If you’re looking for a go-to shoe for everything from daily walks to power walk workouts or just running errands, keep on reading! Designed with flat feet and overpronators in mind, the Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit brings comfort and support where it counts.
To be completely transparent, I’ve never really been a big fan of the Skechers brand. They debuted in 1992, and for whatever reason the fit was always off when I would try on a pair. Plus, they always seemed to be more about style than substance, so I’ve essentially ignored them for decades.
But after I went to The Running Event in Austin last year and saw their enormous booth that featured shoes for every kind of lifestyle and performance type, I thought I might want to give them another try sometime.
So when the chance came to test out the Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit, I was curious. I love a shoe that can do a little bit of everything, and this one promised comfort, support, and breathability for daily walks and more.
So would the Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit change my mind about the brand? The answer is yes and I’m excited to tell you why.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Walking workouts: Yes, this shoe is going to provide the support you need to pick up to that power walking pace.
- Wide feet: The extra wide version of this shoe can easily accommodate feet of any size.
- Standing all day: As a bigger guy, these offer a great combo of cushion and stability.
- Everyday wear: Perfect to wear for any on-the-go activity.
The Skechers Arch Fit was designed to do: contour to your arch and distribute weight across the foot. I guess the 20 years of data and 120,000 foot scans paid off!
Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit Overview
The Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit was designed to deliver all-day comfort and support, especially for people who need a little extra help from their shoes. That includes walkers with flat feet, overpronators, or anyone on their feet for long hours.
Skechers teamed up with podiatrists to create the Arch Fit insole system, using 20 years of data and over 120,000 foot scans to build a shoe that supports natural alignment, disperses weight evenly, and reduces pressure points.
The goal? A shoe that feels good whether you’re walking for exercise, standing all day, or just moving through your everyday routine.
While these shoes are a bit bulky and aren’t really my style, I didn’t mind wearing them around to walk my dog, run errands, take walks with friends and jaunt around my neighborhood.
Overall, these shoes lived up to every claim on the box and would make a great everyday walking shoe for folks who want to put in a few miles every day and get their 10,000+ steps in.
We wouldn’t recommend lacing these up for running, but if you get stuck in a pinch, they wouldn’t be the worst option.
Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit Specs
Let’s take a look at some of the details:
- Weight: 12 oz Men’s, 11 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 36 mm
- Heel Drop: 8.6 mm
- Available in 5 colors
- Available in medium. wide and extra wide
- Available on Zappos.com for around $100 depending on features
Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit
In general, the Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit are really comfortable shoes. The material is soft yet sturdy, and you can tell that it was designed for consistent, everyday use.
It runs true to size for most people, but if you’re between sizes or prefer a snugger fit, you might consider sizing down just slightly. It’s also available in wide and extra-wide options, which makes it a solid choice for a variety of foot shapes.
The shoe’s mesh material is lightweight, breathable and promotes a lot of airflow throughout. I never once felt my feet getting too warm, even in the warmer spring weather we’re having in the Kansas City area these days.
Plus, it gives the shoe a more modern, sporty look that works just as well with athleisure as it does with workout gear.
The Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit features a heel pull tab that makes it easier to slip the shoes on and off, especially helpful if you’re in a hurry or dealing with a snug fit. While not a standout feature, it’s a thoughtful touch that adds to the shoe’s overall ease of use.
For this review, we tested the lace-up version of the Max Cushioning Arch Fit—but if you’re all about convenience, Skechers also offers the same exact shoe in a hands-free slip-on design. Same cushion, same support, just easier to slide into and go!
Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit Feel
The fit of the Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit is roomy and relaxed, especially through the toe box, which gives your toes plenty of space to splay naturally while walking.
The built-in Arch Fit system provides noticeable support through the midfoot without feeling too stiff or intrusive. It hugs your foot in a comfortable way, offering stability without being overly structured.
Also, the weight-dispersing tech in the insoles meant that I always felt a very even pressure throughout the shoe. As I’ve mentioned in past reviews, I’ve suffered from peroneal tendinitis in the past, so even weight distribution is always a plus.
If you’ve got flat feet, this shoe is going to feel like it was made for you. As soon as you slip it on, you’ll notice that built-in support doing its job.
And for anyone who overpronates, that extra arch structure and foam give you just the right amount of control and comfort, whether you’re heading out for a long walk or just spending hours on your feet.
The outsoles are made of Goodyear Performance rubber, and the traction felt great. To keep the weight of the shoe down, the design has rubber patches where you need it the most- the heel and forefoot.
It’s been a bit rainy around here lately, and the grip on the ground was always incredibly stable. I never took these out on a trail, but they handled the uneven, soggy ground of my local parks with ease.
Apparently this Goodyear rubber is designed to resist flattening and abrasion, without feeling overly stiff. That mix is pretty attractive for an everyday walking shoe, and it’s easy to feel when you’re handling the shoe for the first time. The black treads are very sturdy and almost rugged like a tire, while the rest of the white sole feels soft and springy.
This durability is also due to the ULTRA GO foam that Skechers has developed to provide a soft, cushioned midsole that’s bouncy, responsive, and made to last.
And the proof is in the pudding because I didn’t notice any significant wear after testing them for a couple of weeks. I walked in these nearly every day on pavement, and so far nothing sticks out as a weak spot.
Durable and comfortable? Yes, please!
The only drawback to the Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit is they’re not lightweight due to the amount of foam in the sole. In fact, they’re relatively heavy at 12 ounces.
They didn’t feel particularly heavy to me, but they might to the casual walker. I’m a heavier runner with bigger legs, so a sturdier, heavier shoe doesn’t bother me.
Overall, it’s designed for comfort and support, not a locked-down performance feel, perfect for walking and all-day wear.
Go find them in a variety of sizes and colors right now on Zappos >>
Similar Shoes To Skechers Max Cushioning Arch Fit
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- On Cloudtilt – Great casual appearance, but enough cushion to walk all day.
- Mount to Coast R1 – Moderate cushion that lasts a long time for all day on your feet.
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- KURU Atom 2 – A great walking shoe for folks with Plantar Fasciitis.
Who Tried It?
Hi, I’m Justin Gardner, one of those “5k a day” runners you’ll find in the middle of the pack at your local Turkey Trot. I began my running journey over a decade ago when some coworkers wanted to enter a 5K race for charity, and I thought it’d be fun to join. Little did I know that my competitive side would kick in and I’d finish 11th in a 500 person race with a 5k time of 19:55.
After that, I was hooked, and my journey has led me to a lifelong love of getting out on the roads and trails of Missouri and Kansas.
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