What's so great about Asics running shoes?

Question

I've noticed that a large proportion of the serious runners I see wear Asics shoes. I'm starting to jog and wonder if there's a good reason to buy these rather expensive shoes. Is it just runners' elitism, or does Asics really have some technology that bigger manufacturers like Nike & Adidas don't?

Answer 1

I've been a runner for a LONG time and a triathlete for five years. For me, the advantage to wearing Asics is personal: they come in narrow sizes and support my feet well. I have very narrow, flat feet and my doctor recommended I try the Asics after Nike let me down and caused me pain. I tried the Asics and was immediately hooked. I can't wear all of the styles of Asics since they are structured for different types of runners but I find the GT series is amazing for me. I wear the shoes solely when I run and I have a different pair for trainign and one for racing. If you get them on clearance they are usually not too expensive but they are worth spending the money on!

www.roadrunnersports.com
www.asicsamerica.com

Good luck with your running!

Answer 2

As pointed out before many serious runners prefer Asics, Brooks, and Mizuno because they know the can trust those companies to rpoduce quality goods. For someone like Nike, their running shoes are only good if you get the expensive ones. The nice thing about Asics is you can find them at almost any sporting goods store, while Mizuno and Brooks are not quite as common. Unfortunatly it Asics price has been going up, so the great bargain of them over an overpriced Nike shoe isn't as prevalent.

Asics also has a real wide variety of shoes for the type of runner you are. I got into Asics because I went to a specialty running shoe store and he had me try on 3 or so pairs he thought would work well for me, and the asics ones felt the best. That was before I was really into running and knew much about asics. Since my first run in those shoes, compared to previously training in a pair of cheap nikes, I feel in love. Just because of how well they have worked for me and how much I enjoy them I reccomment them to others.

Answer 3

I've tried Nike, New Balance, Adidas and Asics. I now exclusively use Asics because I have fewer injuries using their shoes. Also, they last longer than New Balance or Adidas. Nike shoes just don't fit my feet and it you want a good runnning shoe from Nike, you need to buy their upper-end models.

I currently wear the Asics Gel Fortitude 2 because I wear orthotics and this model doesn't overcorrect my arch. I use the Gel Enduro II shoes for cross-country.

When I switched about 2 months ago from the New Balance models I had been experimenting with, my injuries (ITBS and PF) began to resolve and now have completely resolved.

Shoes are a matter of personal preference but just keep in mind that it's pretty much the biggest investment you'll make in this sport.

Answer 4

I've been running seriously for over 10 years, and doing marathons for the last 4. I've tried many different brands of shoes, but Asics really has something. Especially with their gel series. New Balance and Brooks also make some great running shoes, but I still prefer Asics. Once you try them, you'll never go back to Nike.

I dont know if its a technological advantage, as much as a choice of what kinds of shoes to focus their product line on. Just like for cars, the Japanese manufacturers chose to focus on small passenger cars that get great gas mileage while American manufactureres chose to focus on trucks and SUVs.

Nike and Adidas put their focus on shoes for other sports like basketball and soccer. They make some great shoes for those sports, but their running shoes just dont cut it, at least not in the affordable price ranges.

Answer 5

I've run on Asics, Brooks and New Balance exclusively.

I found those three to be the most comfortable, best fitting shoe for intermediate to marathon distance training.

It's all about fit and construction. Asics shoes fit my tendencies, and I also like how they look. No elitism in my book...

The best advice I can offer is to go to a running store, and have them size and fit you properly. They will put you in a shoe that suits you. If budget is a concern, express that up front.

You wouldn't put cheap, poorly fitting tires on your car...

Answer 6

A lot of my teammates on track and cross country wear Asics for their training shoes; I don't. I do have a pair of their spikes, however, for xc. Anyway, the point is, they are designed for runners; like someone else said, Nike and Adidas mainly focus on other sports, like basketball and soccer, and it shows; the pair of Adidas running shoes I had for awhile just were not as good as my other pairs. I prefer Mizuno running shoes to Asics though, just because they fit my feet better and work for me. It's all about personal preference; however, many runners prefer Asics.

Answer 7

It's probably more about fitting in with the rest of the group.

Though Asics makes some nice shoes - they are expensive, and it's mostly about personal preference - different people have different needs. Try some different brands and models, and see which gives you the best arch & ankle support but still allows the greatest range of motion.

I'm not a runner - I jog sometimes, but I prefer to ride a bicycle because it doesn't put so much stress and impact on your joints. I tend to wear skateboarding shoes 99% of the time like Vans, Etnies, or World Industries - they are super comfortable, and while they probably aren't suggestable for long distance running, they are awseome for getting around in urban areas where you have to do a lot of maneuvering around people, objects, cars, etc.

Answer 8

Those shoes really are awesome. I used to wonder the same thing until I tried them myself. They are really comfortable and help absorb the shocks so that you don't feel like you're slamming your feet on concrete. The gelled ones are even greater. They set so they mold every curve and line on your foot to guarantee comfort.

They last FOREVER and are even stylish on some parts.

AND I also realized that you are not a real runner without the asics shoes.

Answer 9

My best friends have asics and they say they are really good running shoes. They are expensive but so are other running shoes. I am planning to get some because my nke shox give me ankle and knee problems in track.

Answer 10

three hundred peso shoes and 5000 dollar shoes will not make a better runner. look at the story of Nike Shoes. They were designed for a unique purpose. doesn't make the runner faster, they help the runner in a certain way. The Ethiopians,Nigerians and others dispelled the myth of shoes make the runner in 1970s.
http://www.breakawaybooks.com/Quotable_Runner.htm
http://photos.empics.com/g74/p12/365559.htm
http://www.runnersweb.com/running/august96.html#2
Asics may be good, Nike may be good, Adidas may be good, the runner runs the shoes protect the feet from stickers,stones and road rash.