The Skechers GOrun Speed TRL Hyper is a lightweight trail running shoe, averaging around 8 oz., and usually at an average price of between $100 and $140.

Among the many features it boasts are the unisex sizing, a Goodyear rubber outsole, the integrated tongue and the heel-lock system.

Skechers GOrun Speed Trail Unisex – Lateral Side

Since I hadn’t looked up information about the Hypers before I tried them (I like to go into a shoe test fairly blind), I was a little surprised when I opened the box and put them on.

The primary colors are not what you’d normally see on a trail shoe, but I actually like the retro look.

Right away, I found the shoes to be fairly comfortable. The midfoot was a little more rigid than I usually prefer, but not a deal-breaker.

The upper is colorful and made of what Skechers calls “mono mesh.” It’s not your typical mesh. When I was running, I expected sweaty feet because the mesh almost feels like it wouldn’t breathe.

Thankfully, I didn’t find that to be the case. There is a seam on the forefoot, just above the ball of the foot, that I did find annoying at times because it’s right where my foot bends.

It didn’t cause blisters, but I did feel it, occasionally.

Another one of the features of the upper is the asymmetrical gusseted tongue that wraps around the foot, allowing the runner to tighten the shoe more.

It seems like it’s intended to keep the foot more stable in the shoe, probably because it’s a unisex shoe and everyone’s feet are different.

For me, the tongue required a little finagling every time I put the shoes on.

They didn’t really move once I got them right, but it did require tying and untying once or twice before I got them just right.

Because the Goodyear rubber outsole was supposed to be one of the highlighted features of this shoe, I expected them to be extra durable.

However, I noticed that after a couple dozen miles, the rubber started to pull away a little bit from the foam underneath it.

Not sure if it was how I was running or the fact that some of my miles were on pavement, but I didn’t find the soles to be as durable as I expected.

Additionally, as someone who likes a lot of padding in the sole of a trail shoe, over time I found the shoes to not have enough cushion for me, at least in the forefoot.

However, I did find the Hypers to be responsive and made me feel like I could pick up speed quickly.

The foam provided some of that “push off” that I like when trying to do pickups. One concern I found was the durability of the rubber sole.

Like other reviewers, I found the rubber starts to pull away from the foam

While I wouldn’t wear the Hypers for ultra distance, I think they’re good for everyday runs on normal, dry trail.

They are even okay on more technical trail, but not on deep mud or on ice. They would be great for a trail runner who likes to open up and run hard and fast when they can.

They seemed to work on pavement and gravel, as well, even though I could sometimes feel the gravel a bit through the sole. I have bony feet, though, so that’s not abnormal for me.

Skechers GOrun Speed Trail Unisex – Sole

The Skechers GOrun Speed TRL Hypers tout an injected nylon forefoot plate that is not only meant to promote energy return, but is also meant to protect the bottom of the forefoot.

I don’t consider it to have a truly protected toe box, only a rubberized area around the toe area.

While I didn’t find that to be a deal-breaker, I do like a more protected, harder toe box in any trail shoes in which I run long-distances.

I like my toes to feel more protected from the inevitable rock stubs and root tripping.

The knitted collar around the ankle area of the shoe is my favorite part of the shoe.

It keeps larger pebbles and chunks of dirt out, which is usually what ends up annoying me and causes me to stop and have to shake my shoes out.

That didn’t happen as often in these shoes. Part of the heel lock system is the braided around the ankle area, as well, that can be tightened with the laces.

I felt like my feet were decently protected and weren’t moving a lot inside the shoe–a welcome change for my bony heels.

Skechers GOrun Speed Trail Unisex – Closeup

As I said before, I wouldn’t wear the Hypers on an ultra distance race or trail run.

It doesn’t have enough cushion for me to go more than 10 miles in one go without feeling like the bottoms of my feet are bruising. I don’t think the Hypers could take enough of a beating.

I didn’t find the shoes to be as durable as I’d like. I need a good, strong toe box.

I also need a shoe where I can trust the soles to stay intact for more than 100 miles over time (especially at this price point).

I think these shoes would do well for some runners on some tougher, more varied terrain, as long as it’s not for a long distance.

If you’re just looking to add these shoes to your rotation for shorter runs, they would be great.

Skechers GOrun Speed Trail Unisex – Closeup

I would say that speed is the main point of this shoe! When I opened up on less-technical dirt trail, I found the Hypers to be great. The foam sole was lightweight, but still responsive.

I don’t like feeling like I’m wearing bricks on my feet, like some trail shoes feel. These shoes were surprisingly light and felt almost like road racing shoes (aside from the rigid forefoot).

While they’re not good on ice or in deep mud, I think the Hypers could definitely be worn on a fast dirt trail course under ultra distance.

They are great for speed. And they push back when you push off, giving you that extra little “umph” in your step.

Skechers GOrun Speed Trail Unisex – Heel

The Hypers are not the most comfortable trail shoes I’ve worn, as far as the cushioning in the forefoot. I like padding. I really, really like padding.

I have bony soles on my feet, and unless I have cushion in the forefoot, my feet almost bruise on the bottoms.

That said, I like that they’re responsive and the heel cushion is actually decent. Perhaps if I added a thicker insole, it might help…?

However, I WILL say that the shoes don’t feel too tight. In fact, the toe area is roomy enough for my toes to spread a little. It’s possible that it’s because they were created as a unisex shoe.

The heel lock system keeps my foot in place and it’s a nice feeling, considering my narrow heels often shift a lot in trail shoes.

So I’d say that, aside from the rigid forefoot, the rest of the shoe is “just right.”

Skechers GOrun Speed Trail Unisex – Top

As a person who likes to get bang for my buck in trail shoes, I honestly don’t think I’d buy the TRL Hypers for myself.

I like to be able to put on shoes and either be able to run three miles or thirty miles without having to change them.

That wouldn’t happen for me in these shoes because I don’t think I could do more than 10 miles at a time in them, due to the rigidity of the forefoot/sole.

However, they do have a lot of great features–the knitted collar, the mesh upper, the decently cushioned heel, the responsive foam sole, the fact that they’re incredibly lightweight and speedy.

But do the pros outweigh the big con? For me, no.

Are you looking for a short-distance speed trail shoe? Yes, these would be a great shoe for you. Are you looking for a long-distance trail shoe? The Hypers would likely not do it for you.