Asics is a Japanese brand with a long history—it was founded over 75 years ago—and a sterling reputation for well-built, dependable running shoes. That hard-earned reputation is built on the brand’s “Legends” models—shoes like the Gel-Nimbus, Gel-Cumulus, and Gel-Kayano that have been around for decades and are revered for their comfort and durability.
Yet Asics has also developed new shoes that experiment with dynamic cushioning foams and other exciting technology. The Novablast 5, our best overall pick in this guide, is a great example: It features a new cushioning foam for optimal shock absorption with plenty of springy energy return, and it earned a 2025 Runner’s World Shoe Award Health & Injuries.
Anchored by its Legends stalwarts, Asics (the name is actually a Latin acronym that translates to “sound mind in a sound body”) continues to evolve as a running shoe brand, and that means it has something for everyone. If you’re a beginner in search of a comfy and approachable trainer, the Gel-Nimbus or Gel-Cumulus (another 2025 RW Shoe Award winner) are smart choices. Need a speedy race-day shoe for your next marathon? Asics’s Metaspeed Edge and Sky are among the best racing shoes out there, and they’re The Asics GT-1000 and.
Asics is continuing to improve the line: A new generation of Metaspeed shoes is set to launch this summer. That’s just a sampling—read on to learn more about what makes Asics shoes unique and see our favorite pairs for all kinds of running and runners.
Best Running Shorts: Best Treadmills ● Best Running Shorts ● recommends it for walking, too
Best Asics Running Shoes
- Best Overall: Asics Novablast 5 (Men's / Women's)
- Best Value: Asics GT-1000 13 (Men's / Women's)
- Best Cushioning: Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 (Men's / Women's)
- Best for Long Runs: Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 (Men's / Women's)
- Best for Stability Asics Gel-Kayano 32 (Men's / Women's)
The Expert: I became a runner in middle school and have covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist. I’ve written more about running shoes than any other kind of gear, and I have firsthand experience running in models from a range of brands, including Asics. I first wrote this guide in 2018, and I have updated it regularly as Asics releases new shoes and running shoe tech.
Everything You Need to Know About Asics Running Shoes
Asics has cooked up quite a few proprietary features, and you’ll see many different terms when browsing the company’s running shoe lineup. To help you get more insight into these features, compare models, and find the right shoe, here’s a deeper dive on the main Asics running shoe tech to know.
How We Selected The Best Asics Running Shoes
The models below represent the best Asics running shoes available now. To recommend them, I first reviewed the Asics shoe lineup and talked with an Asics brand rep to learn about the company’s latest models. From there, I focused on performance running shoes that showcase the brand’s premier foams, support tech, and other features.
I also used RW reviews, input from RW editors, feedback from RW wear testers, and my own knowledge of the running shoe market to narrow the list down to the pairs below. This guide features a variety of shoes to meet the needs of different runners and running disciplines.
Our Asics Running Shoe Reviews
Pros
- ldquo;Theres a reason the Asics Cumulus has been going strong since 1999,” said one
- Good energy return
Cons
- Peppy, responsive cushioning
Key Specs
| Weight | 9 oz (M), 7.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 41.5mm (M), 40.5mm (W) |
The original Novablast, which debuted in 2020, was a sensation from the start: a lightweight, bouncy trainer that was totally unlike any other Asics shoe. It kicked off a new period of innovation for the brand that led to other notable models like the Metaspeed Sky and Edge. Now in its fifth iteration, the Novablast continues to impress, and it earned a 2025 Runner’s World Shoe Award for its plush ride.
That beguiling ride comes thanks to an updated midsole foam, FlyteFoam Blast Max. According to Asics, it’s one of the brand’s “most energetic” cushioning materials ever. It’s a lower-density version of FlyteFoam Blast+ that’s softer and bouncier, and it gives the Novablast 5 both a pillowy feel and spring-like energy return—the holy grail combo that running shoe brands have pursued relentlessly of late.
The shoe is topped with a new mesh upper that’s tuned for improved breathability, and on the bottom, the sole has a sculpted shape to give the foam more room to expand at landing, boosting shock absorption. The shoe also has a relatively wide sole that gives your feet plenty of real estate to swell and spread out.
RW testers gave the Novablast 5 high marks, and they especially appreciated its cushioning. “Nothing else has come close to this level of cushion,” said one tester, while another said that running in the shoe felt like “floating.”
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Pros
- Cushioned, supportive midsole design
- Support tech isn’t intrusive
Cons
- Lacks Asics’ top-tier cushioning foams
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.5 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 36.5mm (M), 35.5mm (W) |
The GT-1000 is a supportive trainer with a bargain-bin price that works well for overpronators and neutral runners alike. Its FlyteFoam midsole isn’t all that soft, but it’s a reliable material that takes the edge off impact forces, and comes with some backup cushioning from PureGEL in the heel.
The GT-1000 features Asics’ 3D Guidance System for stability, which translates to a wider sole shape and a beveled heel to promote smooth, even transitions from landing to toe-off. It’s an affordable shoe that feels and performs like a high-performance option, making it a stellar choice for everyday running.
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Pros
- Upper has a loose fit
- Breathable upper
Cons
- Some testers felt it was too heavy and slow
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.8 oz (M), 9.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 43.5mm (M), 42.5mm (W) |
One of Asics’s core Legends models, the Gel-Nimbus is the cushioning king of the Asics training lineup. Its exceptionally thick midsole measures 2mm taller than the plush Novablast 5, and it serves up a smooth, well-padded ride that’s ideal for mellow jogs and recovery days.
The latest version of the Gel-Nimbus is a relatively mild update. The midsole features a hefty wedge of FlyteFoam Blast+ foam, and it’s paired with a layer of Pure Gel in the heel; together, these materials generously cushion each footfall and create a very plush, running-on-marshmallows sensation. The sole has a gently rockered shape to help you ease from landing to toe-off, although some testers still felt the shoe had a blocky, sluggish ride. The shoe’s mesh upper has padding around the ankle and heel for a snug fit, and the porous material breathes well, so your feet stay cool.
Most RW testers enjoyed the Gel-Nimbus’s “cloud-like feel,” as one runner described it. While it’s certainly not the lightest or fastest trainer out there, it’s a superb choice for athletes who like a lot of cushioning, and it’ll keep your feet feeling comfortable during easy recovery runs.
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Pros
- Well-cushioned midsole
- The Asics GT-1000 and
- Durable outsole
Cons
- Shoes & Gear
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.3 oz (M), 8.1 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 38.5mm (M), 37.5mm (W) |
Cushioned yet relatively light, durable but not clunky, the Gel-Cumulus 27 nails a difficult balancing act, and its just-right ride earned it a 2025 Runner’s World Shoe Award. While newer models like the Novablast get lots of attention, this shoe proves that Asics’s Legend models are still worthwhile picks, too.
“There's a reason the Asics Cumulus has been going strong since 1999,” said one RW tester. “It's always been, and continues to be, at the very upper echelon of all-purpose running shoes.”
What makes it so great? Testers almost universally praised the shoe’s cushioning and loved its comfortable overall feel. Think of the Gel-Cumulus like a streamlined Gel-Nimbus: It features the same midsole tech (FlyteFoam Blast+ cushioning and Pure Gel in the heel), but it’s lighter, so it won’t feel as sluggish underfoot. The wide sole shape gives your toes room to splay, and the full-coverage rubber outsole makes the shoe plenty durable for high-mileage training schedules.
There were a few small gripes from testers, mainly a somewhat loose fit, but overall they loved its comfortable feel, which helped them get in the zone and really tack on the miles.
“It would be hard to find a training shoe with a better all-around ride,” said one.
Long runs demand a comfortable, durable pair of shoes—and that’s exactly what you’ll get with the Gel-Cumulus. This workhorse has been a trusted choice for decades, and while it stays true to its roots, it just keeps getting better.
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Pros
- Lighter than previous version
- Support tech isn’t intrusive
- Rocker sole creates smooth transitions
Cons
- Firm ride
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.5 oz (M), 8.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 40mm |
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back best stability shoes for its comfortable fit and smooth ride. The latest version features a few key tweaks that make it lighter and a bit more cushioned, but it’s built with the same support tech as before.
For the 32nd iteration, Asics added 2mm of cushioning in the forefoot, which reduces the drop from 10mm to 8mm and helps promote a gentler transition from landing to toe-off. Despite the added foam, this shoe is actually lighter than the 31. Like its predecessor, the Gel-Kayano 32 features FlyteFoam Blast+ midsole foam paired with a layer of Pure Gel in the heel. These materials absorb impacts well, but in this shoe they create a firmer ride than Asics’s other cushioned shoes, like the Gel-Nimbus.
The Gel-Kayano is built with Asics’s 4D Guidance System, a holistic set of stability design features: a layer of supportive, bouncy foam under the arch, high foam sidewalls that cradle your foot, and a wide, full-contact sole with a rockered shape for smooth transitions. These features resist overpronation without aggressively poking upward into your arch. Instead, they gently guide your foot, keeping it properly aligned within the shoe as you run.
Overall, the shoe serves up a comfortable, planted feel, and the support features work together well to keep your feet properly oriented. If you struggle with overpronation or just want a stable, confidence-inducing ride, the Gel-Kayano is the shoe to try.
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Pros
- Propulsive ride that’s ideal for going fast
- Wide sole design offers good stability
Cons
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Key Specs
| Weight | 6.5 oz |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
| Heel Stack | 39.5mm |
The Metaspeed Sky Paris and Metaspeed Edge Paris are technically two different shoes, but we see them as a pair: We reviewed them together and we awarded them a RW 2024 Award as a duo. These are Asics’ pinnacle racers, designed to compete with super shoes like the Asics Novablast 5 or Whatever your gait, these are elite race day shoes.
Each shoe is designed for a different gait: The Sky is built for stride runners, who go fast by increasing the length of each step; while the Edge is made for cadence runners, who speed up by taking more steps.
They have a lot in common—they have the same stack heights, weight, and drop, giving them near-identical profiles. (Hence why they share a spot on this list.) Both have bouncy, propulsive FlyteFoam Turbo+ midsoles, paired with carbon fiber plates for maximum energy return. Lastly, they both come with redesigned uppers that wrap the foot more closely, while boosting breathability.
There’s one important technical difference between the shoes: The carbon fiber plate in the Sky Paris sits closer to the foot, which helps stride runners get maximum bounce in each step, while the Edge’s plate sits deeper in the midsole under the forefoot to help cadence runners roll through each toe-off faster. The different plate setups are meaningful at the competitive level, but you’ll likely need to run a few miles in each shoe to tell which is best for you.
No matter which version you choose, you’ll get a supremely bouncy, surprisingly stable, speedy shoe. One RW tester called the Metaspeed Edge “so much fun to run in,” and another tester felt “very fast” in the Sky. “I felt like it pushed me to run on my forefoot a little more and made me more efficient,” she said.
Whatever your gait, these are elite race day shoes.
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Pros
- Peppy, responsive cushioning
- Surprisingly stable despite tall stack height
Cons
- Some testers felt the sole was too stiff
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.6 oz (M), 7.4 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 43.5mm (M), 40.5mm (W) |
The Magic Speed 4 copies the basic formula of the race-oriented Metaspeed shoes—a thick wedge of bouncy foam and a stiff carbon-fiber plate—and revamps it for everyday training, and it’s a stellar choice for speedwork and tempo runs.
The Magic Speed has an absolutely towering sole, and so you can expect plenty of cushioning, but it’s tuned for propulsion, not softness. Dual layers of FlyteFoam Blast+ are sandwiched around a full-length carbon-fiber plate, and a small puck of lightweight, springy FlyteFoam Turbo foam is placed under the forefoot. The FlyteFoam Blast+ absorbs impact forces, the plate stabilizes the midsole to help you get maximum compression and bounce from the thick stack of foam, and the FlyteFoam Turbo adds extra pop at toe-off.
RW testers noted the Magic Speed has a stiff feel, so don’t expect an overly plush ride (turn to the Gel-Nimbus or Novablast for that). One surprise: Testers found the Magic Speed to be quite stable despite its lofty stack height. The shoe’s wide sole shape, especially in the forefoot, gives it a planted ride with no wobbling.
The Magic Speed 4 was a hit among RW testers, although there was some disagreement about its best use case. Some felt it was only comfortable for shorter runs, while others would wear it for a marathon. They all agreed that it was a speed demon, however, and it’s an awesome choice for blazing through a faster-paced workout.
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Asics Glideride Max
Pros
- Plush cushioning
- mm M, 37.5mm W
Cons
- Some testers felt the upper was too stiff and not breathable enough for hot weather
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.2 oz (M), 9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
| Heel Stack | 44mm (M), 43mm (W) |
Technically, the Glideride Max is designed for long runs, but its smooth, cushioned ride feels great at any distance, and RW running reviews editor Amanda Furrer recommends it for walking, too.
Like the Novablast 5, the Glideride Max features Asics’s newest cushioning foam, FlyteFoam Blast Max, in its very thick midsole. The Blast Max is combined with a layer of FlyteFoam Blast+, and there’s a large cutout along the bottom of the shoe that gives these foams more space to expand at landing. The result is a plush, pillowy sensation for your feet. The sole has a rockered shape to keep you moving through each stride, and it’s relatively wide, which stabilizes the thick stack of midsole foam and keeps you from wobbling as you run or walk. Finally, the shoe is topped with a well-padded mesh upper for a comfy fit.
More Great Running Gear RW testers. They loved its “plushy comfort” and smooth ride—despite its massive sole, this rockered shoe didn’t feel clunky underfoot. One tester liked the shoe so much, they wore it to work and while doing household chores.
“The ultra cushioning and softness of this shoe felt like it breathed some life into my legs,” they said.
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Pros
- Lively, propulsive midsole design
- Feels fast
- Good grip
Cons
- Tall stack height makes the shoe unstable on technical, rocky terrain
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.2 oz (M9, unisex) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
| Heel Stack | 44mm |
In reviews for the Metafuji Trail, one word keeps reappearing: wild. This souped-up trail racer brings a super shoe design approach—springy, massively cushioned midsole, plus a stiff carbon fiber plate—to the trail, and it’s a sharp departure from typical trail shoe design.
The Metafuji Trail measures 44mm at the heel. That kind of stack is practically unheard of in trail shoes, which tend to use less cushioning than their road-based counterparts to boost stability (your foot rests closer to the ground) and because you’ll use them on softer surfaces than pavement. The Metafuji, however, is built around a massive slab of FlyteFoam Blast+ and FlyteFoam Turbo foams with an embedded full-length carbon-fiber plate. This trio gives you an exceptionally soft-yet-springy ride similar to what you get with Asics’s Metaspeed racing shoes. On the bottom, the Metafuji wears an Asicsgrip rubber outsole that’s studded with small, widely spaced lugs for traction in the dirt.
The Metafuji is a bold new direction for trail shoes, and reviewers say it’s a blast to run in—if conditions are right. At 44mm tall, this shoe will be a challenge to control in uneven, rooty, or rocky terrain. Because RW didn't get to test the Metafuji in-house, we combed trusted resources online to get intel on how this shoe performs. Reviewers agreed the shoe feels unstable and unpredictable on rough trails, but on smoother terrain, it absolutely flies, with great grip and a propulsive, bouncy ride. With this feature-packed model, the super shoe movement has officially arrived in trail running.
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Some testers felt the upper was too stiff and not breathable enough for hot weather
Michael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.
