Which ASICS Shoes Are Best for Walking? Complete Reviews With Comparisons

Given the many health trends going on right now, walking is becoming more and more popular than ever. And it’s not surprising, too.

Despite being a low-impact activity, walking offers a ton of health benefits.

Moreover, it requires no more than a pair of good footwear.

Among the many brands out there that offer walking shoes, ASICS is one of the most trusted.

That said, which ASICS shoes are best for walking?

Best ASICS Shoes for Women

ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 5 Running Shoes

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ASICS Women’s Gel-Excite 8 Running Shoes

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ASICS Women’s Novablast Running Shoes

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1. ASICS GEL-Venture 5

Get the excellent fit and everyday comfort you long for in walking gear from the ASICS GEL-Venture 5.

Its excellent cushioning system provides comfort, while the rugged outsole makes it suitable for trails, roads, and other surfaces.

Review

Let’s look at the features that make the ASICS GEL-Venture 5 a good option for walking.

• Midsole

With an industry-standard molded ethylene vinyl acetate midsole, you will have responsive and lightweight cushioning.

This shock-absorbing midsole hugs your foot’s underside, making it easier to land on any surface type.

One unique feature of this ASICS footwear is the GEL Cushioning System at the rear part of the shoe.

It helps absorb the impact during heel strikes while providing an overall cushioning for your feet.

• Outsole

The GEL-Venture 5 has an improved outsole for trail running and rugged multi-directional lugs for traction and control.

These outsole lugs ensure a secure grip on the terrain, supporting and controlling uphill climbs and descents.

Its highly abrasive outsole made of AHAR or the ASICS High Abrasion Resistant Rubber promises long-lasting wear resistance.

Cut into the outsole are vertical and horizontal flex grooves that support smooth strides and flexibility for natural and efficient foot movement.

•  Upper

The upper of the GEL-Venture 5 is a breathable mesh material that guarantees excellent foot ventilation at all times.

It is woven securely to maintain structural integrity even after several uses.

Also, you will find synthetic overlays sewn on the upper that provide structured support.

These prominent overlays protect the foot from the harsh elements and conditions on the trail.

For added protection, the shoe comes with a smooth sock liner, reducing possible irritation.

Since the heel and toes are sensitive parts of the foot, the shoe comes with synthetic caps to keep them protected at all times.

Another convenient feature is the pull tab on the back of the shoe, making it easier to wear or remove the footwear.

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2. ASICS GEL-Excite 8

The GEL-Excite 8 is an affordable neutral road running shoe suitable for athleisure, running, and walking.

It is the perfect daily trainer for beginners and an easy day-shoe for long-time runners because of its excellent cushioning.

Review

This budget-friendly shoe has a lot to offer where comfort is concerned, making it a reliable daily trainer.

Its lighter weight makes it easy for the user to move quickly without sacrificing comfort.

• Outsole

The outsole of the GEL-Excite 8 is an optimized and durable rubber.

You’ll like that it is designed with grooves for flexibility and treads to grip the road.

Also, this outsole allows the foot to move quickly on takeoffs and landings.

As such, it is suitable not only for road running but also for light trail activities.

• Midsole

The entire midsole of the GEL-Excite 8 uses a single piece of EVA foam with the ASICS GEL cushioning system on its heel.

Apart from the comfortable cushion, the midsole also offers the responsiveness your foot needs to bounce back after hitting the surface.

Neutral runners and those with slight under-pronation will benefit from the neutral arch support provided by this footwear.

With this cushioning system, you can expect to experience more comfortable landings with enhanced protection and responsiveness.

• Upper

ASICS uses an excellent mesh material for this model’s upper. What’s more, it also has stitching of breathable synthetic overlays.

Thanks to this design choice, air flows freely in and out of the shoe so that your feet stay cool and dry.

ASICS added paddings on the shoes’ collar, heel, and tongue to ensure comfort and protection.

Additionally, it comes with laces for a more snug and comfortable fit while preventing the shoes from sliding during movement.

Externally, there is an added reflective material to give you enough visibility in low-light conditions.

Inside the shoe is a removable sock liner, allowing you to insert a medical orthotic or your choice of gel insole.

PROS

• checkComfortable
• checkLightweight
• checkBreathable
• Stable
• Responsive

CONS

• Stitching cause hot spots
• Sizes run small

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3. ASICS NovaBlast

The NovaBlast veers away from the brand’s traditional formula of making its shoes.

Instead of using multiple layers of foam, ASICS uses its new midsole technology called FlyteFoam Blast.

Review

Here are some of the features that you need to take note of to help you decide if the NovaBlast is the footwear for you or not.

• Upper

For the upper, the NovaBlast features an engineered mesh to keep the feet ventilated and comfortable.

The shoe is long and wide, providing ample room throughout the upper to the point where you feel your foot sliding inside as you move.

• Midsole

The NovaBlast is a low-density shoe that feels springy underfoot. This is because it is built around the new FlyteFoam Blast technology.

You’ll notice that this lightweight midsole foam has responsive and energetic cushioning.

As such, it will help you bounce more effectively as you feel the smooth heel-to-toe movement of your foot in every step.

However, some users find the overall design of the midsole and the time needed to stabilize your steps problematic.

• Outsole

To save on weight, ASICS uses a thin layer of AHAR Plus rubber strategically placed in significant areas of the NovaBlast’s outsole.

This outsole is more durable by 50 percent than the standard AHAR version and can hold well on dry and wet roads.

The problem is, it becomes slippery on mud and gravel because the rubber outsole lacks the knobby treads for gripping.

PROS

• checkResponsive cushion
• checkBreathable
• checkLightweight
• Durable
• Suitable for long runs

CONS

• Needs breaking in
• Size runs big

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Best ASICS Shoes for Men

ASICS Men’s Gel-Venture 7 Running Shoes

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ASICS Men’s Gel-Cumulus 23 Running Shoes

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ASICS Men’s GT-2000 9 Running Shoes

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1. ASICS GEL-Venture 7

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PROS

• checkAffordable
• checkDurable
• checkStraightforward design
• True to size
• Responsive

CONS

• May run hot
• Narrow toe box

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2. ASICS GEL-Cumulus 23

Following the Cumulus tradition, the Version 23 is also a neutral and versatile trainer that you can depend on.

This updated design has a softer mesh with 3D Space Construction areas in the footwear’s midsole.

Review

The ASICS Cumulus line is known for its comfort and versatility, making it a crowd favorite for a long time.

Here’s what makes it a worthy candidate for the best walking shoes:

• Upper

The upper mesh on this new version feels softer and of premium quality compared to previous models.

Its well-thought-out design comes with enough padding in strategic places, adding to its comfort and effectiveness.

Moreover, the thick, non-gusseted tongue stays in its place as you run, adding to its overall comfort.

Plus, you will find generous padding on its collar and heel tabs to ensure excellent foot lockdown.

As a bonus, there is a reflective strip on the shoe’s heel to provide visibility in low-light conditions.

• Midsole

In these shoes, ASICS uses an upgraded version of FlyteFoam, which is softer, livelier, and more versatile.

FlyteFoam has several layers. The bottom is a single thick piece of foam that ensures a smoother ride.

The more solid wedge is now placed above the GEL pocket, closer to the wearer’s foot.

These changes provide the Cumulus 23 with the perfect amount of cushioning for efficient long runs.

You will also find small hexagonal shapes called 3D Space Construction carved on the midsole’s top layer, looking like a honeycomb.

These extras make it easier for the midsole to compress, which then adds to its overall softness.

• Outsole

The Cumulus 23 boasts deeper and wider flex grooves on its outsole, increasing the forefoot’s flexibility.

It also uses two rubber varieties exclusive to ASICS: AHAR on the forefoot, while AHAR Plus is on the heel.

The dense rubber provides increased durability, allowing you to land firmly with every step.

PROS

• checkWell-cushioned
• checkComfortable
• checkLightweight construction
• True to size
• Offers a decent grip

CONS

• May run a bit warm
• Absorbed moisture adds weight

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3. ASICS GT-2000 9

The GT-2000 series is a stable shoe favored by many for more than three decades now.

It is lightweight and well-cushioned, helping support the feet of different types of runners.

Review

The GT-2000 Series belongs to ASICS’ mid-tier collection of shoes.

Let’s talk about what makes the GT-2000 9 an ideal option for those who enjoy walking.

• Upper

The GT-2000 9 features an upper that underwent small redesigning schemes using new materials, improving its fit and feel.

Currently, the enhanced mesh upper material has seamless construction and is more breathable and flexible.

• Midsole

Most ASICS shoes use FlyteFoam for their midsoles because of the material’s lightness, firmness, and responsiveness.

For the GT-2000 9, you will find the GEL cushioning in both forefoot and heel areas to counterbalance the firmness of the FlyteFoam.

Another ASICS signature is the Dynamic DuoMax to ensure stability.

You will find this dual-density foam placed on the foot’s medial side.

This medial post works better when partnered with the Guidance Trusstic System on the bottom midfoot area of the shoe.

It is a lightweight hard plastic plate that provides torsional rigidity.

In turn, your foot is able to stay in place while the heel and forefoot move independently.

Also, there are minor changes on the footbed while gender-specific upgrades are made on the forefoot.

• Outsole

ASICS uses two of its signature rubber materials on the outsole of the GT-2000 9.

AHAR Plus, a carbon rubber material, is on the heel area for added durability.

The standard AHAR or high abrasion rubber is on the forefoot, so the shoe can handle hundreds of miles of running.

Lastly, you will also find horizontal flex grooves in the forefoot to increase its flexibility and durability.

PROS

• checkDurable construction
• checkStable support
• checkUpgraded upper
• Comfortable fit
• Responsive

CONS

• Not breathable
• Low flexibility

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Which ASICS Shoes Are Best for Walking?

The new and upgraded models of ASICS shoes are veering towards gender-specific designs to accommodate individual differences.

These reviews compared three different models for men and women to see which pair would suit you best.

From our women’s choices, we find the ASICS GEL-Venture 5 as the best pick.

This is thanks to its excellent arch support and durability, especially when paired with comfortable running socks.

As for the men’s choices, we choose ASICS GEL-Cumulus 23. Its long years of history speak for the shoes.