7 Best ASICS Running Shoes For Women, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Named after a cloud, the Gel Nimbus 23 from ASICS nails it to a T in the comfort arena. It’s so plush and cushy, feeling strained is not even a thing in this shoe. 

Its foam is cloud-like, yes. Even better, it’s great at muting out all the impact, we don’t mind wearing it all day long. 

Like a true ASICS, it’s second to none in support. Its midsole may be soft, but it delivers an excellent job keeping the feet aligned and centered. Taking it up a notch, the fit is glove-like. We experienced zero slips in the Nimbus. 

Comfortable and supportive are not enough to describe the shoe’s ride. It’s also one hell of a smooth shoe. It runs buttery smooth, our heel-to-toe transitions were flawless AF. 

And if you’re looking for a sturdy shoe, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 23 won’t be a letdown. 50 miles of rough playtests later, it remains scratch-free from the bottom up. 

It’s not the lightest daily trainer at 11.1 oz. But with its performance and features, nothing beats the Gel Nimbus 23 from ASICS.

Of all the racers we’ve ever tested, nothing comes close to the ASICS MetaSpeed Sky. It hits the spot in all racing essentials, we couldn’t ask for more. And with its premium price, it’s everything we’re willing to pay for. 

Loaded with a carbon-fiber plate, the MetaSpeed Sky sent us flying to our PB. It had so much snap underfoot, we were bolting from one step to the next. 

The Flyte Foam Blast was literally a “blast” to run in. It’s so bouncy, it amps up the shoe’s speed along with the plate. Seriously, beating the competition has never been this easy. 

Even better, it doesn’t sacrifice stability. At slow speed, we never had any missteps and falls. If anything, we were very surefooted. 

To understand it better, we ran our durometer test. At 22.5HA it supports and stabilizes the feet. And in this respect, does a better job than the Nike Invincible Run that’s 14.2HA stiff. 

Add in the shoe’s snug wrap, slips are a thing of the past in the ASICS MetaSpeed Sky. 

And if you want a shoe that screams speed-ready, there’s nothing quite like this one. Bounce and snappiness aside, it also has barely any weight. At 6.7 oz, it’s as light as air! 

We pride ourselves in getting down to the nitty-gritties to meticulously assess each shoe on our roster. But with the MetaSpeed Sky, we couldn’t find one thing that breaks the deal.

The ASICS Gel Trabuco 9 brings comfort on the trails. 

We’ve tried past versions of the Trabucos. But the ASICS Trabuco 9 ticks all our boxes when it comes to outdoor adventures. We can confirm, it’s king of all Trabucos! 

When we put it on, our feet were immediately welcomed with plush comfort. It has so much cushion from the midsole to the upper, it was like a couch to our feet. 

The Trabuco 9 is a softie on the inside, but is the exact opposite on the outside. It’s built like a tank, it still looks and runs like brand-new even after miles of rough wear tests. 

To see how good of a shoe it is, we also put it through jagged rocks and roots. And to our surprise, not once did we feel any poking underneath. The rock plate does such an excellent job dampening the harshness, our feet remained strain-free. 

And who can move past its unmatched grip? On paved and fire roads, gravel paths, steep uphills, and mud, the ASICS Gel Trabuco 9 bites. 

Want to move fast on unfriendly terrains? This shoe will deliver without fail. The Trabuco has so much responsiveness, it will push you to your next step. Even more, it’s not clunky. 

If you want a trail bruiser that can take a beating and will eat up everything you throw at it, don’t write off the ASICS Gel Trabuco 9.

Built around comfort, our feet were right at home in the ASICS Novablast 2! It's springy and soft (as in everywhere!) - much like a spa day treat in long, easy miles. And with all that plushness, you might think this is a shoe that wears easily. Good news! It DOESN'T. It's built to eat up miles (300-500 miles), and we can confirm this!

The Kayano has always been a favorite among runners. And we can’t deny, it’s ours too.

But with the 28th edition, we were stunned. Of all the Kayanos we’ve tested, this is the best of the best. 

It maintains the Kayano signature of combining support and comfort. But this time around, it’s enjoyable. Its midsole has so much flexibility, it creates some pop underfoot. 

Whether you’re training or racing, ASICS Kayano 28 is a workhorse that will bring out the best in your runs. If you want to take it easy, you can rely on the shoe’s cushion and support. And should you tackle high mileages, it’s got all the protection you could ask for. 

Kayanos have always been hefty. But the Kayano 28 takes on a different path. It shaves off some weight, which is always a plus for all runners. 

Durability level: Kayano. Need we say more? If you want a shoe that can take the daily abuse from the pavement, and take you to your next competition, the ASICS Gel Kayano 28 is a no-brainer.

For only $65, the ASICS Gel Contend 7 performs beyond its price. It’s mighty comfortable, it’s even better than the expensive running shoes we’ve tried. 

Apart from the shoe’s cushy foam, the Gel tech is also there to dampen all the impact. It does a solid job, our legs and feet remain fresh even until the last mile. 

Staying true to its ASICS roots, the Gel Contend is also built to last. It’s so tough, it has withstood all our rough wear tests. The upper and outsole barely have any wear and tear, and the midsole is just as peppy out the box. 

Support is also paramount in this shoe. The upper locks the feet in place, slips should be the least of your concerns. 

And if you want a shoe that won’t drag your feet down, the ASICS Gel Contend 7 can do the job. It’s so light, we forgot about it on the run. 

To seal the deal, this shoe will bring a bang for your buck. For so little price, it can do so much. From daily runs, jogs to gym workouts, you can rely on the Gel Contend 7 from ASICS.

The ASICS Gel Excite 8 is the perfect all-around runner for those who want a mixture of an easy training shoe and something that could work for everyday wear. With simplicity at its core, the Gel Excite 8 gets right what it needs to and doesn’t worry about anything else.