Skechers Skyburst Review: Lightweight Cushioning, Smooth Ride & Everyday Comfort

In this review, I’m diving into my very first running shoe from Skechers Running — the Skechers Airburst. As someone who reviews shoes regularly on my YouTube channel and covers elite athletes and gear through Marathon Media and the Marathon Running Podcast, I was excited to finally test a Skechers model designed for high comfort and long-distance training.

Before we begin, this shoe was provided to me for testing, but nobody paid me for this review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

What Is the Skechers Airburst Designed For?

Model & Purpose

The Skechers Airburst is built as a highly cushioned daily trainer, ideal for:

• Easy runs

• Long runs

• Recovery days

• High-mileage training blocks

It is not designed to be a speed shoe — it’s meant for comfort, stability, and plushness. Think: your “I’m tired but still need to get miles in” shoe.

Tech Specs (From Top to Bottom)

Upper

• Breathable engineered mesh

• Not the thinnest mesh, but comfortable

• Plush tongue (not gusseted)

• Small stretchy tongue attachment prevents flopping

• No chafing even when I ran barefoot in the shoe

• Medium-width toe box with good room for toe splay

Midsole

• Amplified Hyper Burst ICE cushioning

• Dual-density Hyper Burst technology

• “Carbon-infused H-plate” (not a traditional carbon plate — shoe remains flexible)

• Very stable platform, likely aided by its width

• Plush, highly protective, and consistent over long mileage

Outsole

• Goodyear rubber outsole

• Very durable

• Great traction

• Designed for longevity

• Washable (the entire shoe is machine-washable!)

Drop & Weight

• 6 mm drop

• Stack: 42 mm → 36 mm

• Women’s size 7 listed at 9.8 oz

• A heavier shoe, but expected for this level of cushioning

Insole

• Removable Skechers Arch Fit insole

• Adds support for long mileage

Colors & Price

Women’s Colors

The colorway I received strangely does not appear on the official website, but current women’s colors include:

• White Multi

• Off-White

• Green

• Lavender

• Pink

• White/Grey

• Blue

• Burgundy

Men’s Colors

• Light Blue

• Grey

• Blue

• Royal

• White/Silver

• White Multi

• “Seed”

Current Price

As of October 2025, the Skechers Airburst is listed at $160.

The shoe is also APMA-certified (American Podiatric Medical Association), meaning it’s recognized as beneficial for foot health.

My First Impression

I first saw this shoe at a trade show before release, and what caught my eye was the nitrogen-infused midsole expanding during manufacturing. It’s always fascinating to see the foam technology behind modern running shoes.

When the shoe arrived:

• I loved the fresh design

• I appreciated the machine-washable feature

• The step-in feel was immediately soft and luxurious

• It felt like the kind of shoe you reach for when you're half-asleep at 5 a.m.

And that guess?
It was exactly right.

What Is the Skechers Airburst Comparable To?

This shoe reminds me very strongly of the:

Hoka Skyward X

It shares:

• Plush max cushioning

• A wide, stable platform

• A durable outsole

• A “put it on and run forever” ride

The Skyward X still has a carbon plate, but interestingly, the Airburst doesn’t need one. It delivers the same stable, high-mileage comfort without the stiffness.

The Airburst has now joined the Skyward X as one of my two go-to shoes for easy and long runs.

How It Feels During Runs

After nearly 100 miles:

• Exceptionally soft

• No foot fatigue even on longer runs

• Stable even when tired

• Roomy toe box for natural foot movement

• No hot spots despite running sockless

• Outsole wear is minimal—even on my typical mid-foot strike area

This is the definition of a trustworthy long-run shoe.

Who Should Buy the Skechers Airburst?

This shoe is perfect for runners who want:

• A plush, cushioned daily trainer

• A stable long-run shoe

• A machine-washable option

• A softer ride for recovery runs

• A Skyward X alternative without a carbon plate

• A shoe for slow, easy, relaxed mileage

Not ideal for runners who want:

• Speed day performance

• Race responsiveness

• A lightweight feel

This is an easy miles workhorse — and it excels at exactly that.

Final Verdict

The Skechers Airburst is a surprisingly impressive, ultra-plush long-run shoe that delivers comfort, stability, and durability. It has officially earned a spot in my weekly rotation and will stay there until I wear it to the ground — which, based on the Goodyear rubber, might take a while.

If you love:

• Hoka Skyward X

• Soft, cushioned daily trainers

• Reliable long-run comfort

…you’ll love this shoe.

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