Skechers GoWalk Max Effort Review

The Skechers Go Walk Max Effort is a basic walking shoe at a very affordable price. With adequate arch support, I found the comfort and support to be good for shorter distances or quick errands. The material is very light and breathable and molds nicely to your foot. The foam sole is soft and flexible, and the shoe is machine washable to simplify the cleaning process.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Go Walk Max Effort is a simple lace-up walking shoe with a soft cushion sole. With a 34mm stack height and 9mm drop, these shoes land very softly on the heel and easily transition to the toes. With a softer sole and mesh upper, the shoes flex quite a bit and could benefit from a little stiffness for longer use. When using these for prolonged periods, I noted there was some low back and knee discomfort, which can occur when shoes are too soft. During the testing period, I noted no hot spots or rubbing.

The tongue is lightly padded and prevents the laces from digging into the instep when tight. The heel collar is also padded for additional comfort and prevents discomfort on the Achilles. I found these shoes fit true to size and felt snug for a regular-width shoe. Skechers also offers a narrow version for those requiring less volume on the inside. Over the testing period, the upper material held its shape and didn't stretch or deform. I was also pleased there was no break in time for the Max Effort, and they felt comfortable right out of the box.

With a standard lace system, these aren't hands-free shoes, but they don't pose any challenges either. The tongue and laces open very easily, and the foot slides easily using the heel loop. The laces pull through the eyelets easily and don't pressure the instep. Taking them off requires untying the laces, but they can be loosened slightly and slid off.

Support

The Go Walk Max Effort didn't quite provide as much support as I would have liked for longer walks or shifts at work. A walking shoe should have a supportive sole and bend only towards the toe if it has a supportive sole. I found the sole quite flexible and bent in the toe box, and the midsole was fairly easy to bend. The shoe does provide good lateral support which helps prevent rolling an ankle.

The lace system consists of five eyelets per side and laces up smoothly. The laces tighten evenly and create a snug fit throughout the upper. The shoes do not have an additional lace for the heel lock, but I didn't find that necessary as the heel didn't shift around. One nice attribute is once the shoes are laced up to our liking, the laces didn't loosen and there was no change in the snug fit.

During the twist test, we see how the sole resists torsion, which helps to indicate how supportive the shoe is. During testing, the shoes did not resist torsion and twisted pretty easily. The lack of torsion means the shoes won't be very stable and supportive, which is noticeable with longer periods of use. With acceptable arch support and a flexible sole, these shoes would be best for a neutral gait since they last the stability and support for someone who pronates or supinates.

Traction

The foam sole of the Skechers Go Walk Max Effort has bumps that add to the cushioning effect but don't provide grip on all surfaces. On packed gravel or dirt, they held pretty well but occasionally picked up some debris in the tread. On concrete, they provided good grip with no sliding or slipping. When it came to tile or carpet, I noticed some significant issues with the traction. On natural tile, the shoes provided adequate grip if the ground was clean and dry. The shoes would slide easily on surfaces like linoleum, carpet, or vinyl products, and it was more noticeable when trying to turn or stop quickly. The shoes performed adequately on most dry surfaces, but if any moisture or dirt was present, they did not feel secure.

Weight

The Go Walk Max Effort weighed in at 8.62 ounces per shoe for a men's size 10.5, which places it in the lighter end of our testing group. While on your feet the shoes are very light and airy feeling and hardly noticeable. With use I didn't notice any leg fatigue from the weight, and they definitely don't feel bulky or clumsy.

Durability

The Go Walk Max Effort is listed as an athletic style walking shoe I have some concerns about the 5GEN midsole and outsole after our 10,000 step testing period. The upper is made of mesh material that held up to use with no signs of wear or abrasions. The soles of the shoes showed a good amount of wear after 10,000 steps and has me questioning the life expectancy of the shoe. The high contact areas of the sole, like the heel and toe, show signs of wear and smoothing with loss of tread height. Some of the other bumps for traction show rougher wear like the material is tearing. Users reported issues with the shoe wearing out quickly, and after our testing period, I can understand why.

A nice highlight of the Go Walk Max is the ease of cleaning and care. If the shoes become soiled or smelly just simply throw them in the washing machine and allow them to air dry. If you feel the need for manual labor, you can also hand wash them with a mild soap and allow them to air dry out of sunlight.

Should You Buy the Skechers Go Walk Max Effort?

The Go Walk Max Effort is a good basic walking shoe as long as expectations are realistic. These shoes would perform well for short-term use around the house, running errands, or getting the mail. We wouldn't recommend them to someone who spends all day standing or the exercising enthusiast who wants to log plenty of miles a day. For an affordable price they provide acceptable comfort and support, but users should be mindful of the traction and durability concerns.

What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?

If you are looking for a comfortable and durable shoe with lots of traction, consider the Hoka Transport. If you want a hands-free option for quick on and off the Kizik Lima is a comfortable option. If a versatile and lightweight walking shoe with some style is on your wish list, the On Cloud 5 is sure to pique your interest.