When a new pair of Skechers lands on my desk, my expectations are usually high. The Aero Spark truly impressed me. The Aero Burst also left a good mark. So, when the Skechers Aero Tempo arrived, I was ready for something special. Sadly, my excitement turned into a bit of a mixed bag. This shoe had so much promise, but it felt like it stopped halfway to greatness. Perhaps my hopes were too high because the Spark and Burst set such a strong standard. This model is also the priciest of the three. For its cost, I expected a similar level of performance. It wasn’t quite there. The Aero Tempo isn’t a bad shoe; far from it. It just doesn’t quite hit the mark.
This model clearly aims for speed. It weighs in at a light 235 grams. It also has a low 4mm drop, with the heel at 37mm and the forefoot at 33mm. Everything about it screams ‘racer,’ from its look to how it feels on your foot. Take the upper, for instance. If you like an aggressive design, especially in this vibrant reddish color, you’ll be pleased. The material is super breathable, almost like a thin plastic. Yet, it hugs the foot perfectly without ever feeling too tight. At the heel, the design stays minimal. Small sponge cushions prevent any annoying rubbing. This part is a complete win!
The midsole is where the real magic should happen. Skechers uses their special HYPER BURST foam here. They combine it with the same clever setup found in their other fast shoes. This means a full-length carbon plate, designed with two ‘wings.’ The foam gives you that basic energy return. The plate adds extra responsiveness and keeps things stable. In fact, this is one of the most stable racing-style shoes I’ve tested all year.
On paper, this combination sounds amazing, and in practice, it does work. But in a world where these kinds of setups usually deliver explosive energy, the Tempo falls short. You get some energy back, sure, but it’s nothing to write home about. The ride feels smooth, yes, but that exciting ‘wow’ feeling is missing. It works well for training runs, even the faster ones. However, it just doesn’t quite measure up for what I’d want in a serious race-day shoe. It almost feels like I have to do all the work myself. The shoe doesn’t give me much extra push. Is it fun to wear? Yes. But for a shoe that costs 170 euros, it’s not exactly groundbreaking.
What is groundbreaking, or at least fantastic, is the outsole. Once again, Skechers uses the Goodyear compound. This material is easily one of the best on the market. It stands right up there with Continental or PUMA Grip. I still believe this compound is widely underrated. Its grip is incredible, whether on dry roads or wet ones. Plus, it’s seriously durable. It uses tire technology, and it performs like a top-tier tire.
So, when you look at the big picture, the Skechers Aero Tempo is just what I said. It’s a missed opportunity. If this is a step towards a much better second version, I’ll be here to see it. But if Skechers just repeats this exact formula, then I think they’ve missed their chance. Or, maybe, they’re cooking up an "Aero Racer" version for us? If that’s the plan, then all is forgiven.