Skechers Aero Spark Review
By David Salas
Skechers Aero SparkPrice: $119.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.7 oz, 275g (men's size 9), 7.8 oz, 221g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 36 mm heel / 30 mm forefoot
Drop: 6 mm
Shoe Purpose: Lightweight Training Shoe
Pros: Great value, responsive while still being training friendly
Cons: H-Plate placement won't agree with everyone, might be too narrow or low volume for some
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Skechers Aero Spark is lightweight training shoe that is meant to be versatile. The Aero Spark is using Hyper Burst Ice as its midsole, a dual density version of Hyper Burst that provides more cushioning and stability per Skechers. The Aero Spark also features H-Plate as a stiffening agent for some added responsiveness and rigidity. The shoe runs very neutral, but being at $130, the Aero Spark may be a neutral lightweight trainer to keep an eye on for this year.
SIMILAR SHOES: HOKA Mach 6, Saucony Kinvara
PAST MODEL: new model
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
David: The Skechers Aero Spark fits true to size in my Men's 9.5, though a little snug and narrow through the midfoot. The forefoot widens out some and fits normally. The volume throughout the shoe is a bit lower as well, and so the general feeling of the shoe is performance fit oriented. The mesh upper is decently comfortable and holds its structure well in all major situations. I had no issues with foot translation or heel slippage. The tongue is moderately padded and does a good job of preventing biting from the laces. The Arch Fit that is integrated into the shoe seemed to do pretty well with my foot, and did not feel overly encroaching into my midfoot. Some previous iterations of it placed some unwanted pressure. I think that I would still like a little more volume throughout accompanied with forefoot width, but I am pretty happy with the fit for the most part.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: No
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Somewhat
How Flexible is the Shoe: Moderate
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Average
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: No
Recommended for Sockless: Potentially
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
David: The Skechers Aero Spark was a pleasant surprise for me. The shoe is aimed at being a lightweight and versatile trainer, and I think it accomplishes that. The shoe was reminiscent of the Skechers Razor 3 for me... just built up to handle daily training and address some stability needs. The weight difference between those two models is quite different because of that, but the experience is still fun. Weighing 9.7 ounces in men's size 9 does put the Aero Spark at the heavier end of "lightweight trainers", but I think the shoe does ride lighter than the listed weight. The Skechers Aero Spark is utilizing the Hyper Burst Ice midsole. I don't know the specific materials of Hyper Burst Ice, but it does seem to run more compliant and bouncy than the predecessor HyperBurst, which was a supercritical EVA. Hyper Burst Ice also seems to run a little bit heavier as well, but the additional cushioning and responsiveness feel welcomed despite the weight gain. The Aero Spark is also using a carbon infused H-Plate as a stiffening agent for added responsiveness and stability. This is in the literal "H" shape, having extensions along the medial and lateral aspect of the foot, but having space in between those.
The Aero Spark rides very neutral throughout. The platform is normal width to even slightly narrow through the midfoot. The geometry has a larger heel bevel, with a more gradual forefoot. The experience feels like a rockered heel, with a more natural feeling toe off. The transitions are pretty smooth throughout, but I do notice a wedge sensation in the lateral heel, thanks to the H-Plate when standing in the shoe. This lessens as I run thankfully, but it might worth thinking about moving the placement depth of the plate within the midsole. The H-Plate adds some rigidity to the platform, but not in a major way. The shoe still has some flexibility through the forefoot and a decently natural feel to it. The cushioning underfoot is moderate by today's standards (36mm at the heel), but should have enough cushioning for most uses you throw at it.
The Aero Spark does perform as a versatile training shoe for me. I have not minded it for easier efforts, or for workouts. With the platform being a bit more narrow, I will say the faster stuff feels smoother, but I did not have any issues with daily paces as well. The Goodyear outsole rubber grips pretty well in most situations and I did not notice any traction issues. The Hyper Burst Ice midsole is surprisingly responsive for some of the weight it carries, and this can easily be a nice "do it all shoe" at the price point of $130. The narrow fit and midfoot might be a deal breaker for some, but I think it can serve those who want that pretty well.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
David: The Skechers Aero Spark is definitely a neutral shoe. The shoe runs on a normal width platform with a slightly more narrow midfoot. The foam is on the softer end, but the moderate stack height helps. Some things that help with giving a touch of stability include The H-Plate, traction, and sole flaring through the forefoot. The H-Plate does seem to help with some torsional rigidity. Outsole traction is pretty good underfoot and is reliable. The sole flaring helps with resisting medial/lateral motions through the forefoot some.
Thoughts as a DPT: What makes a shoe neutral?
By David Salas
At Doctors of Running we write about stability a lot. We discuss the use of sole flaring, sidewalls, posting, platform width, etc. often. However, we don't talk about what makes a shoe neutral very often. A neutral shoe is not inherently a bad thing, nor does it mean that it is "unstable". It just means that some of those added components to help with guiding or facilitating motion may not be integrated to the same degree. Normally, most neutral shoes do not have any obvious added components. These shoes tend to look a little more simplistic in design, without major frills. This would be independent of the foam or midsole. In these shoes, you may notice a foot platform that is flush with where the upper attaches to the platform (lacking sole flare or platform width). You may also notice that the shoe has a very clear direction it moves from the side view, indicating minimal to zero usage of sidewalls. Often times, these shoes may have a less dramatic rocker shoe as well and focus on a more "natural" feel to the shoe. These things do not all have to present for something to be considered neutral, but things to look out for if you tend to be sensitive to stability shoes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
David: I enjoyed my time in the Skechers Aero Spark, though I do have some recommendations. The first is the general fit of the shoe. Even though it is meant to be a lightweight versatile trainer, I think increasing the volume could help the fit some. The other would be to modify the placement of the H-Plate. I like it conceptually, but I can physically feel it in my lateral heel when standing or walking, and sometimes even running. Potentially moving it deeper into the foam may be warranted to take away the wedge feeling in the lateral heel.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
David: The Skechers Aero Spark is a lightweight training shoe for someone that is looking for a shoe that can do a little bit of everything at a cheaper price point. The Aero Spark has a rockered heel with a more gradual and natural feeling forefoot. The shoe offers good cushioning for the moderate stack height, and enough responsiveness to do workouts and uptempo efforts in as well. The fit and volume run a little more snug and will cater to those that want that feeling. The platform is also a little narrower, and this shoe will work best for those with neutral mechanics.
GRADES
David
Fit: B (Lower volume and a little more snug throughout)
Performance: A- (Versatile and fun at a variety of efforts, heel initial contact could be cleaned up some with plate placement)
Stability: B (Definitely neutral with more narrow platform and softer foam, but traction and plate seem to help some)
Value: A (A solid shoe that can do a little bit of everything for the price point)
Personal: B+/A- (My biggest thing is the H-Plate wedge sensation in the lateral heel, otherwise I really like the feeling of the shoe)
Overall Design: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORSkechers Aero SparkPrice: $119.95 at Running Warehouse
Shop Men | Shop Women
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FURTHER READING
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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