Asics Gel Cushioning – Midsole Review

Asics Gel is one of the most legendary technologies in the running world. The cushioning that was born at Asics all the way back in 1986 has been continuously improved and remained at the top throughout its lifespan, almost 20 years. Asics Gel is found in several of Asics’ most popular running shoes, and continues to impress with its comfort, durability and effective cushioning. Below you can find everything about Asics Gel and see an overview of which running shoes you can find Asics Gel in.

Advantages and disadvantages

Below we have highlighted some of the many advantages and disadvantages that can be associated with the Asics Gel midsole. The list is certainly not exhaustive, but we have highlighted some of the ones that we think are most important.

Further down in the article/guide you will find both an overview of the most popular Asics running shoes with the Asics gel midsole and personal reviews, and of course we have compared the Asics Gel midsole to one of its competitors to find out what it really has to offer.

Running shoes with Asics Gel

There are many running shoes with Asics Gel. The technology is an essential part of Asics running shoes and has been since its birth in 1986. Asics Gel was created to help the body absorb the many forces and shocks that each and every running step generates. A classic was born.

Below you will find a list of some of the most popular running shoes that use Asics Gel cushioning:

Asics Gel Kayano

Asics Gel Kayano is considered by many to be the world’s best running shoe. A favorite among many pronating runners. It is one of the most technical running shoes on the market, which also means that Asics Gel Kayano can be used by many different types of runners. It is a mass training shoe that lasts for many km. At the same time, the shoe helps keep you injury-free, so you can focus on running rather than retraining. Last but not least, you can often find Asics cheaply on sale. Find the best offers and prices for Asics Gel Kayano here.

Asics Gel Nimbus

A running shoe that is mainly aimed at the neutral runner who is looking for a training shoe with durability and strength for a huge number of km. The Asics Gel Nimbus is a slightly heavier running shoe, packed with the best technology, including the subject of this article, Asics Gel. I have tested the Asics Gel Nimbus myself and was particularly impressed by its comfort, cushioning (Asics Gel) and durability. If you are looking for a neutral running shoe for your long training runs, for example in preparation for a marathon, I can highly recommend taking a look at the Asics Gel Nimbus

Asics Gel Kinsei

Another Asics running shoe, packed with technology and Asics Gel Pads in both the heel and forefoot. Asics Gel Kinsei is a comfortable running shoe that suits you with a supinating or neutral running style. If you are a pronating runner, you can choose Asics Kayano instead. It is a heavier running shoe with a high drop, which is especially suitable for heavier runners or those who land a lot on their heels. Read much more about the Asics Gel Kinsei in my review of the running shoe.

Asics Gel Lyte33

A running shoe that, unlike many other Gel running shoes, is light, fast and has a low drop. I would mainly recommend using the Asics Gel Lyte33 for faster runs with a focus on speed, speed and more speed. It is a good running shoe for those of you who have ambitions to try your hand at natural running, as the shoe’s drop is only 5-6 mm. I am a little confused about the large amount of Gel in the heel, but I think the shock absorption in the midfoot and forefoot was exceptionally good. Read more about it and much more in my review of Asics Gel Lyte33.

Asics Gel Noosa Tri

A running shoe that, in addition to its versatile use and good performance, is extremely well-known for its eye-catching and colorful design, which is popular all over the world. Which you can read more about in my Asics Gel Noosa Tri review is there one running shoes for triathlonwith specific features that increase comfort when running barefoot and make the shoes easier to put on and take off. Asics Noosa Tri is mainly aimed at the neutral and supinating runner.

Other shoes with Asics Gel

There are many more Asics running shoes with the popular Gel technology, which has fans all over the world. Asics is the most popular running shoe brand in Denmark and the Gel technology is found in their best-selling models. If you want a complete overview of all Asics running shoes and which ones have a Gel midsole, you can find a complete list of Asics running shoes here.

What is Asics Gel?

Asics Gel cushioning opened the door to a world of potential for runners and athletes of all sizes, shapes and levels. Anyone who aspires to run further, play harder and perform more intensely can benefit from Asics Gel. Thanks to the comfort and support of Asics Gel running shoes, anyone can now become a runner and push themselves to new heights and towards new goals.

Asics Gel is the name of the shock absorption that sits in several of the most popular Asics running shoes. The cushioning is extremely effective and works basically the same as when it was invented in the 80s. The technology behind Asics cushioning has of course been improved many times since then, and you can be sure to always get cushioning and technology that is completely up-to-date in Asics running shoes.

The cushioning goes in and reduces the shock to the foot when landing and taking off. This helps to minimize the risk of you being hit by annoying injuries and can focus on becoming a better and more efficient runner. Asics Gel sits in the shoe’s midsole and helps to make running in Asics running shoes extremely comfortable. The technology and cushioning have been used in shoes for many different sports over the years, but are especially beneficial for runners who repeat the same movement thousands of times on shorter and longer runs. The durable cushioning goes in and facilitates an efficient and comfortable transition of energy throughout the foot’s entire running motion.

In practical terms, Asics Gel works with an element in the heel and an element in the forefoot. Typically, both types will be present in a given running shoe, but they are two separate parts of the running shoe. It is also possible to find running shoes where there is only Gel in either the heel or the forefoot.

Gel in the heel

During a normal run, the foot, and the rest of the body, is exposed to vertical impact forces, which are usually 3 to 5 times the runner’s body weight through heel landing. Asics Gel shock absorption dampens the shock from the many landings on the foot. At the same time, the Gel system in the heel helps to stabilize the foot, as the first phase of Asics’ own Impact Guidance System (I.G.S).

Forfods Gel

Asics Gel cushioning in the forefoot reduces the large forces that normally hit the foot when it moves forward, such as in a running motion. The Gel system in the forefoot works with the midsole material to reduce the many forces and forefoot flexion to accommodate the pressure on the foot as it rolls through the “line of progression” ending at the foot strike. The final part of the I.G.S system.

Personal review

I have tested many different Asics Gel running shoes and I am almost always impressed and extremely satisfied with the different Asics running shoes, most of which have had the Gel technology. A cushioning that I have had many good experiences with and which I am generally very satisfied with. There are of course some blemishes, but overall I think that Asics Gel works super well and that it is deserved to be rated as one of the world’s best cushioning systems.

The part that I am most impressed with every time is the durability of Asics Gel, even when I reach about 1000 km in a pair of Asics Gel running shoes, they still run almost like the day I took them out of the box. The same cannot be said about the other shock absorption systems that I have mentioned here on the site. This is something that a half-hearted Jutland like me greatly appreciates. On the other hand, I also find that the Gel shock absorption is a bit heavy in it and the running shoes where it fits are heavier volume training running shoes, a type of running shoe that I run less and less in with increasing experience. In the lightweight running shoes where Asics has incorporated Asics Gel, I often find that the strong shock absorption has been a bit out of place and unnecessary.

On the other hand, you are always guaranteed an incredibly comfortable running experience with Asics Gel. The effective shock absorption distributes the pressure from every step really effectively. And I have heard many stories and accounts of people who have gotten rid of their injury problems using Asics Gel.

Comparing Asics Gel with other running shoes

To compare Asics Gel with other running shoes, or more precisely, the cushioning in the different running shoes, I have chosen to look at the other running shoes and brands that I have tested and tried myself.

I have selected a few of the shock absorption technologies below:

Asics Gel vs. Nike Lunar

Compared to Nike Lunar Asics Gel is a bit harder in its shock absorption. Nike Lunar is combined with, among other things,. Adidas Boost and Brooks Pure are definitely also on the softer end of cushioning technologies. Therefore, it is no surprise that Asics Gel is a little harder than Nike Lunar. For its performance, that is probably one of the reasons why I believe that Nike Lunar gives a stronger response when taking each step. On the other hand, I also believe that Asics Gel lasts significantly more km than Nike Lunar. I have had that confirmed more than once.

Differences between Asics Gel and Mizuno Wave

At the other end of the spectrum we find the Mizuno Wave, which is a harder cushioning. In fact, the Mizuno Wave is the world’s first mechanical midsole. It is on the harder end, but distributes the shock across the entire foot very effectively. The Mizuno Wave scores a lot of points for its lightweight construction, which makes it Mizuno løbesko, are often some of the lightest running shoes on the market. This also makes the Wave technology extremely effective for competition shoes and for interval training etc. On the other hand, the product selection is not as wide and again the durability of Asics Gel is better than Mizuno Wave. At the same time, I personally think that Asics Gel is a more comfortable shock absorption than Mizuno Wave.

Summary of Asics Gel

There is no doubt that I can recommend Asics Gel. I don’t think it has a place in aggressive competition running shoes, where Gel elements often feel a bit out of place and awkward. On the other hand, it is perhaps the best shock absorption in heavier running shoes for high volumes of training. The durability and comfort are top notch. The latter is also one of the primary reasons why Asics Gel is really good for heavier runners.

Asics Gel has been in the game for almost 20 years and I see absolutely no reason why it will still be around in 20 years.

If you have any questions, comments or experiences with Asics Gel, please leave a comment in the comments box below!