Upper and Fit of the Skechers Razor 4: Simple and roomy
Ivan: I can’t help drawing some parallels to the Skechers Razor 3 as it has been one of my favourite lightweight shoes of all time. Despite a weight of just 178g in my size US 8.5, I used it for a wide variety of runs. Including intervals, tempo runs and even long runs. It has an extremely smooth transition while still providing a decent amount of cushion. So, how does the Razor 4 compare to its predecessor? Having waited quite a while for this update, expectations are high.What’s new?
Let’s start with the upper. The one-piece engineered mono-mesh upper seems straightforward. No overlays and just a bit of perforation making it light and breathable. The fit is more generous than in the Razor 3. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more lockdown all around. Especially considering that this is meant to be a tempo shoe. The shoe fits slightly long. It is a bit narrow around the pinky toe but otherwise fairly roomy. Especially around the heel cup and I need to do a runner’s loop to avoid heel slip. The non-gusseted tongue is nice with just enough padding to avoid any pressure from the laces. However, already on my first run, my white socks turned out mustard yellow as the color rubs off from the top part of the tongue. Overall, I think the upper is decent after playing around with the lacing for a better midfoot- and heel fit. The Razor 4 is more than 50g heavier than its predecessor in my size. It is hard to imagine though that this extra weight comes from the upper. I think we might find the answer instead when taking a closer look at the insole, midsole and outsole.