Skechers Razor Elite

If indeed the stack heights of the Razor 3 and the Razor Elite are the same, and the Razor Elite is over an ounce lighter, another idea (just speculation) is that maybe Skechers adjusted the density of the Hyperburst in the Razor Elite downward, possibly making up for the consequent lower responsiveness and softer ride, in doing so, by adding the plate?

Just an aside, the sock liner is not intended to be removed but can be with some careful force in case you want to put something else in its place. I wouldn’t want to run in them without a liner. I lifted it up enough to put heel lifts in....an accommodation to old age Achilles.

The uppers are very different.

Razor Elite got the the same upper as Speed Elite, which is thin and light.

The upper of original Razor 3 is definitely thicker than that of Speed Elite or Speed 6.

DarkRusher wrote:

The uppers are very different.

Razor Elite got the the same upper as Speed Elite, which is thin and light.

The upper of original Razor 3 is definitely thicker than that of Speed Elite or Speed 6.

Thanks for the reply. Howabout the midsole thicknesses/shape. Can you tell any difference?

I have the speed elite, razor 3, and horizon vanish and this shoe seems like a combination of all three. Anyone else have those three and the Razor Elite and see a different purpose for the Razor elite?

vacarunner wrote:

I have the speed elite, razor 3, and horizon vanish and this shoe seems like a combination of all three. Anyone else have those three and the Razor Elite and see a different purpose for the Razor elite?

Yes, this is an interesting question. And I have another question for you, or anyone else that has the Brooks Hyperion Tempo and can provide their viewpoint. It is my understanding that the DNA Flash foam in the Hyperion Tempo has similarity to the HyperBurst, in that they are both a gas-infused EVA, with N2 used in DNA Flash, versus N2 and CO2 used in HyperBurst (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on these details). My question, then, pertains to a comparison of the 'rides' between these two foams. Do they feel and respond similarly?

vacarunner wrote:

I have the speed elite, razor 3, and horizon vanish and this shoe seems like a combination of all three. Anyone else have those three and the Razor Elite and see a different purpose for the Razor elite?

Yes; no. I think you've hit the nail on the head with what I was trying to get across on the review - the Razor Elite is really good (usual Skechers quirks aside), but it could have been so much better if it was a generalist shoe - almost like the Endorphin Speed or Zoom Fly. Another racing shoe is great - but I don't think Skechers needed that.

Albertos Dog wrote:

vacarunner wrote:

I have the speed elite, razor 3, and horizon vanish and this shoe seems like a combination of all three. Anyone else have those three and the Razor Elite and see a different purpose for the Razor elite?

Yes; no. I think you've hit the nail on the head with what I was trying to get across on the review - the Razor Elite is really good (usual Skechers quirks aside), but it could have been so much better if it was a generalist shoe - almost like the Endorphin Speed or Zoom Fly. Another racing shoe is great - but I don't think Skechers needed that.

I think it is nice that skechers is giving us options. This sounds like it will work for people that wanted more cushion than the Speed 6, a bit more rigidity than the Razor 3 for racing, but a less aggressive shoe than the Speed Elite. For me, I love the Speed Elite as a rocket for shorter races and don't find it too aggressive for those, but would lean on other shoes (Next%, RC, Endorphin Pro, etc) for longer races. So this wouldn't slot in as a racer for me anywhere, but the same can be said for the Speed 6 which I think gets outclassed by the Speed Elite everywhere (except maybe speed workouts on the grass for the Speed 6).

So while this wouldn't slot in as a racer for me, I could see it just replacing the Razor 3/+. I use the shoe almost entirely for workouts, so the little bit of added rigidity wouldn't be an issue. It also doesn't sound like this is really that rigid, so it should be fine for the occasional normal run.

It does seem like this is sort of splitting hairs for me though since the shoe isn't that rigid. I appreciate that they are giving us options though. I think they would be best releasing a higher stack trainer and racer, fixing the pod design and rocker of the Maxroad 4, and fixing the stiff/firm/dead/clunky midsole of the GRR8 though.

Reebok is kinda splitting hairs in their lineup too. They have a lot of relatively light/fast shoes with good midsoles. I'd like to see them with some higher stack fast shoes and some higher cushion shoes above the Forever/Symmetros as well. The Floatride Run 2.0 could be turned into a great high cushion pebax shoe with a different outsole and upper and a bit more stack. The Symmetros kinda fills in the more cushioned end now, but it is still more of a classic daily trainer in terms of cushion (one that is definitely light and springy though).

@cheese - is the speed elite your favorite short (less than 10k) shoe? I was trying them on for some workouts but it seemed like unless I was hammering the whole time I almost prefer the LT4. Maybe I'm using the Speed Elite wrong?

Jeremy R wrote:

@cheese - is the speed elite your favorite short (less than 10k) shoe? I was trying them on for some workouts but it seemed like unless I was hammering the whole time I almost prefer the LT4. Maybe I'm using the Speed Elite wrong?

I think that the Speed Elite or NB FC 5280 would probably be my favorites on fresh legs. I did a solo 5k time trial on tight/tired legs today and went with the next% which I think was a good choice. On fresh legs, the Speed Elite would probably be my favorite. If you like the feel of spikes, but want a road shoe then the 5280 is awesome. I think my form breaks down a bit by the last mile of a 5k though and would probably benefit from the Speed Elite or something else.

The Metaracer is nice too. I was underrating it a bit. It is still like a Speed Elite that is an ounce heavier and has a less decisive transition, but it does feel nice when really hitting at high speeds on the forefoot.

But yes. I think the Speed Elite would be my favorite. For people that stay well on their forefoot over like a 5k and like spikes, the 5280 is awesome though too.

I forgot the Reebok FR RF Pro too. That would be up there with the Speed Elite and 5280. Metaracer would be a tier below and would probably fall more into workouts.

Nope. By appearance the midsole looks the same in Razor 3 and in Razor Elite.

Karenovich wrote:

Muffy wrote:

Who’s placing ads? I have no connection to the guy.

No one is allowed to push shoes, unless those shoes are unavailable/overpriced Nikes worn by that LOSER Kipchoge.

Karenovich is exactly right! Nike themselves use the Board to plug shoes. They just started a Next% thread seemingly in reaction to an anti-Alphafly thread started by someone random (although they even weighed in on that one). It's somewhat offensive that whenever the hype subsides a little they hammer the Board. It's like JS pretending to be some runner somewhere who has heard of JS.

By the way, Muffy was not plugging SJD, it was the second poster.

Anyone interested in a brand new pair of Razor Elites w/box? Men's size 9.5.

I have been running a lot in the Razor + and although they are a solid shoes that don't work quite as well as my other shoes for fast running which has turned me off of mixing in the Razor Elite into my rotation.

Selling for $160. This includes shipping to anywhere in the US.