Anima sana in corpor sano It is a Latin phrase meaning “a sound mind in a sound body.” It’s also the founding spirit (and acronym) behind Asics, one of the world’s most iconic running shoe brands. The Kobe-based sportswear company’s first shoe (in 1950) was dedicated to basketball, and the brand is no stranger to the sneaker scene, but it works where Asics has already found its niche. Most runners will be familiar with the brand’s visible gel technology, but deciphering the wide range where some shoe names read like serial numbers can make it difficult to find the best Asics running shoes for your specific needs.
In the main lineup of Asics running shoes, there are a few popular athletes like Gel-Kayano and Gel-Nimbus, but recently, the decades-old company has added notable new members to its team with findings from the Sports Science Institute . . If you’re used to seeing Asics running shoes as retro sneakers that focus on stability, it’s time to check in. These days, the company makes some of the best running shoes you can get, whether you’re out for a daily walk around the neighborhood or lining up for one of the world’s leading marathons.
I’ve worn Asics shoes to do both, and tested the rest of Kobe’s recent releases as well. After hundreds of miles of smashing gel pods on the pavement, here’s all the information I have on the Asics running shoes you should buy depending on the type of running you do.
The best Asics running shoes, at a glance:
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Best Overall: Superblast 2
When the Superblast shoe was first introduced, it was confusing: It looked so much like so-called “super shoes” made for marathon racing but without a carbon fiber plate, and so much of a midsole, it was technically illegal to race. But once runners realized it was the perfect partner for long distances, short distances, fast distances, and even recovery runs, it gained popularity and became one of the best pairs of the year. The Superblast 2 builds on that track record with a slightly different upper and midsole but was easily spared a sophomore slump – the new version is as versatile and adept as its predecessor. The key is that foam platform, which is thick but also firm and stable, and rattle and comfortable but not squishy. You can knock on it and it will respond, but if you take it easy, it won’t feel like a lot of work. I’ve found myself wearing these shoes over and over again, logging over 500 miles in my first pair (that durability makes the high price go down easily) and I fully expect to get as many out of the second version as possible.
Best daily trainer: Novablast 5
If the Superblast 2’s $200 seems like too much to spend on running shoes, the Novablast 5 comes in a close second in terms of picture finish — for a lot less. The shoe has a plump midsole made of ASICS’ new FF Blast Max foam, which has been proven to provide the ideal combination of cushion and bounce. One of the first things I noticed while running the Novablast was how comfortable it was right out of the box, but it managed to stay nimble on the road, and was very stable with no wobble to speak of. The upper is stylish, comfortable and secure, with a lacing system that feels pressure-resistant. Previous versions of this shoe were ideal for everyday mileage and speed; This one is still well rounded but its extra softness makes it less nimble. However, we love them for almost any type of running. If you’re training for a race, these shoes will get you to the start line.
Another great daily trainer: Gel-Nimbus 26
A very honorable mention: The Gel-Nimbus was not only the brand’s best-selling running shoe, but it was also the third most worn by runners Strava in 2024. The shoe has been around for a while, but recent reforms have made it one of the most comfortable running shoes you can get. A shoe that feels squishy out of the box risks consuming energy from every step, but the FF Blast Plus Eco foam provides enough bounce to prevent that from happening. With a stretchy and supportive upper, the shoe is the perfect partner not only for everyday running, but also for walking in. It’s good for long distances, too: I’ve driven 250 miles on the 25 and am rounding triple digits on this version.
Best for speed training: Magic Speed 4
Most running shoe brands these days have a shoe that’s a step lower than the main racing shoe (Metaspeed Sky and Edge in the case of Asics) that has some propulsion speed technology but is more accessible (and affordable). The Superblast does that and the Novablast does that, but they’re more versatile and don’t sit firmly in the speed day niche. Magic Speed 4 does. It has a mix of FF Blast Plus and FF Turbo foams – the plate is 43.5mm thick below the heel – and a full-length carbon plate. This makes the shoe feel as stiff as a race day shoe, but when you put it under the high impact forces of 400m repeats, it starts to work. Unlike thoroughbred racers, the Magic Speed 4 is more stable with its wider base. I tested the shoe over a range of distances and paces and found that speed work is where the shoe wears best; Its foam isn’t as soft as the Novaplast sponge, so it’s not the best choice for days that require comfort. But when you’re ready to copy, your wish is Magic Speed’s command.
Best for racing: Metaspeed Sky Paris and Metaspeed Edge Paris
In the “super shoe” drag race that Nike started with the Vaporfly, there are many contenders. Asics has found itself in the lead alongside the Swoosh at the head of the pack with the Metaspeed, which comes in two versions, Sky and Edge. Drawing on research conducted at the company’s Sports Science Institute that showed runners either increase their stride length or increase their stride length and stride frequency as they accelerate, both editions address both. The difference is technical – the carbon fiber sheets in the midsole are shaped and placed differently – and subjective, as the shoes feel different, despite the near-identical appearance. I tested both and liked both, but ultimately found that the Metaspeed Sky Paris shoe was better overall for me (I ended up running the 2024 London Marathon in the shoe as well). Differences aside, they’re both what you’d expect from an ultra-premium shoe made specifically for marathon racing: a lightweight upper, a carbon fiber plate, and a poppy feel made for fast strides.
Best for long rides: Glideride Max
Asics has a lot of max cushion shoes in their range, but not all of them have that max cushion feel. However, the Glideride Max does, when you turn it on, you can feel like you have a little more between you and the road and not in a clunky or clunky way. This is the same feeling I get while running in many Hoka running shoes, and the Glideride Max feels more like the Clifton than the Superblast or Novablast. Complementing the FF Blast Max foam is Asics Guidesole technology, which adds a little rocker to the shoe’s shape to help roll you through each step. It’s great for everyday running, but it is ideal For longer trips where things might get a little more clumsy in those later miles. They’re versatile enough for short distances, too, but there may be better options in Asics’ lineup if you never plan to reach those double digits.
Best in terms of stability: Gel-Kayano 31
When Toshikazu Kayano began working on Gel-Kayano in 1993, combining comfort and structure was his guiding principle. The shoe became a flagship of the Asics line and although it looks completely different in Edition 31, that foundation has not changed. I don’t run in stability shoes very often anymore (after a lot of work on my gait) but they used to be my go-to. Some can feel exaggerated, too strict, or too heavy, as if they are forcing you to run a certain way rather than supporting you. Not the Kayano 31, which uses Asics 4D Guidance to adjust your gait away from overpronation through a comprehensive set of interventions. The Kayano has FF Blast Plus foam in its midsole but it’s not as soft as the Gel-Nimbus. However, it is very comfortable and has a roomy toe box. The perfect running shoe for anyone who needs extra support for daily miles, little or many.
Best running shoe for most trails: Gel-Trabuco 12
You don’t see Asics brand lines hitting the trails very often — the company has put more energy behind its line of road shoes — but that doesn’t mean they don’t make great shoes for rugged terrain. You don’t have to wade further in the weeds than Gel-Trabuco to find a good example, either. The shoe is an example of the classic, versatile model that most companies keep in the lineup (and which meets the needs of most runners). It has an eight-millimeter drop, a flexible rock plate, not-so-deep lugs, and some light overlays around the toe for added protection. That’s only on paper, but on the trails it proved stable, responsive and comfortable too, with good stability in the upper and room up front for toes to spread out.
Best Max Cushion Trail Running Shoe: Trabuco Max 3
“Groundfeel” is a term found only in the vocabulary of racers. It means what it sounds like, and some prefer more of it and others prefer less. The Trabuco Max 3 is for those who want a larger midsole and a lower ground feel. This doesn’t mean it’s squishy and unresponsive; Conversely, in testing, I found the shoe to be plenty supportive underneath, even firm at first but becoming softer after I put some miles on it, and nimble enough to handle technical moments on multi-use trails near me. It also contains Asics Guidesole technology, which contributes to creating a great feel. Max-cushion trail runners can get choppy but the Trabuco platform is wide enough to negate the problem, and its lugs are easy to grip and designed for a range of surfaces.
ASICS running shoe features
First introduced in the GT-II running shoe in 1986, Asics Gel technology harnesses the vibration dampening properties of silicone gel first observed in machine applications. Asics designers use gel combined with midsole foams to create zones of support, bounce and softness in one midsole. Gel is often (but not always) a visible technology that you can see in the shoe profile as a semi-transparent layer within the midsole. It is also in the name of the models that contain it, such as Gel-Kayano and Gel-Nimbus.
Special midsole foams
In addition to Gel, as with any other running shoe company, Asics has its own list of internal midsole foams that it uses for various purposes in its running shoes. Flytefoam is the basic version, which is EVA modified to be lighter and more responsive than regular foam. Then there’s the FF Blast, FF Blast Plus, and FF Blast Turbo, each progressively lighter and more responsive than the last. Asics also recently unveiled the FF Blast Max in Glideride Max, a foam that continues this trend.
Stability steering systems
Asics has long been known for making stability shoes that help reduce or overpronate. This is done through a range of design interventions, such as the use of gel in specific areas of the midsole. There’s also 4D Steering as found on the Gel-Kayano 31, which combines four features to create all-round stability. These include a wider midfoot platform, a longer groove on the lateral side of the outsole, a design that places the foot deeper into the shoe’s structure, and a soft, bouncy piece of foam in the arch meant to keep you from overpronating. .
If you look inside any Asics shoe you will find a number printed on the heel of the sole. It’s the carbon footprint of that shoe, measured in kilograms of carbon dioxide emitted. If you’re eco-conscious, you can use this information to purchase lower-impact shoes.
