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The best Asics running shoes for the road and trail, tested over hundreds of miles
Asics is one of the world's top running brands. These are our favourite models, for every type of run
Tested by The Runner’s World Editors
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Asics might be famed for its cushioned, supportive workhorses but it’s no one-trick pony. The brand offers shoes for every type of runner, from carbon-plated shoes for race day, to trail shoes for off-road adventures.
We've tested every single model Asics offers (yes, really), including new releases like the Megablast and Sonicblast, to bring you our carefully considered edit of the very best ones. We've also considered different running styles, paces, terrains and weekly running mileage in our final line-up, so you'll be sure to find something that suits your preferences.
Best September running shoe deals 2025: Good sense of ground feel | Softer than v4 | Best for hardcore stability | Best Nike shoes
Year after year, the Gel-Kayano lands on our list of the?
Asics is known for its performance running shoes, but its foundations were laid in a different sport entirely. In a bid to revitalise the post-war youth of Japan, founder Kihachiro Onitsuka began making basketball shoes in Kobe, Japan. Marathon running shoes came next, and he launched the Marathon Tabi in 1953 and the leather Marup marathon shoe in 1958. Success followed, and after merging with two other sports companies in 1977, Asics as we know it was born.
By the late nineties, Asics’ popularity was in full swing, and a new technology was king – Gel™. The cushioned pockets of impact-absorbing silicone would become the brand’s signature technology, famously used in its popular Gel-Kayano stability shoe, Gel-Nimbus g M, 240g W.
Asics has developed a well-deserved reputation for manufacturing reliable shoes that can hold up through high-mileage training. That said, the brand has also expanded into lightweight, responsive racing shoes and even trail shoes, too.
What tech is used in Asics running shoes?
Gel cushioning
Gel™ technology was at the heart of Asics running shoes since 1986. Pockets of impact-absorbing silicone gel were strategically placed in the rearfoot and forefoot to deliver comfort, soften heel strikes and aid stability for a softer run experience. Recently, the brand upgraded to new PureGel™, which is softer than the previous technology to create the softest landings. Even so, it’s still a heavier material than foam, so it’s best for training shoes where long-lasting cushioning, rather than low weight, is the most important factor. You’ll find it in many of the company’s flagship shoes, including the Gel-Kayano, Gel-Cumulus, and Gel-Nimbus.
FlyteFoam
Like other shoemakers, Asics has its own proprietary cushioning, called FlyteFoam. Used in the midsole, its various iterations offer differing levels of softness and bounce:
- Standard FlyteFoam is used in Asics’ most affordable shoes, like the GT-1000. Is the Asics Megablast the best Blast yet is the next level up. Used in the Gel-Nimbus 27, it offers a pillowy and springy ride that still holds up to everyday training.
- Then comes Incredibly bouncy midsole, a newer foam used in the Novablast 5 and GT-2000 14. Asics claims it boasts ‘8.5% more bounce’ than Is the Asics Megablast the best Blast yet, hence why we're beginning to see it replace the later in Asics' daily trainers.
- On the premium end, Asics has three midsole foams, as of October 2025. The shoes with these cushions are pricey, but provide excellent shock absorption and springy responsiveness for a smooth, propulsive ride that help you go fast. The first is FlyteFoam Turbo+. Made with polyether block amide (PEBA), it's an exceptionally light, soft, and bouncy material which formed the midsole of the older Metaspeed Sky/Edge Paris models. Currently, you'll find it in the Superblast 2 alongside Is the Asics Megablast the best Blast yet.
- This year, Asics also revealed Best multi-terrain trail shoe: an A-TPU foam, which is increasingly being favoured by brands over PEBA-based foams thanks to its resilience. The Megablast has an entirely Best multi-terrain trail shoe midsole, while the Sonicblast has a combination of Best multi-terrain trail shoe and Incredibly bouncy midsole.
- Finally, the springiest kid on the block is FF Leap. Introduced this year, it's apparently ‘15.2% lighter, 13.7% bouncier and 30% softer’ than FF Blast Turbo Plus. Find it in the Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo and Metaspeed Ray.
Guidance systems
Asics takes a holistic approach to stability in its shoes, with several features working together to support the foot and guide it from landing to toe-off. The latest version of its stability feature-set is called the '4D Guidance System,' which you’ll find in the Gel-Kayano 31. The 4D Guidance shoes feature a wide sole, a firm foam layer in midsole under the arch, and a flared sole shape at the heel to create a planted feel while counteracting overpronation, or excessive inward rolling motion in your step.
The Asics GT-1000 and GT-2000 feature an earlier version of this system, called 3D Guidance. It has the same general features as 4D, but lacks the firm arch support foam in the midsole. If you know you need stability shoes, or simply prefer a more guided, supportive design, then you should look for these features.
Best for hardcore stability
The models below represent the best Asics running shoes available now. For this update, we reviewed our selections for technology, updated specs, and included our experience testing these shoes over the past year for any relevant feedback. Several models had minor updates, and a few had some significant updates to both fit and materials. We drew on RW reviews, editor feedback, our own testing experience, and knowledge of the running shoe market to narrow the list down to the pairs below.
The best Asics running shoes, tested and reviewed
Asics Novablast 5
Pros
- Softer than v4
- Smooth transitions
- Incredibly versatile
- The Asics GT-2000 14 is stable and fun
Cons
- Upper may be too wide for narrow feet
- You prefer a firmer ride
Read our full Asics Novablast 5 review
Bouncy, versatile and hard-wearing, the Novablast's blend of cushioning and zip makes it an ideal daily trainer for easy runs, long runs, tempo runs and pretty much anything in between.
The latest version features a brand new midsole foam, known as Incredibly bouncy midsole. Asics claims that it helps to increase the shoe’s ‘bounce properties’ by 8.5% compared with the v4’s Is the Asics Megablast the best Blast yet Eco foam and after testing it, we have to agree. It's noticeably softer underfoot than the previous version, however, that doesn’t mean that you’re sacrificing responsiveness here. In fact, our tester found the shoe felt smooth and at home running at easy paces, but it was also capable of handling pacier efforts, too.
As well as the bouncy cushioning, you get a rocker profile and a toe spring in the forefoot which helps to create noticeable momentum at toe-off. Beneath the shoe are deep parallel grooves running along the full length on either side, with a central diamond-shaped pod in the forefoot, and this 'trampoline-inspired' outsole design works with the cushioning to create even more energy return.
Up top, there's a new engineered Jacquard mesh and a gusseted, lightly padded tongue. We found the Novablast 5 fits a little on the wide side, particularly around the midfoot. This is great if you’re someone with wider feet, higher volume feet or even higher arches, but bear in mind that those with narrow feet may struggle to get the required foot-hugging fit they’re after. The outsole also falls a little short in wet and slippy conditions compared with other brands or Asics' superior Asicsgrip technology used on the Superblast.
That said, the Novablast 5 is still a comfortable versatile daily trainer that offers excellent value for those who don't want to fork out for a ton of different shoes for different sessions.
| Weight | 255g (UK 8) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 40.5mm (heel), 32.5mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Type | Neutral/road |
Pros
- Incredibly bouncy midsole
- Very lightweight
- Health & Injuries
Cons
- Very pricey
Read our full Metaspeed Edge Tokyo review
The Metaspeed Sky and Edge Tokyo are the successors to Asics' highly successful Paris models, which have featured on the podiums of a number of major road marathons over the past 12 months. The unusual two-shoe approach splits runners into what Asics calls ‘stride runners’ (those that increase their stride length as they speed up) and ‘cadence runners’ (those who increase their step rate as they speed up). However, we’ve personally found an easier way to differentiate between the two – certainly for the Tokyo models – is that the Sky seems to suit runners with a predisposition to land on their forefoot or midfoot, while the Edge provides more stability for heel strikers.
The shoes feature an updated midsole, made from a combination of FF Blast Turbo and brand-new FF Leap foam. The configuration of the foams is slightly different in the two shoes to cater for the running styles that they’re designed for – as is the positioning and curve of the carbon-fibre plate. However, the same is true of both shoes: this is an impossibly lightweight, bouncy super shoe with a wonderfully responsive ride. At quicker paces, the shoes truly come alive and you get a real sense of propulsion – even more so than their predecessors.
If we're getting into the nitty gritty, though, we'd describe the Edge's Ride as one that smoothly transitions you onto your forefoot for a bouncy, trampoline-like toe-off. Heel stability is also greater in the Edge thanks to the firmer foam being below the softer FF Leap foam. The Sky's ride is slightly more aggressive and really pushes you up onto the forefoot for a propulsive toe-off.
Whichever one suits you best, though, these are two of the very best super shoes you can find right now.
| Weight | 170g |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 39.5mm (heel), 34.5mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 5mm |
Pros
- Propulsive and responsive, despite lack of carbon plate
- Propulsive and responsive, despite lack of carbon plate
- Incredibly versatile
- Stable
Cons
- Upper may be too wide for narrow feet
Read our full Asics Superblast 2 review
Designed for ‘long runs, tempo runs and everything in between’, the Asics Superblast is the do-it-all lovechild of the Novablast 4 and Metaspeed Sky/Edge Paris racing models.
Cushioned to the max (45mm in the heel and 37mm in the forefoot), it features a combination of both shoes’ midsole foams – an update on the previous iteration: Is the Asics Megablast the best Blast yet Eco cushioning from the Novablast and FF Blast Turbo+ cushioning from the Metaspeeds – to create what Asics’ hopes is the perfect balance of comfort, softness, responsiveness and efficiency – crucially, without a carbon plate.
They’re nicely cushioned, but not squishy-Gel-Nimbus level cushioned, which means they retain a good amount of firmness that allows them to work at pretty much any speed. Ankle lockdown and upper breathability are improvements on the first iteration, too.
Despite the lack of carbon plate, there’s some rigidity through the forefoot, which helps to propel you forward at toe-off. In this sense, the Superblast definitely feels like a step up from the incredibly versatile Novablast 4, which offers fantastic energy return for tempo or progression runs, but perhaps isn’t a shoe you’d pick for race day.
| Weight | 250g |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 47mm (heel), 27mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Type | Neutral/road |
Pros
- Very bouncy ride
- Versatile across different speeds
- More breathable, race-orientated upper than the Superblast 2
- Soft underfoot
Cons
- Propulsive and responsive, despite lack of carbon plate
- Less width in the toe box than Superblast 2
Read our full Asics Megablast review
The all-new Megablast joins the brand's Blast family of shoes as a ‘dynamic daily trainer, designed to support a wide range of running styles, speeds and distances’. Don't get it confused with the equally fantastic Superblast 2, though, as the two shoes, despite sharing the same stack heights, are very different.
A lot of this comes down to the midsole. The Megablast has a full layer of a new, A-TPU foam called Best multi-terrain trail shoe which is noticeably softer than the Superblast underfoot and creates a very bouncy ride. Testers described it as ‘the sort of shoe that does a lot of the work for you’, injecting energy into weary legs. That said, the more compliant foam makes for a less stable ride than the Superblast 2.
Up top, there's a more 'racey' engineered mesh upper, with sawtooth laces and a paired back tongue. There's plenty of padding around the ankle collar, though, and despite the slightly narrow width in the toe box, testers didn't experience any rubbing or hotspots.
Overall, the Megablast is a joy to run in, whether you're cruising through recovery miles or a tempo session. The racier upper and bouncy ride make it a fantastic alternative to a stiff carbon-plated shoe for race day, too. You'll just need deep pockets.
Features at a Glance
| Weight | 230g (UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 45mm (heel), 37mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
Pros
- Lighter than previous version
- Support tech isn’t intrusive
- Rocker sole creates smooth transitions
Cons
- Firm ride
Year after year, the Gel-Kayano lands on our list of the best shoes for overpronation 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 rocker 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.
| Weight | 300g (M), 260g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 40mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
Pros
- Excellent value
- Stability is effective without feeling heavy and clunky
- New Incredibly bouncy midsole midsole makes the shoe bouncier than v13
Cons
- FF Blast Max
Read our full Asics GT-2000 14 review
The GT-2000 proves that you can make a shoe with a fun underfoot feeling that still offers plenty of guidance to runners who seek it.
The most notable change to the 14th version is an upgrade in the midsole foam. Previously, Asics used a layer of FF Blast+, but the new model gets boosted to Incredibly bouncy midsole. The Max really is softer and bouncier than the plus formulation, which our testers noted.
Asics still calls its approach to stability ‘3D Guidance System’. The 3D lacks a medial post, the firm wedge of foam under the arch, which is found on a ‘4D’ system in the Kayano. Instead, stability is delivered through geometry and how the foam compresses. In the case of the GT-2000 14, the medial sidewalls rise to give you a gentle nudge, while the waist of the shoe is plenty wide to provide an excellent base below your foot.
A couple of things to note: if you’re a heel striker, you may notice you clip the back portion of the shoe as you come in to land. That’s because the bevel, the outer edge at the back of the heel, isn’t quite as gradual as found on the v13. If you want a more plush ride with softer cushioning, you should also look to the Kayano.
That said, the GT-2000 14 delivers enough cushioning and stability without feeling clunky or stiff, and while it's not designed for speedwork, you can pick up the pace easily if you're feeling frisky.
Features at a Glance
| Weight | 270g (M), 240g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | Heel: 35.8 mm (M), 34.8 mm (W). Forefoot: 28.4 mm (M), 28.2 mm (W) |
| Drop | 7.4 mm (M), 6.6 mm (W) |
| Type | Road, stability |
Pros
- Agile and nimble ride
- Good sense of ground feel
- Great for everyday off-road miles
Cons
- g M, 240g W
The latest incarnation of a model that always delivers, the Trabuco 13 is another solid trailer, perfectly treading the line between just-enough cushion, good ground-feel and plenty of control. The FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam midsole is the same as you get in the Asics Metafuji Trail and the Trabuco Max 4 – there’s just less of it for a more connected ride.
While many trail shoes increasingly deploy bigger, wider stacks, the Trabuco remains comparatively slimline and nimble. That lower profile encourages you to move faster with a higher foot turnover and our testers found the more pronounced rocker made transitions more dynamic than the Trabuco 12. You sacrifice a bit of cushion for this agility and that may limit the range to shorter excursions, but it excels on shorter, faster, more energised efforts where you want to be lighter and freer underfoot on more technical terrain.
| Weight | 285g (M), 250g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 34mm (heel), 26mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
Pros
- The Asics GT-2000 14 is stable and fun
- Rocker profile promotes smooth strides
Cons
- Upper runs snug
- Not for technical trails
The Trabuco Max adapts some of Asics’ best tech for the trail. Built for long off-road runs, its high-stack midsole packs a generous layer of FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco, delivering plush cushioning that soaks up impact and shields feet from roots and rocks. It’s superb for cruising 50km and beyond, but that softness can dull ground feel when the terrain gets really technical — for those days, the lighter, more agile Trabuco 13 is a better pick.
The shoe’s rockered GuideSole shape promotes smooth strides, and the lugged rubber Asicsgrip outsole bites into dirt for dependable traction on the trail. The fit runs snug, so consider going up half a size, especially if you have wider feet.
If you're hitting the trails for several hours, the Trabuco Max 4 is definitely worth considering: a dependable, cushioned workhorse.
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