Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 review

After testing the Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 in the lab, we think it’s:

• Ideal for casual runners with narrow feet seeking solid cushioning for both walking and running.
• A great choice for beginners wanting a budget-friendly shoe capable of handling long runs.
• Excellent for Skechers fans needing a versatile option for jogging, walking, and occasional runs.

The Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 is a narrow shoe, and we do not recommend it for runners with average or wide feet who need a more spacious fit. In our view, the Nike Winflo 11 offers similar cushioning while providing much more room in the toebox—making it a far better option for those without narrow feet.

We also believe that forefoot strikers are not the best runners for the Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 due to its design. Based on our lab testing, the ASICS Gel Pulse 15 is a more stable alternative for them.

The heel packs impressive cushioning for a wallet-friendly shoe, as we measured a stack height of 36.4 mm during testing. In our view, this ensures even extreme heel strikers can comfortably handle runs lasting over an hour.

This shoe truly lives up to its name!

The photo below also highlights Skechers’ Soft Stride technology—an interesting comfort-boosting feature. We found that this small, blue layer sits above the main foam, and adds a plush feel and some extra millimeters to enhance overall cushioning.

The forefoot also exceeds the average stack height of daily trainers, with our digital calipers measuring 27.6 mm. This makes the shoe suitable for midfoot or forefoot strikers seeking a well-cushioned and comfortable ride.

A simple subtraction from heel to forefoot reveals a real 8.8 mm offset—slightly higher than Skechers’ claimed 6 mm—but still well-suited for every footstrike. In our experience, this design favors heel strikers, making it a beginner-friendly option.

At 23.5 HA, the ULTRA GO foam leans toward a slightly firmer feel, but in our experience, this is balanced by the plush insole and the Soft Stride layer. Both elements add a soft feel, making the ride more plush than what our measurement suggests. This was evident during all our test runs.

Nevertheless, we believe it’s important to distinguish softness from cushioning. A shoe can offer firm yet well-cushioned support, while a soft shoe might lack substantial cushioning—two distinct characteristics often misunderstood.

Skechers' ULTRA GO is an EVA-based foam, so we anticipated a high result in this test, which isn’t ideal. After spending a 20-minute nap in our freezer, the EVA foam became 32% firmer—a moderate outcome that we believe is quite reasonable.

The Skechers Goga Mat insole has an average thickness of 4.6 mm but feels noticeably more cushioned compared to those from other brands.

Skechers loves naming their features, and they call the rocker design "Natural Rocker." It promotes a smooth heel-to-toe transition without being overly pronounced—far from the aggressive designs of modern super-rockered shoes. 

Through our testing, we discovered that the rocker starts early but doesn't go very high, as confirmed by our measurements.

The Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 is best for runners with narrow feet, as it only measures 95.3 mm at the widest part of the upper—significantly below most competitors in toebox space.

In terms of vertical volume, we were pleased with the toebox space, as it allowed our toes to move freely, providing a comfort-driven fit suitable for long days combining running, walking, or even working.

Our second measurement, taken in the big toe area, showed 76.3 mm—a moderate taper compared to our first measurement. This definitely positions the shoe for narrow-footed runners or those who prefer a snug-fit experience.

In fact, we believe Skechers designed this shoe with women in mind, as they are the primary customers for this model. This aligns with the naturally narrower shape of women’s feet, providing a more tailored fit for this audience.

This neutral daily trainer sits high off the ground, so we didn’t expect much stability. However, Skechers added some design elements like elevated midsole sidewalls and a broad heel, which greatly enhance stability while running.

To enhance stability, Skechers departed from a natural-flex feel and designed the Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 to be notably rigid, earning a solid 4/5 in our assessment.

The heel counter of the Elite 2.0 demonstrated moderate resistance to manual manipulation, earning a stiffness score of 3/5. This balanced design provides good rearfoot structure without creating unnecessary pressure on the Achilles tendon and shouldn’t be an issue for those with Haglund’s deformity in the calcaneus bone.

The forefoot measures a narrow 109.6 mm, which didn’t surprise us based on the shoe’s design.

On the other hand, we discovered the midfoot is impressively wide—similar to some stability shoes—adding a supportive, confidence-inspiring feel for midfoot strikers. However, extreme forefoot strikers might find the shoe lacking in targeted support for their running style.

The heel measures an impressive 96.9 mm, making it one of the widest shoes we’ve tested in the lab at this price point. While pricier stability models may have broader heels, this beginner-friendly daily trainer offers superb stability for those seeking a secure heel feel.

The Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 is marketed as a running shoe, but we all know that many Skechers models are used for work or casual wear instead. For such uses, low longitudinal stiffness is key, and we found that this shoe excelled—it required just 21.0N to bend it to 90 degrees, providing a flexible feel ideal for all-day comfort.

The Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 may look bulky, but according to our scale, it’s surprisingly lightweight. It weighed just 9.5 oz (269g), which we found impressive given its substantial cushioning and low price tag.

This lightweight-yet-cushioned design makes it ideal for extended wear, both walking and running.

The upper of the Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 is crafted from a basic engineered mesh, but it lacks ventilation holes, so it raised concerns even before connecting our smoke machine to measure airflow performance.

After testing, we found that it scored a 2 out of 5, which is disappointing compared to most road running shoes. This limited breathability makes it better suited for cooler climates if used for running. For casual walking or light jogging, however, it's not a problem at all.

One contributing factor to the reduced airflow is the thickness of the engineered mesh. While it enhances comfort with its cushiony feel, it doesn’t allow much light to pass through, indicating subpar ventilation.

Under the microscope, we observed some small gaps for air to escape, but they were minimal. In our opinion, adding ventilation holes in future versions could greatly improve the shoe’s overall breathability.

That said, the upper truly excels in comfort.

It’s impressively padded for its weight, delivering a cozy step-in feel. We think many wearers will find this breathability trade-off worthwhile for long-lasting comfort.

The upper of the Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 may not excel in breathability, but it offers plenty of comfort and we also found it to be impressively durable. It scored a 3/5 in our Dremel test—a result that surpasses the average for running shoes.

We fired up the Dremel for a second test and recorded another 3/5 in the heel counter area. While not exceptional, this result ensures minimal wear issues for nearly all runners.

The outsole plays a critical role in every running shoe, especially in models from Skechers, which are often used for more than just running.

We found the outsole coverage to be generous yet cleverly engineered, with strategic gaps that reduce weight while protecting key wear zones. Traction is average, just fine but nothing exceptional given the 85.5 HC rubber, which is quite hard and, in theory, built for durability.

Our final Dremel test focused on the rubber, leaving a 1.3 mm dent. This isn’t an impressive result, and we believe Skechers has significant room to improve durability in this area.

We know Skechers was aware of the rubber resilience, as the rubber features a generous 3.5 mm thickness, which reassures us about it will deliver enough durability.

Few shoes on the market can match the comfort offered by the Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 at this MSRP. In fact, we believe that it has one of the best price-to-cushioning ratios we've ever seen. However, we believe the name of this model feels somewhat exaggerated, as it aligns more with a racing supershoe than a daily trainer!

Skechers didn’t add any reflective elements to the Max Cushioning Elite 2.0, but considering its budget-friendly nature, we didn’t expect them either.

Cheap running shoes often rely on a single, thick slab of foam, which simplifies manufacturing and allows brands to add pillow-soft comfort while cutting costs... at the expense of weight. However, we discovered that the Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 showcases a smarter, weight-conscious design.

We found the tongue features variable padding depending on the area, with a maximum of 4.6 mm. This thoughtful, comfort-driven approach allows Skechers to reduce weight while maintaining a plush feel where it’s needed most.

The tongue isn’t attached to the sides, which is expected considering the shoe’s budget-friendly price point.

The Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 includes a practical finger loop at the heel, making it easier to slip your foot into the shoe.

The air-cooled insole in this shoe is a standout feature we didn’t expect in a model priced far below premium options.

Made from Skechers’ copper-infused Goga Mat technology, the insole enhances energy return while providing a soft feel. We found it significantly improves overall comfort, making the shoe ideal for all-day wear or easy, recovery runs.