A Guide to ASICS Road Running Shoes
What ASICS shoe is best for you? Known for the quality and comfort of both neutral and supportive daily running shoes there is a range of ASICS road running trainers to suit each need and every budget.
Below we outline the best shoes to take out for your everyday runs, including luxury comfort, durable performance and a faster training shoe that still has the durability for every use.
Supportive Daily Trainers
Gel-Kayano
Price: £ 179.99
Weight: Men’s 305g, Women’s 266g
Stack Height: Men’s 40 – 30mm, Women’s 39 -29mm
Offset: 10mm
Major Technology: 4D Guidance system, Puregel, FF Blast Plus Eco
Pronation: Over pronation/neutral
The most supportive shoe in this list, the Kayano is a legend for overpronators. It not only offers support for those that need it but provides incredible levels of comfort. Ideal for long runs at the weekend it soaks up the bumps of the road thanks to its soft PureGel in the heel and the energetic FF Blast Eco in the midsole. The new 4D support system means it is ideal for neutral runners as well as its traditional support shoe fanbase.
GT-2000
Price: £ 140
Weight: Men’s 305g, Women’s 266g
Stack Height: Men’s 36 – 28mm Women’s 35 - 27mm
Offset: 8mm
Major Technology: 3D Guidance system, Puregel, FF Blast Plus
Pronation: Over pronation/neutral
A whole lot of shoe for a great price, the GT-2000 offers durable stability with great comfort. Like the Kayano above it features PureGel in the heel for a soft and comfortable landing, but the FF Blast Plus used does not feature Biomaterial and is not as soft or bouncy. It also uses a 3D Guidance system rather than the 4D system used in the Kayano, but some of this will be offset by the lower stack height. Ideal for high mileage training.
GT-1000
Price: £ 114.99
Weight: Men’s 270g, Women’s 235g
Stack Height: Men’s 36 – 28mm, Women’s 35 - 27mm
Offset: 8mm
Major Technology: 3D guidance system, PureGel, Flytefoam
Pronation: Over pronation/neutral
Perfect for supported runs across distances below marathon length, the GT-1000 features a 3D guidance system for support, and keeps the rear foot PureGel from the shoes above for soft, cushioned landings. Flytefoam offers lightweight cushioning through the midsole, letting you log mile after mile of daily training in comfort.
Neutral Daily Trainers
Gel-Nimbus
Price: £ 179.99
Weight: Men’s 304g, Women’s 262g
Stack Height: Men’s 42 - 34mm, Women’s 41 - 33mm
Offset: 8mm
Major Technology: FF Blast Plus Eco, PureGel , Available in wide fittings
Pronation: Neutral
The luxuriously soft feel of the upper around your feet feels great, but it’s the surprisingly energetic feel and cushioned landing underfoot that make the Cumulous my favourite running shoe. A massive stack of FF Blast Plus Eco provides a bouncy feel that responds well when you want to up your pace, while the PureGel ensures cushioned landings. Ideal for long distance cruising in the lap of luxury or for runs that are more about your mental peace than setting records.
Gel-Cumulus
Price: £ 139.99
Weight: Men’s 255g, Women’s 220g
Stack Height: Men’s 38.5 – 30.5mm, Women’s 37.5 – 29.5mm
Offset: 8mm
Major Technology: PureGel, FF Blast Plus
Pronation: Neutral
Comfortable, durable and ideal for long runs, the Cumulous offers everything you could need from your daily trainer. With a smooth ride from the PureGel in the heel absorbing the shock of your landings, the FF Blast Plus is one step down from pinnacle foam but still gives an energetic and lightweight feel.
Novablast
Price: £ 139.99
Weight: Men’s 260g, Women’s 225g
Stack Height: Men’s 41.5 – 33.5mm, Women’s 40.5 – 32.5mm
Offset: 8mm
Major Technology: FF Blast Plus Eco, Trampoline inspired outsole
Pronation: Neutral
The newest addition to this list, the Novablast is the bridge between daily trainers and speed shoes. It offers enough durability to wear every day but shifts the focus from pure comfort and durability to extra bounce, lightness and speed. A trampoline inspired outsole is paired with FF Blast Plus Eco and a higher curve to the forefoot to help give you energy return with every step.
Gel-Pulse
Price: £ 99.99
Weight: Men’s 260g, Women’s 212g
Stack Height: Men’s 35 -27mm, Women’s 34 -26mm
Offset: 8mm
Major Technology: Flyefoam, Gel
Pronation: Neutral
Perfect for lots of miles, but across shorter runs, the Gel-Pulse features a more basic Flytefoam midsole than others on this list, the rearfoot gel helps absorb the impact of your landings, and you still get a lightweight and cushioned shoe ready for the daily grind. Add in a highly durable heel plug of AHAR plus rubber and a breathable engineered mesh upper and you get a great runner for £100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ASICS good to run in?
ASICS are a big name in running, with an extensive range of highly trusted shoes. From road to trail, jogging to record breaking they have a shoe for everyone that could be considered the equal of any brand on the market.
Which ASICS are best for road running?
Each shoe is designed for a different type of runner and run. In the article above we have tried to break down their uses to give you the best chance of finding your perfect partner, from the stability Kayano, GT-2000 and GT-1000, the neutral Nimbus, Cumulous and Pulse, or the quicker daily trainer of the Novablast.
What is the best shoe for road running?
Impossible to say of course, people training for record breaking attempts at the marathon distance will like a very different shoe to those that simply want to complete a parkrun, or even those competing in a local 10k. However, if you are after a luxurious ride with a little extra speed available when you need it, you can’t get much better than the Nimbus or Kayano.
What is so special about ASICS shoes?
The big draw of ASICS through the years has been their Gel technology, offering incredible impact absorption for a comfortable, cushioned ride. As foams have evolved and consumers expect a little more energy return from their shoes, ASICS have moved with the times, using a new softer PureGel for comfortable landings, and bouncy, lightweight foams for propulsion. They also create comfortable and durable daily training shoes that maximise your outlay.
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