One of the world's biggest manufacturers of athletic footwear, Skechers have something for everyone. Whether you're a budding golfer, a construction worker, a holidaymaker or you just need a pair of walking boots with extra support and a wide fit design, Skechers fits the bill.
This buyer's guide introduces the brand and their signature style, takes a look at their most popular ranges, and will help buyers find and look after their Skechers products.
Skechers began life (like many footwear manufacturers) in California, where a Manhattan Beach entrepreneur called Robert Greenberg launched the brand in 1992.
Again, in classic California style, Skechers first designs were mainly walking boots and skating footwear. But they soon diversified, adding a wide range of sports to their repertoire, as well as stylish casual designs and plenty of work models too.
Over the years, the brand has mimicked Nike in attracting big names to endorse their products, associating with elite golfers, musical legends like Ringo Starr, or boxers like Sugar Ray Leonard. And their ascent has been rapid. By 2017 they had become America's second-largest sports footwear brand, second only to Nike.
Nowadays, Skechers offer footwear that is tailored to specific needs, as much as consumer trends. With cutting edge memory foam technology and relaxed fit composition, their products are as comfortable as they are fashionable.
Skechers make shoes that are both stylish and supremely comfortable. When you buy a pair of Skechers trainers or flip-flops, you can be confident that they will last the distance and provide a solid foundation for your body. Gentle on your feet, and meticulously designed to suit the way we walk, Skechers shoes occupy a unique middle ground between fashion and science. That's why people love them so much.
Aside from that, the brand also offers a huge amount of variety. There's a Skechers model for almost any situation, whether you're jetting off on holiday, playing sports, or looking for a smart pair of sneakers to wear on your commute to work. So, whether you browse the Skechers.com product selection or head down to nearby Skechers retailers, you can be confident of finding what you need.
Skechers' product selection falls into several broad categories: Sport, Performance, Casual, Work, and Kids. But there are plenty of subcategories and product lines for specific needs. Here are some of the most popular at the moment:
Relaxed Fit – One of the company's most recent lines, Relaxed Fit does exactly what it says on the tin, providing a roomy, flexible casing for your feet, and accommodating wider foot sizes. They are more cushioned for people with muscular problems in their feet, ankles, or lower legs, and generally really comfortable for everyday wear. They come in laced up and unlaced models, including popular designs like the Tomen, Avillo, and Gomen, with denim, suede, and black or brown leather uppers to choose from – so there's something for everyone's tastes.
USA – The Skechers USA brand specialises in delivering classic American footwear to international fans of the brand. There are elegant brown leather boots for men and women, smart-casual hi-top trainers – all with an unmistakable American tinge that marks them out. Basically, these are some of Skechers most functional, robust designs, with some great options for outdoor activities.
Sport – Designed mainly for sporting activities, but with a little style thrown into the mix – not just performance features. The Sport collection includes Skechers Flex Advantage and Flex Appeal trainers, which have cushioned memory foam soles and elasticated uppers, featuring Skechers patented Skech-Knit Mesh, as well as bolder, more colourful designs like Burst of Flinchton. All of them are optimised for running and gym work but can be worn just as confidently in urban situations. Also included in this range is Skechers walking shoes, such as the Go Walk 4 designed for trekking in the wild, or D'Lites tailor-made for more casual walks around the park.
Work – One of the most practical areas of the Skechers product range, their Work designs allow you to wear smart-casual black footwear that looks the part underneath a suit, but provides much more foot support than standard work brogues or boots ever could. Models like the Hobbes feature snappy black leather uppers with relaxed fit composition, and they also have features that make them perfect for work sites, such as slip resistance and protection against electrical hazards – so they are popular with electricians and builders, just as much as office workers.
Shape-Ups – Designed for what Skechers call “extreme comfort”, Shape-Ups have rocker soles with plenty of memory foam, which provides a gorgeously soft cushion for walking. They are stylish enough for anyone but are perfect for older buyers who need the extra cushioning to help them get around.
Sandals – Skechers sandals actually straddle the Relaxed Fit, Sport and USA collections, but they deserve a little extra attention. These flip-flops come with plenty of grip, both on the upper and lower surface of their soles, have soft fabric and include a material called Resalyte, which makes them extra “squishy” and comfortable to wear in warm environments.
Bobs – Designed mainly for ladies, Skechers Bobs are a form of trainer with woven fabric uppers, slightly raised heels and breathable fabric – perfect for summer shopping trips or light exercise, and also a great option for travellers. Also included in the Bobs collection is a range of slippers for lounging around the house on lazy Sunday mornings.
Boots – Skechers make a wide range of boots for men and ladies. For female fans, there are some super-cosy fur-lined designs in the Skechers Street product line, as well as more glamorous high-heeled looks in the Bobs collection and moccasin-style boots in the On the Go collection. For guys, there are sleek smart boots, and designs that would work perfectly in a lumber camp or warehouse. The emphasis tends to be on practical, warm, and durable footwear. But that's not to say that their boots are ugly. The great thing about Skechers, after all, is the way they manage to combine high production values with timeless style, and their boots are a good example.
Kids – Kids can choose models from almost all of their adult collections, including Sport, Relaxed Fit, and USA. But there's also the opportunity to slip on a pair of Energy Lights. This dynamic collection is instantly recognisable thanks to the LED lights stationed inside their soles which need to be charged via a USB cable. All you need to do is to press a button on the tongue, and your footwear becomes a stunning light show – not something many brands can match.
One of Skechers great strengths is their commitment to comfort, which means helping customers to find the perfect fit. They aren't a “one size fits all” operation, and there are Skechers collections for every shape and size of foot.
If you have what are termed “medium” width feet (D for men and B for women), the Classic Fit range will have the footwear you need.
If you tend towards the broad side (D/E for men, B/C for ladies), then have a look in their Relaxed Fit line.
If you have even wider feet, there's also the Wide Fit collection (2E/3E for men, and D for ladies).
Finally, there's the Extra Wide Fit line for those with the biggest feet. Most brands will leave these customers out in the cold, but Skechers has plenty of options designed specifically for their bodies.
For more information, check out the Skechers shoe fit guide, which can be found here.
In general, Skechers customers report that their stated sizes are pretty close to how they actually come up. While many brands footwear comes up larger or smaller when you get the box home (leading to some annoying situations), this isn't usually the case with Skechers, providing you've measured your feet and chosen the right size.
We mentioned earlier that Skechers offer a category of “Performance” footwear. This sounds great, and it's definitely their premium collection, and items in this brand area promise a lot for sports and fashion lovers. But are they worth paying extra?
That depends on what you intend to use them for. Performance products are designed to be used in specific situations, and they function really well for their specified use. For instance, there's the Skechers GO Walk collection, which features 5GEN midsole cushioning, and have been balanced for walking long distances.
Then there are designs like the GO Run 600, which feature Nite Owl technology – a kind of “photo-reactive” trim which lights up automatically when the light grows dim, helping runners to stay visible if they are on the roads in the evening.
There's also the GO Golf collection. As their name suggests, these shoes are totally geared up for golfers, with high-grip soles, breathable uppers, nice amounts of flex, and the kind of smartness that golf clubs demand.
Fundamentally. Skechers Performance products are great for people who know that they will get full use out of them, or for fashion fans who need to look their best when they are running or heading to the gym. But for most of us, they are a slightly enhanced version of slightly cheaper generic Skechers, and we'll do just fine with the company's core collection.
Skechers also offer a customer loyalty club, which true fans will want to get involved with. Called Skechers Elite, the club lets you earn points every time you make a purchase on the Skechers Online Store. When you've earned sufficient points, you can cash them in the reward tokens, lowering the cost of your next purchase. So it's a neat option for repeat purchasers.
Bargain hunters should also be aware that Skechers Elite members receive access to exclusive offers that only members can see. And there are also members-only contests with branded prizes. If you want to maximise your chances of saving money on Skechers discounts, being a member is a must.
Another great money-saving measure is to make sure your Skechers shoes stay in peak condition for as long as possible. Thankfully, caring for premium footwear isn't that hard, but it does take some tender loving care, and not all owners bother to do so. Here are some things to bear in mind:
Silicone spray is your friend – Many Skechers designs come with mesh uppers which make them breathable when the weather turns hot. But this mesh can become less effective and unsightly if dirt accumulates over time. Using a silicone spray helps to avoid this, and helps to maintain the water repellent qualities of the mesh.
Avoid mixing washing machines and mesh – If your footwear features any amount of mesh, never be tempted to run them through a washing machine cycle. That's a sure-fire way to ruin the look and properties of the finely engineered mesh.
Buy a soft brush – Suede Skechers are a little more fragile than most, and it's easy to ruin their appealing texture. To wipe off surface dirt, use a soft brush and be gentle. If there are any nastier stains to remove, look for specialist suede cleaning products and do not use the washing machine under any circumstances.
Handwash Performance models – Premium Performance models need to be hand-washed with cold water and a sponge or soft towel. You can also get away with using a mild detergent. Afterwards, avoid using a tumble dryer to dry them more quickly. Instead, leave them to dry naturally (if slowly) and you'll avoid any damage.
Sometimes, you'll find listings for second hand Skechers, or models at suspiciously low prices. In these cases, there's a good chance you've stumbled upon a great deal, but it's also possible that someone is trying to sell counterfeit footwear on the sly.
Firstly, eBay reviews are your friend. Whenever you find an amazing deal on the online exchange, the first thing you should do is check the seller's feedback. Often, people selling knock offs will have awful feedback, which doesn't bother them if they are selling a one-off job lot of fake trainers. But it should bother you.
Aside from that, you'll need to look carefully at the shoes themselves. Is the Skechers logo neatly stitched and the right colour? Is the memory foam sole the same width as the upper, or does the upper hang over the edge a little bit? This really matters as tiny discrepancies can render footwear really uncomfortable and cause it to become damaged in no time.
When you receive a pair of Skechers and are concerned about their authenticity, check the tag. It should have comprehensive information about the make and model, the place and year of production. And it should have a serial number, too. If it doesn't, then something isn't right, and you may need to take the issue up with your retailer.
The best way to avoid getting scammed while also getting a pair of Skechers cheaply is to buy from trusted right here on hotukdeals. We'll alert you when top merchants like Amazon are offering flash deals on Skechers, so you won't have to resort to buying from potentially dodgy merchants.
If you need a sturdy, comfortable pair of work shoes, some new trainers, flip-flops for a beach break, or performance running shoes, Skechers footwear will fit the bill. But with prices generally over the £50 mark (and over £100 for most Performance models), saving cash is really important. So how can you find a pair of cheap Skechers when shopping online?
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Timing your purchase or waiting for a Skechers sale is an excellent way to save money when buying a new pair of shoes. When Black Friday or the New Year sales arrive, you can be sure that Skechers will plummet in price. Just log onto the hotukdeals Skechers listings and you won't miss a single deal.
Skechers is one of the world's most popular footwear brands. Whether it's high-performance golf shoes, everyday trainers, holiday flip-flop sandals or work shoes for outdoor jobs, Skechers has a huge selection of outstanding shoes. If you want to find any of their brands and designs, you can do so for less by checking out the Skechers hotukdeals listings.
