If I had to make a list of running shoe companies that don’t get nearly the love they deserve, Skechers would be right there near the top. Yeah, THAT Skechers. And while I usually roll my eyes when every review on Skechers is some variation of “give it a shot EVENT though it’s Skechers“, I’m just going to lean into it one last time—because if the new Skechers Aero Burst has anything to say about it, this will be the last shoe that needs a disclaimer.
Looks, design, performance—this one checks all the boxes. So let’s dive in.
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Looks
Skechers has been working hard to shake off the “dad shoe” stigma, and this has been a steady progress. The one thing that has always been a struggle is making it visually look like a “typical” running shoe and with the Aero Burst, I think they’ve finally succeeded. Visually, this shoe holds its own next to anything from the big brands. It looks sleek. It looks like a running shoe. It looks good.
I’ve seen some people complain about the visuals of this shoe and… honestly, I don’t really get it. Sure, there’s a bold splash on the outer midsole—but it’s hardly outrageous. If we’re nitpicking a mostly grey and black shoe just because it throws in a bit of muted neon, then we’re really just looking for something to be grumpy about (hi, 2025 energy). To me, it feels more like folks are just looking for an excuse to not buy a pair of Skechers. Don’t be that person.
Skechers has also leaned into shifting their branding of their performance line lately, which, frankly, is a smart move (and the most challenging to pull off). No more full “Skechers” blazed across the side—just the stylized “S,” which slots right in with the swooshes, wings, and three-stripe logos of the world. That one little letter somehow changes everything for me.
They also have 4 colors available – including a black/white and grey/blue versions for people who bitch about the colorway in our reviewed pair.
Construction and Fit
If you’ve never worn Skechers performance footwear before, this might come as a surprise—but the Aero Burst feels seriously good on foot. The fit is generous without being sloppy, with just the right amount of volume through the midfoot and toe box for long-distance comfort.
The shoe wraps the foot with intent. The gusseted tongue helps keep everything in place (no annoying tongue slide), and the plush padding throughout the collar area gives the Aero Burst that premium feel that accommodate most top-tier trainers.
At 10.9 oz for a men’s size 9, it’s not going to win any awards for being featherweight, but it actually feels lighter on foot than it does in hand. Definitely not a tempo shoe—but that’s not what it’s trying to be.
My first run in them was a steady 5+ miles, and they felt great from the jump. No break-in required, no hot spots—just a smooth, cushioned ride. At one point, I remember thinking: If someone ran blindfolded in these, there’s no way they’d guess the brand. That’s how comfortable and dialed-in they feel. And at $150, it’s kind of a steal for what you’re getting.
Upper
The engineered mesh upper on the Aero Burst hits a nice balance between breathability and structure. It’s not overly ventilated, but it doesn’t trap heat either. The design is snug without feeling restrictive, and the added medial gusset keeps the tongue centered where it should be, even on longer efforts.
Little details, like the padding around the heel collar and tongue, give the shoe a more dialed-in feel than you might expect—and contribute to that “premium daily trainer” vibe Skechers is clearly aiming for here.
Midsole
Right off the bat, I think it’s worth calling out the two areas where Skechers has had to work the hardest to win people over: the upper (actually looking like a running shoe) and the overall visual appeal. With the Aero Burst, those hurdles feel noticeably lower—and that’s a good thing.
Because here’s the truth: the midsole on the Aero Burst (and honestly, on a lot of past Skechers Performance shoes) has been criminally slept on, mostly because people couldn’t get past the upper or the name. Which is kind of wild, considering the folks working on Skechers Performance have backgrounds at plenty of the big-name brands everyone already trusts.
The Aero Burst is designed as a max-cushion daily trainer with a 42mm/36mm stack height. It features Hyper Burst Ice dual-density foam, a carbon-infused H-plate in the forefoot for a touch of snap, and Skechers’ updated Arch Fit support system, which helps spread out underfoot pressure for a more comfortable, sustainable ride.
Outsole
The outsole keeps things simple. There’s a decent amount of exposed midsole, but Skechers uses Goodyear Performance rubber in all the right places to keep weight down while still protecting high-wear zones. There’s more coverage than you might expect, and traction has held up well across roads and light paths. Nothing flashy—but efficient and effective, just like the rest of the shoe.
Conclusion
I’ll say it again: this is the last time I’m going to preface a Skechers review with a disclaimer. The Aero Burst is a legit high-mileage trainer that looks sharp, feels premium, and runs smooth. If you’ve been sleeping on Skechers, it might be time to wake up.
With the Aero Burst, there’s no need to justify, explain, or qualify the brand anymore. It’s just a really good shoe. Full stop.
Skechers Aero Burst $150
Specs:
- Weight: 10.9 oz (Men’s 9)
- Stack Height: 42 mm – 36 mm
- Offset: 6 mm
Thank you to Skechers for providing us with a test pair. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
