6 Best ASICS Trainers in 2025

How we test ASICS trainers

Running a shoe lab and keeping it independent means that: 

• We buy the trainers with our own funds. We don’t have contracts with the brands and we don’t have brand ambassadors on the team 
• We do wear testing and lab testing 
• In the lab, all the tests are standardised, which means all the trainers are treated the same, be it the force applied, surfaces and tools used, ambient temperature, etc. 
• We publish everything that we discover on our website so that you can use the lab data to compare the trainers across different features.

5 features ASICS trainers are known for 

ASICS fans may answer this question (what the trainers are known for) differently, but we will stick to the facts. 

1. GEL technology, which is responsible for high levels of comfort and surefootedness 
2. TRUSSTIC support system. Most of the models are very stable! So stable, people with flat feet or overpronation often find them comfortable for all-day wear. Wide platforms are a part of this superb support/stability combo, of course. 
3. The most popular and recognisable silhouettes are retro ones or dad shoes.
4. High drop, with an average of 10.4 mm. For reference, the average drop of all trainers is 11.2 mm.
5. Recycled materials.

We will explain all of these in detail below. 

What’s so special about ASICS GEL technology? 

It’s impossible to miss it! The GEL technology defined the looks of many ASICS models because it’s visible where it’s placed - under the heel or under the forefoot. 

GEL technology is not reserved for trainers only. Since 1986, when it was launched, we’ve seen it in many models: Kayano, Cumulus, Kinsei, 2000, Nimbus, NYC, 1130, Lyte, etc. Given the consistent popularity of ASICS GEL models and the positive reviews, GEL technology has proven to deliver extra comfort and stability when needed. We’ve also confirmed this in our lab. 

In some models, ASICS claims that GEL pockets help with shock absorption. When it comes to trainers, we found that most of them actually do have high shock absorption (more about that in the next chapter). 

Trainers with GEL technology are easy to recognise: by looking at them or by reading the model name. ASICS does not miss the opportunity to add GEL to the name. 

What makes ASICS trainers so comfortable?

You may think it’s the plushy feel and, surprisingly, you would be wrong. ASICS trainers are not that soft on average, but they have good shock absorption. Softness tells us only how the sneaker feels upon putting it on, but it is the shock absorption that makes trainers comfortable in the long run (when you plan to wear them the whole day). 

The lower the number on the durometer’s display, the softer the midsole. For trainers, anything lower than 20 HA is considered soft, and anything higher than 30 HA is firm. In between is what works for most (20-30 HA, balanced cushioning). 

Shock absorption, on the other hand, tells us how good the midsole is at dampening the impact forces. Each time you hit the ground with your heel, the midsole deals with the impact forces and, the better it is at that job, the less stress is sent to your legs. This is shock absorption and it’s measured in SA. The higher it is, the better. 

Another thing that ASICS does here is inserting thick insoles into the trainers. Some trainers have very thin insoles, starting with 3.0 mm, and the average of ASICS insole thickness in trainers is 4.7 mm. 

ASICS trainers are stable and supportive 

How do we know that ASICS trainers are stable and supportive? Next to actually experiencing this on our wear tests, we go to the lab and uncover all the layers: 

1. Many ASICS trainers (1130, Nimbus 10.1, Kayano 14, Quantum 360,...) feature the so-called TRUSSTIC support system.
2. They are torsionally stiff; you can’t twist them easily.
3. ASICS trainers have moderate to wide platforms. 

The TRUSSTIC system is placed in the arch and it’s made of 2 carbon-reinforced supports that adapt to the runner by flexing or becoming rigid, depending on what the running biomechanics look like. 

The wider the platform, the more stable the sneaker! And, given that Asics usually makes trainers in retro/chunky/dad shoe style, there’s nothing to worry about. 

ASICS is not focused on minimalist trainers

We’ve already seen above that ASICS trainers are often chunky/dad shoes or, simply, have wider platforms. This is a recognisable ASICS feature. Minimalist and barefoot trainers are simply not a part of this story. Currently, there’s only one minimalist-looking sneaker available and that’s ASICS SKYHAND OG. 

You may be under the influence of Kill Bill and Uma Thurman wearing yellow Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66! However, Onitsuka Tiger is owned by ASICS Corporation, even though it operates as a distinct fashion brand under the ASICS umbrella. Now these trainers really are minimalist. 

In the lab, we measure the stack height of the heel and the forefoot. If you’re looking for some height-boosting trainers, this may be of special interest to you. Other than that, ASICS trainers usually offer no ground feel thanks to their platform height. 

And, once we have both heel and forefoot stack height, it’s easy to calculate the heel drop (heel stack minus forefoot stack). It basically tells us how higher the heel is than the forefoot. People usually don’t care about heel drop until they get injured. If you’re in this group, we recommend reading our in-depth guide Heel to Toe Drop: The Ultimate Guide. 

Another way to look at this is by the sneaker’s weight. Given that the trainers are not minimalist, you may expect them to be quite heavy. Surprisingly, they are not! 

Traction of ASICS trainers: lab data 

In running, ASICS blew our minds by delivering some of the highest traction numbers we’ve ever seen in the lab. Obviously, we were curious and wanted to see if that’s the case in trainers as well. 

We consider anything higher than 0.45 high traction, meaning that the outsoles are grippy both on dry and wet surfaces. 

Quality of materials in ASICS trainers

Quality in ASICS trainers is determined by 1. Testing the leather (if trainers are made of leather), 2. Testing the durability of the toebox (upper), 3. Testing the durability of the outsole, and 4. Testing the durability of the heel counter (inner lining). 

You can always look up this test in our reviews to find out whether ASICS used real or fake leather/suede. 

For the durability tests, we use a dremel. We intentionally damage the toebox and assess the damage on a 1-5 scale, where 5/5 is the most durable (the smallest damage is visible). 

Sustainability of ASICS trainers 

ASICS is working hard on the carbon footprint and sustainability and is very transparent about the process. Here’s what we know so far: 

• Many models already have their carbon footprint listed on the brand’s website. This is super valuable for environment-conscious people who are tracking their carbon footprint or working actively to reduce it 
• They used recycled materials. For example, GEL QUANTUM 360 VIII has an upper that contains 75% of recycled materials 
• FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning features a minimum of 20% bio-based materials 
• They are reducing wastewater by using solution dyeing, which reduces water usage by ~33% and carbon emissions by ~45%
• By 2030, ASICS plans to use 100% recycled polyester and 100% renewable energy in their business facilities 
• By 2050, ASICS plans to be net zero. This means that they will balance the greenhouse gases that they emit into the atmosphere and those that they take out.