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Best Asics Running Shoes (August 2024)

Written on 29th August by Ruggero Loda Founder and Publisher, Running Shoes Guru
314 other reviews
asics running shoes 2024
ASICS is a Japanese multinational corporation that produces sportswear. Kihachiro Onitsuka, aspiring to start a company that would contribute to nurturing youth and the development of society through sports, founded ASICS in 1949. The name is an acronym for the Latin phrase anima sana in corpore sano, translated by ASICS as "a sound mind, in a sound body". It is headquartered in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture.

It's not always easy for runners to choose the best ASICS running shoe for them. Here is ASICS lineup, with our selection of the best shoes for different runners and usage.

Our favorite ASICS running shoes in 2024

Keep scrolling or click on a shoe to find out why we chose it and what other shoes you should consider.

Asics Gel Cumulus 26

Best for Daily Training
Weight: 8.9oz Drop: 8mm
Our Rating
8.0
Users Rating
0.0
The Asics Gel-Cumulus 26 is a cushioned daily trainer that is an everyday shoe for most runners of all abilities. It has a great rocker ride that is both smooth and soft. The heel tab can rub the back...
MSRP $139.95 $139 Best price today this will redirect you to RunningWarehouse.Com

Asics Gel Kayano 31

Best Supportive Trainer
Weight: 11oz Drop: 10mm
Our Rating
9.0
Users Rating
8.5
Overall, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 is a solid choice for runners seeking stability and comfort without sacrificing performance. Its supportive midsole, adaptive upper, and durable outsole combine to...
MSRP $164.95 $164 Best price today this will redirect you to Zappos

Asics Superblast 2

Best Max Cushioned
Weight: 9oz Drop: 8mm
Our Rating
8.0
Users Rating
0.0
The ASICS Superblast 2 is a great versatile daily trainer with a stable and max-cushioned ride. It's capable of a wide range of paces from recovery to marathon pace and is arguably one of the best...
MSRP $200 $199 Best price today this will redirect you to RunningWarehouse.Com

Asics Magic Speed 4

Best Lightweight Trainer
Weight: 8.5oz Drop: 8mm Carbon plate
Our Rating
9.0
Users Rating
0.0
The Asics Magic Speed 4 is most easily defined as a budget friendly super shoe. The full length carbon plate will instantly energize your race times or speed training up to the big race....
MSRP $169.95 $169 Best price today this will redirect you to RunningWarehouse.Com

Asics Fuji Lite 5

Best for Trails
Weight: 9.2oz Drop: 4mm
Our Rating
8.0
Users Rating
0.0
The ASICS Fuji Lite 5 is a colorful, light and nimble trail shoe designed for zipping down the trail. The shoes are built for speed and are made with an environmental mindset....
MSRP $129.95 $129 Best price today this will redirect you to RunningWarehouse.Com

Asics METASPEED Sky Paris

Best Racing Shoe
Weight: 6.4oz Drop: 5mm Carbon plate
Our Rating
8.0
Users Rating
9.0
The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is a good racer with a firm ride. It’s suited to forefoot strikers with powerful push-offs because it relies on a strong force to create bounce and propulsion. It...
MSRP $249.95 $249 Best price today this will redirect you to Zappos

Table of content

  Our Top 6 picks for all categories
 
 
What to consider
 
 
Best for Daily Training
 
 
Best Supportive Trainer
 
 
Best Max Cushioned
 
 
Best Lightweight Trainer
 
 
Best for Trails
 
 
Best Racing Shoe
 
 
Quick questions you might have
 
 
Comments
 

What are ASICS running shoe collections?

Asics, in the past few years, has dramatically increased their offering of running shoes, adding a few different collections.

Here a guide to understand what collections are there, what kind of shoes are part of the collection and who they cater to.

Asics Gel Series
In the “Gel” collection we put all the classic ASICS best-selling running shoes, such as the Gel-Cumulus, Gel-Nimbus and Gel-Kayano.

These shoes are meant for training miles and emphasise comfort.

Asics Blast Series
In the “Blast” collection – so named because of the midsole foam used – you will find shoes that are bouncy and lightweight. The most famous shoes in this collection are the Novablast and the Superblast.

Asics Speed Series
The “Speed” collection includes all the racing shoes for Asics. They use a more performance-oriented version of Blast foam and are more reactive. Many models in this line use carbon plates in the midsole to increase performance. Most notable models in this series are the Metaspeed Sky and Edge.

Asics Fuji Series
In honor of the famous Japanese mountain, the Fuji series includes all of Asics Trail running shoes. Most notable models are the Fuji Speed and Fuji Lite.

Best for Daily Training

Asics Gel Cumulus 26

merchant logo
$140.00
$139.00
See deal   >
merchant logo
$140.00
$139.00
See deal   >
In short
The Asics Gel-Cumulus 26 is a cushioned daily trainer that is an everyday shoe for most runners of all abilities. It has a great rocker ride that is both smooth and soft. The heel tab can rub the back of your ankle, though, which would definitely bother some people.
Pros
  • Rocker leads to smooth ride
  • Lightweight
  • Can be used for uptempo runs
Cons
  • Heel tab can rub on ankle
  • Durability concerns
  • Traction
Who should buy it

If you’re looking for a shoe that can handle most types of runs, this is a great shoe. Beginner runners will love this shoe as an all-around shoe that can provide great cushion and a smooth ride. Intermediate to advanced runners will likely use this for easy and long run days. Most runners will be able to use this for some uptempo days – think marathon paced runs.

Who should not buy it

If you have had issues with a high heel tab, then this shoe will likely rub on your ankles. If you’re looking for a highly durable shoe, I’m not sure this shoe will last given the outsole.

Main Specs
Type
Cushioning
Weight
8.9 oz
Heel
34 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
8 mm
Toe
42 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
10
Build quality
8.0
Upper
8.0
Sole unit
10
Landing
8.0
Transition
9.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
8.0
Durability
8.0
Value / Price
9.0
Team review
The Cumulus 26 is one of the best daily training options, especially given its price.
Read full review

Best Supportive Trainer

Asics Gel Kayano 31

merchant logo
$165.00
$164.00
See deal   >
merchant logo
$165.00
$164.00
See deal   >
In short
Overall, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 is a solid choice for runners seeking stability and comfort without sacrificing performance. Its supportive midsole, adaptive upper, and durable outsole combine to offer a reliable platform for long-distance training.
Pros
  • 4D Guidance System
  • Comfort
  • New Engineered Mesh
Cons
  • Can feel big and bulky at times
Who should buy it

This is ideal for a runner who is looking for a premium stability trainer that is tried and true,while built for miles

Who should not buy it

The Kayano would not be for someone who is looking for a lighter weight stability trainer

Main Specs
Type
Stability
Weight
11 oz
Heel
40 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
10 mm
Toe
30 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
10
Build quality
9.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
9.0
Transition
8.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
9.0
Durability
9.0
Value / Price
9.0
Team review
Incredibly soft but supportive and comfortable, the Kayano is a must-try for runners in need of stability.
Read full review

Best Max Cushioned

Asics Superblast 2

merchant logo
$200.00
$199.00
See deal   >
In short
The ASICS Superblast 2 is a great versatile daily trainer with a stable and max-cushioned ride. It's capable of a wide range of paces from recovery to marathon pace and is arguably one of the best long run trainers on the market. Version 2 has a more comfortable, more breathable upper and better outsole traction than v1. It has an almost identical ride to its predecessor and has also picked up some weight.
Pros
  • Excels at most runs slower than threshold pace
  • Stones no longer get suck in the outsole
  • Very stable ride for such a tall sole
  • Improved outsole traction
  • The fit has improved
Cons
  • Heavier than the previous version
  • Only available in a single width
  • Slower than v1
Who should buy it

If you find the Novablast not cushioned enough or too heavy, the Superblast 2 is a good option.
If you’re looking for a shoe that feels like a super shoe but doesn’t have a stiff plate in it, the Superblast 2 is the perfect shoe.

Who should not buy it

If you like flexible trainers with lots of ground feel, the Superblast 2 is not the shoe for you.
If you have really wide feet, the Superblast 2 will be too narrow for you.

Main Specs
Type
Cushioning
Weight
9 oz
Heel
46 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
8 mm
Toe
38 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
8.0
Build quality
8.0
Upper
8.0
Sole unit
8.0
Landing
8.0
Transition
8.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
8.0
Durability
8.0
Value / Price
8.0
Team review
Read full review

Best Lightweight Trainer

Asics Magic Speed 4

merchant logo
$170.00
$169.00
See deal   >
In short
The Asics Magic Speed 4 is most easily defined as a budget friendly super shoe. The full length carbon plate will instantly energize your race times or speed training up to the big race.
Pros
  • Budget super shoe
  • Energetic midsole
  • full length carbon plate
Cons
  • downgraded upper material
Who should buy it

The Asics Magic Speed 4 is designed to be a tempo training shoe. It will also hold its own in 5k or 10k races and possibly longer. Speed is the name of the game.

Who should not buy it

Don’t expect to find a ton of comfort with these on long slow runs. They have lots of cushion but are in no way a daily trainer.

Main Specs
Type
Racing
Weight
8.5 oz
Heel
999 mm
Carbon plate
Full length carbon plate
Heel drop
8 mm
Toe
999 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
9.0
Build quality
8.0
Upper
7.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
9.0
Transition
8.0
Toe-off
9.0
Traction
8.0
Durability
8.0
Value / Price
9.0
Team review
Read full review

Best for Trails

Asics Fuji Lite 5

merchant logo
$130.00
$129.00
See deal   >
In short
The ASICS Fuji Lite 5 is a colorful, light and nimble trail shoe designed for zipping down the trail. The shoes are built for speed and are made with an environmental mindset.
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Responsive and fast
  • Comfortable
  • Made with recycled materials
Cons
  • Doesn’t perform as well on technical trails
  • Not built for long distances
Who should buy it

This shoe is best for runners who are looking for a daily trainer or fleet shoe for trail races a half marathon distance or under.

Who should not buy it

This shoe won’t work as well for runners seeking gnarly terrain or planning runs of 20 miles or greater.

Main Specs
Type
Trail
Weight
9.2 oz
Heel
33 mm
Carbon plate
No plate
Heel drop
4 mm
Toe
29 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
8.0
Build quality
8.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
8.0
Landing
8.0
Transition
9.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
7.0
Durability
8.0
Value / Price
8.0
Team review
Read full review

Best Racing Shoe

Asics METASPEED Sky Paris

merchant logo
$250.00
$249.00
See deal   >
merchant logo
$250.00
$249.00
See deal   >
In short
The ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris is a good racer with a firm ride. It’s suited to forefoot strikers with powerful push-offs because it relies on a strong force to create bounce and propulsion. It doesn’t provide as much speed assistance as S-tier racers due to its midsole foam which doesn’t possess as much rebound as others. The Sky Paris has 0.5 mm more foam in its heel and forefoot than the Sky+, making it more cushioned. It’s also substantially lighter thanks to the new FF Turbo+...
Pros
  • Lighter than the previous version
  • Thicker midsole than the Sky+
  • Extremely stiff carbon plate
  • Superb outsole traction
  • Airy upper
Cons
  • Forefoot rocker is not as aggressive as other racers
  • Fits a half size too small
Who should buy it

If you have long, bounding, powerful strides, the Sky Paris is a good option for you.
If you’re a heavy forefoot striker, the Sky Paris is also for you.

Who should not buy it

If your strides are light, fast and short, the Sky Paris is not for you.
If you like a prominent forefoot rocker, the Sky Paris is also not for you.

Main Specs
Type
Racing
Weight
6.4 oz
Heel
39.5 mm
Carbon plate
Full length carbon plate
Heel drop
5 mm
Toe
34.5 mm
Rating breakdown
Comfort
7.0
Build quality
8.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
7.0
Landing
8.0
Transition
8.0
Toe-off
8.0
Traction
10
Durability
7.0
Value / Price
8.0
Team review
Read full review

Quick Questions you might have

What does "ASICS" mean?

It comes from the latin "Anima Sana in Corpore Sano" which means "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body".