ASICS Gel Contend 9 review

We've thoroughly tested the Gel Contend 9 in the lab, and recommend it for:

• Beginners seeking a multi-use shoe that handles daily wear and light running or jogging effortlessly.
• Those wanting a solid, cost-effective trainer that delivers excellent value without compromising on quality.
• Runners with a neutral gait who need a dependable shoe for distances up to 15K.

We've observed that the Gel Contend 9 lacks significant forefoot cushioning, which we think is not the best for runners tackling longer distances. We suggest considering the Saucony Axon 3—this shoe not only meets budget-friendly expectations but also delivers a substantial foam underfoot for enhanced comfort during long runs.

Moreover, in our lab tests, the Gel Contend 9 fell short on bounciness, which might be a concern for those looking for a more responsive ride. We believe there are better choices available, such as the Nike Pegasus 41 or the Adidas Adizero SL2. While these options might be a tad pricier, they're worth the investment if you care about energy return.

When we unbox a shoe in the lab and see large ventilation holes, we're pretty confident it will offer good airflow.

True to form, the Gel Contend 9's mesh upper offers fantastic ventilation compared to many shoes that cost even twice as much. We rated it at 4 out of 5!

Not long ago, finding such a high-ventilation upper in a budget-friendly shoe seemed unimaginable. However, advancements in technology and manufacturing now allow for such features at an affordable price. It's impressive how light streams through it!

Using our microscope, we discovered how ASICS achieved this score—by integrating numerous openings in the engineered mesh to efficiently expel hot air and moisture from the toebox.

We also noted that the shoe's rear is exceptionally well-padded, ensuring outstanding comfort. Hands down, this upper could easily pass for one found in a $150 shoe, or at least we think so.

Unfortunately, our tests also revealed that the upper's durability significantly suffered. We found that the Dremel quickly tore through the mesh, resulting in a significant hole that unsurprisingly earned a low score of 1 out of 5.

If durability isn't usually a concern and you value breathability, this trade-off might be worth it. If you tend to wear holes in your shoes' uppers, consider the ASICS Gel Excite 10 as a robust alternative.

Following a disappointing result in the toebox durability, we were eager for a rebound in heel padding—a critical area for many runners.

To our delight, this feature exceeded our expectations, earning a perfect 5-out-of-5 score that's truly impressive!

The outsole of the Contend is designed with ample rubber coverage in critical areas and includes several cutouts in the forefoot, making the shoe more flexible and comfortable for daily wear.

We tested the rubber's hardness with our Shore C durometer and recorded a high 86.0 HC score, which is typical for budget-friendly shoes. Often, brands compromise slightly on grip to enhance durability.

Speaking of durability, let’s dive into our signature test, pushing the rubber to its limits with the final appearance of our Dremel tool.

The results showed a bit more damage at 1.2 mm than is typical for such hard rubber. However, it’s nothing too concerning.

To offset the outsole's below-average toughness, ASICS generously incorporated a substantial 4.1 mm of rubber beneath the midsole, ensuring maximum protection. We found that this strategic addition helps to adequately extend the shoe's lifespan, and it's exactly the same thickness from its predecessor.

While the shoe remains largely unchanged from last year's version, the weight has increased slightly from 9.2 oz (260g) to 9.7 oz (275g), mainly due to minor enhancements in the upper to boost comfort.

Is it worth the trade-off? That depends on your preferences. However, the increase is so minimal—just 0.5 oz (15g)—that it’s unlikely you’ll notice it while running. Certainly, we haven't, and the Contend still remains under the 10-oz benchmark, which is notable.

The Gel Contend 8 features a moderate level of cushioning suitable for a daily running shoe.

We measured its heel stack at 31.1 mm, which is just below average but complements the shoe's versatile and nimble design well.

The forefoot of the Gel Contend 9 measures at 23.4 mm, a bit thinner than the typical models we evaluate in our lab. Consequently, we feel it may not be the best choice for midfoot and forefoot strikers seeking a highly-cushioned ride.

The Gel Contend 9 is designed with an 8-mm heel-to-toe drop, and our precise measurements in the lab showed a very close 7.8 mm, highlighting the Japanese manufacturing precision we've come to expect from ASICS.

This drop is widely regarded as the most adaptable, suitable for all types of footstrikes, making it an ideal choice for this shoe.

The insole, made from EVA, has a comfortable 5.0 mm thickness—cushioned and effective for everyday use.

We've seen transitions like FF Blast to FF Blast+ in the Novablast 4, and FF Turbo to FF Turbo+ in the Superblast 2. Now, the Gel Contend 9 introduces us to Amplifoam+.

The updates are subtle yet significant. The previous Amplifoam midsole was somewhat firmer than ideal, but we're pleased to report that the new Amplifoam+ measures 21.6 HA, a standard hardness that complements this moderately stacked shoe well. 

As for energy return, set your expectations accordingly. It's essentially a basic EVA midsole that performs adequately for its price point. For enhanced performance, a higher investment is necessary.

To evaluate how Amplifoam+ fares in colder conditions, we conducted our usual test by placing the foam in a freezer for 20 minutes before measuring its softness again with our durometer. The outcome was quite good for an EVA foam, showing only a 24.3% uptick. Nice!

As you may have noticed, the "Gel" in the name Gel Contend 9 signifies the inclusion of ASICS's proprietary technology. However, it's not the modern PureGEL found in the Kayano 31 or the Nimbus 26, nor is it the classic GEL that was visible outside the midsole in older ASICS designs like the Gel Pulse 13.

Instead, ASICS has incorporated a small piece of GEL inside the heel. And to be honest with you, this feature feels to us more like a gimmick since the layer is so thin that it's hardly noticeable.

For a budget-friendly daily trainer, we were pleasantly surprised to discover a gentle toe spring. This feature makes the shoe particularly appealing for those seeking extra assistance during toe-off, without the need for a maximalist or plated shoe.

Let's discuss stability. We observed that the GC9 retains reasonable steadiness for its height. And even though the midsole is softer, it effectively compensates to provide the same level of stability as its predecessor thanks to a broader landing base.

In our view, it's a safe bet for neutral runners. But those requiring more stability might find a better fit with a mild-stability shoe such as the ASICS GT 1000 13.

The Gel Contend 9 is best described as an average shoe. It seems like ASICS played it very safe with this design in every way. And the shoe’s torsional rigidity, or twist resistance, also scores a middle-of-the-road 3 out of 5, showing it’s pretty standard in that area too.

The heel counter was firmer than we anticipated for a daily running shoe at 4/5, yet this wasn't surprising since it remains unchanged from its predecessor. Heel strikers will appreciate this feature, as it provides a more secure lockdown in this area.

The trend of crafting an average shoe continues with the midsole dimensions of the GC9. We measured the forefoot at 115.7 mm, a significant increase from the previous model's 109.5 mm.

This modification, as we discussed earlier, stems from the need for a wider base to support the softer midsole, enhancing stability. As we proved, ASICS has expanded it by 6 mm, which works great for balancing softness with support.

The heel width has increased from 91.4 mm to 93.4 mm in this version. Despite the wider design, it maintains the look and feel of a regular shoe and isn’t cumbersome at all.

We previously noted the large cutouts in the Gel Contend 9's forefoot, which contribute to its exceptionally low stiffness.

In our 90-degree bend test, it registered just 16.1N—far below average—making this shoe perfect for walking, running errands, or wearing to work, especially given its affordable price and lifestyle-friendly look.

We performed another cold-temperature test by placing the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and then measuring its flexibility. The flexibility test showed a requirement of 19.8N, indicating a 23% increase in stiffness—a performance that is impressively good for an EVA midsole.

We measured a spacious 100.3 mm across the widest part of the toebox, making the shoe an excellent choice for those with wide feet.

Additionally, for those needing substantial volume inside the toebox, there's more good news—it boasts enough vertical room, and ASICS offers this model in wide sizes in select markets too!

We also measured the toebox width around the big toe at 78.6 mm using calipers here in the lab.

This standard taper should comfortably fit most, presenting no significant issues if typical shoes generally suit you.

Given the shoe's very affordable price, it didn't surprise us that ASICS chose a non-gusseted tongue. Luckily, there's a tongue loop that somewhat helps to keep it in place while running.

One issue some runners had with the Gel Contend 8 was the scant padding in the tongue—only 3.9 mm for a daily trainer. That's definitely on the low end of the spectrum.

ASICS has addressed this in the updated 9th edition, boosting it to 6.9 mm. This enhancement makes it a much more comfortable option for your instep, no matter how tightly you tie those laces.

The Gel Contend 9 introduces a handy finger-loop heel tab—an unexpected feature for a budget-friendly shoe, absent in its previous version. We were particularly happy with this enhancement, as it’s a rare find in more affordable models!

Swapping out the insole from the Gel Contend 9 is effortlessly simple. Although manufactured by Ortholite, the sockliner itself is quite basic—you won’t lose much by replacing it.

The Gel Contend 9 is attractively priced at the lower end of the market—a truly budget-friendly gem despite durability concerns. We're relieved that, even with recent price hikes, this shoe maintains an accessible MSRP, making it an interesting choice in challenging economic times.

We found that the Gel Contend 9 offers solid value for its low price, so we're content (pun intended!) that ASICS chose not to include reflective elements, although discovering some would have been a delightful bonus.