need to overdo it and tie them extra tight.
The Verdict?
I think Skechers could be back. I truly was not expecting much when I opened the Aero Razor box for the first time. They looked nice, but I thought that could be where the positives ended. I am very happy to say I was proven wrong, again and again, run after run.
If you’re looking for a new shoe to carry you in fast workouts and potentially on race day, this is a great option. I can see myself using the Aero Razor for 5Ks and 10Ks, as well as shorter triathlons. I’m quite eager to do so, actually, and I believe anyone else who takes these shoes to those races will be happy they did.
