View source for Skechers GO Bionic

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Skechers GO Bionic 2 Review}}
The Skechers GO Bionic 2 is a lightweight, nearly zero-drop shoe with a nicely flexible sole. Its 15/18mm sole doesn't provide much cushioning, but it's enough for good [[Running Economy]]. Like many shoes in the Skechers' range, the GO Bionic is cheaper than many comparable shoes and is well worth considering. You can think of the GO Bionic as the shoe that Nike should have produced as part of their "Nike Free" range. I've rated it as "Highly Recommended."   {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
{| class="wikitable" 
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic top]]
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic bottom]]
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic inside]]
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic outside]]
|}
=Characteristics=
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. The GO Bionic is great value for money, and is lighter than many of the similar shoes such as [[Altra One]] or [[Saucony Virrata]].  
* {{H:cushioning}}. The Bionic is only 15mm/18mm thick, so it's a little firmer than a typical non running shoe, though it provide enough that I would not classify it as minimalist. One concern with cushioning is that the gaps in the midsole can get packed with stones. If that happens, it is quite uncomfortable, as there is only the thin insole between your foot and stone.
* {{H:drop}}. This has 3mm of drop, and the midsole is actually fairly flat. There is no taper between the ball of the foot and the very front, nor is there much of rise under the arch. Like most shoes, the midsole cups of the heel for stability, and there is a small taper at the very rear (not enough to be considered a rocker.)
* {{H:structure}}. This shoe uses single density of foam, with cutouts to increase flexibility. 
* {{H:flexibility}}. The bionic is remarkably flexible, as it has holes in the midsole, as well as grooves. One issue is that stones can get into the holes, causing pain. 
* {{H:outsole}}. There is almost no outsole, with some small patches under the big toe and midfoot area. The bionic is one of the few shoes I've come across that has the additional abrasion resistance under the midfoot rather than the heel. Most of the bottom of the shoe is exposed foam, which reduces weight at the expense of longevity, but the bionic seemed to have much better where resistance than other shoes I've come across.
* {{H:shape}}. The Bionic has the classic running shoe shape that does not match the human foot, but the toe box is not as bad as many shoes. Nonetheless I still found that I had to [[Shoe Modifications| cut the toe box open]]. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is a little thicker than many shoes. The material from the midfoot to the back of the shoe is slightly cushioned and completely inflexible. However, the area from the forefoot forward is nicely flexible and breathable. The padding around the ankle opening is a little less than I would like, but adequate nonetheless.
* {{H:tongue}}. The Bionic has a classic tongue that is attached half way along its length to either side of the shoe, making it nicely stable. The tongue is made of soft almost neoprene material that works quite well.
* {{H:lacing}}. The round laces work well and remained tied. 
* {{H:heelcounter}}. There does not appear to be extra material to form a true heel counter, just upper materials shape giving it structure. The shoe comes as far up the heel as is typical for running shoe.
{{BuyShoes|RRS=T|AZ=T}}
{{ShoeGraphs}}
=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
==GO Bionic and Saucony Virrata ==
Comparing the GO Bionic and the [[Saucony Virrata]]:
* Similarities
** {{H:grip}}. Neither has much grip.
** {{H:shape}}. Neither has a reasonable toe box.
* Advantage GO Bionic
** {{H:price}}. The Bionic is generally cheaper.
** {{H:weight}}. The Bionic is a little lighter.
** {{H:flexibility}}. The Bionic is quite a bit more flexible.
** {{H:longevity}}. The Bionic lasts longer than you'd expect.
* Advantage [[Saucony Virrata]]
** {{H:drop}}. Virrata is zero drop.
** {{H:cushioning}}. The Virrata is more softly cushioned, though it's close.
** {{H:trails}}. The Virrata has a little more protection from rocks, but not much.
** {{H:availability}}. The Virrata is easier to find, as Saucony is widely stocked. 
{| class="wikitable" 
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic top]]
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic bottom]]
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic inside]]
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata top]]	
|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata bottom]]	
|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata inside]]	
|[[File:Saucony-Virrata-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Saucony Virrata outside]]
|}
==GO Bionic and Altra One==
Comparing the GO Bionic and the [[Altra One]]:
* Similarities
** {{H:grip}}. Neither has much grip.
** {{H:trails}}. Neither has much protection from rocks.
* Advantage GO Bionic
** {{H:price}}. The Bionic is a lot cheaper.
** {{H:weight}}. The Bionic is a little lighter.
** {{H:flexibility}}. The Bionic is a bit more flexible.
** {{H:longevity}}. The Bionic lasts longer than you'd expect.
** {{H:availability}}. The Bionic is a little easier to find, but Skechers running shoes are not widely stocked. 
* Advantage [[Altra One]]
** {{H:drop}}. The Altra are zero drop.
** {{H:shape}}. The Altra has a much better toe box.
** {{H:cushioning}}. The Altra is a lot more softly cushioned.
{| class="wikitable" 
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic top]]
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic bottom]]
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic inside]]
|[[File:Sketchers-Go-Bionic-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Sketchers Go Bionic outside]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-top.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Altra The One 2.5 top]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-bottom.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Altra The One 2.5 bottom]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-inside.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Altra The One 2.5 inside]]
|[[File:Altra The One 2.5-outside.JPG|none|thumb|150px|Altra The One 2.5 outside]]
|}
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}