Skechers performance line has had a refit this year. The GO RUN moniker has been sidelined for the newest releases and been replaced with the Aero mark. There are three shoes in the line, each with a very defined purpose. The Aero Spark is the daily trainer. Meanwhile, the Aero Tempo takes duties on speed days. Finally, the Aero Burst brings a thick cushion for the long run.
Here, we are going to have a look at the Aero Spark. It brings HYPER BURST ICE and a carbon infused H plate to add stiffness and propulsion. Let’s see how it got on during testing.
Upper and Fit of the Skechers Aero Spark
What works for me
The whole upper is very comfortable. A relatively thick engineered mesh upper hugs the foot. As would be expected from Skechers who engineer all their shoes for comfort, this is up there with the most comfortable daily shoe uppers I have had this year. Initially, I was worried about the thickness of the material as the summer started to kick in. However, I have found that they have caused me no issues. Whilst the rest of me may be dripping in sweat, my feet are not uncomfortable. While they are not as breathable as race day efforts, they haven’t caused me issues at temperatures bimbling around the 30 degrees C mark.
The lockdown in the Aero Spark gives me all I could hope for in a daily shoe. It is snug while not being restrictive. This is helped by the gusseted tongue which is thick enough to protect the foot but not foolishly thick. Inside, we find Skechers Arch Fit which adds that little bit of extra support inside and I appreciate it.
Overall, it is a very good daily shoe upper. Soft, comfortable and offering good lockdown. What else do you really need?
What doesn’t work for me
This is going to be a very short section for me here. I can’t really think of anything which doesn’t work for me. If you want to read some real nitpicking, the laces feel a bit basic. They don’t have much give to them which some people might find a little constricting. That said, there’s nothing else I can really moan about.
Midsole and Ride of the Skechers Aero Spark
What works for me
The midsole foam is Skechers’ HYPER BURST ICE which is a relatively dense foam which offers a smooth transition. Despite the density, I find that it offers a soft enough ride. While it may not have the deep sink of something like FuelCell, it does offer some good protection and is capable of picking up the pace if needed.
Like the Ghost 17, it may not win any awards for being the most exciting shoe on the planet. But, also like the Ghost, it is a shoe which is easy to put on and go for a run. I have managed to accumulate around 100km in them so far and they have been good for my daily efforts. The transition through the foot cycle is very smooth. From my experience so far, I think it will be a shoe which suits the majority of foot strikes. Heel strikers have a soft, bevelled landing while those striking further forward have a good amount of the foam to push off.
The Aero Spark works well for me as a daily trainer. It feels lighter than the GO RUN Ride 11 which I enjoyed. Meanwhile, it has a nimble feel underfoot which makes runs enjoyable. Overall, it hits the marks for getting in runs ranging from easy to endurance paces for a variety of distances.
What doesn’t work for me
While I noted above that it works for a variety of distances, this does have a limit. I find that, with the a relative lack of energy return, runs up to about 10 miles are enough. After this, the legs feel like they are putting in all the work and the Aero Spark has given its all.
Also, while I don’t mind this as it has such a smooth roll and ease of use, it isn’t vastly exciting. The midsole does what it should and does it well. However, it won’t become your race day or rep day shoe of choice.
Outsole of the Skechers Aero Spark
Grip and Traction
No issues here at all. The grip has seen me through dry and very damp days without problem. While it won’t make a trail shoe or cross country special, I am sure that it will handle everything the weather will throw at it. I will have to update the review when the winter months come when ice and snow become part of the equation. Goodyear rubber lives up to its name.
Durability
After around 100km so far, they are holding up well. There is very little wear on the high strike areas for me. My previous experience of Skechers outsoles shows that the Goodyear rubber works as expected from a tyre company. It lasts and retains grip over time and use.
Conclusion
Value for Money
For €125, they are a very reasonable price. Over time, these will become some of the best €/kilometre shoes on my rack. With the expected durability and the fact that they are a daily trainer, there is not much to complain about here. They have a more premium feel than other shoes at this price point and the comfort alone pushes them up the value chart.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
While this isn’t a one shoe rotation, it will cover all of your daily miles, some more uptempo running and up to the middle distances of training for longer races. It will not replace your speed day shoes or become your top racer but it has enough versatility to add to its value.
Final Verdict
The Skechers Aero Spark is a very good value daily trainer. It has enough liveliness in the HYPER BURST ICE midsole foam to make running enjoyable. The ride is easy and stable enough to make it accessible to the majority of runners. Meanwhile, the overall feel of the shoe is one of great comfort.
Is it a shoe which will blow your mind on first run? Probably not. Is it a shoe which you will keep coming back to when you just want to lace up and run? Much more likely. I have found myself picking this up for most of my daily runs recently and I’m very happy with that.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Skechers Aero Spark vs. Brooks Ghost 17
Both are entry level priced daily trainers which offer a great value and comfort. For me, this is down to personal preference. There is very little to choose between the uppers. Comfort abounds and durability will be high in both. The biggest difference for me is the midsole foam compound. I think I have a slight preference for the Skechers Aero Spark because the HYPER BURST ICE feels like it has a little more life in it than the DNA Loft of the Brooks. Whichever you choose, you will get a reliable daily shoe.
Skechers Aero Spark vs. Nike Pegasus 41
Again, a close run thing with the shoes being comfortable and easy to run in. Personally, I again prefer the midsole of the Skechers. The slightly cheaper price of the Aero Spark also nudges the battle in its favour.
Skechers Aero Spark vs. New Balance Rebel v5
Andy: A mismatch in price here means that the choice is down to what you want. The Rebel v5 is a more premium product with more life in the midsole. It is probably the more versatile shoe. However, the Rebel v5 is a much more expensive shoe which also has a much lower lifespan to it. What is more important to you?
Ivan: Here in Denmark, prices are nearly the same for both shoes. Aside from the Rebel v5’s cool design, I find the Aero Spark to be the best offer. Even without the usual discounts. The fit is quite different, with the New Balance offering a shorter, tighter, and more structured feel – which I do like. However, when it comes to ride and durability, the Rebel v5 falls short. The ride feels flat and overly dampened, lacking any real energy return even from early runs. Both shoes offer a smooth rocker, but the softness of the Rebel v5 ends up dulling the snappiness through the gait cycle. That ultimately makes it feel slower, despite being the lighter shoe.
Skechers Aero Spark vs. Asics Novablast 5
Ivan: This is a tough comparison and largely comes down to personal preference. The Asics Novablast v5 is definitely the more protective of the two. It offers more cushioning and a stiffer build, making it better suited for long runs. It also features a smooth rocker and delivers some energy return, and the fit will likely work better for most runners. However, stability is a real concern with the Novablast v5, and this version also feels very soft, lacking that snappy, lightweight feel underfoot. While I do find it more comfortable, especially for recovery runs, I simply think the Aero Spark delivers a more fun and engaging ride.
Other People’s Opinions
Ivan’s Take on the Skechers Aero Spark
When first putting on the Skechers Aero Spark, my expectations were definitely low. The shoe felt almost a full size too long, with about one and a half thumb-widths of extra space up front. There was also some heel slippage, which didn’t inspire much confidence. It came with one of the thickest insoles I’ve ever seen, making me worry the midsole wouldn’t offer much underfoot. However, those concerns disappeared once I started running in it.
I would prefer going at least half a size down, but the narrow fit and a solid heel lock kept things secure. Lockdown is helped by the semi-gusseted tongue and some decent padding around the heel collar. While the upper doesn’t exactly feel premium, it performs surprisingly well.
The biggest surprise for me though was the ride. Unlike Andy, I find it lively and dynamic. The Hyper Burst Ice midsole offers clear responsiveness, but I think the TPEE insole offers a lot of energy return as well. Most importantly, the geometry really suits my midfoot strike. Turnover feels snappy and efficient during runs. I had no issue taking it on long efforts and did a 27 km uptempo run straight out the box. Yes, it’s a bit too flexible to be ideal for long runs if foot strength is lacking. Still, it’s a nice alternative to the many stiff, high-stack shoes out there. Overall, I really enjoy running in the Aero Spark. It performs well above its price range and stands out as one of the most versatile daily trainers. I can use it for recovery days, steady efforts, and even some uptempo workouts.
