You’ve probably seen them at the airport. Or the grocery store. Maybe your neighbor wears them while he’s power-walking in those blindingly bright neon shorts. I'm talking about skechers go walk mens shoes, the footwear that basically redefined what it means to be a "walking shoe" without looking like you’re wearing two massive loaves of bread on your feet.
Honestly, the walking shoe market used to be depressing. You had two choices: heavy leather "dad" sneakers that weighed three pounds each, or flimsy canvas slips that offered the structural integrity of a wet paper towel. Then Skechers dropped the GO WALK line. It changed things. It made comfort... okay?
But here’s the thing. Most people buy these shoes because they’re soft. They stick their hand inside, press the foam, and think, "Wow, this is like a marshmallow." That’s actually a mistake. If you’re walking five miles a day on nothing but "marshmallow" foam, your arches are going to scream at you. Real foot health is about more than just squish. It’s about how that squish reacts to the pavement.
The Goga Mat Myth and What’s Really Happening
Let’s talk about the tech because Skechers uses a lot of buzzwords. You’ve got "Goga Mat" and "ULTRA GO" and "Hyper Burst." It sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon.
Goga Mat is basically a yoga mat turned into an insole. It's high-rebound. Unlike memory foam—which sinks and stays sunk—this stuff pushes back. It’s the difference between walking on a mattress and walking on a trampoline. For most guys, especially those of us over 200 pounds, memory foam is a trap. You bottom out. You hit the hard rubber underneath. Skechers go walk mens shoes avoid this by using that springier Goga Mat material that actually keeps you off the ground.
Then there are the "Pillars." If you flip a pair of GO WALK shoes over, you’ll see these little round pods on the outsole. Skechers calls them GOimpulse sensors or Goga Pillars. They aren't just for show. They’re designed to move independently. When you step on a rock or an uneven sidewalk, only the pillars under that specific spot compress. The rest of the shoe stays stable. It's a clever bit of engineering that most people overlook because they’re too busy marveling at how light the shoe is.
They are light. Ridiculously light. We're talking 7 to 9 ounces depending on the model. To put that in perspective, a standard leather work boot is usually over 24 ounces. You’re saving a massive amount of energy just by not lifting extra weight every time you take a step. Over a 10,000-step day, that’s literally tons of cumulative weight you didn't have to move.
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Why the GO WALK 6 and 7 Matter Right Now
Skechers iterates fast. They release new versions of the GO WALK almost every year. Right now, the GO WALK 6 and the newer GO WALK 7 are the big players.
The 6 introduced "Hyper Pillars." These are made of a much tougher, more resilient foam called Hyper Burst. If you’ve ever used a high-end Skechers running shoe, you know Hyper Burst. It’s created by exposing solid plastic to CO2 under pressure until it "bursts" into a foam. It's tough. It doesn't pack out after a month of heavy use.
The Slip-In Revolution
We have to talk about the "Hands Free Slip-ins." It sounds lazy. It is lazy. And it is glorious.
Skechers put a molded heel pillow into the back of the skechers go walk mens shoes so you can literally slide your foot in without bending over or using a shoehorn. No crushing the heel counter. No wiggling. If you have lower back pain or just a general disdain for shoelaces, this is the peak of footwear evolution. It’s a rigid internal structure that keeps the "collar" of the shoe open. You step, it clicks, you're gone.
Breathability vs. Durability
The uppers are usually an athletic mesh. This is great for Florida or Arizona. It’s less great for a rainy Tuesday in Seattle. Your feet will stay cool, but they will also get soaked the second you step in a puddle.
One thing most reviewers won't tell you: the mesh on the earlier versions used to tear near the pinky toe. Skechers fixed this in the later GO WALK 5 and 6 models by widening the toe box. It’s still a "standard" fit, but it’s a generous one. If you have wide feet, you don't necessarily have to hunt for the "Extra Wide" versions, though they do exist and are a godsend for the wide-foot crew.
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The Arch Fit Variable
A few years ago, Skechers realized that while people loved the squish, doctors were telling people they needed more support. Enter the Arch Fit line.
You can find skechers go walk mens shoes that feature the Arch Fit insole. This isn't just a gimmick; it was developed with 20 years of data and 120,000 unweighted foot scans. The arch support is substantial. It’s a removable insole that distributes pressure across the entire foot. If you have flat feet or suffer from plantar fasciitis, the standard GO WALK might actually be too soft for you. You need the Arch Fit version. It’s firmer. It’s more "corrective." It feels less like a slipper and more like a tool.
Real World Usage: Not Just for "Walks"
I’ve seen guys wear these to weddings. Please don’t do that.
However, for travel? They’re unbeatable. When you’re sprinting through O'Hare to catch a connecting flight, having a shoe that doesn't set off the metal detector and can be kicked off at security is a win.
- Theme Parks: 15 miles on concrete. This is where the pillars shine.
- Hospital Shifts: Nurses and doctors swear by these because they can be tossed in the washing machine. Yes, most GO WALK models are "Machine Washable." Cold water, gentle cycle, air dry. Do NOT put them in the dryer unless you want to turn your shoes into expensive modern art sculptures.
- Commuting: If you work in a city and walk a mile from the train to the office, these are the "commuter shoes" you keep under your desk.
The Downside Nobody Mentions
Nothing is perfect. The biggest gripe with skechers go walk mens shoes is the outsole durability. Because the foam is so soft and exposed to the ground, it wears down faster than a traditional rubber-soled sneaker. If you are a "heel striker" or you drag your feet, you might burn through a pair of these in six months.
Also, the "sensors" on the bottom? They are pebble magnets. If you walk on gravel, you will spend five minutes picking stones out of the treads when you get home. It's annoying. It’s the price you pay for the flexibility.
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How to Choose the Right Pair
Don't just buy the first pair you see on sale at the warehouse club.
- Check the Insole: If it says "Memory Foam," it’s for short-term comfort. If it says "Goga Mat" or "Arch Fit," it’s for long-distance walking.
- Look at the Heel: If you struggle with mobility, get the "Slip-ins." If you want a lockdown fit for fast walking, get the "Lace-up" versions. The laces actually allow you to pull the midfoot tighter, which prevents your foot from sliding forward on hills.
- The "Squeak" Factor: Some users report a squeak on tile floors. This usually happens when the shoes are brand new. A quick walk on some rough asphalt usually scuffs the bottom enough to kill the noise.
The Verdict on Value
Are they the most stylish shoes on earth? No. They look like "dad shoes," even though Skechers has tried hard to modernize the silhouettes. But in terms of cost-per-mile, skechers go walk mens shoes are hard to beat. You’re usually looking at $60 to $90. Compare that to high-end orthotics or premium "maximalist" runners that cost $160+, and the value is obvious.
They do one job: they make walking suck less. They absorb the impact that your knees and lower back would otherwise have to handle.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Pair
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a pair, do these three things first:
- Test the "Snap Back": Take the shoe and bend it in half. A good walking shoe should flex at the forefoot, not in the middle of the arch. The GO WALK series is designed to flex naturally with your foot's gait.
- Size Down (Maybe): Skechers often run a half-size large, especially in the slip-on models. If you’re between sizes, go for the smaller one to avoid "heel slip."
- Check for "Extra Wide": Unlike many brands that just add more fabric to the top, Skechers actually uses a wider lasting (the bottom shape) for their wide sizes. If you’ve always felt cramped in Nikes or Adidas, the Skechers 4E width is a legitimate game-changer.
Go to a store. Put them on. Walk around on a hard surface, not just the carpet. If they feel like they’re "springing" you forward, that’s the Goga pillars doing their job. If they feel too mushy, look for the Arch Fit tag. Your feet will thank you at mile three.