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Price: $130
Weight: 8.7 oz (M), 7.1 oz (W)
Style: Road
The right shoe for: Runners who want a lightweight, fast trainer with a full knit upper
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There are times when companies, including those that produce running shoes, make updates to products seemingly for the sake of change alone. The appeal of newness might, at times, blind designers and manufacturers of the good they could have maintained by abstaining from substantive updates. But, we are glad to say this is not the case with the Asics Gel-DS Trainer 24, as the new features improve the shoe and holdovers from previous models remain high-performing.
The all-new knit upper operates as a breathable, lightweight, and comfortable material that enables wearers to focus on their run, not the fit of their shoes. The Gel-DS Trainer 24 is the first Asics model to have a knit upper and, more important, several of our wear testers enjoyed its performance benefits.
“The new knit upper has a great fit and feel on the foot, even when going fast,” one wear tester said.
The Gel-DS Trainer 24 also brings with it a new heel counter design, which is constructed to reduce slippage when you lift your heel. This update is especially useful at faster paces, when a strong toe off from the ground is enhanced by a close-fitting shoe. Still, our wear testers reported that the the shoe’s lightweight, which can help runners to go faster, was the best part of this Asics.
“If I didn't know any better I would have said these shoes were self-propelled,” one wear tester said. “They felt good before, during, and after my run was over. I didn't want to take them off.”
New Knit Upper
Engineered mesh and knit uppers are not new to the running industry. Indeed, they’ve actually become standard on some of the industry’s most popular shoes — Nike now makes a Flyknit version of many of its most popular shoes, including the Vaporfly 4%. As such, we’ve come to expect a lot from knit upper constructions and the Gel-DS Trainer 24 did not disappoint as Asics’ first.
While several of our wear testers enjoyed the breathability and reduced weight the material afforded them while running, others did point out some aspects to be aware of before purchasing this shoe.
“Since the shoe is very light and thin and breathes very well, on colder days my feet start to get cold after a few miles,” one wear tester said. Another commented to say that “fit was too snug.”
Still, the benefits of the upper seem to outweigh these characteristics. You may want to try on a pair before purchasing to be sure that this is the case for you.
Midsole
The Asics Gel-DS Trainer 24 is a shoe that you’ll likely want to run fast in, based on wear tester feedback. That’s thanks in part to its overall light weight, mentioned above, but it’s also due to its FlyteFoam Lyte midsole that offers a solid ground feel and good energy return.
“The energy return I felt each time my foot hit the ground felt awesome and empowering,” one wear tester said. “I felt quick and energized... It has been a great shoe for fun group runs and hard-hitting speed work.”
Beware that while this shoe is great for faster, shorter efforts, it may not be the best choice for runners who throw down big mileage each week. Here, the benefits of firmness do seem to come at the cost of cushioning suitable for multi-hour runs.
“Its heel cushioning is okay, but the forefoot is awfully firm,” one wear tester said. “It would be hard to do anything long in this shoe.”
Outsole
This Asics features a no-frills, functional outsole designed to keep runners protected and upright on paved surfaces. None of our wear testers reported any issue remaining upright or maintaining contact with the ground on the road. The only tester who reported less than good traction noted that it was during a run over wet leaves, which are notoriously difficult to maintain traction regardless of the shoe.
All the Stats You Need!
Men’s
- A Part of Hearst Digital Media
- Heel Cushioning: Very Firm
- Heel Height: 26.6 mm | Very Low
- Heel Cushioning: Very Firm
- Stability Features: Few
- Summer Running Gear Is On Sale from Nike and Hoka
- Flexibility: Stiff
- Heel Height: 26.6 mm | Very Low
- Energy Return: Moderate
Women’s
- Weight: 7.1 oz | Light
- Heel-To-Toe-Drop: 6.4 mm | Low
- Heel Height: 27 mm | Low
- Heel Cushioning: Very Firm
- Heel Height: 27 mm | Low
- Summer Running Gear Is On Sale from Nike and Hoka
- Flexibility: Stiff
- Heel Height: 26.6 mm | Very Low
- Energy Return: Moderate
We put each shoe through real-world usage and a battery of mechanical tests in our lab to provide you with objective—and exclusive—data. In addition to a shoe’s weight, we measure sole thickness (everything that sits between your foot and the road), how well the foam cushions your stride, and the flexibility of the forefoot. All this is taken into account in our reviews of each shoe.
