Asics GEL 3030 first impressions:
Being an over pronator, I am always willing to give a stability shoe a chance to impress me and I was excited to try Asics’ sleeper stability model; the Asics GEL 3030. Until I received this test pair I’d never even seen a 3000 series shoe in the flesh much less had a chance to put a pair on the asphalt. The GEL 3030 fills a special niche in the running shoe market as it is aimed at the late stage over pronator. Late stage over pronation refers to the tendency of some runners feet to continue inwardly rotating even after the heel has left the ground. This can be identified by excessive callousing on the medial aspect of the big toes.
The GEL 3030 features some simple but neat methods of slowing down the big toe and giving it something good to push off from. My test pair came in an above average looking color way consisting of silver, black and red and I wasted no time in seeing if the 3030 delivered on its promise to help lock my forefoot onto the pavement.
Asics GEL 3030 upper:
Although the GEL 3030 is priced lower than its stablemate, the GEL Kayano, Asics still engineered a good deal of comfort and many of the features found on the flagship Kayano. The upper seems crafted to fit a medium volume foot and was one of the nicest fitting uppers I’ve tested. The arch area is locked down by the Asics tiger stripe logo and an additional overlay on both the the medial and lateral aspect of the shoe. Asics uses a medium weight mesh on the balance of the upper. I did notice that this mesh was warmer and not quite as breathable as some other shoes I have tested. Nevertheless, the upper is certainly quite well constructed and provides a welcoming environment for the foot.
Asics also uses their Biomorphic Fit panels on the 3030. These are flex panels located in the arch and medial and lateral forefoot areas. This design allows for less irritation in places that the foot moves the most and is a feature that Asics reserves for their finest shoes. The tongue is of a medium thickness and the eyelet row is ever so slightly off center as Asics believes this method reduces lace pressure and friction on the top of the foot. Rounding out the GEL 3030 upper is Asics standard OrthoLite style sock liner.
Asics Gel 3030 sole unit:
As with every other Asics stability class shoe, the GEL 3030 is founded upon a firm wedge of DuoMax medial posting which travels from heel to forefoot. This construction technique makes the medial midsole less susceptible to the crushing forces an over pronators foot can generate. The rear foot and fore foot are bound by Asics Space Trusstic shank that allows for added torsional stability and balanced flexibility.
The GEL 3030 is built on a combination last that uses Solyte 55 in the heel to improve stablity. But Asics doesn’t stop there with the GEL 3030. This shoe actually features another device to help slow down the late stage over pronators big toe. A Dynamic Forefoot Cradle travels the entire length of the shoe and serves as an added foundation for the great toe to spring off from. Asics top shelf SoLyte midsole form supplies the cushioning in the rest of the shoe.
Also included is a serving of Asics storied GEL heel cushioning that is remarkably similar to that found in the GEL Kayano.
The outsole features blown rubber in the forefoot and Asics AHAR+(Asics High Abrasion Resistant) carbon rubber in the heel. The GEL 3030 also sees fewer flex points carved under the big toe and deeper channels under the lateral aspect of the sole to further shore up the surface area during toe off.
Asics GEL 3030 opinion:
Running in the GEL 3030 was a unique experience. The shoe feels like a light stability shoe in the rear combined with a stiffer, more controlling fore foot which I imagine is what Asics was going for. I conducted my testing on both asphalt and treadmill runs and the shoe runs smoothly, quietly and without any clunkiness.
The upper fit beautifully on my foot which is decidedly average in width and height. I had zero heel slippage or hot spots. However, the upper is a little warmer feeling as I mentioned earlier so thin socks might be a good idea in the summer when training in the GEL 3030.
The Dynamic Forefoot Cradle does put a little more beef under the big toe and it is noticeable but not intrusive feeling. I would have preferred a touch more height in the arch but I am a notorious fan of an aggressive arch profile in a shoe. On a couple of runs I did notice a little medial calf tenderness afterwards. This happened on my right foot only and usually indicates that a shoe is a tad weak in the heel for my foot. If Asics decided to move the DuoMax post back a bit farther it would probably relieve this issue.
Honestly I’m quite torn on my opinion of the Asics GEL 3030. I definitely enjoyed running in the GEL 3030 but there were a couple of things I would change. For all of its positive attributes I simply desired a little more arch height and a bit more heel stability. However, it is certainly a competent, comfortable and well built shoe but it ultimately left me wanting for a little more.
If you are a GEL Kayano or GT series fan, the GEL 3030 is an underrated and uniquely designed shoe that definitely deserves a chance to be run in.
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Written by Theo Clyatt
Theo Clyatt lives in Mississippi and works as an Exercise Physiologist. He and his wife, Melanie, are raising their first child and potential track star, Jackson. His passions outside of running include herding four cats and playing insanely loud electric guitars.
Great review how would rank the heal to toe transition compared to the sluggish 2170. Does the 3030 have a fast feel. Thanks
Gump, I would not say that the 3030 feels fast. To me, all the Asics that I have tested feel a little bit slower than the competition. Still, I think it is a well built shoe.
Hi Theo
I used to run in the 3010 but found the forefoot quite hard and lacking in cushion, which flared-up my metatarsalgia. I’ve heard Asics improved this aspect on subsequent models, and have thought about trying the 3030 but am wondering how the forefoot cushion in this show compares with my main shoe now, the Inspire 8?
Steven, the 3030 feels more dense underfoot than the Inspire 8 and does not transition as quickly.
I got the 3030 after the Kayano was out of my size i was gutted at the time however, i have just come back from a run and they felt like slippers! v.comfy! the only issue i had was my right calf started to hurt a little, but that could be as a result of a recent injury, and i have a weak right ankle. Yes I would have been happier with a bit more heel support to look after me, like in my brooks but its sill a v.good trainer. Ill be using them next week in a triathlon.
Hi Theo, I’m a beginner and I’m having a hard time to choose the best shoes, after 2 injuries. I heel strike (with much more pressure on the left heel), i have high arch and i pronate at the left, and supinate at the right foot. So i’ve been looking for the best shoes but i’m stuck. Mizuno or Asics are easier to find in Brazil than other brands. GT-2170, 3030, Nimbus, Mercury, Inspire, Nirvana, Alchemy!!! Could you please help me? Thanks! (sorry for my english)
David, I would really need to see you run to make a recommendation so I am going to advise you to hit a local shop and try on a many models as you can. I’m betting that you’ll like one of the stability models though. All the shoes you’ve listed are excellent choices but they fit differently and are engineered for different foot types. Good luck and thanks for reading
I have run in the DS Trainer for 15 years nad have run 9 marathons in them. I was 150lbs for all the marathons and now I’m 168lbs so I was wondering if i should use a more cushined shoe like the gt3030? I run 25+ miles a week and am training for a marathon. How do the two compare?
Bill,
The 3030 is simply more shoe all the way around when compared to the DS Trainer. The 3030 has more cushioning, more stability and added weight. It’s a great shoe but if you have had no problems with the DS Trainer then that’s what I would stick with. Best wishes and thanks for reading.
I am a mild/moderate pronator with long term recurring plantar fasciitis and now I am lucky enough to have metatarsalgia,I was recommended to buy asics 3030,trance,ravenna,or wave inspire,i am having trouble finding some them locally where i live ,but one sports store recommended the Kayana as they said it was basically the same as the 3030 but had one small diference in the fore foot cushioning was he right ?,also i found that with new orthotics (for pronation and metatarsalgia)that i tend to supinate at forefoot but without orthotics in stability shoes I am fine,should i wear orthotics with a more neutral shoe like the ravenna ?
I am a beginner runner. I have worked up to 3 miles 3-4 days a week and would like to work to do more. I just had my gate checked at a running store and they said I have a neutral gate with a small pronation towards the end of my stride on my right foot. They recommended 2 shoes: The Saucony Triumph 9 or the Asics 3030. The Saucony were much lighter and more cushion but would I be better with the Asics for a little more support. Would I actually be fine with either one? I am 47 years old. Any help I could get would be appreciated. I was reading your reviews which were helpful. I just need some direction.
Thank you,
I’ve been running in Newtons for almost a year. Bur after ampimg up my training for a half marathon I started to develop IT band syndrome. I was wearing inserts in my Newtons Distance, but it wasn’t getting better. After a trip to my PT I showed definite pronation especially on my right side, and my right hip was weaker. So I made a trip to my running store to see what they said after re-fitting me. They agreed with the PT and said I can’t run in Newtons and that these are the only shoes that help with over pronation. So I reluctantly went with them. After one run I have worse blisters on the middle if my big toe (already had one on right foot). I’m def going to give it more time, but I’m wondering: how should I now be striking? I’ve been committed to a mid foot strike for a year. Are these shoes going to allow that or should I go back to heel striking? Thanks!
Rick, that’s a difficult question for me to answer as I’ve never seen you run. However, I’m always in favor of people running with whatever foot strike comes most naturally to them. Personally, I cannot tell any difference in the way my foot hits the ground whether I’m wearing flats or high stability trainers. If you need a support shoe and the Asics 3030 isn’t working out then there are many other options available to you. Keep us updated on what happens.
after a week in I’ve settled into a comfortable rhythm in these, with the same mid foot strike I’ve been used to. it wasn’t as difficult to transition as I thought it might be. but, I’ve had a pretty bad blister form on my left foot around the middle of my big toe and a bit lower. I backed down a bit and its healing (also using moleskin tape). the biggest plus is that I’ve had little to no knee pain (IT band), which was pretty significant just 2 weeks ago in the newtons. so, I think I’m going to give these a shot; training for a couple half marathons in the next two months.
Hello Theo, I was wondering if you know what the heel to toe drop is on the 3030. The reason I’m asking is because I am looking at the new Asics GT 3000 and have looked for info/stats pertaining to the heel drop. I did find some some description of the 3000 that stated the drop is one mm less than the 3030. It seems as though the industry is really pushing minimal shoes and I don’t want to buy a shoe with 5 or 6 mm drop right away.
I’m 48, a Physical Therapist,and have been running over 33 years. I used to feel knowledgeable about running shoes. I’ve had some chronic achilles issues on the right for the last year and want to be careful about the shoes I wear.
Thank you for considering this e-mail,
Dave Gonzales
Hi Dave, Asics does not supply me with a spec sheet with the shoes I test. Some manufacturers do but I digress…I would suspect that the 3000 has been lowered by 1mm since that’s what Asics did with the GT2000 but I’m only guessing. Sorry I cannot help any more than that.
I love this shoe….been running in it since it was the creed back in the early 2000. I cannot find the 3030 now and have been subbing out with the Kayano. The kayano is fine, but doesnt do well for me on the longer distances. Any news on what is going on with this shoe? I am trying to find it and cannot.
As far as I know, Asics has made the 3000 only available to running specialty retailers which means you probably won’t find it online. Check your local running store and see what they say. Thanks for reading.