Editor rating:
7/10 on
THEO CLYATT
User's rating:

PROS

  • More breathable than earlier versions.
  • Even cushioning from heel to forefoot.
  • Simple, yet effective mid foot shank
  • Hits close to Kayano for less money.

CONS

  • Slightly loose heel.
  • Heavier than competitor shoes
  • Dynamic Duomax offers only mild support

OUR VERDICT

The new GT 2000 3 turns out to be inching ever closer to the flagship Kayano. Runners who do not require a serious does of medial stability and enjoy a cloud-like ride may find the long run shoe of their dreams in the new GT 2000 3.
SHOE INFO
Brand
GT 2000 3
Model
Type
11.6 oz. (329 gr.)
Weight
120 US$
MSRP
Family
Previous model
WHO IS IT FOR
Mild over pronators who enjoy a soft shoe with a touch of support. Kayano fans that want to save some money may find a new friend in the GT 2000 3.

Bright. That’s the best way I can describe my initial thoughts upon opening the box of my test pair.

You must see this shoe in person, pictures do not do it justice. My GT 2000 3’s look to have been involved in a highlighter factory mishap. Not that that’s bad or anything. Especially if you like to be noticed.

Once on the foot, the GT 2000 3 sports a familiar Asics fit; medium toe box, fitted in the mid foot and a touch loose in the heel.

The shoe is of medium depth and did not bind or pinch my foot anywhere. Asics has clearly dialed up the cushioning since I last wore a GT 2000.

The shoe is very soft and I could not detect the presence of the medial posting. As usual, my regular size US 10 fit fine.

Asics GT 2000 3 General Info

Three years ago, Asics rolled the dice and rebooted their most popular running shoe, the GT 2000 series. The last of which was the GT 2170.

Asics reverted the numbering back to 2000 and retooled the shoe with new technologies designed to soften the road feel of the shoe and create a more luxurious running experience.

As expected, some loyal GT series runners were forced to find another running shoe.

Asics anticipated this and positioned the upstart GT 1000 series to hopefully catch any former 2170 runners who did not care for the new GT 2000.

Three years later, Asics is still moving the luxury design philosophy forward with the new GT 2000 3.

Asics GT 2000 3 Sole Info

The GT 2000 3 appears to be built upon a triple density midsole consisting of three differing densities of foam. The first layer is extremely soft and was known in the past as Soft Top.

The next, and largest, layer is comprised of Fluid Ride foam. I am unsure if Asics has renamed SoLyte or if this is a new formulation.

I suspect it is new as it seems softer than I recall SoLyte ever being. Finally, Asics uses Dynamic Duomax on the medial aspect to provide a measure of support for the over pronating foot.

Dynamic Duomax is a more pliable version of standard Duomax. In the GT 2000 3, Dynamic Duomax serves as the most dense foam and begins at mid-heel and stops right behind the big toe.

Laterally, Asics uses its go-to GEL to dissipate shock at heel strike. Also present is a hidden GEL pod in the forefoot.

At the rear of the outsole, Asics uses AHAR+(Asics High Abrasion Resistant) carbon rubber in the heel for long term durability.

The forefoot is dressed in a softer blown rubber which will wear faster but also provides more cushion than carbon rubber.

At the mid-foot is a lightweight, yet incredibly stiff plastic shank that helps the shoe resist torsional, or twisting, forces. The GT 2000 3 also sports a Guidance Line channel that guides the foot through the gait cycle.

Asics GT 2000 3 Upper Info

Interestingly, Asics has done something of a hybrid construction style for the upper of the GT 2000 3.

On the medial aspect, all overlays are sewn on in a more traditional construction style while the lateral overlays are the more modern, heat pressed style.

Asics may have felt that using sewn overlays medially would lend itself to a more supportive and long-lasting fit as sewn overlays are less susceptible to stretching over time.

And considering that the GT 2000 3 is a support shoe, an extra dose of security couldn’t hurt on the medial side of the foot.

The lateral overlay extends most of the length of the shoe and wraps around the heel to join the medial overlay which is more compact and centered around the arch.

Both sides tie into the eyelet row. Finally, both overlays connect to an externally mounted heel counter.

The tongue is of medium thickness and stays in place. The laces are the semi-flat style found on many modern running shoes.

The GT 2000 3 is built in a board style which features a layer of firmer foam on top of the midsole. In this case, we have a sheet of SpEVA 55, which is a medium durometer foam.

For reference, Asics classifies its hardest foam as 65, medium is 55 and softest is 45. This sheet of foam begins at the heel and travels the entire length of the shoe. Topping it off is an OrthoLite style sockliner.

Asics GT 2000 3 Conclusions

I have some mixed feelings about the GT 2000 3. It runs sweet and smooth, fits well, has the arch near the heel and looks great.

These are all positives. However, I’m pretty much the target market for this shoe and it just is not supportive enough. Asics has gone to overkill with the cushioning in this one.

Not only that, but the Dynamic Duomax creases very easily and is quite noticeably less supportive than standard Duomax.

I could also do without the external heel counter; it compromises the heel fit and just is not very supportive at all.
However, there are runners who will love the shoe’s cushioning and near-Kayano run experience.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the GT 20003 steals some Kayano sales! It delivers the hyper-cushy road feel of the Kayano for about $30 less.

I found that the GT 2000 3 started to give way under my pronating feet pretty quickly. You can look at the rear of a shoe and if it leans in medially, then it is not supportive enough and could leave you hurting.

I did experience some posterior tibialis fatigue after a few runs in the GT 2000 3; always a dead giveaway that a shoe is not giving me the support that I need.

And, I’m under 170 lbs. I can’t imagine what a heavier over pronator could do to this shoe.

For those that only desire a touch of support combined with a heavy dose of cushioning, the GT 2000 3 is worth your time. For the rest of us who need a sturdier level of support, keep looking.

We thank the nice people at Asics for sending us a pair of GT 2000 3 to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.

Asics GT 2000 3 Price Comparison

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