Asics shoes tend to be on the pricey side, but many runners report getting hundreds of kilometers out of a single pair. Plus, the company offers a wide selection of technologies to keep you comfortable during your runs.
Asics’ Gel technology absorbs the shock of your feet hitting the ground, while FF BLAST and ECO cushioning boost energy return. This is especially beneficial for long distances, when your legs may feel heavier and less responsive.
Comfort
In addition to gel cushioning that helps reduce the impact of your foot on the ground, Asics shoes offer other comfort features. For example, a layer of Asics’ proprietary high-density foam is placed under the arch in the Gel-Nimbus shoe to provide a cushy feel. This feature is particularly important if you have plantar fasciitis, which can be exacerbated by the pressure of your foot on the ground as it transitions from the heel to the toe. The Gel-Nimbus also has a high stack height, meaning there’s more padding between your foot and the ground for added support.
The Cumulus series is another comfort-focused Asics line. This year’s shoe keeps its classic look and offers a few updates, including a newer version of the gel-cushioning midsole. The latest version uses FlyteFoam Blast+ foam and is lighter and softer than the previous version. The Cumulus is a great option for beginners or heavier runners worried about the impact of running, or anyone who wants a stable yet comfortable shoe.
Asics’ flagship trainer, the GT-2000, is a top choice for daily training and recovery runs. It balances stability and comfort, winning a 2025 Runner’s World Shoe Award. The shoe’s heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm is ideal for most runners, although beginners may prefer a lower or higher drop depending on their comfort level.
Asics is also known for its bouncy shoes, such as the Novablast road running shoe. The newest iteration of this shoe, the Novablast 5, is lighter and more responsive than its predecessors thanks to the updated midsole. The new material, FF Blast Max, is said to be one of Asics’ most energetic foams. The combination of a plush ride and springy energy return is the holy grail of running shoe technology, as well as the kind of shoe that SELF recommends for easy recovery runs, tempo workouts, or long training miles.
While Asics’ shoes are known for their comfort, it’s still important to try on a pair before you buy them. The best way to find a comfortable fit is to shop online, visit your local running store or stop by a Shoe Carnival to try on sneakers. Then you’ll be ready to hit the road with your new Asics shoes.
Durability
In addition to having a comfortable ride, Asics running shoes are known for lasting well over hundreds of miles. They’re typically designed to last 600 or more miles, though they’ll eventually wear out after that point if you run hard or long. If you notice that your shoes have lost some of their cushioning or support, you should consider getting a new pair as soon as possible. This will help protect your feet and avoid injury.
It’s important to know that the durability of a shoe can change over time, depending on your weight, height and running style. If you’re a heavier runner, your shoes will wear down more quickly than average because they will take on more impact. You’ll also need to replace your shoes more often if you’re a longer distance runner. It’s best to visit a specialist running store with a knowledgeable consultant and bring your old pair of shoes with you so they can recommend the best shoes for your specific needs.
ASICS offers a variety of technologies to make their shoes more durable. For example, GEL technology absorbs the shock of each step and helps you stay comfortable over long distances. FF BLAST and ECO foam offer cushioning that’s both soft and responsive, while engineered mesh uppers provide breathability and adapt to the shape of your foot for a secure fit.
The Asics Nimbus 26 is an excellent example of the brand’s dedication to durable running shoes. The latest version of this shoe fully embraces the maximalist trend in running, with a stack height that’s a skyscraper high at 40.4 mm in the heel. We tested this model with our durometer, and the softer foam felt plush without excessive sink. That’s perfect for easy to moderate runs, but it’s not ideal for anything fast that requires more energy return from the midsole.
The Gel-Kayano 32 is another example of how Asics is focused on creating a durable running shoe that offers stability. This shoe’s design is similar to the neutral Gel-Nimbus 27, but it has extra features to support overpronators – runners who roll their foot inward too much on landing. Its FF BLAST and ECO foam and 4D GUIDANCE SYSTEM help control the foot’s movement while also providing soft cushioning. The shoes are also made to be long-lasting, with a multidirectional lug pattern and durable AHAR rubber outsole that offer reliable traction over rugged terrain.
Stability
Stability is a big concern for many runners, especially beginners who are concerned about the impact of running on their feet and ankles. Asics shoes are designed with stability features to mitigate overpronation, which can put excess strain on muscles, ligaments and tendons. They also use a curved rocker bottom that helps you roll forward with each footfall to keep your feet from getting too jarred at contact.
Some of Asics’ stability shoes include the Glideride Max, which has a high stack of foam to make sure you get the maximum cushioning possible. This shoe also uses a new type of cushioning, FlyteFoam Blast Max, which is thinner and more bouncier than the original version, so it provides a more pillowy feel with less of that energy-return bounce that some runners find distracting on long runs.
The Gel-Kayano 32 is another popular stability shoe, with a wider base and higher sidewalls of foam to help you stay grounded in the shoes. This model also includes a beveled heel and wider midsole, plus spongy medial posts that cradle your foot and reduce the pressure of each step on your arch. Asics calls this design “adaptive stability,” meaning the shoes activate support only when needed. This is a much less prescriptive approach than the stability shoes of yesteryear, which were often bulky and rigid.
A couple of other shoes worth considering for stability are the Sky Paris and Metaspeed Edge Paris, which feature a similar curved rocker bottom to maximize your comfort as you push off each stride. Both have plenty of bouncy, compressible cushioning in the midsole, and they also use a lightweight carbon fiber plate that’s designed to help stabilize your foot when you’re pushing off the ground.
If you’re looking for an everyday running shoe that will give you major versatility without costing you a fortune, the Asics Novablast road shoes are an excellent choice. “I love that the Novablast has just enough cushion to make easy runs and recovery runs feel smooth,” Laura Norris, CPT and RRCA-certified run coach at Runner’s World, tells SELF. “It also has a lot of cushioning for longer distances, making it a great pick for tempo or long runs.”
Performance
Asics was founded more than 75 years ago and has a sterling reputation for well-built, dependable running shoes. The brand’s legacy models (like the Gel-Nimbus, Gel-Cumulus, and Gel-Kayano) are still staples of its training lineup. However, the decades-old company has also been developing new shoes that experiment with dynamic cushioning foams and other exciting technology. The Novablast 5 is a prime example—it’s got enough shock absorption to handle everyday miles but also returns plenty of springy energy on hard workouts and long runs. It’s a 2025 Runner’s World Shoe Award winner for a reason.
If you’re looking for a more minimalist feel, there are plenty of options from Asics as well. The Asics GEL-Nimbus 18 and 21 are ultralight, stable shoes that provide a close-to-the-ground feel with a bit of cushioning to protect your feet. The Asics GEL-Kayano 17 is another great option, offering a soft feel with plenty of stability to support your feet on the go.
The Asics Metafuji Trail is another must-see model. It’s built with a skyscraper-high stack of FlyteFoam Blast+ and FlyteFoam Turbo foams with an embedded full-length carbon fiber plate, which creates a surprisingly fast ride for such a large shoe. The Metafuji Trail also boasts a unique rocker midsole that helps it manage to be both a comfortable high-mileage trainer and a more robust race-day shoe.
Asics’s extensive line of shoes makes it easy to find the perfect pair for your next run, no matter what type of runner you are or how far you’re going. If you’re a beginner in search of a stable, everyday trainer, the Gel-Nimbus and Gel-Cumulus are excellent choices. On the other hand, if you’re an experienced marathoner seeking a speedy race-day shoe, Asics’ Metaspeed Edge and Sky are top choices. The brand’s elite X-series models are a good choice for those who want to compete at the highest level in any distance from 10K to the marathon. The X-series is designed with input from Asics’s professional athletes, making it the closest thing to running in a custom-made pair. It’s worth the extra cost for many runners.