This Skechers GoRun MaxRoad 5 review is part of our 2022 SELF Certified Sneaker Prices, where the shoe won Best for Newbie Runners. You can see the rest of our winners here.

So first I have to be honest that the pavement doesn’t exactly attract me when I roll out of bed every morning. I’m more of a “let’s see where the day takes me” kind of person, but when it comes to running, that mindset doesn’t usually get me very far. However, I recently committed to “officially” becoming a runner.

I joined the SELF team at an interesting time of year. The brand had recently released a running challenge, created to encourage people to do their best and run already. Inspired by work, I joined Black Girls Run, a running club for black women in my area. One of the first pairs of sneakers I tested (or worn for several years, if I’m being honest) was the Skechers GoRun Maxroad 5 ($145, skechers.com).

How I tested

I run twice a week on sidewalks and roads, as well as on a three-mile loop trail near my home in Chapel Hill, wearing the Skechers GoRun MaxRoad 5.

As I continue my journey with BGR, they encouraged me to find a great workout app that could help me prepare for my very first 5K race this winter in Miami. After some research, I settled on this Couch to 5K app, which provided a step-by-step running plan to help steadily increase my stamina and strength.

Finally, I work with a personal trainer once a week, I go over some running basics, such as my posture and look, and weightlifting.

Adapt

I wear a size 6 in women’s shoes and can easily do a 5.5. For someone who wears heels 85% of the time, it feels good to try out a comfortable shoe. and fits my extremely high arches. The GoRun MaxRoad 5s fit my foot perfectly, hugging it in all the right places (my heels and arches) and also giving my toes room to breathe.

Skechers are known for their comfortable running shoes, so getting this pair to test out was a godsend, especially since I didn’t know where to start as a new runner.

shoe shape

The GoRun MaxRoad 5 is a great choice for narrower foot types like mine so I’m crazy about the fit but if my feet were just a bit wider I have to say I might have a different opinion.

Shoe Feel

This has to be the most comfortable running shoe I’ve tried in the last decade. Although I’m just beginning my adult running journey, I remember running as a teenager and training in sneakers that were way too hard and tight, often causing blisters and hardened soles and cracked. I loved that these shoes offered a cushioned step with extra bounce from the gum sole. Also worth noting: The shoe gave me great stability when I started working on the weights with my PT. I felt grounded throughout my sessions, and with wobbly ankles, I was grateful for that.

How my body felt during and after the activity

These shoes made me feel supported and stable during my activities, including the dirt trails I’ve hiked. Generally, when training or running, many people feel the need to swap one pair of sneakers for another. I can honestly say that was not the case with this pair for me, and I often shopped in these sneakers after my workouts or races. They’re comfortable enough to wear for hours, even long after you’ve finished your activity.