Skechers GOrun Speed Freek Review
Published: July 22, 2022
Hyper Burst That Can Go the Distance
Skechers has transformed the Elite's design into a new, "freeky" fast marathon racer
Likes
- Bouncy performance midsole
- Super lightweight feel
- Wider platform adds stability
Dislikes
- Ultra-thin upper may not work for some
What's New
Although the Speed Freek is a new shoe, it has evolved from the Skechers Speed Elite and is now better designed to be a top-tier marathon racing shoe. The two featured updates are in the midsole, which is now stacked with even more Hyper Burst foam and sports a new carbon fibre-infused winglet plate. These work together to create a more cushioned, more protective running experience better suited for marathon races than the Elite. The M-strike design has also been replaced with HyperArc geometry, which is incredibly efficient and encourages runners to maintain fast tempos. Finally, the Speed Freek's mono-mesh design offers a quality, race-ready feel that will lock runners' feet securely in place regardless of distance or pace.
The Bottom Line
The Skechers design team has been on a mission to create an efficient marathon racing shoe that can compete with the likes of the Nike Vaporfly, ASICS MetaSpeed, and Saucony Endorphin Pro. While it was a quality shoe in its own right, Skechers' first attempt with the Speed Elite fell a little short, as runners found the shoe better suited to 5K and 10K distances due to its fast, firm underfoot feel. Now enter the Speed Freek, with a higher stack height, updated plate design, and reconfigured midsole geometry, making it much better equipped to handle the challenges of a marathon race. The soft and responsive midsole offers ample protection from the roads, and the HyperArc midsole design is incredibly efficient, promoting fast turnovers that smoothly progress runners through their gait. The stylish and historically-inspired "dazzleflage" upper has a familiar performance fit that will keep runners securely locked in. The upper is also very breathable and should prevent feet from overheating. After the testing was through, our team could confidently say that Skechers accomplished its original mission with the release of the Speed Freak. Although there are still improvements to be made, marathon racers should seriously consider these high-performing shoes.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to narrow | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low |
| Heel Width | Medium to narrow |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.2 oz (size 9) | Women's: 5.7 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 36 mm (Heel), 32 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
The Speed Elite was criticised for being too firm to go the full marathon distance, so Skechers designed the Speed Freek with even more Hyper Burst foam in the midsole, making these racers comfortably soft while on foot. Runners will no longer have any difficulty completing the full 26.2 miles in these impressive shoes.
Matt: "The Speed Freek offers the most Hyper Burst foam of any Skechers racing shoe, but it still isn't as plush as you would think. The Hyper Burst compound is more respected for its responsiveness than its super softness, but I still appreciated the softness in these shoes. To my surprise, I fell in love with the Speed Freek because of its smooth and efficient feel, not because of its plush cushioning. I usually stay away from shoes that are too soft, so the level provided by the Speed Freek worked for me and my needs."
Erik: "The Hyper Burst midsole is both soft and responsive. It provides the plushness I want when going long distances on the road."
Ride/Energy Returni
Skechers designed the Speed Freek to be an elite marathon racing shoe that would have no difficulty picking up the pace. These shoes provide a responsive ride that is also impeccably efficient through the gait cycle with the help of Skechers' HyperArc geometry. Although some super shoes still may outpace the Speed Freek, these racers are undeniably a step up from the Speed Elite, delivering a quality running experience that can contend with the best in the biz.
Matt: "The Speed Freek offers some nice energy return from its fun midsole foam and overall lightweight design. This shoe does not have a full-length plate, so it lacks some of that explosive propulsion found in other racers. However, Skechers does include their winglet-shaped carbon technology to add some rigidity. This mainly saves weight and highlights the brand's premium Hyper Burst foam. The emphasis on weight saving definitely helps preserve energy, and the responsive foam with the added stabilising stiffness of the winglets creates a speedy and efficient feel that I want every time I crank the pace."
Erik: "Again, I must point to the Hyper Burst midsole as one of the better compounds on the market. The amount of spring in each step of a Skechers shoe with a Hyper Burst midsole makes it a leader in the run specialty market."
Underfoot Protectioni
Protection is an area that held back the Speed Elite from becoming a marathon superstar, so Skechers emphasised the need to make the Speed Freek protective enough to keep runners as comfortable as possible during marathon races. To do this, Skechers designed the Speed Freek with 36 mm of Hyper Burst foam, and in turn, they have created a shoe that is more than capable of protecting runners from the impact of the road.
Matt: "My legs were always happy after wearing the Speed Freek during harder sessions. Without a full-length plate, this shoe showcases the Hyper Burst foam, allowing runners to land on a more resilient compound rather than a stiff carbon plate. I felt like this sacrificed some propulsion but allowed my legs to feel smooth for longer."
Erik: "The extra stack height of the Speed Freek gives us a few more millimeters over the Speed Elite, which makes it perfect for extra miles on the road. While I haven't taken the shoe out for more than a dozen miles on the road, I feel it will excel for marathon distances when you want protection from the hard pounding miles."
Flexibilityi
A higher stack and a carbon fibre-infused plate make the Speed Freek fairly rigid. Fortunately, the HyperArc midsole design helps efficiently roll runners through their gait cycle, making long distances at fast paces feel almost effortless.
Matt: "There isn't much flex to the Speed Freek. Just like most higher-profile carbon racers, this shoe relies on its geometry to give the wearer a smooth running experience. I felt that the Speed Freek didn't have the most aggressive rocker, and I wished that it would roll harder than it did, especially given that it does not have a full plate in the midsole."
Erik: "Hyper Burst is a flexible material, but the added plate in this shoe is going to give you the energy return you need for peak performance while (appropriately) sacrificing flexibility. For the added performance, it is a worthwhile trade-off."
Upper Supporti
To save on weight and deliver a high-performing racing shoe, Skechers left some comfort-specific features out of the Speed Freek's upper design. That said, the structured upper provides an impeccable lockdown that feels featherweight while on foot. Additionally, it offers the breathability to keep the wearer's feet cool and dry in nearly any environment. Runners who enjoy a more adaptable upper may not love the Speed Freak's performance-focused fit, but the upper design does what it's built to do.
Matt: "The upper was one of my favorite parts of the Speed Freek. The mono mesh doesn't flex too much, but it is lightweight and forms to the foot nicely."
Erik: "The upper is an area where Skechers needs to develop moving forward. An upper that is plusher and still just as lightweight is more than possible given the technologies available today. Simply put, it's time for an upgrade, Skechers. With that said, the Speed Freek's current upper will work just fine for most people. It does an okay job of providing the support needed for a long-distance effort."
Men's Skechers GOrun Speed
Women's Skechers GOrun Speed
Individual Thoughts
MattOverall Score: 9/10
I am so happy I grabbed the Speed Freek for my last race and will choose it again soon. Hyper Burst is one of my favourite midsole foams on the market today, and the increased stack made for a fun and bouncy ride that also felt super efficient. I never felt overwhelmed or off-balance with the higher stack height, rather, I felt fast and more nimble than expected. Since the Speed Freek has carbon winglets instead of a full plate, it does lack aggressive propulsion, but the shoe's weight and bouncy midsole foam make it fun to run in, and it delivers the efficient ride I want from a marathon shoe. I will continue to reach for the Speed Freek when it is time to gear up for a race.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
ErikOverall Score: 8.5/10
Imagine if the Speed Elite and the Razor Excess had a child, and then Skechers made it even plusher. The result would probably look a lot like the Speed Freek. These shoes are a great progression from the Speed Elite, and while the Speed Elite is a good option for up to half-marathon distances, the Speed Freek provides enough cushioning to go farther (think full-marathon distance). It feels light, stable (partly due to its wider base), and well cushioned, offering everything I want in a long-distance racer.
