Shoe Name: Skechers GOrun Meb Speed

Model: Style #53568 LMBL

Weight: 7.5 oz

Price: $110.00

Drop: 4mm

Website: http://www.skechers.com/style/53568/skechers-gorun-meb-speed/lmbl

Forefoot: Features a wide forefoot, but not quite as wide as the Bionic and GOrun 2. With that said, I think it’s roomy enough to allow the toes to function independently. For a racing flat, it’s nowhere as narrow as the New Balance RC 5000 which caused my 4th and 5th toes to curl during each of the two marathons I ran in them. There is cushion in the forefoot which helps on the long runs and its firm yet still allows you to feel the ground and terrain.

Cushion: I like the cushion better in this version as its a bit stiffer then both the Bionic and the GOrun 2. With a bit of a stiffer midsole, your foot is not working as hard to remain stable, yet there is still cushion to provide some comfort during a longer run such as a marathon. The GOrun 2 is too “squishy” for long runs and I find my foot musculature working harder. So I like the firmness of the midsole, which still lets you feel the ground but has cushion.

Flexibility: Not as flexible as the GOBioinc or GoRun 2 but still able to be rolled up. Is tough to say this is a true minimalist shoe, but its a great option to race a marathon in, or use as a training shoe for long runs.

Overall: The shoe that was introduced for Meb Keflezighi. If its good enough for Meb, the. It’s good enough for me!! Just kidding, I don’t make comparisons as such, but this is without a doubt a performance shoe that is high end. If you want to race a marathon in it, I think it’s the shoe for you. It has has passed the GObionic on my Skechers favorite list. It is definitely more of a performance type shoe and I think would serve best as a marathon shoe. It may be too much “shoe” for a shorter race, that is for someone who is accustomed to running in a minimalist shoe.

I mentioned this before, but when I run longer with a more cushioned shoe I tend to feel my arch muscles (abductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, and flexor digitorum brevis) working harder and fatiguing by the end of my run. A run over 10 miles becomes very noticeable with a softer shoe and I almost feel cramping in the arch.

Since writing this review, I’ve done several more runs in this shoe including an 8 mile tempo run (10 total) yesterday and I really enjoyed the feel. I’ve yet to pick a shoe for my upcoming Akron Marathon, but I’m leaning toward this one. I’ve ran my last two in the New Balance RC5000 which caused my 4th and 5th toes to cramp sound mile 18 as a result of its narrow toe box. The GOrun Meb is definitely wider and will not cause that. Stay tuned!!