Let's be real for a second. If you’d told a serious marathoner ten years ago that they’d be crushing their weekly long runs in a pair of Skechers, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the run club. Times change. The Skechers GO RUN Ride 11 isn't just a "budget alternative" anymore; it’s a legitimate, high-performance workhorse that makes you wonder why other brands are charging $180 for basic EVA foam.
I’ve spent a lot of time looking at how the "Ride" series has evolved. It’s gone from a firm, somewhat niche shoe to this—a carbon-infused, max-cushion beast that feels surprisingly nimble. Most people think Skechers is just for walking around the mall. They're wrong. The Skechers GO RUN Ride 11 is built on Hyper Burst Ice, which is a dual-density setup that solves the one major complaint people had about the previous versions: they were sometimes just too stiff.
What’s Actually Happening Under Your Foot?
The magic, or the science if you want to be nerdy about it, is in the midsole. You’ve got this "Ice" version of their signature foam. Basically, Skechers took their supercritical Hyper Burst—which is created using heat and pressure to saturate a solid piece of plastic with gas until it expands—and they tweaked the formula.
It’s soft. But it isn't "sink into the floor" soft like a New Balance More v4. It’s more of a bouncy, energetic soft. Inside that foam, there’s a Carbon-infused winglet plate. Don't let the word "Carbon" scare you off into thinking this is a rigid racing shoe that will destroy your calves on a recovery day. It’s not a full plate. It’s designed to provide stability and a bit of "pop" off the toe without making the shoe feel like a plank of wood.
The Arch Fit insole is another huge factor here. Podiatrists actually had a hand in designing this. It’s weirdly supportive. If you have flat feet, you’ll notice the arch support immediately, but even if you have high arches, the way it molds to your foot after about twenty miles is pretty impressive. It reduces pressure by distributing weight across a wider surface area. Skechers claims it’s a "podiatrist-certified" shape, and honestly, your plantar fascia will probably agree after a double-digit mile day.
The Upper and the "Heel Pillow" Situation
The upper is an engineered polyester mesh. It’s fine. It’s not the most breathable thing in the world, so if you’re running in 95-degree humidity in Florida, your feet might get a little toasted. But it’s durable. The big talking point is the "Heel Pillow." It’s this extra bit of padding in the heel collar that’s meant to lock your foot in place without you having to crank down on the laces.
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Does it work? Mostly.
Some runners find it a bit bulky. Others love that they don't get any heel slip. It’s one of those polarizing features that makes the Skechers GO RUN Ride 11 feel like a very specific tool rather than a generic sneaker. The tongue is gusseted, which I think should be mandatory on every running shoe at this point. It stays put. No sliding around. No weird pressure points on the top of your foot.
Comparison: Ride 11 vs. The Giants
How does it stack up against the Saucony Ride or the Brooks Ghost? Well, it’s peppier. The Ghost 15/16 feels a bit dated compared to the Hyper Burst Ice foam. The Saucony Ride 17 moved to PWRRUN+, which is great, but it still lacks that "infused" feeling you get with the Skechers GO RUN Ride 11.
- Weight: It’s roughly 9.8 oz for a men's size 9. That’s solid for a shoe with this much stack height (38mm in the heel).
- Drop: You’re looking at a 6mm drop. This is the "sweet spot" for many midfoot strikers.
- Outsole: Goodyear Rubber. Yes, the tire company. It’s sticky. It lasts. You can easily get 400 to 500 miles out of these before the lugs start to disappear.
The Goodyear collaboration is one of the smartest things Skechers ever did. Most brands use a proprietary rubber that wears out quickly to save weight. Skechers just slapped some tire tread on the bottom and called it a day. It works on wet pavement, light trails, and even those annoying painted lines on the road that turn into ice rinks when it rains.
Who This Shoe Is Actually For (And Who Should Skip It)
If you are a heel striker looking for a daily trainer that can handle easy runs, tempo efforts, and maybe even a marathon if you aren't chasing a sub-3-hour goal, this is it. The rocker geometry (they call it Hyper Arc) helps you transition through your gait cycle faster. It kind of "forces" you forward.
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However, if you hate a "rockered" feel, you’ll hate this shoe. It doesn't want you to stay on your heels. It wants you to roll. Also, if you have an extremely wide forefoot, the Skechers GO RUN Ride 11 might feel a bit snug. They do offer wide widths, but the standard "D" width is a bit more "athletic" than "roomy."
The Durability Truth
We need to talk about the foam's lifespan. Supercritical foams (like Hyper Burst) usually hold their bounce longer than traditional EVA. In my experience, and based on feedback from the running community, the Ride 11 doesn't "bottom out" at 200 miles. It stays consistent. That’s a huge value proposition when you consider the price point.
One thing to watch out for is the "bottom loading" of the plate. Because the plate is tucked into the foam, you don't feel it directly under your foot, but over time, if you are a very heavy runner, you might start to feel the transition point where the foam compresses around that winglet. It’s a minor gripe, but something to keep in mind if you’re over 220 lbs.
Common Misconceptions About Skechers Performance
The biggest hurdle for this shoe isn't the tech; it's the logo. People still associate the "S" with the light-up shoes they wore in third grade. But if you look at the elite roster—runners like Edward Cheserek—you'll see that the performance division is operating at a totally different level than the lifestyle division.
The Skechers GO RUN Ride 11 is a technical piece of equipment. It’s not a fashion statement. It’s built for people who put in 30, 40, or 70 miles a week and don't want to spend $200 every two months on fresh foam. It’s honest. It’s reliable. It’s basically the Honda Civic of running shoes—it’ll go forever, it’s surprisingly quick when you floor it, and it won't break the bank.
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Real-World Performance: The 10-Mile Test
On a standard 10-mile road run, the shoe starts to shine around mile 4. That’s when the foam warms up a bit. The first mile can feel slightly firm, especially if it’s cold outside (supercritical foams can be temperature-sensitive). But once you get moving, the energy return is noticeable.
You don't feel the road. That can be a pro or a con. If you like "ground feel," look elsewhere. If you want your legs to feel fresh for your workout the next day, the Ride 11 is your best friend. The vibration dampening is top-tier. I’ve finished long runs in these and felt like I could’ve gone another five miles, which is the ultimate compliment for a daily trainer.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Move
If you're thinking about pulling the trigger on these, here is how you should handle it to ensure you don't waste your money.
First, check your current shoe size. Skechers usually runs true to size, but because of the Arch Fit insole, it can feel a little "full." If you're between sizes, go with your larger running shoe size. You need that thumb's width of space at the front because the Hyper Arc rocker will push your toes forward during the toe-off phase.
Second, don't judge them on the first walk. Walk around the house, sure, but the Skechers GO RUN Ride 11 is designed for the mechanics of running. The rocker feels awkward when you're just standing in a kitchen; it feels natural when you're at an 8:30 min/mile pace.
Third, look for deals. While the MSRP is already lower than many competitors, Skechers often has sales or coupons that bring these down into the $90 range. At that price, it is arguably the best value-to-performance ratio in the entire industry.
Finally, rotate them. Even though they are durable, any supercritical foam needs about 24 to 48 hours to fully decompress after a long run. If you use them every single day without a break, you'll shorten the life of that "Ice" foam. Pair them with a lighter shoe for speed work, and use the Ride 11 for everything else. You'll likely get a full year of training out of one pair.