ASICS GT 2000 12 review

We think the ASICS GT 2000 12 is an excellent pick for:

• Runners looking for a reliable daily trainer with a touch of stability support, particularly appealing to women who generally pronate a bit more than men.
• Those seeking a versatile, not overly stacked shoe that does a great job in short and long runs, and delivers consistent performance.
• Anyone in need of a comfortable, supportive shoe that offers a well-rounded experience at a great value.

If you're on the hunt for the ultimate performance daily trainer, the GT 2000 12 might fall slightly short, which is understandable at its $140 price point. For those seeking that additional performance boost, we believe the ASICS Superblast is a superior choice, delivering enhanced energy return in a lighter yet still stable package.

Also, we think the GT 2000 12 might not be the ideal pick for running on the hottest summer days due to its somewhat limited ventilation. However, the market offers some excellent stability daily trainers with superior airflow, and we suggest the Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 or the Saucony Tempus.

What's even more incredible is how it achieves this while adding almost 6 mm to the heel. This results in a total heel stack of 36.6 mm, a feature that will delight heel strikers—the majority of users for this shoe.

By the way, take a closer look at where we placed our calipers. There, you'll spot another innovation of the GT 2000 12—PureGEL. Borrowed directly from top-tier ASICS shoes like the Nimbus 25, it offers a plushier feel for heel strikers, elevating their running experience.

In the forefoot, we measured 26.6 mm, offering a good amount of cushion for midfoot and forefoot strikers who want a reliable stability shoe. However, heavier runners might want to consider the maximalist Kayano 30 for a slightly thicker forefoot.

The difference between the two measurements results in a 10.0-mm heel-to-toe drop. This is typical for a daily trainer and works well for most runners. However, if you're looking for a stability shoe with a lower drop, the Hoka Arahi 6 might be a better choice.

Now, let's dive into the midsole, where we see another upgrade from the previous version. We've transitioned from FF Blast to the improved FF Blast+. This means you'll enjoy more energy return and cushioning for your money, dead simple.

In our experience, the new FF Blast+ midsole, which we measured at 25.1 HA on our durometer, results in a lighter and more responsive ride. Additionally, the PureGEL in the heel adds a significant amount of comfort to the heel area.

However, don't anticipate the plush ride found in other FF Blast+ shoes from ASICS, as they tweaked the formulation to be denser in order to boost stability. This is more of a balanced ride, which, in our opinion, aligns perfectly with a shoe designed to offer excellent stability.

To understand how the FF Blast+ foam—crafted from EVA mixed with OBC to enhance its properties—performs in winter, we placed it in the freezer for 20 minutes and re-tested it.

The outcome was impressive, as it became only 11.6% firmer, an excellent result indeed. Adding OBC to the mix clearly paid off.

The Ortholite insole is softer than ever. And at 5.2 mm, it adds an extra boost of cushioning underfoot.

The upper offers a comfortable, versatile fit that will suit most runners. ASICS also provides a wide size option in select markets for those who need it.

It measures 99.8 mm in its widest part, and paired with a stretchy mesh, it delivers a great fit. We think it offers more room than previous versions and is capable of accommodating swollen feet on long runs.

The big toe area measures at 78.9 mm, which falls into the average range too, maybe even slightly wider. We believe most runners will find this quite comfortable.

However, if there's one standout feature in this shoe, it's undoubtedly stability. As a stable daily trainer—arguably one of the most successful one in recent years—the expectations were sky-high in the lab.

We were thrilled to find that the shoe, designed for runners with mild stability needs or neutral runners seeking a reliable, easy-day shoe, excelled in this area. This success is largely thanks to the 3D Guidance System, a combination of a wider landing base, specific midsole geometry, and supportive upper.

But the story doesn't end here!

A key feature in any stability shoe is a decent level of torsional rigidity. However, in our view, some brands take the easy route and just create super-rigid shoes. These are indeed stable, but often uncomfortable.

On the contrary, the GT 2000 12 scored a 4 out of 5 in our torsional rigidity test. This means it's rigid enough to provide stability, yet still comfortable enough for daily runs—just as it should be.

The heel counter echoes this positive narrative, also earning a 4 out of 5 score. It's rigid, yes, but not overly so—it feels just right, striking an ideal balance between support and comfort. And on top of that, it's really well padded.

Then, there's another essential feature of any stability shoe that the GT 2000 12 easily ticks off—midsole width.

Naturally, the wider the base, the more stable the ride. We measured the widest part of the forefoot at 119.3 mm, and we even think it could be a bit narrower to reduce some weight.

The heel follows the same design approach as the forefoot, being significantly wider than your average daily trainer. We measured it at 96.3 mm, ensuring that even if you're an extreme heel striker, the GT 2000 12 has got you covered.

Here's another interesting part of our lab test. Despite its stability features, the GT 2000 12 is still a daily trainer, so it needs to be comfortable for activities like going to the gym or for a walk.

That's why we conducted our 90-degree bend test, where it scored 28.7N. This is around average, though it might be a bit stiffer compared to some neutral daily trainers. So while it may not be the ultimate choice for all-day wear, it will still perform great for most activities.

The FF Blast+ foam delivered another masterclass in cold temperatures, getting only 14.5% stiffer when we repeated our 90-degree bend test.

This is an amazing result that, combined with its decent breathability, makes this shoe a top choice for winter runs.

The weight was a pleasant surprise for us in the lab. The GT 2000 11 was already known for being reasonably lightweight in its stability category, but the GT 2000 12 goes a step further.

It sheds an additional 0.2 ounces, bringing it down to a total of 9.7 oz (275g). Impressively, it stays one more year below the 10-oz benchmark—an outstanding achievement!

At first glance, we noticed the GT 2000 12's upper seemed well ventilated. The toebox had many holes, leading us to expect optimal breathability.

However, our smoke test rated it 3 out of 5, proving looks can be deceiving. However, this score suggests the shoe will perform quite well in most conditions, except during extremely hot weather.

This highlights the importance of proper lab testing for shoes. Our eyes might mislead us about features like breathability. In fact, in some tests—like our light test—the shoe appeared to offer more airflow than it actually does.

To get a closer look at the ventilation holes, we used a microscope.

There we saw the mentioned holes, but a somewhat dense fabric underneath them restricts airflow.

This fabric beneath the jacquard mesh upper boosts comfort and reduces friction. But it also limits airflow.

For the next version, we'd like to see the same fabric, but with tiny holes to enhance air circulation.

If you're a runner who prioritizes durability over breathability, the GT 2000 is sure to impress you.

Thanks to the robust fabric beneath the jacquard mesh, this shoe excelled in our rigorous Dremel test. It scored an impressive 3 out of 5 in our toebox durability assessment!

And it just keeps getting better! In the heel area, which is generously padded, we achieved an even better result—a fantastic 4 out of 5.

This is a remarkable score for a shoe designed to endure as a daily trainer.

Next, we were curious to see if the outsole was as durable as the upper, which had impressed us in previous lab tests.

First, we tested the outsole rubber hardness. Our durometer showed it at 80.0 HC, typical for road running shoes. It strikes a good balance between durability and grip.

ASICS went all out with the GT 2000, incorporating some of its top-notch technologies. That's why the outsole doesn't just have the standard AHAR rubber but features a combination of AHARPLUS and AHAR LO-HRD. This duo should deliver outstanding grip and durability.

In our Dremel test, we noticed the rubber was performing exceptionally well. However, it was only after measuring it that we discovered a mere 0.4-mm indentation. This is incredibly impressive and assures a long-lasting outsole.

But hey, if you're still wondering about its durability, here's the ultimate proof—a 4.2-mm thickness in the outsole.

With this generous amount of rubber, even those who tend to wear out outsoles quickly won't have any issues with this one.

We're not accustomed to finding reflective elements in daily trainers, but ASICS has delivered once again with the GT 2000 series. This is fantastic news for night runners who value visibility and safety!

In the previous GT 2000 model, we encountered a 12.5-mm tongue, which seemed excessive for a daily trainer and contributed significantly to the shoe's weight.

Fortunately, ASICS' designers got back to the drawing board for version 12 and delivered a thinner, 4.7-mm tongue. This is more than sufficient and greatly reduces the weight—a clever improvement!

The tongue is semi-gusseted, which is definitely a major bonus in a $140 shoe and a departure from the non-gusseted tongue of the v11.

It really contributes to achieving an even better lockdown, a feature that has always been a staple of the GT 2000 series.

The GT 2000 12 doesn't have a heel tab at the back. However, the heel collar extends in a Hoka-like style, and you can certainly pull it on from there if needed.

We discovered that the GT 2000 comes with an Ortholite X-30 insole, one of the best on the market. However, if you prefer a different insole, you can easily swap it out since it's not glued in place.