ASICS Gel Pulse 17 review

In our view, the ASICS Gel Pulse 17 is ideal for:

• Heel strikers looking for a stable daily trainer with plenty of cushioning at an affordable price.
• Fans of previous Gel Pulse models who want a touch more bounce without changing the familiar ride.
• Budget-conscious runners who appreciate a high-quality upper.
• Beginners seeking a protective, well-cushioned shoe that's easy to enjoy from the very first run.

We found in the lab that the Gel Pulse 17 has a fairly snug forefoot, so it won't be the best match for everyone. If you prefer more room around your toes without spending more, we recommend the Adidas Galaxy 7 instead.

We also think runners looking for a softer, plusher ride may want to explore other options. In that case, the Nike Winflo 12 and New Balance 680 v9 are two excellent alternatives.

ASICS keeps adding more cushioning across its lineup, and that includes budget-friendly models like the Gel Pulse 17. In our view, it perfectly reflects how the market has shifted toward highly-cushioned shoes, because not long ago, sub-£90 models usually came with much less foam underfoot.

However, with 134 SA of shock absorption in the heel and 105 SA in the forefoot, the Gel Pulse 17 proves that it delivers truly impressive impact protection for its price.

What you shouldn't expect is explosive energy return. We found that the new FF Blast foam delivers a fairly flat ride, returning 54.3% of energy in the heel and 53.7% in the forefoot. That result was exactly what we expected at this price point, and we believe EVA-based foams will remain common in budget-friendly shoes for years because they're much more affordable to produce.

Nonetheless, this marks a meaningful improvement over the previous Gel Pulse, which used FlyteFoam and failed to reach 50% energy return in our tests. Therefore, while the ride still isn't especially lively, but at least ASICS has successfully addressed one of the biggest weaknesses of its predecessor.

The ASICS Gel Pulse 17 raises the bar to 39.3 mm of heel stack, coming closer than ever to the maximalist category after 17 generations. In our view, it's another clear sign that ASICS keeps adding more and more cushioning even to its entry-level lineup.

For comparison, the Gel Pulse 15 measured 35.3 mm, while the Gel Pulse 16 increased to 36.5 mm. At this pace, we wouldn't be surprised if ASICS finally breaks the 40 mm barrier with the next version.

ASICS clearly prioritised heel cushioning, while the forefoot remains more restrained at 27.8 mm. That figure sits much closer to the average forefoot stack height we've recorded in the lab.

As expected from its beginner-friendly design and our previous lab measurements, the heel-to-toe drop is quite substantial. We measured 11.5 mm, confirming that the Gel Pulse 17 is primarily designed for heel strikers.

Our Asker C durometer measured the FF Blast foam at 40.8 AC, just 0.5 AC more than v16.

In our experience, those upgrading to the Gel Pulse 17 will notice a slight improvement in responsiveness while enjoying the same balanced ride that still leans slightly toward the firmer side.

The Gel Pulse 17 follows the modern rocker trend with a gently curved heel and forefoot, promoting smoother heel-to-toe transitions for rearfoot strikers while helping offset the added forefoot stiffness that naturally comes with a taller stack height.

Although the Gel Pulse 17 carries the GEL name, the cushioning unit itself is a tiny green insert embedded in the heel. 

We found it to be so thin that its effect on the ride is almost impossible to notice. And a friendly reminder that it has nothing to do with the PureGEL technology found in pricier ASICS models like the Kayano 33, where the thicker insert plays a much more meaningful role.

To analyse the fit of the ASICS Gel Pulse 17, we poured our proprietary gel into the shoe and let it set in our fridge, giving us a well-earned break before getting back to work.

Afterward, we completed our standard batch of three measurements. The first came in at 94.6 mm, placing the Gel Pulse 17 very close to many other daily trainers we've tested.

The second measurement reached 70.2 mm at the big toe area, revealing a fairly tapered forefoot. Based on our findings, the Gel Pulse 17 is a better match for runners with narrow feet or anyone who prefers a snug, locked-in fit over extra room for toe splay.

The Gel Pulse 17 partly makes up for its tapered forefoot by offering a generously tall toebox.

We registered 29.0 mm of height, providing plenty of vertical room that makes the shoe especially comfortable for all-day wear beyond running.

The outsole of the ASICS Gel Pulse 17 still features AHARPLUS rubber in the heel, helping preserve the strong durability we've come to expect from this series. However, ASICS reduced even more the overall rubber coverage, likely as a weight-saving measure to offset the taller midsole.

The added mass also makes the shoe feel slightly stiffer than before, building on a platform that was already quite rigid. So if you're looking for a highly-flexible daily trainer, this isn't it, something our 18.5N result in the 30-degree bend test quickly confirmed.

If you come from the ASICS Gel Pulse 16, here's an unexpected trade-off. This update is 14% heavier than its predecessor, and while there are valid reasons behind that, like more foam and enhanced comfort, we're not convinced everyone will see it as an improvement.

In our opinion, the feather-light build of the Gel Pulse 16 was one of its biggest advantages over many competing budget-friendly daily trainers.

The ASICS Gel Pulse 17 delivers exceptional stability, making it a surprisingly capable option even for runners with mild to moderate overpronation. In our view, sticking with a firmer foam paid off, while the broad platform and rigid build further enhance its stable ride.

We also found the Gel Pulse 17 to be surprisingly rigid. After securing it in our custom-built machine to measure torsional rigidity, it posted a 16.7 Nm result, placing it above the average for road running shoes.

The heel feels exceptionally comfortable, as ASICS packed the area with generous padding that gives the shoe a premium feel well beyond its price point.

As for stiffness, we gave it a predictable 3/5 score, a common result for daily trainers like this where striking the right balance is the priority.

Last year, we were already surprised by the exceptionally-wide landing platform that ASICS gave this shoe, likely aiming to attract runners looking for an extra touch of stability. This year, the Japanese brand has taken that approach even further.

The forefoot expands by another 1.4 mm, reaching a massive 120.7 mm.

The heel is equally impressive, measuring a substantial 97.5 mm. As a result, don't expect lightning-quick handling and blazing turns, this shoe is designed to prioritise stability over agility.

The upper is not only exceptionally comfortable but also delivers solid durability, earning a respectable 3/5 score in our Dremel test.

We performed the same test on the heel padding, and the outcome was less encouraging. Its 2/5 score places it on the lower end of the durability scale, making it clear that ASICS prioritised step-in comfort, even if it meant sacrificing some long-term durability.

Back to the positive side, the outsole features AHARPLUS rubber in the heel, another detail that adds real value to the Gel Pulse 17. It also excelled in our final durability test, losing just 0.6 mm of rubber after the Dremel test.

With 3.3 mm of outsole rubber, we expect the Gel Pulse 17 to deliver impressive longevity for most runners.

The only potential concern is for those who tend to wear through exposed areas where the outsole lacks rubber coverage.

The Gel Pulse 17 also comes with an Ortholite insole, another premium touch that's rarely found in shoes at this price point.

Swapping the stock insole is straightforward, as it comes out without any hassle. And given its generous toebox height, we found that the Gel Pulse 17 easily accommodates most aftermarket insoles.

Switching to FF Blast brings another advantage, as it performs impressively in this test with only a minimal 12% change, highlighting its strong consistency from the foam.

The Gel Pulse 17 doesn't include any reflective elements. In our opinion, this is an area where ASICS could easily enhance the shoe's value with only a minimal increase in production cost.

The upper of the Gel Pulse 17 feels more premium than what we'd expect at this price point. The eyelet chain is a great example, featuring a clean finish and a central lace loop that helps reduce pressure over the instep. We also appreciated the tongue pull tab, which makes slipping the shoe on much easier.

The tongue loses a bit of padding compared to the previous version, likely as another weight-saving measure to offset the taller midsole, much like the reduced outsole coverage. Even so, we measured a healthy 5.7 mm of padding, which we found more than sufficient for comfortable daily runs.

The tongue isn't gusseted, which may disappoint some runners. However, considering the affordable price of the Gel Pulse 17, we think it's a perfectly reasonable compromise and not something we'd criticise ASICS for.

ASICS added a large finger-loop heel tab that makes the Gel Pulse 17 easier to put on. We found it sturdy, well designed, easy to grab, and especially helpful for everyday wear!

The ASICS Gel Pulse 17 reinforces its position as one of the best-value running shoes on the market. It already impressed us in its previous version, and now the addition of FF Blast foam along with an even more refined upper makes it an even stronger recommendation for budget-conscious runners.