Skechers has a new racing shoe that sounds nothing like the chunky sneakers most people associate with the brand. The $225 AERO Elite weighs just 5.9 ounces in a men’s size 9 and features an unusual carbon-infused plate. Announced October 1, it’s built for racing distances from 5K to the marathon.
Despite Skechers calling this its first super shoe, it’s not the brand’s first carbon-plated racer. The GOrun Speed Elite Hyper arrived in 2020. What makes the AERO Elite interesting is how it combines current super-shoe construction with an especially lightweight design.
Why Its Carbon Plate Looks So Different
The full-length Quantum Plate is carbon-infused, curved like a spoon, and cut into an open skeletal pattern inspired by Voronoi geometry. Skechers says the shape provides structural support while using less material. It sits alongside Hyper Burst Pro supercritical foam and the brand’s rocker-style transition geometry. The stack measures 40 mm at the heel and 36 mm at the forefoot, giving the shoe a 4 mm drop.
There’s more to a fast racing shoe than a carbon plate. A scientific review found that plate geometry and placement influence running mechanics and that added stiffness alone does not consistently improve running economy. Skechers’ design is distinctive, but its claims of greater propulsion and energy return shouldn’t be confused with independently demonstrated faster race times.
What Independent Testers Found
In an October 6 review, Doctors of Running praised the AERO Elite’s lively foam, comfortable upper, and relatively natural-feeling ride. Their testers also noted the narrow heel and midfoot platform, which could be a drawback for runners needing more stability. These are the reviewers’ impressions; Man And Gear has not run in the shoe.
What You Need to Know
- Price: $225
- Weight: 5.9 ounces, men’s size 9
- Stack and drop: 40 mm heel, 36 mm forefoot, 4 mm drop
- Materials: Hyper Burst Pro foam, Quantum Plate, woven jacquard upper, Lite Grip TPU outsole
- Availability: Skechers’ official product page
Try this kind of low-drop racer at your intended pace before wearing it for a long race, particularly if you’re used to a higher drop or need a more stable heel. At $225, it’s worth a look for runners curious about carbon-plated shoes without paying some rivals’ higher prices.
Why It’s Cool
A sub-six-ounce Skechers racing shoe would be surprising enough. Its skeletal carbon plate gives it an engineering story that stands out, even before anyone proves it can make runners faster.