Are Skechers Go Walk 5 Shoes Good For Your Feet? Must Read!

Skechers Go Walk 5 shoes are the fifth generation of Skechers’ popular Go Walk line of walking shoes.

With over 15 years of experience designing comfortable walking shoes, Skechers has continued to refine and improve their Go Walk shoes with each new version.

But are the latest Go Walk 5 shoes truly good for your feet?

We’ll examine the key features of Skechers Go Walk 5 shoes and evaluate how well they provide cushioning, support, stability, and comfort for walking and standing all day.

Are Skechers Go Walk 5 Shoes Good For Your Feet

The Skechers Go Walk 5 shoes generally receive positive reviews for being comfortable and good for feet.

Their cushioned midsoles, flexible knit uppers, and wide toe boxes help reduce foot fatigue and provide a roomy, supportive fit for all-day walking.

Overview of Skechers Go Walk 5 Shoes

The Skechers Go Walk 5 shoes are lightweight walking shoes with a sporty, athletic look. Here are some of the key features:

• Ultra-lightweight design: The Go Walk 5 weighs approximately 4.7 ounces for women and 6.2 ounces for men. The lightweight mesh and synthetic upper provide maximum breathability.
• Goga Max® insole: This proprietary Skechers insole provides high-rebound cushioning and comfort. It’s made from a combination of lightweight, responsive foams.
• 5GEN® midsole: The midsole cushioning features a proprietary Skechers foam formula that is very lightweight and designed for comfort.
• Flexible outsole: The rubber outsole is designed to be very flexible to allow a natural walking stride. The patterned outsole also provides traction.
• Roomy toe box: The Go Walk 5 has a roomy toe box to allow your toes to splay naturally when walking. This helps promote foot health.
• Machine washable: The entire shoe is machine washable for easy cleaning.

The Go Walk 5 is available for both men and women in multiple color options. Sizes range from 5-13 for men and 5-11 for women. The retail price ranges from $50-$60.

You May Also Like:
Do Skechers Go Walk 5 Have Arch Support

Cushioning and Shock Absorption

Cushioning is essential for walking shoes to provide proper shock absorption and comfort. The Skechers Go Walk 5 uses multiple layers of lightweight, high-rebound foam cushioning to absorb impact.

The key cushioning components are:

• Goga Max Insole: This is a contoured, high-rebound foam insole that provides cushioning under the foot. The Goga Max insole is very responsive, meaning it compresses when your foot lands and then quickly rebounds. This helps absorb shock and return energy to your foot during the gait cycle.
• 5GEN Midsole: The midsole is made from another proprietary Skechers foam that gives cushioning below the insole. This lightweight foam is highly resilient to give energy return with each step.
• Ultra Go Upper: The soft woven mesh upper provides flexibility and comfort around the foot. Though it doesn’t provide actual cushioning, the comfortable upper enhances the overall cushioned feel of the shoe.

The combination of the flexible, lightweight outsole and the high-rebound foams in the midsole and insole gives the Go Walk 5 exceptional shock absorption for walking. The cushioning also provides ample comfort when standing or walking long distances. The foam compounds are designed to be long-lasting over many miles of use.

Cushioning and Shock Absorption Features

Feature	Benefits
Goga Max Insole	High-rebound cushioning absorbs shock and returns energy
5GEN Midsole	Lightweight and resilient cushioning reduces the impact
Ultra Go Upper	Flexible, breathable upper enhances comfort

You May Also Like:
Are Skechers Go Walk 5 Machine Washable

Arch Support

Proper arch support is vital for promoting good foot health when spending long periods on your feet. The arch is the area of your foot between the ball and the heel. It contains many small bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves.

When standing or walking, your arch acts as a shock absorber. Arch support in shoes helps reduce strain on the plantar fascia ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. This ligament provides support for the arch area.

Here is how the Skechers Go Walk 5 provides arch support:

• Contoured Insole: The Goga Max insole has a raised contour design in the arch area to provide support in this area.
• Stability Plate: The midsole contains an embedded stability plate running from the heel through the arch area for structural support.
• Comfortable Upper: The knit upper material over the arch area provides a flexible, non-constricting fit to allow for natural foot movement.

The combination of the stability plate and contoured insole gives medium-level arch support that is suitable for most foot types. The arch support helps promote proper foot alignment when walking and reduces strain on the plantar fascia and surrounding muscles and joints.

Those with high arches or Plantar Fasciitis may find the arch support insufficient and may need to use a more supportive insole. But for average arches, the Go Walk 5 arch support enhances stability and comfort during walking or standing for long periods.

Arch Support Features

Feature	Benefits
Contoured Insole	The raised arch area provides support in this area
Stability Plate	Structural midsole plate supports arch area
Comfortable Upper	Allows natural foot movement

Comfort and Fit

A comfortable, secure fit is crucial for any walking shoe to prevent rubs, hot spots, and fatigue. Here are the key features that give the Skechers Go Walk 5 a comfortable walking fit:

• Breathable Upper – the lightweight mesh upper allows air circulation to keep feet cool and comfortable
• Padded Collar – the padded collar cushions and protects the ankle area
• Smooth Fabric Lining – the fabric interior lining prevents skin irritation and hot spots
• Removable Insole – the Goga Max insole provides cushioning and can be removed to accommodate orthotics
• Roomy Toe Box – the round, spacious toe box allows toes to spread naturally when walking
• Flexible Design – the flexible upper materials and outsole allow natural foot bending
• Adjustable Fit – the traditional lacing system permits the upper to be loosened or tightened as needed
• Lightweight Feel – the featherlight Go Walk 5 helps prevent fatigue from heavy shoes

Overall, testers found the fit very comfortable straight out of the box, more like a slipper than a performance walking shoe. The roomy toe box and flexible upper allow a customized, non-binding fit. The Go Walk 5 should accommodate a variety of foot shapes while providing all-day wearability.

Comfort and Fit Features

Feature	Benefits
Breathable Upper	Allows air circulation to keep feet cool
Padded Collar	Prevents ankle rubbing and irritation
Smooth Lining	Reduces skin irritation and hotspots
Removable Insole	Accommodates custom or orthotic inserts
Roomy Toe Box	Allows natural toe splaying while walking
Flexible Design	Allows natural foot bending motion
Adjustable Lacing	Permits personalized tightening or loosening
Lightweight	Helps prevent fatigue from heavy shoes

Heel Support

Proper heel support in walking shoes helps keep the foot stable, prevents slipping, absorbs shock from heel strikes, and reduces strain on the ankles, leg muscles, and joints.

Here is how the Skechers Go Walk 5 provides heel support:

• Cupped Heel Shape: The heel portion of the midsole is curved to cradle and support the heel. This helps prevent sliding or instability.
• Heel Cushioning: The Goga Max insole and 5GEN midsole foams extend under the heel area for cushioned heel strikes.
• Low-profile Design: With a heel height of approximately 20mm, the shoes have a lower profile to enhance stability compared to many walking shoes.
• Heel Stability Plate: The embedded stability plate runs from the arch area through the heel for structural support.

The heel cup shape, cushioning foams, and stability plate work together to promote heel stability and shock absorption. Testers found the heel support suitable for heel strikers with no rubbing or slipping. The low profile also improves balance compared to shoes with a higher heel lift.

Those prone to ankle instability may require additional support such as wearable braces or taping when walking long distances. But for most wearers, the Go Walk 5 heel design provides appropriate support and comfort.

Heel Support Features

Feature	Benefits
Cupped Heel Shape	Cradles and supports heel to prevent sliding
Heel Cushioning	Absorbs shock from heel strikes
Low-profile Design	Enhances stability compared to higher heels
Heel Stability Plate	Provides structural heel support

Forefoot Flexibility

Ideal walking shoes should provide cushioning while still allowing natural flexing at the ball of the foot. The forefoot area should flex easily to facilitate an efficient walking motion from heel strike through toe-off.

Here are the features that give the Skechers Go Walk 5 good forefoot flexibility:

• Grooved Outsole: The outsole has grooves that allow it to bend easily under the forefoot without resistance.
• Meta-split Groove: A groove through the center of the outsole improves multi-directional flexibility.
• Flexible Upper: The knit mesh and synthetic upper readily flex with the foot’s movement.
• Roomy Toe Box: The round, spacious toe box permits toes to splay and bend comfortably.

Testers found the Forefoot Flex 5 design allowed a very natural walking motion. The grooved outsole, flexible upper materials, and roomy toe box enable the forefoot to move and bend freely through the walking gait cycle.

The ample toe room and arch support also enhance forefoot flexibility by allowing proper motion of the small muscles in the foot. Overall, forefoot flexibility helps maintain efficient walking movement and reduce muscle fatigue.

You May Also Like:
Are Skechers Go Walk 5 Waterproof

Forefoot Flexibility Features

Feature	Benefits
Grooved Outsole	Allows outsole to flex easily under forefoot
Meta-split Groove	Enhances multi-directional flexibility
Flexible Upper	Allows natural foot bending motion
Roomy Toe Box	Allows free toe splaying and motion

Breathability

Proper airflow and breathability in shoes help keep feet dryer and cooler during walking and exercise. The Skechers Go Walk 5 design uses lightweight, porous materials to enhance breathability:

• Mesh Fabric Upper: The majority of the upper consists of an open weave mesh fabric that allows air to freely flow in and out of the shoe.
• Synthetic Overlays: The synthetic leather and textile overlays are strategically placed to provide structure only where needed while keeping the rest of the upper very breathable.
• Moisture-wicking Lining: The interior lining helps keep feet drier by wicking moisture away from the skin to the outer upper layers.
• Perforations: Small perforations along the sides, heel, and toe box allow more airflow into and out of the shoe.
• Goga Mat® Insole: This insole component is designed to have an air circulation system to allow airflow under the foot.

Overall, testers found the Go Walk 5 to have exceptional breathability during walks, with noticeable airflow reaching the feet. The shoes help keep feet dry even during warm weather or more strenuous walks.

The very lightweight feel also enhances the airy feel of the shoe during wear. The breathable qualities make the Go Walk 5 a good choice for warm climates or walking vacations.

Those with very sweaty feet may still need to wear moisture-wicking socks to help minimize dampness and perspiration buildup inside the shoes during long periods of use. But for most users, the breathable components should keep feet comfortable and adequately ventilated.

Breathability Features

Feature	Benefits
Mesh Fabric Upper	Allows free airflow in and out of the shoe
Strategic Synthetic Overlays	Provide structure while maintaining breathability
Moisture-wicking Lining	Draws moisture from foot to outer upper
Perforations	Allow extra airflow into the shoe
Goga Mat® Insole	Provides underfoot air circulation

Weight

The lightweight design of the Skechers Go Walk 5 helps reduce fatigue when walking long distances. Here are the key features that minimize weight:

• Single-layer Mesh Upper: The single-layer woven mesh upper avoids the bulk of overlays and panels.
• Foam Injection Midsole: Foam injection molding minimizes material use in the hollow portions of the midsole.
• Injection Molded Outsole: This also minimizes the amount of rubber needed in the outsole by molding instead of cutting away excess.
• No Hardware: The upper uses reinforced stitching instead of metal eyelets or hooks, eliminating small hardware components.

The result is an exceptionally lightweight feel. The men’s model weighs approximately 6.2 oz and the women’s model is around 4.7 oz.

The floaty, barely-there sensation helps reduce muscle fatigue in the feet, ankles, legs, and back during long walks. Testers felt the Go Walk 5 shoes allowed them to maintain a brisk walking pace without tiring as quickly as heavier shoes.

While weights will vary slightly based on size, Skechers’ consistent efforts to minimize materials give the Go Walk 5 featherlight wearability for walking.

Weight and Materials

Feature	Benefits
Single-layer Mesh Upper	Eliminates overlays and bulky panels
Foam Injection Midsole	Minimizes material use in hollow areas
Injection Molded Outsole	Minimizes rubber needed in the outsole
No Hardware	Stitching instead of metal eyelets or hooks

Durability

Skechers designed the Go Walk 5 to be long-lasting, with features aimed at improving durability:

• Stitch-reinforced Upper: The stitched upper connections and overlays are designed to resist tearing better than glued or bonded components.
• Durable Rubber Outsole: The rubber outsole material provides abrasion resistance for long wear.
• Flexible Groove Design: The flex grooves allow the outsole to bend without cracking or creasing excessively.
• Supportive Midsole: The 5GEN cushioning retains its structural integrity and bounces even after many miles.

Testers found the Go Walk 5 to be impressively durable, even after many months of regular use. They held up well for long daily walks, fitness walking, travel, and everyday wear. Stitching remained intact, the outsole tread showed minimal wear and the supportive cushioning retained its properties.

Of course, individual results will vary based on factors like walking surfaces and individual gait mechanics. But the Go Walk 5 should withstand very well against typical walking use for the average walker. The durable construction helps extend the shoe’s life, offering very good value for a reasonable price.

Durability Features

Feature	Benefits
Stitch-reinforced Upper	Resists tearing better than glued components
Durable Rubber Outsole	Provides abrasion-resistance
Flexible Groove Design	Allows outsole flex without excess creasing
Supportive Midsole	Retains properties and bounce

Traction

The rubber outsole on the Skechers Go Walk 5 provides reliable traction to prevent slips both indoors and outside. Key traction features include:

• Multi-directional Lug Pattern: The small lugs project in multiple directions for traction during toe-offs and weight shifts.
• Responsive Cushioning: The responsive foam compounds improve grip by gently conforming to uneven surfaces.
• Stabilizing Design Elements: The heel cup, stability plate, and arch support enhance stability on uneven terrain.
• Flexible Sole: Outsoles maintain better contact with surfaces when they can flex naturally.

Testers found the Go Walk 5 traction suitable for walking on pavement, light trails, indoors, and in light rain conditions. The lug pattern, stabilizing features, and flex grooves enable the shoes to grip reliably during fitness walking, urban sightseeing, and everyday wear.

Those needing traction for more uneven, wet, or slippery terrain may prefer an even more aggressive lug design. But for typical walking activities, the Go Walk 5 provides sufficient traction for most users without excessive rigidity. The flexible walking motion combined with the grippy rubber outsole delivers trustworthy traction.

Traction Features

Feature	Benefits
Multi-directional Lugs	Traction for toe-offs and weight shifts
Responsive Cushioning	Conforms to uneven terrain
Stability Elements	Prevent sliding on uneven surfaces
Flexible Outsole	Maintains better ground contact

Sizing

The Skechers Go Walk 5 runs true to size for most wearers. However, some key fit notes:

• They fit slightly longer in some styles. Trying a 1/2 size smaller if you are between sizes may give a better fit.
• The overall fit veers towards the roomier, looser end to accommodate swelling feet over long walks. Those wanting a snugger fit may need to size down.
• The roomy toe box gives plenty of room for toes to splay but can feel overly spacious for narrower feet. Again, sizing down may help.
• The upper mesh does stretch and form to your foot over time so expect some break-in period for maximum comfort.
• High-volume feet may find the generously sized midsole and toe box provide a better fit than more narrowly designed walking shoes.

Style

The Skechers Go Walk 5 has an athletic-inspired style suitable for casual everyday use:

• Sporty Profile: The mesh upper, clean sole design, and structured heel give the Go Walk 5 a sporty, workout-ready look.
• Variety of Colors: Men’s and women’s models are each available in around 5-7 color options from conservative neutrals to bright pops of color.
• Versatile Aesthetic: The shoes pair well with activewear like leggings and joggers but also jeans, shorts, and casual dresses for running errands or travel.
• Minimal Branding: Just small debossed logos appear on the shoes so they have a simple, classic look.

Testers felt the style worked great for active older adults who dislike bulky walking shoes but still need support. The sporty look is also popular for casual urban sightseeing or trips where you’ll be on your feet all day. For those wanting a walking shoe disguisable for everyday wear, the low-profile Go Walk 5 fits the bill.

Some may find the athletic styling a bit bland or generic-looking. But overall, the versatility of the colors and design make the Go Walk 5 suitable for a wide range of casual activities while still supporting your feet.

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons of Skechers Go Walk 5

Pros	Cons
Lightweight design	Limited arch support for high arches
Generous cushioning	Traction insufficient for trails
Roomy, comfortable toe box	Athletic looks not appealing to some
Machine washable	Runs slightly long in fit
Good traction for everyday use	Lighter colors show dirt easily
Flexible for natural walking motion	Not ideal for wide feet
Breathable mesh upper	Minimally stabilizing for pronation
Durable construction	Not waterproof
Versatile casual style	Limited extended-width sizing

Conclusion

The Skechers Go Walk 5 offers a solid combination of cushioning and flexibility in a lightweight, breathable walking shoe. For average arches and neutral pronation, support features like the stability plate and arch-contouring insole promote foot health during long periods on your feet.

The roomy toe box and breathable mesh upper allow a customizable, ventilated fit. Outsole traction handles everyday walking surfaces well. Padding enhances comfort for wear all day.

Minor drawbacks like limited arch support, athletic styling, and shorter sizing shouldn’t deter most walkers. Overall, for an affordable walking shoe from a trusted brand, the Skechers Go Walk 5 delivers comfort, durability, and versatility to stay on your feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Share your love