The Skechers GoRun Razor 3 Hyper is a shoe that was released a year ago but has had a resurgence lately in popularity and availability.

I was one of the ones that got in on the Skechers Razor 3 Hyper great deal fiasco a few weeks back. Where I ordered them for just over $42.00 from one company, had the order canceled, then ordered another pair from Running Warehouse at just over $52.00 and suddenly got an email saying the pair from the first company saying my order had shipped. After I had gotten my pair from RW and ended up with two pairs of Razor 3s for much less than the retail cost of one pair.

Yeah, I now have two pairs of Razor 3 Hypers, which is not a bad thing in my opinion, but limits buying options for other trainer/racers this summer.

Use so far

I have done all the runs I normally do, except for running on the treadmill in them.

Where do the Razor 3s fit into my running shoe rotation?

They are definitely “go faster” and I will be using them as race day, speedwork, tempo, and even light-weight trainers at times. They are that versatile and comfortable.

Stats

The size 8.0Ds weighed 5.8 ounces each and the 8.5Ds weighed in at 6.0 ounces. Nothing earth-shattering or anything like that and in the ballpark for the typical size 9.0 supposedly weighing 6.4 ounces.

However, for the amount of cushioning the sub 6.0 ounces for my size 8.0s are pretty amazing.

• Heel: 24mm
• Forefoot: 20mm
• Drop: 4mm

Fit/Feel

I have both the size 8.0D and 8.5D and am currently using the size 8.0s. The 8.5s are still new in the box – not even tried on yet.

The 8.0Ds fit comfortably and while they mostly disappear on my feet, I do notice after 3-4 miles that the right foot starts to get noticed a little more and by the time I get out to 5-6 miles it is not uncomfortable. However, I have regularly run longer than that in them without further issues. My right foot has a Tailor’s Bunionette and that is the cause of the discomfort. I have a feeling that the size 8.5D might take care of some of that issue.

The Razor 3s are long-distance racers and the extra room in the toe box is very much appreciated by my hobbit feet. While I have not experienced heel slippage, personally I would like a bit snugger feel in the heel, but I have not had any issues with heel slippage and I do not need to use the lace lock lacing.

Upper

The red colorway is great with the two-tones of red and some other colors thrown in to brighten things up a little. The Razor 3s’ uppers do stretch enough so that when I keep the distances shorter they are very comfortable for me.

After 50 miles there are no rips, tears, or wear spots on the uppers, even though I take them on a dirt road quite often. Although I am not crazy about the skinny laces, they don’t bother when running and the tongue is just thick enough for go faster shoes.

Outsole/Midsole

The Hyper midsole has that Goldilocks feel that I have been looking for cushioned enough to feel comfortable for longer runs, but firm enough that I can pick up the pace easily and can hold a fast for me pace easier than I have in other racing shoes. Although I do have to admit that I have run in a few carbon or Pebax plated shoes and I do miss that little extra snap at toe-off.

This is my problem area with the Razor 3 and I have a feeling that a lot of my issue is that I do a LOT of my running on a rock-strewn dirt road, which can chew up and spit out outsoles. I see a great deal more wear on the outsole of the Razor 3s than I expected at 50 miles, especially the toe area.

The Razor 3s are racing shoes, not daily trainers, so anything over 200 miles on them in my mind is gravy. However, since I run a lot on dirt roads, I have a feeling that when these get around 150 miles on them, they will be pretty much done, if I keep using them the same way I have been. If I ran strictly on the roads in them, I have a feeling I could get them to 300 miles pretty easily.

The Razor 3 Hypers are road shoes. While they did fine in the rain on tar, I would not use them down-back when it is raining, it would be a disaster waiting to happen (fast + slime + no grip = injury). While I could use them on groomed trails, I probably will not because I believe the grip wouldn’t be there and unless the roads were clear and dry during the winter would probably consign them to the treadmill during winter.

What do I think?

I think the Skechers GoRun Razor 3 Hyper is a fantastic running shoe as long as you stay on the roads or track. They have the stats, feel and cushioning of a lightweight trainer, with the weight of racing flats! It is hard to beat that combination in my opinion.

For me I will probably limit the Razor 3s to half marathon distances, I am finding that I like a bit more cushioning for anything longer. Although for most runners, I could see them easily going marathon distance.

The biggest problem I have with the Razor 3s than the outsole durability question, is that I have two pairs and have to use them up before I can think about or justify looking a LOT closer at the Skechers Speed Elites, which I think would be my 5-10K race shoe. Not a bad problem to have if you ask me.

If I was younger I would probably be using the Razor 3 as my lightweight trainers for just about all of my runs they are that comfortable in my mind at whatever speed I have used them, they have done what I have asked of them.

I don’t know why, but when I think about running in the Razor 3 Hypers, I think an awful lot about how it felt running in the old GoRun 2s. I know that the Razor 3s is a helluva lot better and more refined running shoe, but something about them…well maybe I am just fantasizing about an old shoe that in reality wouldn’t hold a candle to the Razor 3s.

Good shoes, now to see how long the outsole holds up.