The Speed of Science – SKECHERS ProSpeed

Having tried on and worn a lot of running shoes, I am very impressed with the new SKECHERS ProSpeed running shoe.  I think once people realize just how forward-thinking and advanced this shoe is, it’s going to be very popular.

First things first, the shoe looks good.  I know that’s not really important in a technical running shoe, but some running shoes out there are just a bundle of features with no style. There will be people attracted to the ProSpeed for looks alone.

It’s amazingly lightweight. As in under 10 oz. (can be up to 15 oz. for larger sizes) per shoe lightweight.  Usually that kind of weight means you get little to no comfort and cushioning, but in the ProSpeed you get an impressive amount of cushioning and technical features. That light a weight, and it doesn’t feel at all flimsy or featureless – it feels solid and ready to run.

Even before you get to the midsole design, the ProSpeed has a lot of neat features.  There’s a tiny but perfectly placed piece of hook-and-loop fastener that holds one side of the tongue perfectly in place even during a long run. The ventilation of the shoe is well designed to keep your feet cool. There’s good internal stabilization so that your foot stays in place and doesn’t tend to pronate.

They took everything that I love about the Resistance Runner– and I really enjoy the comfort and support of that shoe – and made it more efficient and lighter weight. Where the Resistance Runner makes running a natural fluid motion, the ProSpeed almost makes me feel like I could race anyone and win.

The instructions call the midsole design a “SmartShoe with Mid-Foot Strike”, and I can see why. A traditional heel strike forces you to land on your heel, an area of your foot that also brakes and reduces speed. ProSpeed directs your foot to land past your heel, giving you a more fluid stride and using your body’s energy more efficiently. It feels entirely different from my old running shoes, which have lots of cushioning at the heel and not a whole lot at the mid-foot or toe. I didn’t even have to think about changing my stride – it just happened naturally and feels right, whether I’m walking or running.

There’s a lot of advanced scientific design built into the ProSpeed; that much should be obvious just by looking at them. But wearing them, and running or walking in them, feels a little bit more like magic than science!

Written by: Tim the Shoe Guy
Tim is the web merchandising manager for SKECHERS and has years of experience selling running and athletic shoes for other retailers.