Skechers D’Lites Reviewed

9.0
9.0 score
[Editors rating (9.0) + Users rating (8.8)] / 2 = (WalkJogRun) score (9.0)/10


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Editor rating: 9.0 / 10
User's rating: based on 5 user ratings
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The Skechers D’Lites offers great traction, flexible construction and excellent comfort in their D’Lites, all the while not skimping on style. This retro 90s sneaker is a great choice for gym workouts, jogging, running track or if you want to spice up your look with a good-looking statement sneaker. Just throw this sneaker on and you are good to go.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Excellent cushioning
  • Great traction
  • Flexible construction
  • Customized cushioning
  • Stylish design
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Not very durable
  • Sizing issues
  • Lacks support

Upper

The Skechers D’Lites feature a lightweight Trubuck leather upper with breathable mesh material for optimal airflow in and out of the shoe. Synthetic overlays are incorporated for structure and support, as well as protection for the toes and heels. The D’Lites have a standard lace-up closure, which can be tightened or loosened to adjust the level of snugness for a comfortable and customized fit. The tongue and collar are lightly padded for ankle support and cushioning, without the risk of irritation from rubbing against the skin. Inside the shoe, Skechers included a soft fabric lining to help with breathability, as well as create a comfortable in-shoe feel. For an additional cooling effect, an air-cooled Memory Foam footbed has been added, which provides moderate arch support and great cushioning as well.

Breathability

Breathability in the Skechers D’Lites is achieved through its well-ventilated upper and great in-shoe materials. Namely, the upper is constructed out of Trubuck leather and soft mesh, allowing the air to move in and out of the shoe freely, creating good ventilation and temperature regulation for the feet, which is very important for workouts or long hour wearing, when the feet need to stay cool and dry to avoid irritation. Furthermore, the lining of the shoe is made of a soft fabric material, that is breathable and feels smooth against the skin, creating a comfortable in-shoe experience. The footbed contains an air-cooled Memory Foam that helps keep the feet cool during use and prevents overheating, which is quite common during intense workouts, especially in warm climates. Many reviewers found the Skechers D’Lites to be breathable enough to take on various workouts in the gym, or running, and some wear them for everyday use, often for long hours without issues regarding ventilation. However, a few users commented that they did get a bit hot in the summer, although nothing too unpleasant and they still liked the shoes.

Comfort

When it comes to comfort, the general consensus is that the Skechers D’Lites are highly comfortable to wear during various workouts, jogging, running, walking or for long hour wear, thanks to its lightweight cushioning that does not weigh down or tire out the wearer. The D’Lites feature an air-cooled Memory Foam footbed, which, in addition to its cooling properties, provides a good amount of supportive cushioning, as it molds to the shape of the feet, creating a customized cushioning experience. In addition, the soft fabric lining creates a comfortable in-shoe feel throughout use, while the lightly padded tongue and collar wrap around the ankles in a comfortable, yet supportive way. One of the features, that customers loved is the roomy toe box, which gives plenty of space for the toes to spread out comfortably. However, some reviewers remarked that the shoe is not always true to size in length, which can cause some discomfort, but sizing up should fix that issue. Another remark was that the shoe takes some breaking in before it reaches its maximum comfort level. Some reviewers who underwent foot surgeries said that this is the only shoe that provides the comfort they need, while others prefer the softer cushioning that the EVA foam provides. Nevertheless, most reviewers agree that the D’Lites are a very comfortable pair of sneakers, it just depends on the individual’s taste in cushioning.

Durability

Unfortunately, durability seems to be the downside to this sneaker. Many customers commented that the stitching in the upper came undone after only a few months of wearing. Others said that the overlays came off relatively quickly, with a few reviewers saying that the shoe fell apart right out of the box. Most reviewers, however, experienced problems with the Memory Foam footbed. Namely, it started thinning out surprisingly quickly and they had to insert additional insoles for cushioning and support. The rubber outsole also wore down prematurely, according to reviewers. While there are people who are satisfied with the durability of the D’Lites, one has to have in mind that these gym shoes are relatively inexpensive and will probably not last as long as a more expensive, heavy-duty sneaker, but will still serve well during everyday activities or light workouts.

Flexibility

The Skechers D’Lites offer a good amount of flexibility, according to reviewers. The outsole is made of a flexible rubber material with great traction, that allows the feet to flex and bend in a natural way. The lightweight Trubuck and mesh upper wraps around the feet when the laces are tied and move with the feet, not restricting them. The collar and tongue are lightly padded to provide support, but allow for free ankle movement, which is key to any workout. There was a personal trainer among the reviewers who praised the D’Lites, saying that it saved her, since she has to be on her feet and in action during most of the day, and these shoes provide the flexibility needed to help her move freely.

Traction

Thanks to its rubber outsole, the Skechers D’Lites offer a decent amount of traction to the wearer. The tread pattern on the outsole provides excellent grip on dry and wet surfaces alike, although they are best used on flat surfaces. The D’Lites will help the wearer to have a good grip on the ground and will prevent slipping and consequently, injuries induced by slipping. The traction that this shoe provides is excellent for both gym workouts, running track or simply walking around.

Protection

The Skechers D’Lites packs a decent amount of protection for its wearers. Namely, the rubber outsole creates an excellent grip and traction on the ground, dry or wet, preventing the wearer from slipping and falling. In addition, the bulky upper construction is no mistake. It serves as a great stabilizer and helps the wearer keep their balance while doing various kinds of workouts. The synthetic overlays on the toe box and heel serve a dual function: they protect against abrasions, but also help keep the toes and heels protected when the shoe bumps into something. Reviewers, in general, were satisfied with the amount of protection this sneaker offered for the activities they used it for.

Responsiveness

The Skechers D’Lites has excellent responsiveness, thanks to its Memory Foam footbed. Namely, this type of foam molds to the specific shape of the feet, cushioning and supporting where it needs to. The feet sink into the foam footbed with every footfall, and the Memory Foam bounces them back every time, providing great energy return that the wearer can utilize for a springy workout that will not tire them out.

Style

The style of the Skechers D’Lites is reminiscent to the 1990s Skechers sneakers. With retro styles making a comeback, this shoe will surely make an impression. Some refer to the D’Lites as the quintessential “dad” sneaker, meaning it is a cool “ugly” sneaker. It has a chunky design with its unusual outsole and bulky upper, that has several overlays to create dimension and an interesting look. It comes in a wide variety of color schemes and two sets of laces, so the wearer can choose which ones to pair with their sneaker. The D’Lites are an excellent choice if you want a unique looking shoe to wear to the gym or running, but they make a great everyday shoe as well. They are quite eye-catching and will make any outfit instantly more interesting and stylish. Reviewers especially liked the style of the D’Lites, as well as all the color options, and many said they want to buy more pairs in different colors.

Support

While the D’Lites offers some support to the wearer during workouts, it does not offer all that much. The rubber outsole will keep the feet stable on the ground due to their good grip and traction. The midsole has some arch support thanks to the Memory Foam in the footbed, however, if you suffer from overpronation, underpronation or supination, the D’Lites will not be supportive enough for you. However, the midsole has great shock absorbing properties, which will relieve your feet from stress, as well as protect you from injuries. The upper features synthetic overlays, that help the shoe keep its structure, as well as provide support inside the shoe when laced up. The Skechers D’Lites is overall a great sneaker, that will support you during light workouts, jogging and walking, but reviewers found that the support stops there and that the D’Lites are not meant for intense use.

Bottom Line

The Skechers D’Lites is a one of a kind sneaker thanks to its looks, but that is not all there is to it. It has excellent traction thanks to its rubber outsole. It provides a good grip on dry and wet surfaces and prevents injuries caused by slipping. The midsole features Memory Foam, which has great shock absorption, protecting the feet from the shock of impact, as well as delivering excellent energy return due to its responsive nature. The wearer can use this energy to propel themselves forward with ease and achieve springy and light movements. The upper is made of a Trubuck leather and mesh to ensure that the shoe breathes well. It also features synthetic overlays that help give the sneaker structure and support. The standard lace-up closure allows for a customizable snug fit and the tongue and collar are lightly padded for cushioning around the ankles. Inside the shoe, Skechers included an air-cooled Memory Foam footbed to help keep the temperature in the foot chamber at an optimal level and prevent overheating. Additionally, the Memory Foam serves as cushioning inside the shoe. The lining is made of soft fabric to further aid with ventilation and create a comfortable and dry in-shoe feeling. Some reviewers were very satisfied with the D’Lites regarding comfort and style, with a few saying that the shoe helped them recover after injuries, while others complained about poor durability and the lack of support. While it does seem like the D’Lites were not meant for heavy-duty wear, they will serve well for gym workouts, jogging or light track running, according to reviewers. However, if you are looking for a supportive and durable sneaker, you might want to look elsewhere.