ASICS Gel Venture 10 review

The ASICS Gel Venture 10 is a solid pick for:

• Beginners looking for a versatile and cheap option for all outdoor adventures.
• Trail runners needing one do-it-all shoe that handles different surfaces and offers strong value.
• Runners wanting a budget-friendly door-to-trail shoe that also works for casual use or travel.

We believe that the Gel Venture 10 falls short for runners who expect a comfort-focused, protective ride, as it features low shock absorption. From our point of view, if you're looking for a plush-and-protective trail experience, you'd be better off with something like the ASICS Trabuco Max 3.

We’re also convinced that the fit is a deal-breaker for many. The ultra-narrow toebox and tapered silhouette limit this shoe almost exclusively to narrow-footed runners. If you're worried about this, check the Nike Juniper Trail 3 or the ASICS Gel Excite Trail 2.

Through our ASTM F1976 test, we found that the Gel Venture 10 goes against current industry trends. Instead of following the super-cushy, maximalist wave dominating the trail market, it sticks to a more classic build. That’s why shock absorption is quite limited at 105 SA in the heel, making it better suited for casual hikes, or relaxed weekend jogs.

The Gel Venture delivers a muted ride with just 52.8% energy return, but that’s exactly what we expect from a budget-friendly shoe built with cost-cutting in mind.

The real question is: does performance matter to you? If not, then don't worry that much about this.

The Gel Venture 10 aligns with market trends by increasing its stack height compared to its predecessor. In this 10th edition, we measured 35.3 mm in the heel, a 2 mm bump from version 9.

However, it still feels like a shoe designed with mass appeal in mind, aiming to suit as many runners and hikers as possible.

The forefoot also sees a modest increase, now reaching 23.3 mm of stack height. Still, we believe that heavyweight forefoot strikers might not find it to be the most suitable option.

The difference between these two measurements gives us a real 12.0 mm drop. Once again, that's not ideal for forefoot strikers.

On the other hand, this setup fits the shoe’s beginner-friendly purpose, as in our experience, most entry-level trail runners tend to land on their heels.

The Amplifoam midsole has been reformulated and now registers just 16.5 HA, making it 32% softer than before. This drastic shift brings a more cushioned and comfort-first ride that feels noticeably plusher underfoot.

It’s a welcome change for most runners, as the previous version leaned too firm compared to what we’re now used to in both modern trail models and road running shoes.

The Gel Venture 10 lacks a pronounced rocker, which once again reinforces its beginner-friendly design. There’s only a subtle curve in both the forefoot and heel.

The Gel tech in the midsole is reduced to a tiny, barely-there green piece hidden beneath the insole that got revealed when we sliced the shoe. It’s not very noticeable (unlike PureGEL in the Nimbus 27) and feels more like ASICS added it just to keep the “Gel” label alive rather than for real function.

The Gel Venture 10 leans toward a narrow fit overall—something we noticed right after putting it on, even before running our custom gel method to measure the actual dimensions. Once we completed the test, we confirmed it: 92.7 mm in the widest part, which is well below the average.

This shoe won’t fit most feet, as the toebox is extremely tapered. We carefully measured it at just 67.5 mm—one of the narrowest we've ever recorded. And even though wide sizes are available in some markets like USA, we believe it mainly suits runners with narrow feet.

The unusual fit extends to the toebox height, which measures a generous 30.6 mm. This provides ample space for vertical toe movement.

If there’s one word that defines the lugs on the Gel Venture 10, it’s versatility.

ASICS skipped aggressive, deep lugs for muddy trails, and that feels like a smart move. We found 3.7 mm lugs that work great on moderate terrain while still offering enough bite for the occasional technical section you’ll likely encounter.

The ASICS Gel Venture 10 sports a two-piece segmented outsole with a rugged layout. Its arrow-shaped lugs are strategically positioned with larger and rear-facing in the heel for braking, and smaller in the forefoot to support climbing and push-off movements.

The Gel Venture 10 benefits from its lower stack height to offer decent flexibility, scoring just 12.6N in our 30-degree bend test. That makes it a solid choice for hiking and easy trails.

In our Gel Venture 9 review, we hoped ASICS would trim some weight, as its 11.1 oz (314g) felt a bit too much. Unfortunately, it went the opposite direction: this new version climbs to 11.4 oz or 322g.

The previous Gel Venture 9 already performed well in warm weather, and ASICS stuck with a similar approach in the Venture 10. The updated engineered mesh upper scores the same 4/5 in breathability.

Not much light passes through, which shows ASICS isn't relying on ventilation holes for airflow. That said, it’s a common trait among trail shoes.

We discovered with our digital microscope that ASICS upgraded the upper using a thinner mesh and a tougher, cross-woven pattern.

This multi-directional design allows same air to pass through while improving durability compared to the previous single-yarn setup.

Overall, it's a clear step forward—especially impressive at this budget-friendly price point.

The Gel Venture 10 feels slightly less stable than its predecessor due to the softer Amplifoam midsole update. However, the change isn’t drastic, and the added comfort will likely be a fair trade-off for most runners, especially since the moderately-thick stack height contributes to a confidence-boosting ride.

Because of the thick rubber layer protecting both the foam and your feet—especially important given the lack of a rock plate—torsional rigidity reached a solid 4/5 on our scale.

We tested the heel counter and found it hits a moderate 3/5 on our stiffness scale. This semi-rigid setup offers a thoughtful mix of support and flexibility—ideal for most runners seeking a balanced rearfoot feel.

We measured the forefoot area of the midsole at 114.1 mm in its widest part. This design works well because it feels stable but not bulky, making it a good option for both running and hiking.

ASICS followed the same design idea for the heel. At 88.8 mm, it’s wide enough to offer decent stability but skips the trend of going extra-wide like many recent models.

This was one of the most crucial issues for ASICS to address in the Gel Venture series, as the previous model scored a dismal 1/5—shockingly poor for a trail shoe. Thankfully, ASICS resolved it with the new mesh, now scoring a solid 4/5 in our Dremel test.

The heel padding also delivers outstanding durability, earning a flawless 5/5 in our test. This makes the Gel Venture 10 an exceptional value in terms of toughness!

Outsole durability is equally impressive. After revving our Dremel to 10K RPM, we measured just 0.6 mm of wear—a standout result for any shoe, and even more so for one under 100 dollars. The durability trifecta is complete!

With 2.4 mm of thickness, there’s ample protection against trail hazards while also adding an extra layer of durability to the outsole.

The insole adds a generous layer of cushioning with 5.2 mm of thickness, well above the average.

The midsole uses an EVA-based compound, which typically firms up in cold conditions. In our lab test, the Gel Venture 10 became 42% firmer after just 20 minutes in the freezer.

The Ortholite insole is fully removable, making it easy to swap in your favorite insert or custom orthotic for a more personalized fit.

We’re not thrilled that the Gel Venture 10 skips reflective elements. Even at this budget-friendly price, adding a few TPU reflective pieces would’ve been a smart and inexpensive touch.

One of the reasons for the weight increase on this shoe is that ASICS seeked to add a bit of comfort by adding more thickness to the tongue. Now it's at 8.5 mm, and we're not sure if this was strictly needed to be honest.

The lacing system on this shoe combines classic punched eyelets at the top with a pair of bright orange textile loops below, stitched directly onto the upper. These loops reduce pressure points across the instep and enhance midfoot lockdown.

As with most shoes under 100 bucks, the tongue isn’t attached to the sides. That’s a downside for trail use, as it makes it easier for small debris or sand to sneak inside.

Without a doubt, the Gel Venture 10’s biggest strength is its accessible price. For the MSRP of this shoe, you can practically buy two pairs compared to most other trail models on the market.

Despite its low price, ASICS included a trail-ready finger-loop heel tab that adds both function and a touch of style.

ASICS also included a tongue tab that reinforces the trail-inspired design, and it's a surprising and thoughtful touch for such a budget-friendly shoe.