To find the greatest sneakers at various price points, we have compared dozens of styles.

There are solutions for every kind of runner thanks to the wide selection of ASICS sneakers. ASICS has everything you need, including stability shoes for overpronation, carbon-plated racers for new PBs, and comfy cruisers for long distances.
And our goal is to assist you in locating the best. All of these sneakers have undergone testing both in our lab and during test runs. To fully experience all they have to offer, we wear-test each one! And we assess e v e r y t h i n g after dissecting them. These are our top choices across several categories.
Table of Contents
Best ASICS running shoes overall : ASICS Novablast 5
Best ASICS daily running shoes : ASICS Gel Nimbus 27
Best stability ASICS running shoes: ASICS Gel Kayano 31
Best ASICS running shoes for 5K/10K racing : ASICS Metaspeed Edge+
Best ASICS running shoes for race : ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris
Over Top Picks:
Best ASICS running shoes overall

1. ASICS Novablast 5
Pros
- Keeps the same price as v4
- Higher stack height for extra cushioning
- Best Novablast ever for wide feet
- Works for short, medium and long runs
- Enhanced flexibility
- Improved energy return with all-new foam
Cons
- Toebox durability
- Lacks grip on wet surfaces
- Breathability could be improved
Our choice of the Novablast 5 as ASICS’ top running shoe is supported by several runs and laboratory testing. We were treated to a high degree of comfort without sacrificing stability or energy return. This shoe is an outstanding all-arounder that will last since it combines dependability and versatility.
We are pampered with a luxurious cushion that surpasses the norm in height and density, so our feet feel fantastic throughout our run. Our caliper displays an astounding 40.9/33.5 mm stack height, and our durometer indicates that it is 38.4% softer than typical. When we increased the tempo, we liked how responsive and lively it seemed.
The base of the Novablast 5 is shrewdly widened for confident landings. The enormous 122.3/97.6 mm landing platform that our caliper displays is more than sufficient for us to keep our balance. Fortunately, despite its size, it is manageable. It is 32.2% more flexible than usual, according to our bend test.
Lastly, its durability is what makes the difference. There are very few scratches on the outsole, even after tens of thousands of kilometers on rough pavement. In our abrasion test, Novablast 5 showed less damage than typical, proving its endurance. We couldn’t resist checking with our Dremel.
Although this tandem does a fantastic job overall, it lacks the stamina to maintain paces that break records. For races, we advise looking at alternative possibilities.
Best ASICS running shoes overall: Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart.
Best ASICS daily running shoes

2. ASICS Gel Nimbus 27
Pros
- Excels at long-distance training
- Premium-feel, breathable upper
- Flexible knit tongue
- Amazing heel lockdown
- True maximalist comfort for recovery runs
- Improved toebox with extra wiggle room
- Fantastic stability
Cons
- Minimal outsole coverage
- Minor price increase
- Grip could be better
The ASICS Gel Nimbus 27’s remarkably hard landings and incredibly cushioned midsole provide an unmatched foot bliss sensation. This shoe is the best everyday trainer among the ASICS models that are put through extensive testing both inside and outside of the lab.
The Gel Nimbus 27 offers unbelievably high levels of comfort. Its midsole foam, at 21.0 HA, is comparable to the average, according to our exacting measurements. Additionally, its impressive stack height of 42.7/34.4 mm daringly exceeds the norm by 8.6/8.9 mm, bringing its cushioning to a remarkable level. Even during demanding endurance runs, its unmatched thickness and the cutting-edge PureGEL technology built into the heel provided us with opulent comfort by efficiently reducing ground impact.
The Gel Nimbus 27, despite its enormous height, offers solid and sturdy landings and exudes confidence with each step. Our manual torsional rigidity examination gives it a perfect 5/5 rating, showing its resistance to twisting forces, while its wide base and solid construction provide a rooted feel.
It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the midsole puts comfort ahead of energy return, which makes it less suitable for higher speeds than moderate ones. Although ideal for long runs, people looking for greater reactivity should look into other possibilities.
Best ASICS daily running shoes: Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart.
Best stability ASICS running shoes

3. ASICS Gel Kayano 31
Pros
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Good breathability
- Comfortable and roomy upper
- Maximalist cushioning
- Great for easy paces
- Excellent stability
Cons
- Not versatile at all
- Outsole needs improvements
- Big and clunky
The Gel Kayano 31’s standing as the top ASICS stability shoe was solidified by numerous testing conducted both inside and outside of the lab. It maintains a delightfully soft ride while deftly integrating subtle support systems like the 4D Guidance System to deliver steadiness and comfort like no other.
The unique feature of GK31 is its 4D Guidance System, which uses softer foam beneath our arch to provide adaptive stability. It adapts to each distinct foot shape with continued wear. We felt secure on every landing because to the wide base and thick sidewalls. Our caliper indicates that the heel is 97.6 mm and the forefoot is a huge 122.1 mm.
We were blown away by the midsole’s incredibly soft mega stack. It is composed of ASICS’ cloud-like FF Blast+ foam and stands 39.3/27.8 mm tall. Our durometer result, which is 27.1% softer than usual, supports our feelings. The PureGEL in the heel further produces softer landings.
We think this shoe is best suited for heel strikers because of the steep 11.5 mm drop and the placement of PureGEL. Check out more options if you like less aggressive offsets.
Best stability ASICS running shoes: Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart.
Best ASICS running shoes for 5K/10K racing

4. ASICS Metaspeed Edge+
Pros
- Buttery smooth transitions
- More cushioned for long miles
- Super light
- Nails the race-ready fit
- Slip-free lockdown
- More durable than most racers
- Speedy all the way!
Cons
- Scratchy upper
- Not for short runs
- Expensive
The ASICS Metaspeed Edge+ wins the medal for best 5k/10k racing shoe in the ASICS line following a series of interval training sessions and fast-paced runs. really light, incredibly vibrant, and incredibly breathable. No other ASICS shoe compares after testing them in the lab and jogging in them.
Compared to the typical road running shoe, which weighs 265 grams/9.3 ounces, the ASICS Metaspeed Edge+ is significantly lighter at 208 grams/7.3 ounces. Additionally, it weighs 246 grams (8.68 ounces) less than other platinum shoes. We had the impression that we were running without any weight on our shoulders during our interval and stride drills. The Edge+ is a very alluring choice for racing the 5k or 10k, a race that breaks records.
Additionally, the shoe rides incredibly responsively. A snappier toe-off and a stronger shoe are the results of the repositioned carbon-fiber plate. When we evaluated its flexibility in the lab, we discovered that the Edge+ required more than twice as much force to bend (63N vs. 31.8N). Because of the rocker design, it also features a very fluid heel-to-toe transition; every step and stride we took was incredibly smooth.
The mesh upper of the Edge+ is supple and permeable. Even on hotter days, the mesh upper allowed the smoke to pass through quickly and easily during the breathability test, making it the ideal race shoe.
The cost is its biggest disappointment. At $250, it is far more costly than the majority of “super” shoes, which typically cost $212 per pair.
Best ASICS running shoes for 5K/10K racing: Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart.
Best ASICS running shoes for race

5. ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris
Pros
- World-class energy return
- Versatile for distances from 5K to marathon
- All-weather grippy outsole
- Incredibly cushioned
- Redesigned, improved upper
- Exceptionally lightweight design
Cons
- Less stable than Sky+
- Not suitable for heel strikers
We came to the conclusion that the Metaspeed Sky Paris is the best ASICS race shoe after kilometers of heart-pounding, adrenaline-filled running. Designed to produce winning performances and personal bests, these supershoes are among the best in our lab. Its practically weightless and well ventilated feel further enhances its dynamic yet cushy midsole, which steals the show.
The Sky Paris’s flat carbon plate, which sits between the soft yet strong FF Turbo+ midsole, demonstrates its exceptional performance. In addition to a late-stage toe rocker that gives us the sensation of gliding through the miles, every compression beneath our forefoot results in significant rebound.
We were quite comfortable during the testing process. With its 39.1/32.6 mm stack, the soft 21.0 HA midsole fits barely under the 40-mm race-legal restriction. We can race even up to marathon distances because each landing feels extremely soft.
Even though it is maximalist, the shoe weighs only 6.5 oz (183g), which is far less than the typical race shoe in our lab, which weighs 7.7 oz (217g). The fine mesh upper in our breathability test received the highest rating of 5/5 since it allowed smoke to flow through so easily that it nearly immediately filled the shoe.
It’s important to remember, though, that mid-to forefoot strikers are the target of the Sky Paris. Heel strikers who are looking to perform at their best will be far happier with alternative possibilities.
Best ASICS running shoes for race: Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart.
How to choose the best running shoes from ASICS
You must take into account the following elements in order to get the most out of a pair of ASICS shoes:
Terrain: Are you going to run on trails or paved roads?
Use: Competition, speed training, or daily runs?
How much cushioning will be most helpful to you?
Arch support: Do you require running shoes that are more supportive and stable?
Not to mention additional elements like pricing, size, fit, durability, and breathability. You may choose the ideal pair of ASICS shoes by using this guide to obtain the answers to these questions.

ASICS road and trail running shoes
Exploring rocky and muddy terrain is a very different experience than gliding on solid roads. For this reason, you should begin by selecting the appropriate ASICS shoe category.
Although there are still some good options for off-road running, 90% of the brand’s running shoes are designed for road running.
Road shoes from ASICS
ASICS road shoes are lighter than trail shoes and are made for jogging on asphalt, smooth roads, pavements, and treadmills. They include smooth rubber outsoles and thinner, more breathable uppers.