You’ll Never Believe the Brand Behind This $140 Super Trainer

Most people still associate Skechers with budget-friendly, everyday comfort shoes found in the discount section of the department store. But behind the lifestyle lineup lies a cutting-edge performance-running division that deserves to be taken seriously. The new Skechers Aero Razor is a prime example, a shoe that promises top-tier performance at an economical price.

The brand started making its light, smooth-running performance models in 2011. By 2019, the Skechers Performance GoRun Hyper earned RUN’s Gear of the Year honors. It featured a midsole made of Hyper Burst, a groundbreaking, gas-infused midsole foam that delivered one of the most responsive and lightweight rides of its time.

Now Skechers has evolved the Razor, one of its most beloved speed-day shoes, rebuilding it around today’s most-responsive superfoam, Aliphatic TPU (A-TPU). We had a chance to test the brand-new Skechers Aero Razor to see just how good a super trainer you can get for $140.

Skechers Aero Razor: At-a-Glance 

Weight: 6.9 oz (men’s 9); 5.6 oz (women’s 7)
Stack Height: 36-32 mm
Heel-to-toe Drop: 4 mm

Pros and Cons
+ Fantastic price-to-performance for speed/racing shoe
+ Stable, grounded feel
+ Lively underfoot responsiveness
+ Airy, comfortable upper
– Not forgiving enough for beginner marathoners
– Not as cushioned or bouncy as most super shoe racers

Skechers Aero Razor: First Impressions

Skechers first introduced the Razor in 2016 as a lightweight, minimalist, uptempo trainer and race-day shoe. The shoe gained popularity with the speedy set in that pre-super shoe era, really hitting its stride in 2019 with the Gorun Razor 3 Hyper, featuring the brand’s new, ultralight Hyper Burst midsole (the first gas-infused, supercritical foam to be used in a training shoe).

Hyper Burst foam delivers a smooth, highly responsive ride without the instability common in many modern foams, and has been the best part of Skechers’ performance running shoes over the last decade. Past models, however, have often fallen short in upper design, fit, and overall comfort.

The Aero Razor hits on all cylinders, with the biggest upgrade coming in the upper and lacing system. Constructed with a lightweight, engineered mesh that both vents and secures, it delivers a fit and finish that finally matches what I expect from top-performance brands.

The lacing system is top-notch. Instead of traditional eyelets, Skechers uses a string enclosure that creates a smooth, even wrap across the foot. Sawtooth laces lock down securely, while a lightly padded, gusseted tongue helps ease pressure on the top of the foot. The fit runs true to size in width, with length slightly longer than normal, though it wasn’t enough to warrant sizing down.

The midsole is Skechers’ new Hyper Burst Pro, made with A-TPU foam, an upgrade from the TPU beads used in the Razor 4 and 5, and the leading foam in today’s supershoes. In testing, it delivered a smooth, consistent ride that felt responsive and controlled, with a lively underfoot feel that was never soft or mushy. Tuned firmer than most A-TPU midsoles and only 36 millimeters thick under the heel, it may seem too firm for runners who prefer maximal cushioning. But those seeking a stable, lightweight, moderate-stack-height shoe will appreciate the tight, connected ride.

A carbon-infused H-plate—thin strips along the sides of the forefoot with cross pieces that overlap but don’t connect—didn’t fight my foot’s natural roll, but did seem to make the push-off more stable and snappy.

Indeed, the Aero Razor rolled quickly through my stride and off the toe. It responded to changes in pace and direction with the precision of a well-tuned sports car: immediate, precise, and completely predictable—exactly what I’d want in a short-distance racing flat. It would make an ideal track workout shoe for runners who prefer to avoid spikes and the cornering instability that comes with ultra-tall super shoes. The underfoot feel was excellent at tempo pace and faster, but at everyday training paces, the ride felt too firm and unforgiving for my liking. Those who liked the quick ground contact of the Razor 3 should appreciate the similar, light, snappy feel after heavier, cushier versions 4 and 5.

The Aero Razor also features Skechers’ Arch Fit system, a podiatrist-certified insole platform designed to enhance arch support and underfoot comfort. I didn’t, however, notice any additional arch support compared to other neutral shoes, and wouldn’t recommend the Aero Razor for those suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.

Skechers Aero Razor: Who’s It For?

As foams get lighter and bouncier, brands are still pushing the boundaries of max cushioning and performance, leaving those who prefer a more grounded feel with fewer options. The Skechers Aero Razor harnesses the explosive benefits of superfoam while maintaining a sensitive, stable ride.

As the name suggests, the Aero Razor is a sharp tool built for speed. Runners of all abilities looking for a lightweight speed or race-day shoe will appreciate its quick, efficient ride.

One caveat: I’m hesitant to recommend it as a marathon or even half-marathon option for newer runners, given the minimal upper and stripped-down construction. Those athletes are better served sticking with their everyday trainers for longer races, where comfort, protection, and stability become more critical.

In a category increasingly dominated by maximal stack heights and rising prices, the Aero Razor offers a refreshing alternative that’s fast, connected, and, at $140, one of the best values in running. It can match strides with super trainers that cost $30-$60 more, and serves as an alternative racer to twice-as-expensive super shoes for those who don’t like their max-height trampoline bounce and prescriptive, rigid-plated roll.

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