Skechers has been making a name for itself in the performance running world for a few years now, and their 2025 Aero line seems to be pushing that envelope even further. With the Aero Spark (a reliable daily trainer) and the Aero Burst (a max cushion cruiser), Skechers rounds things out with a new speedster: the Aero Tempo.
Designed for those days when you want to get moving fast, this shoe is a sharp and snappy addition to the lineup—and one that surprised me more than I expected.
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Looks
The Aero Tempo definitely sets itself apart from its Aero siblings when it comes to visual flair. While the Spark and Burst went for a clean white aesthetic with bright accent splashes, the Tempo throws subtlety out the window. The color I tested was labeled “Coral,” but it walks the line between neon salmon, hot red, and pinkish-orange.
There are also hints of sparkly deep purple on the logos and a pop of neon green rubber up front that makes it look like the shoe is already halfway across the finish line.
I won’t say I love the colorway—it’s a little intense for my tastes—but there’s something about the whole package that screams “speed.” If Coral’s a bit much for you, there’s also a White/Blue version that swaps out the bold tones for something a bit easier on the eyes with a creamy green midsole.
Construction and Fit
The Aero Tempo keeps things pretty lean, and that’s intentional. This is a race-ready shoe, and the construction choices reflect that. There’s not a lot of extra fluff here—just the right amount of structure to support high-tempo efforts.
The fit is snug and performance-oriented. The toe box is a little shallow due to the TPU upper (more on that below), so runners with taller or wider feet might want to take note. I had no hot spots or issues with lockdown thanks to the thin laces and gusseted tongue, and the heel collar, though minimally padded, felt secure and blister-free right out of the box.
Specs
- Stack height: 37mm (heel) / 33mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 4mm
- Weight: 8.5 oz (Men’s size 9)
Upper
The Aero Tempo’s upper is made from a woven TPU mesh that’s super breathable but also feels kind of plasticky. It has a futuristic vibe that some runners might love, but for me, the tactile feel took a little getting used to. There’s great airflow across the top and sides of the foot, which helps a lot on warm days or during hard efforts.
Padding is kept to a minimum—just enough in the heel and tongue to avoid discomfort, but don’t expect plushness here.
The toe box is relatively low-profile, and while the upper material does have some give, the shoe isn’t roomy by any stretch. If you prefer a little wiggle room up front, this might feel a bit snug. That said, the lockdown was solid, and I appreciated how secure the shoe felt during high-speed cornering and pickups.
Midsole
Skechers went with their supercritical Hyperburst cushioning for the Tempo’s midsole, and it’s paired with a full-length carbon-infused “winglet plate.” That combo provides a firm, efficient ride with just enough give to avoid feeling harsh.
If you’re used to soft and bouncy midsoles, this might feel a little stiff at first—but when the pace picks up, the Tempo really starts to shine.
The plate adds a noticeable propulsion effect, especially when you’re digging deep during fast intervals or race effort runs. It also helps that Skechers included their Hyperarc rocker geometry, which smooths transitions and helps generate a forward-rolling stride.
Just be warned: it takes a little getting used to. The first few miles of my maiden run felt a bit off, and I wasn’t sure the shoe would work for me. But once I picked up the pace? Game changer.
This is definitely a shoe designed for speedwork and racing. It doesn’t have the soft daily trainer feel, and it doesn’t want to be used for jogging. But when you lean into it and open up the throttle, it really delivers.
Outsole
The outsole coverage on the Aero Tempo is a bit unorthodox, but it works. There’s generous Goodyear rubber up front with some manta-ray-esque cutouts that give it a cool look and lightweight feel. The midfoot has a small strip of rubber—just enough to add some grip and structure without adding weight—and the heel is lightly protected.
At first glance, it seems like an odd setup, but once I got moving, I appreciated how it balanced grip with agility. The forefoot rubber helps with traction on toe-off, and that little strip (i.e. the tail of the manta ray) through the middle might just be the secret ingredient that helps generate extra propulsion when you’re going full tilt.
Conclusion
The Skechers Aero Tempo is a race-day shoe through and through. It’s not a shoe I’d reach for on recovery runs or even steady tempo days—but when you’re planning to put the hammer down, this shoe feels ready to match your energy. It took me a run or two to get used to the feel, but once I did, I was genuinely impressed by the snap, propulsion, and confidence it delivered during fast efforts.
It’s not a bouncy super shoe, nor is it trying to be one. The Aero Tempo feels more old-school in that sense: stiff, snappy, and efficient. And in today’s landscape of squishy carbon shoes, that’s a refreshing change of pace.
