SKORA Phase Review

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Joshua Heckathorn | 9 Comments

Skora Phase

SKORA charged into the minimalist running shoe scene in late 2011 when it released the SKORA Base and SKORA Form, which were immediately met with both praise and skepticism by shoe nerds all over the web. Like most new running shoes, some hated the fit while others loved it, some loved the design while others thought they looked weirdly futuristic, and many scoffed at the price tag.

Born to Run has been a huge proponent of SKORA's unique products right from the start, as they are all lightweight, zero-drop shoes with an anatomical last that promote good running form. And that's what matters most to us!

Unfortunately, others have chosen to simply focus on the $185 price tag of the Form and then proceed to write off the brand as an elitist running shoe that's way too expensive for the average runner. If you happen to fall into this category and have avoided giving SKORA a chance, I'd like to introduce you to the new 2013 SKORA Phase, which just hit Born to Run's shelves and online store last week. It's priced at a more moderate $110, and may be the perfect opportunity for you to finally give this new brand a chance. Who knows, you may love them as much as we do!

We received our first shipment of the SKORA Phase on Thursday last week, so I was excited to take a pair out on Friday morning for a 7-mile tempo run around South Lake Union in Seattle. Here are my first impressions, with some specific comparisons to the SKORA Form.

PROS

Much wider toe box: One of my main complaints about the Form was that it wasn't wide enough in the toe box. SKORA has clearly fixed this issue with the Phase, as my toes had plenty of room and felt free to move naturally.
Better ground feel: The new Injection Blown Rubber (IBR) outsole is designed to offer better "abrasion resistance, grip and compression-set than injected EVA with lower density and weight than rubber". Translation: The Phase has great ground feel (much better than the Form), superb grip on the wet Seattle roads, and the sole feels extremely durable. I expect to get well over 500 miles on the roads in mine.
Zero drop with 8mm stack height: Yank out the 3mm anti-microbial sockliner and you're left with an 8mm stack height, which is 1mm lower to the ground than the Form.
Light and flexible: At 7.2 ounces, the Phase is the lightest shoe in the SKORA line (an ounce lighter than the Form). It's also the most flexible SKORA I've run in, and in many ways feels like a racing flat.
Beautiful design: I think the SKORA Form is a sharp shoe, and I wear it casually all the time. The design of the Phase is equally impressive for a lower-priced shoe that lacks the unique goatskin leather upper found in the Form. SKORA's attention to design detail continues to shines through with the Phase, and this will be a shoe that definitely attracts looks from bystanders around town. Mine already have. Seriously— how many of your running shoes can you say that about?

Skora Phase

CONS

Rounded heel: I understand that SKORA is copying the shape of the foot with the rounded heel (as shown in the pic below), but to me it makes the shoe feel a bit unstable at times. It's not reallly noticeable when running with good form, as you should be in this shoe, but it may bother some people when wearing the shoe casually.
Loose fit in heel: I wear an 8.5 in most shoes and tested an 8.5 in the Phase as well. The fit felt right through the midfoot and toe box, but I personally found myself wanting the fit around the heel to be a bit more snug. That said, I didn't experience rubbing or friction in the heel area that was annoying in any way.

Skora Phase

The BTR Take

If you're looking for a new minimalist road running shoe to add to your Spring rotation, I really recommend giving the SKORA Phase a try. They're light, flexible, extremely well made, priced at a more competitive $110, and they look good too! If you're anything like me, you'll be surprised when you find yourself cleaning off mud and dirt from the shoe so you can wear them out to dinner after your workout! To me, that's something that really separates SKORA from its competitors. I can't say that about any other running shoe I've ever owned.

For more product specifications and maufacturer pics, check out our product page for the SKORA Phase and consider ordering a pair for yourself today with free shipping anywhere in the United States. And if you're already running in the Phase, we want to hear what you think, so please leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.

About the Author: Joshua Heckathorn is an avid rock climber, mountain runner, and co-owner of Born to Run. When not glued to the screen of his Mac, you'll find him running trails in the Issaquah Alps and scaling the Exit 38 crags. Current shoe rotation: Altra Superior, New Balance MT00, and SKORA Phase.

Posted in Shoe Reviews, SKORA

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9 Responses

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June 14, 2013

I got my pair of Phases yesterday and took them out for a very brief four mile run to test them out. I was overall very pleased with them—I felt like a deer. The toe box was ample and I was especially pleased with the rounded sole—I had tried on the Merrell Dash a week ago and was horrifed at the nearly 90-degree angle of the outer sole against the ground. What kind of minimalist construction is that? The Skoras are much better.

That said, I do have one tiny complaint about my particular pair. On the right heel, when sewing in that fake leathery material with the pin-sized holes, one edge of the material was slightly folded in on itself when the stitches went through. This means that the fold in the fabric was held in place by the sewing, making for a slight rise in the fabric of the heel. It rubs something awful after a few miles.

I don’t suppose you have any ideas as to how to amend this? Vaseline? A band-aid taped to the inside of the shoe? It produces some rather bad blisters at the moment.

Joshua Heckathorn

March 21, 2013

Thanks for your comment Kyle. And I agree, a large flared heel would certainly not be ideal either.

I’m curious- what do see as the main differentiators between the Core and Phase, since I assume you’ve tested both already?

Kyle Kranz

March 21, 2013

I’m wearing the Core right now. Granted, I don’t heel strike while running, but even while walking I have never felt a rounded heel was an issue. I do however, feel a large positive flared heel would cause me significant discomfort, even if it was on a zero drop shoe.

Joshua Heckathorn

March 19, 2013

The Core and Phase are both built on a new platform, which SKORA calls the R02. They both have the same stack height (8mm without the insole, 11mm with insole), and are essentially the same shoe except the Core has a goat-leather outer layer and the Phase is a completely synthetic mesh. That makes the Phase even lighter and more flexible than the Core.

Unlike the Core, which does have a mesh liner, the Form is completely leather and built on the R01 platform with a higher stack height. The Base is built on the same platform, but doesn’t have laces, and the upper has stretch mesh above the toe box.

If you want the lightest and most flexible option that brings you the closest to the ground, go with the Phase. But if you don’t mind a bit more weight and happen to love the look and feel of the goat leather, the Core is awesome too.

Nick

March 19, 2013

What are the differences between the Skora product lines now? This model looks interesting, is it the same as the CORE without goatskin? What is the difference between this CORE and FORM? Any help is appreciated.

Joshua Heckathorn

March 18, 2013

Allen- it’s definitely not a target for heel striking! :-)

Joshua Heckathorn

March 18, 2013

Thanks Nick- look forward to checking out your review as well. Glad to hear you haven’t had any issues with the rounded heel when wearing the Phase casually. I doubt it will be something that bothers many people.

Nick Pang

March 18, 2013

You can check out our full review at:

http://minimalistrunningshoes.org/skora-launches-groundbreaking-ss13-collection

No problem with the heel though as I don’t heel strike running. Wore both PHASE and CORE for casual and walking and have no problems either…

Allen

March 18, 2013

What’s the circle on the heel with the dot in it?

SKORA Phase Review

PROS