Skechers Razor Excess 2 Review: A $139 Trainer That Punches Well Above Its Price

Introduction

The Skechers Razor Excess 2 has been our mystery shoe for a 50-mile review cycle, and the verdict is refreshing: this is a Skechers running shoe that finally feels built to a standard the brand has struggled to hit in recent years. The build quality concerns that used to be a recurring complaint simply are not the case here. Even the eyelet chain is reinforced to the point where nothing feels flimsy.

The Razor Excess 2 is a neutral trainer with a 4mm drop, 30mm of foam in the heel and 26mm in the forefoot, placing it at a medium stack height that is starting to approach the high-stack category. For a shoe with that much midsole and a bit of carbon action inside, the weight is impressive.

Who This Product Is For

This is a tweener shoe in the best sense: one shoe that can cover racing and training. It works as a daily trainer from tempo runs to fartleks thanks to its low weight, it can serve as a commuter shoe to the track, and it can even handle middle-distance track sessions and long runs. It would not be the first choice for middle distance, but it is capable.

One caveat: this shoe leans toward runners with strong ankles. It is not as demanding as the Saucony Kinvara 13, but newer runners should stay aware of their foot strike in a shoe like this.

Main Strengths

The upper is the headline. Skechers’ biggest challenge over years of testing has been uppers that feel like plastic and sit uncomfortably on the top of the foot. The Razor Excess 2’s mono mesh completely solves that. It is breathable, comfortable, and genuinely beautiful to the touch. Lockdown is solid, the tongue has the perfect amount of padding across the top of the foot without being overly plush, and the heel counter offers a little structure without going overboard. It is a balanced, comfortable upper.

Build quality is another step forward. The reinforced eyelet chain addresses the durability worries that historically plagued the brand, and both the midsole and upper show a clear improvement over the 2021 Razor Excess.

The midsole pairs Hyper Burst foam with EVA that has been exposed to supercritical carbon dioxide, creating irregular pockets of foam that make it lighter and bouncier than standard EVA while staying just as durable. The Hyper Arc feature adapts to your stride and promotes a smoother ride, and the foot strike really is smooth as butter. Carbon-infused H-plates add snap through the transition, and the ride and energy return are outstanding. A Goodyear performance rubber outsole with a lightly decoupled groove keeps the footprint lean without adding excessive rubber.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Durability of the midsole is the only real drawback. Expect roughly 400 miles rather than the extended lifespan some trainers deliver. Fit runs true to size, and comfort scores fell just short of an eight, though the shoe is very comfortable for a Skechers. Wet-weather cornering on the outsole could not be tested, so if you live somewhere with frequent rain, keep that in mind for fast, wet corners.

Buying Advice

At $139, the price point is incredible for a shoe of this caliber, and the value score nearly hit a perfect ten. If you want to buy one shoe for both racing and training, this is it. The Razor Excess 2 is a genuine half marathon racing option, and this is exactly the kind of shoe you would race in. If you are shopping around, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 comes to mind as the closest comparison, though the Razor Excess 2 is not quite at that level; it is hinting at it. The Kinvara 13 is the other alternative, about half an ounce lighter, but it demands even stronger ankles.

Conclusion

The Skechers Razor Excess 2 breaks into the eights by a nose, which is remarkable for a brand many runners had written off. With a comfortable mono mesh upper, a bouncy carbon-infused midsole, a snappy ride, and a $139 price, it is a step forward in every way that matters. For tempo days, long runs, and even the occasional half marathon, this is an easy recommendation.