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 develop into actually complicated. First, there was the Razor 1, 2, 3 and three+. Then got here the Razor Elite which was a lighter, quicker model of the common Razor and a Razor TRL, a path model.
Within the final 2 years, the Razor Extra 1 and a couple of had been additionally launched and so they had 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 pace coaching and racing.
Final yr I examined the Razor Extra 2 and I discovered it to be a wonderful pace coach for runners who don’t like stiff, carbon-plated pace trainers. I loved how clean its transitions felt and the way it provided arch assist for flat ft.
The Razor 4 is the primary Skechers shoe to characteristic the brand new Hyper Burst Professional midsole foam which is a supercritical TPU foam. The Razor 4 has a forefoot carbon-fiber plate however it’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 pace 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 Working 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 measurement however the toe-box felt alarmingly slim. I may sense that this might trigger me issues so I made a decision to measurement up. Skechers doesn’t herald half sizes into Malaysia so I needed to go a full 1 cm bigger than my common measurement.
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 comfy.
I used to be impressed with the journey of the up to date midsole: it felt softer and extra cushioned than the Razor Extra 2. Transitions felt clean and the journey felt extra bouncy; extra energetic.
The brand new midsole jogged my memory of the PEBA foam within the Endorphin Velocity 2 nevertheless 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 journey however it felt way more comfy and enjoyable at gradual 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 comfy 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 could be very comfy 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 downside is its tremendous slim, pointy toe-box which even runners with actually slim ft will discover uncomfortable. I needed to go up a full measurement from my regular measurement however it feels abnormally lengthy, virtually like clown sneakers.
The midfoot and forefoot are accommodating however it’s nonetheless not a shoe for huge footed runners as a result of slim 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 journey of Hyper Burst Professional and I favor 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 partaking. Despite the fact that 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 categorized as a day by day coach as a result of it’s comfortable 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 gentle construct with an energy-returning midsole however it 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 straightforward or average runs.
The Razor 4 has much more long-distance consolation than the Razor Extra 2 as a result of its softer journey so it’s a a lot better future and marathon shoe than any of the earlier Razor fashions. It’s undoubtedly extra versatile. It additionally has a distinguished rocker geometry which feels energy-saving and environment friendly.
Arch Match arch assist can also be a characteristic of the Razor 4. It’s an insole which is built-up on the medial facet to offer light arch assist for runners with flat ft resembling myself. I discover it actually comfy and by no means intrusive.
The outsole rubber on the Razor 4 is thicker and extra ample 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 displaying 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 pace runs and racing however I actually really feel that it features higher as a day by day coach for runners who don’t like comfortable, mushy rides; it’s secure, cushioned, and environment friendly.
It’s not as snappy or quick as earlier Razor variations however it does really feel extra bouncy and extra premium as a result of its Hyper Burst Professional midsole and upgraded higher materials.
There’s not rather a lot to dislike concerning the Razor 4: it has a very slim toe-box however you possibly can treatment this by sizing up. The carbon plate in its forefoot shouldn’t be very noticeable so it doesn’t present a lot pace help and it’s additionally heavier than earlier Razors. It’s nonetheless very gentle for a day by day coach.
I’ll proceed utilizing the Razor 4 in my rotation once I need to use a day by day coach that feels quick and energy-saving.
It’s a greater choice than a Pegasus, Ghost or different comparable conventional day by day coach as a result of its midsole foam is a lot extra advanced- extra bouncy and extra versatile.
