Skechers Aero Elite Overview & First Run Review
Below we are reviewing the new Skechers Aero Elite race shoe to see if it is a legitimate contender in the performance running shoe market.
Could the Skechers Aero Elite be a top 3 race shoe on the market? At 170g and $225, the Aero Elite brings an aggressive rocker, a tall stack of ATPU and a geometry built to compete with the big dogs in the racer category.
Specs of the Skechers Aero Elite
Stack Height & Drop: 40mm of foam in the heel with a 4mm drop
Midsole Construction: two layers of a soft and bouncy ATPU foam with a full-length carbon-fiber plate with strategic cut-outs to save weight
Weight: 170 grams in a Men's US sample size 9
Price: $225
Skechers Aero Elite
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Comparing the Skechers Aero Elite to the Puma Fast-R 3
Marketing Brief
The Skechers Aero Elite is a race shoe designed to deliver top-tier performance at an entry level price. It features an aggressive rocker and a tall stack of ATPU in the forefoot. The Puma Fast-R 3 is an iconic pinnacle shoe that set a new standard for speed assistance with its propulsive geometry, unique plate position and bouncy foam.
Midsole Construction
The Aero Elite features an ATPU foam with a full-length carbon fiber plate with a butterfly cut-out pattern and a unified midsole. The Fast-R 3 also features an ATPU foam, but the decoupled midsole and snappy carbon fiber plate that extends beyond the forefoot make it a more aggressive shoe.
Weight
Both shoes weigh in at 170 grams in a Men's US sample size 9.
Price
The Aero Elite undercuts the market significantly with an MSRP of $225, while the Fast-R 3 is at the higher end at $300, although you can find it on sale now that Puma is gearing up to launch the Fast-R 4.
For Yowana's full video review of the Skechers Aero Elite, check out the Supwell YouTube channel:
Skechers Aero Elite First Run Review
The Skechers Aero Elite is a brand-new, lightweight racer built for speed. It competes with higher priced race shoes, such as the new Nike Alphafly 4 ($280) and TYR Valkyrie Elite V2 ($280). It features Skechers’ new Hyper Burst Pro foam, an ATPU compound, paired with a carbon-fiber plate that has significant cutouts to reduce weight. The shoe also has an extremely lightweight, tongue-less upper and minimal rubber coverage on the outsole.
The upper is soft and comfortable, providing a snug, race-day fit with good lockdown. Out on the run, however, we found the foam to be a little softer than we would prefer, without quite enough cushioning or rebound. This creates some noticeable plate and ground feel, and the overall ride can feel a bit mushy. The rocker geometry is smooth, with a nice snap through the forefoot that reminds us a bit of the Vaporfly.
The Aero Elite isn't the most aggressive, protective, or fastest racer out there, but it does offer a very streamlined and stripped-down design. If you're looking for a comfortable, lightweight shoe for shorter races or interval sessions, and you enjoy softer, more compliant foams, the Aero Elite is definitely worth a look.
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