Facts
Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who do not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with normal, high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who need mild to moderate arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a low arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overpronation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.
There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.
Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who does not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who needs arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overproanation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.
There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.
Summary
We spent 8 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:
9 reasons to buy
- A good number of users loved the Gel Surveyor 5’s comfort.
- Several runners with flat feet really enjoyed their runs in this shoe.
- The arch support is reliable without being too aggressive, according to some runners.
- More than a couple of users who are on their feet for prolonged periods of time greatly valued the luxurious and supportive cushioning.
- A handful made remarks about how breathable the 5th version of the Surveyor is.
- A few have used it for gym workouts to great effect because of the support and good cushioning.
- 4 color combinations to choose from.
- For a meaty shoe with excellent cushioning and stability, it requires no break-in period, as reported by some runners.
- According to more than a few runners, the durability of the 5th version of the Gel Surveyor is really excellent.
3 reasons not to buy
- It is very expensive.
- A few noticed that the cushioning is too soft.
- It is a bit heavy for some users.
Bottom line
Asics provides a solid mix of cushioning and stability in the Surveyor 5. The tons of cushioning and support are at a slight compromise in weight, however. It is a great option for runners who are looking for a stable, yet well-cushioned ride with enough flexibility that it shines in runs ranging from slow to moderate speed.
Rankings
Popularity
Ratings
My Rating
Updates to Asics Gel Surveyor 5
- Asics took it easy as far as changes go in the 5th version of the Surveyor. The more refined look is because of slightly thinner and fewer overlays that still provide decent support and midfoot hold. Unlike the past model, only the medial side has stitched overlays, which is basically the Asics logo.
- With lesser stitched overlays, the shoe gives the same amount of support without increasing the numbers on the scale and reduces risk of blisters.
- Upper durability and breathability are enhanced by a slightly bigger mesh with a tad bigger hole. The mesh provides sufficient support and security together with the overlays.
- The outsole is a bit different as it features X-shaped notches on the rubber pods. It gives the shoe added grip on different surfaces, even in wet conditions.
Asics Gel Surveyor 5 size and fit
The Asics Surveyor 5 has a standard shoe length. Asics uses basically the same kind of fit in the previous version in the latest edition of this line. It is average fit starting from the heel to the forefoot. The toe box has adequate room for the toes to splay with a secured hold in the heel and midfoot.
Outsole
The outsole of the Gel Surveyor 5 is typical of most Asics shoes featuring deep flex grooves in the forefoot for exceptional flexibility. A huge Guidance Line or vertical groove from the heel to the forefoot keeps the transition smooth and efficient. Asics carves the rubber pods with notches for added grip. A combination of blown rubber and AHAR+ carbon rubber provides the right balance of durability and traction.
Midsole
Spanning the length of the shoe is Asics’-exclusive Fluidride midsole for responsiveness and cushioning. While very light, it has decent durability as well. The Dynamic Duomax Support is the gradual increase in density in the midsole foam starting from the heel to the midfoot beneath the arch. This technology is designed to curb excessive overpronation as smoothly as possible. The Guidance Trusstic System or the TPU in the midfoot enhances torsional rigidity, support, and makes the transition even smoother. For improved cushioning and shock-absorbing features, the silicon-based Rearfoot and Forefoot Gel cushioning system is utilized.
Upper
The simplified upper is mostly soft mesh and synthetic overlays. Asics makes full use of their own logo to act as the main overlay on the medial side of the Surveyor 5. The plush interior starts with the well-padded ankle collar and tongue. Enhanced cushioning with moisture-wicking properties comes in the form of the ComforDry X-40 sockliner. Low-visibility running is doable as there are substantial reflective materials in the upper.