Our top pick

Asics Novablast 4

The Novablast 4’s combination of soft cushioning and speed-friendly rocker make it extremely versatile.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Novablast 4 here.

If we had to pick just one running shoe from Asics, you’re looking at it.

Not only is the Novablast 4 softer than the Novablast 3, its midsole has a higher rocker. That way, the Flytefoam midsole delivers a comfortable ride that also manages to feel peppy at the same time.

It also carries over most of the best practices from the previous shoe, so the Novablast 4 works for most run types.

The wide heel and forefoot midsole has plenty of cushioning and outsole grip for both heel and midfoot strikers. The same wide base also gives the shoe decent levels of stability.

The tall midsole makes the Novablast 4 makes all kinds of runs comfortable – be it everyday training or a half-marathon. The midsole rocker and stiff forefoot make the shoe speed-friendly by making it easier for the foot to tip forward.

The Flytefoam Blast midsole is not too soft, so it supports over-pronators who tend to roll their arch inwards.

Its $140 price makes it an excellent value proposition. To put this in context, it’s priced the same as the Cumulus 26 and $20 cheaper than the Nimbus 26.

Best for beginners

Asics Gel-Cumulus 26

Most new runners will love the Cumulus 26’s soft and lightweight cushioning, as well as its spacious fit.

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Like most of the shoes in Asics’s current lineup, the Cumulus gets a clean-slate redesign.

Asics took a bold step with the 26 by replacing the rubber outsole with an all-foam midsole. The lower base (made of firm EVA foam) is the outsole, whereas the upper layer uses very soft Flytefoam. Inside the shoe is a removable footbed and lasting, both very soft as well.

The Asics Cumulus's midsole is soft but not mushy.

The wide midsole of the Cumulus 26 produces a neutral and supportive ride .

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The theme of this year’s Cumulus is lightweight softness, a change that most runners will like.

The soft Flytefoam layer adds a lot of ride comfort without feeling mushy – the firmer base prevents the cushioning from bottoming out. It’s good for slow runs but doesn’t run out of steam when pushed a little.

While the outsole traction is lacking over slushy sidewalks and dusty artificial floors, the Cumulus 26 grips well on dry roads.

Beginners will appreciate the Cumulus 26’s spacious and true-to-size upper. Compared to its peers (the Nike Pegasus 41, Brooks Ghost 16, New Balance 880V14 etc), this shoe has the most accommodating interiors. The elastic tongue snaps tight over the foot for a secure wrap.

Best for recovery runs

Asics Nimbus 26

The Nimbus 26’s thick midsole stack adds cushioning softness to recovery runs.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Nimbus 26 here.

We’ll be upfront; we don’t think that the Nimbus 26 is any better than the Nimbus 25. But that also means that it’s as good as the last model, so there’s very little to worry about. The upper may be slightly narrower, but the ride quality is very similar.

The thick Flytefoam Blast+ midsole adds a generous amount of cushioning to the ride. The step-in comfort is delivered by the plush Ortholite insole and lasting, so there’s noticeable softness right under the foot.

The Nimbus 26 is also a great pick as a cushioned marathon shoe.

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The Nimbus 26 is not a very soft shoe; it’s firmer than the New Balance 1080V13. What you get is a sense of deep cushioning that doesn’t slow you down. The stiff forefoot and midsole rocker adds a propulsive dimension to the Flytefoam midsole.

We see the Nimbus as a good recovery run shoe and even a marathon trainer during long-and-slow run days.

We like the new upper with its true-to-size fit and comfortable interiors. The tongue design will divide opinions, as the thin knitted tongue feels out of place on a shoe this plush. It does run warm though, so it may not be the best shoe for summer runs.

Just like the last time, the Nimbus 26 has gender-specific cushioning. The Women’s version has a 1 mm lower stack height.

Best for overpronators

Asics Kayano 31

The Asics Kayano 31’s thoughtful midsole design makes it a capable pronation-control shoe.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Kayano 31 here.

Until the Kayano 30 showed up, the Kayano was the longest continuing shoe series with a firmer medial post. The Kayano 30 changed that, and what we see on the Kayano 31 is the continuation of last year’s redesign.

Three features on the Kayano 31’s midsole make it a suitable shoe for overpronators. The inner midsole is more supportive than the outer sidewall, so that keeps the Kayano’s arch side from collapsing. Working in tandem is the groove under the heel slopes towards the outer side. Finally, the outer midsole has a deep groove running down its side.

The Asics Kayano 31 is also available in a wide and extra-wide.

The Asics Flytefoam last - cushioned, yet firm and supportive.

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With this setup, the weight tends to lean towards the outer side by a few degrees. And that’s what you want a motion-control running shoe to do anyway – direct the weight or loading away from the arch side.

This motion-control character is only mildly prescriptive, so even neutral runners can run in this shoe. The firm cushioning of the Flytefoam midsole (the Kayano 31 uses a newer foam than the 30) adds comfort to everyday miles, be it short or long runs.

The upper fit is excellent. It secures the foot in true-to-size plushness, and is also offered in more widths.

Best for overpronation

Asics GT-2000 13

The GT-2000 13 delivers a milder version of the Kayano effect, but it’s still a pronation control shoe.

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If you don’t want Kayano levels of pronation management, consider the ounce-lighter GT-2000 13.

The midsole is more supportive on the inner (arch) side to keep the foot from excessively rolling inwards. Conversely, the groove on the outer sidewall makes it easier to compress.

This design directs the loading of the foot away from the inner side. That’s what effective pronation management is about. Except that the GT-2000 does it in a way that’s not as pronounced as the Kayano 31.

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The midsole bias is barely noticeable, so even runners who do not over-pronate can run in the GT-2000 13.

Also, this trainer goes further than its gait management abilities.

Like the Kayano 31, the GT-2000 13 gets a brand-new Flytefoam Blast+ compound. While the overall midsole design is similar to the GT-2000 12, the ride has improved. The new foam doesn’t feel as flat as before, and is more responsive to foot-strikes and transitions.

The firm cushioning works for everything between everyday runs, tempo training, and half-marathons. That’s makes the GT-2000 13 one of the most versatile stability trainers, more so that the heavier Kayano 31.

The upper fit is excellent. It’s true to size with a secure forefoot and a spacious toe-box. The heel collar is great at keeping the foot locked in.

Like most of its staples, Asics sells an optional wide and extra-wide for this model, along with reflective Lite-Show and TR (Trail) variants.

Best for marathon training

Asics Superblast 2

The Superblast 2’s versatile character makes it a great do-it-all shoe, including pre-race training.

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(Editor’s note: If Superblast V2 is unavailable at your location, the Superblast V1 is equally good, but with a tighter fit.)

The Asics Superblast is a unique running shoe that combines high-mileage comfort with a tempo-friendly ride. It’s also more robust than race-day shoes like the Metaspeed Sky, so it’s ideal for logging pre-race miles.

The wide and thick rocker midsole uses the lightweight Flytefoam Turbo (from the Metaspeed) over a firmer Flytefoam Blast+ bed.

These foam layers work together with the rocker profile to deliver a very comfortable ride that also manages to feel quick. The wide midsole footprint also adds stability, an area where a lot of plated racers struggle.

With that kind of versatility, the Superblast 2 can be used to cycle through kinds of pre-race marathons. Be it long recovery runs or threshold paces, the shoe has what it takes.

The Superblast 2 is a souped-up version of the Novablast 4.

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And if not training for marathon or half, the Superblast 2 also excels at being that one running shoe to do it all. It can be your daily trainer across different speed and distance ranges.

The Superblast 2 is also a good alternative – and upgrade – from the firmer Novablast. Sure, there’s a price premium, but it’s still less expensive than the plated trainers from the Metaspeed series.

The true-to-size upper performs as expected. It’s lightweight, secure, and smooth on the inside. The redesigned upper has improved ventilation over the Superblast V1 with more toe-box room.

Best for marathons

Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

The Metaspeed Sky’s softer forefoot offers greater comfort than the Metaspeed Edge during longer races.

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The Metaspeed Sky Paris is one of the two shoes from the Metaspeed collection. So why have we recommended this model for marathon use and not the Edge?

That’s because the plate configuration of the Sky makes the forefoot softer than the Edge. While both the Metaspeed models have a full-length plate, the Sky’s plate has more Flytefoam Turbo foam under it. The opposite is true for the Edge; the sharper curvature of the plate has it sitting closer to the outsole.

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So what you get with the Metaspeed Sky is a higher level of forefoot comfort when compared to the Edge. The Sky’s outsole is also softer under the forefoot due to the outsole cut-outs that the Edge lacks.

Is there a trade-off, then? Yes – the Sky’s plate has a weaker springboard snap under the heel due to its lower curvature.

That difference aside, the Sky and Edge use the same Flytefoam Turbo+ foam that blends cushioning softness with a springy feel. The Metaspeed twins share the same upper as well. It’s a lightweight upper with a free-floating tongue and padded heel. It’s not too tight but not as roomy as the Nike Vaporfly 3 either.

Best for 5K, 10K, half-marathons

Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris

The Edge’s closer-to-the-ground plate produces quicker turnovers during shorter races.

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The Metaspeed Edge Paris shares most of its components with the Metaspeed Sky Paris, so it feels similar to the latter. The upper fit is identical, and the soft and bouncy Flytefoam Turbo midsole is also very similar.

What makes the Metaspeed Edge a better shoe for relatively shorter distances (5k to a half-marathon) is its plate design.

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The plate has a deeper curve under the forefoot, and it’s closer to the ground. The outsole is firmer too, as it lacks the windows of the Sky Paris.

In other words, the Metaspeed Edge has a more traditional plate design – the kind that debuted on the Nike Vaporfly.

The closer-to-the-ground and firmer feel makes forefoot turnovers quicker and efficient than the Sky. This works well for shorter distances where it’s easier to post quicker 5K splits than the a marathon.

Best for 5K races

Asics Hyperspeed 4

The Hyperspeed 4’s no-fuss design brings ride efficiency to 5K runs.

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The Hyper Speed 4 has nothing in common with the namesake HyperSpeed 6 or 7 from a few years ago. This Hyper Speed 4 is more cushioned, but firm – thus making it a comfortable speed trainer for 10K distances.

That said, the foot does all the work during the transitions instead of the plate making things easier. Despite the updated midsole, it behaves similarly to the first-generation Hyper Speed.

It’s an excellent shoe for speed training and races – even though the midsole isn’t as low-profile as the previous generation Hyper Speed 7.

The upper is secure but well-ventilated and not overly narrow. That kind of fit character works great for longer speed runs as it accommodates the increased foot volume that occurs as a result of running long distances.

Best for trail running

Asics Gel-Trabuco 12

Be it non-technical trails or pavement, the Trabuco 12 delivers no-fuss performance.

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The Gel Trabuco 12 is Asics’s go-to Trail running shoe. The Trabuco is to Asics what the Cascadia 18 is to Brooks, or the Hierro V8 to New Balance.

You get the idea – it’s a good general purpose trail running shoe that can also transition to pavements. It has a 8 mm heel drop, a rugged outsole, and a flexible rock plate. The ride comfort is powered by a Flytefoam Blast foam midsole, the same material that many of road Asics shoes used.

The unimaginatively-named Asicsgrip outsole is excellent – both from a rubber compound and lug geometry viewpoint. The material sticks well on slick surfaces whereas the aggressive lugs bite well on dry trails.

The 8 mm heel-to-toe offset encourages full-contact or midfoot landings. The Trabuco is fairly stable as well. The wide midsole minimizes cushioning bias on the trail, and the firm foam prevents the midsole from ‘bottoming’.

The Trabuco 12’s comfortable and true-to-size upper fit fits like a road shoe.

The secure interiors aren’t overly narrow so that the foot doesn’t feel boxed in. The rubberized layers add durability and some degree of splash resistance.

We recommend the waterproof Gore-Tex Trabuco 12 (for $20 extra) for increased versatility on wet trails.

Best affordable running shoe

Asics Gel-Excite 10

This popular budget trainer from Asics works perfectly for short, low-intensity runs.

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The Gel-Excite 10 isn’t particularly ‘exciting’ but it gets the job done – if a budget daily trainer is what you’re looking for.

Unlike the $10 cheaper Gel-Contend, the Excite 10’s design taps into inspiration from the more expensive models. That applies to the engineered mesh upper and sculpted midsole.

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Though the midsole is non-Flytefoam EVA, its contoured sidewalls are based on Asics’s new visual scheme. The Contend is also nice with a similar ride, but the Excite looks like a more expensive shoe. That’s the reason why we have featured the Excite 10 over the Contend.

Asics has done a good job with the upper too. The snug-fitting exterior holds the foot securely while managing to look good in the process. The heel and tongue have a generous amount of foam padding.

How we selected: What to look for

The Asics’s running shoe assortment has never been stronger – they have filled most of the product gaps, including trail footwear.

Asics has reinvented itself over the last few years, and if there’s any sign of complacency, we’ve yet to see it.

The brand has also done an excellent job of bringing the old and new together. On one hand, we see popular models like the Nimbus, Cumulus, and Kayano in the catalog, but updated with fresher designs and materials.

For example, the Cumulus 26 shaves a lot of weight by skipping the rubber outsole altogether. The new Cumulus uses a dual-density midsole that also doubles as the outsole. It’s the lightest and softest it’s ever been.

The Superblast 2 is a souped-up version of the Novablast 4.

There are fun products like the Superblast – a softer, lighter, and bouncier version of the Novablast. Using the lightweight Flytefoam Turbo on a rocker midsole makes the Superblast comfortable and quick. The 2nd version of this wildly popular model has been updated with a more spacious fit and better ventilation.

The Metaspeed Sky and Edge Paris are excellent updates that are nicely differentiated – as long as you know what you’re looking for.

Also, the Japanese company is one of the last safe havens for affordable low-profile racers like the $80 Lyteracer 4 and $100 Hyper Speed 4. Occasionally, it’s nice to have a traditional racer for speedwork rather than wobbly Carbon-plated running shoes.

Trail running shoes have always been Asics’s Achilles heel, but the new updates appear encouraging. The Gel-Trabuco 12 is a versatile trail-road hybrid, and models like the Fuji Speed 3 and Trabuco Max 3 show a lot of promise.