IF WE WERE to play a game of word association, ‘Asics’ would likely make you think of a few choice words. Dependable, dynamic, utilitarian and surprisingly affordable might spring to mind, for example. Those were all words we used when we anointed the Asics Gel-Kayano 31 the best daily trainer in our 2024 Sneaker Awards, but they apply to almost every shoe in the Asics stable.
As far as consumer goodwill goes, Asics has earnt more than most brands. That’s because they hardly ever miss, and have become known as a go-to footwear provider for anyone who wants a new running shoe they can trust to give them what they need.
Still, no brand has a perfect track record, and not every shoe will be the right fit for your needs. That’s why we’re breaking down the ten best Asics shoes of 2025, so you can make an educated decision on what works best for you.
What are the best Asics running shoes?
10. Asics GT-2000 13
The Asics GT-2000 13 is a stability shoe that balances support with responsiveness. Designed for runners who need mild to moderate pronation control, it features Asics’ signature Gel cushioning in the heel and forefoot for impact absorption, while the FlyteFoam midsole delivers a lightweight, energetic ride. The shoe’s Litetruss technology enhances medial support without feeling intrusive, making it optimal for daily runs of any distance.
9. Asics Gel-Contend 9
It’s hard to ask for much more from a shoe that retails for only $100 than what you’ll get from the Gel-Contend 9. It has almost everything you’ll find in a pricier Asics shoe, including a Gel midsole, Amplifoam+ cushioning, a Trusstic support unit and a wrap-up outsole to improve stability while allowing your feet to move freely.
8. Asics Gel-Sonoma 8
The Asics Gel-Sonoma 8 trail running shoe is designed to tackle varied terrain with ease. Built with Gel cushioning in the rearfoot, it absorbs impact on uneven surfaces, while the AmpliFoam midsole provides soft but responsive cushioning for extended wear. The shoe’s durable outsole features an aggressive lug pattern, providing excellent traction on dirt, gravel and rocky trails. A reinforced toe cap enhances protection, while the breathable mesh upper ensures ventilation without compromising durability.
7. Asics Magic Speed 4
The Magic Speed 4 is a versatile shoe that bridges the gap between daily trainers and race-day shoes. Featuring a substantial stack height of 44.5 mm in the heel, it combines a full-length carbon plate with FF Blast midsole foam, complemented by a forefoot insert of FF Turbo foam. This configuration delivers a responsive ride, making it particularly suitable for tempo runs and speed workouts when you’re really pushing the pace, but it can also be used on race day.
6. Asics Superblast 2
The Asics Superblast 2 is best used for daily, runs, recovery runs and up-tempo efforts, but it has more kick than your usual daily trainer. Building upon its predecessor, it features a dual-layer midsole combining FF Blast and FF Turbo cushioning, delivering a lightweight and responsive ride. The engineered woven mesh upper enhances breathability and provides a secure fit, while the ASICSGRIP outsole offers improved traction and durability.
5. Asics Trabuco Max 4
A big point in trail running’s favour is the fact that running off-road can expose you to the beauty of nature. The ASICS Trabuco Max 4 was created with enhancing that benefit in mind, allowing you to run with ease while admiring your surroundings. The Trabuco Max 4 adds more cushioning to the regular Trabuco, and at its base, innovative Guidesole tech creates an easy forward roll to keep momentum up.
4. Asics Novablast 5
Asics’ Gel-based shoes may garner most of the attention, but there aren’t many better daily trainers in the Asics catalogue than the Novablast 5. As they’re generally the cheapest shoes in brands’ ranges, there’s a tendency for daily trainers to lapse on aesthetics. Not the Novablast, which you’ll immediately notice has a visually striking design. The most obvious point of interest lies in the tall heel, which holds a huge amount of cushioning and boasts higher levels of energy return than most of the other entries on this list. Elsewhere, a tongue wing construction in the upper improves the fit for a stabilising, supportive feel.
3. Asics Metaspeed Edge+
Asics raised the bar with the Metaspeed edge, a shoe designed for peak performance on race day. Engineered with an innovative carbon plate and both FF Blast and FF Turbo technology, these shoes offer optimal energy return, bounce and propulsion. The lightweight and breathable upper provides a snug fit, while the precision-designed sole enhances stability. Use it for anything from your weekly 5km circuit to the Olympic marathon and we can guarantee you’ll be moving fast – and we mean that part about the Olympic marathon, two of the top-ten finishers in this year’s men’s event wore this exact shoe.
2. Asics Gel-Nimbus 27
The Gel-Nimbus 27 combines ultra-supportive PureGel cushioning with a plush collar, offering unbelievably soft landings and a luxurious experience for your feet. This is Asics’ most cushioned and most comfortable shoe, hence the name Nimbus. The cloud-like feeling of running in them needs to be experienced first-hand to be believed.
1. Asics Gel-Kayano 31
If there is a better daily trainer than Asics’ Gel-Kayano 31, we can’t find it. There isn’t a shoe that can rival the Gel-Kayano’s stability, which is elevated from the already market-leading stability of its predecessors. A refurbished upper provides a stronger fit, an updated outsole made from Asicsgrip rubber offers surplus traction and PureGel technology delivers improved shock absorption, but the real standout is the Gel-Kayano 31’s unique 4D Guidance System, which reacts to the movement of your body to provide adaptive stability in the areas where it’s needed most.
