Glide-Step

I have finished running in the Skechers Glide-Step, and it is a perfect fit for walking rather than running. It sells for around ₹12,000 in India, and I have seen older colourways for ₹7,000–8,000. For running, I have three problems. My UK 8 (US 9) weighs around 320–340 g, which is very heavy. The shoe is very stiff, as stiff as if it had a carbon plate. The foam is neither soft nor responsive. The Neutral Rocker Technology did not feel like a rocker to me, so I had to bend my foot on every stride against a shoe that will not flex. My ball of foot, ankle and calf all had to work harder, and the bottom of my foot started to burn. At my 72 kg I could not feel any softness. If the foam were as soft as a Nimbus I could manage, but it is neither max-cushion nor energetic. The upper is a thick, tightly stitched, plastic-like material with no ventilation, so it heats up even on slow runs. The forefoot is narrow, because the larger heel collar for the hands-free slip-in design means the grip has to come from the front. As a forefoot striker my foot slipped forward and felt cramped, and the ball of my foot hurt. That is fine for walking but a big problem for running. The gusseted tongue, thick, luxurious heel padding and heel clip are well done, and I could feel the arch support. Durability is its strength. I rate it eight out of ten. The upper will not tear, the foam takes years to wear out, and the Goodyear rubber outsole will last a long time, though the exposed midsole area may wear. It is one of the best hands-free slip-on shoes for all-day walking and standing, with a structured, secure fit that suits people with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis or ball-of-foot pain. At ₹12,000 there are better options. For running, walking and standing, look at the Kayano 32, the GT-2000 14, or the GT-2000 13 at ₹5,000. For softness, the Nimbus 25 or Puma MagMax Nitro. For stability with flat feet, the New Balance 860 v15 or Kayano 33.