Best Asics Walking Shoes in 2021

Whether a work commitment has you on your feet all day or you enjoy a nice stroll as part of your exercise regime, applying the proper footwear is a necessity. Branding of products has helped the different production companies differentiate between their models, terming specific footwear selections for specific activities. Asics is one of the original giants in the footwear production space. Their expertise has been spread across the many different facets of daily life, citing work that extends from basic gym shoes to all-terrain runners. They have also hinted specific designs for an activity we perform daily: walking. While the titles may not always point to a specific direction, there are many historical creations that this brand has developed to fit this activity.

Today, we are going to take a deeper look at 10 different products designed for the activity of walking. We also will term some shoe specifics to look for in walking shoes, detailing these features and prescribing the correct usage. We also answer some of the burning questions that the consumer faces when choosing between models.

ASICS Men's FuzeX Lyte 2 Running Shoe

The first model for durability extending from the brand is the FuzeX Lyte 2 runner. This shoe is designed with a synthetic and textile build, helping to keep the overall weight of the shoe low. The design also goes the seam-free route, keeping a consistent shell that won't irritate the foot at the interior. The toe box features an abrasion resistor, which helps keeps your toes protected against adverse forces. Speaking to the abrasion resistance category, this shoe features an AHAR outsole. This stands for high abrasion rubber. This component it utilized in key areas of the outsole to keep from wear and tear, marking this model as a very durable unit. The outsole also features grooves at both the undercarriage and in the rise of the outsole. The grooves in the undercarriage contour to your surface, producing a stable stance for push-off and lift. The grooves at the side relate directly to increasing stability and producing a comfort ride system for the user. This area meshes with the EVA midsole to produce a smooth ride.

The outer shell features a consistent mesh treatment, allowing for breathability holes all across the exterior of the shoe. This shoe also features a tuning system that impacts the heel and the forefoot. This system relates to a comfortable heel counter and proper heel lockdown. At the forefoot, it produces the proper bounce back underneath the foot, keeping the shoe as a highly responsive unit. This responsiveness is good for users who utilize this as a day-to-day option. They exercise different speeds, different surfaces, and different stride types, which is catered to by the responsive nature of the shoe.

ASICS Men's Gel-Scram 5 Trail Runner

While Asics is known as "The Walking Company," few of their footwear selections are termed as such. One of the most popular transfers or synonymous properties would be to utilize a running shoe as a daily walker. The Gel-Scram 5 Trailer Runner is the perfect fit for those who scale uneven terrains. This synthetic build is stacked with reinforcement to better resist abrasions and keep a solid hold on the foot. The main properties of a trail runner are noticed at the outsole. This outsole is designed with a trail-specific mindset, introducing extended grippers, different patterns of deep grooves, and stacked rubber combinations. This helps counter for uneven surfaces, surfaces that introduce debris, or even rocky surfaces. This model marks for the perfect fit for users who like to walk trails or perform hikes as part of their walking regimen.

The introduction of the Asics GEL cushioning system takes presence at the insole. This ride system helps to reduce shocks on the foot and features special reinforcement at the heel area. This comfort inclusion keeps the user comfortable when performing their movements. As it relates to walking, it is good to have a breathability component present. To reduce overheating and blistering, a mesh covering is found at the outer shell. This feature emits primary focus at the toe box, the upper, and the sides of the forefoot area. This all-inclusive breathability system keeps a positive flow of air to and from the foot. Finally, the shoe offers a removable sock liner. This allows the user the space they need to host orthotic insertions or other insert types, helping provide variability in comfort inclusions to suit the needs of all users.

ASICS Men's Gel-Venture 7 Running Shoe

The Gel-Venture design is one of longest standing product lines in the Asics makeup. The 7th installment to this product line helps to add properties to the design and makeup to make for a more efficient build. This shoe is comprised of synthetic materials and utilizes heavy methods of reinforcement in the outer shell. This gives the surface an increase in toughness, standing up to the test of time. The true intrigue is held at the outsole and within the interior, including two designs that has helped Asics excel in the walking space. The rubberized outsole is comprised of AHAR rubbers, keeping abrasions away and increasing your standing and stability on rough terrain. This outsole is designed with a trail runner mentally, keeping it as a highly resistant component of this model.

The interior is lined with a thin, removeable sock liner, which helps the user fit their own inserts or increase the breathability due to the thin properties of this inclusion. The interior also features a rearfoot Gel cushioning system. This keeps the heel supported and cushioned throughout movements, directly reducing pressures at a popular region for contact. The side panels feature the signature Asics design logo and patterns, which helps increase the holding at the midfoot area.

ASICS Men's Gel-Quantum 180 4 Running Shoe

One of the most advanced products in the Asics production line is the Gel-Quantum running shoes. This 180 model extends from the most recent creations, carrying all the bells and whistles to expand upon. This unit is comprised primarily of synthetic materials, with an intent to reinforce the construction at all areas. This keeps a solid foundation for the foot and establishes a solid shell for abrasion resistance. GEL cushioning systems are utilized at the rear and forefoot areas, helping to introduce that comfortable ride system that outlasts your daily steps. The outsole is treated with tightly spaced rubber squares. The slight spacing helps to account for different terrain types, adhering to flat and rough surfaces equally. The shape helps to introduce a counter for pressures at all areas of the undercarriage, reducing shock and increasing the comfort system for the user.

The Trusstic System development helps to keep the weight of the shoe low while keeping the proper form and construction. This system does not compromise on quality in design, ensuring the structure stands up to even the greatest of tests. Increasing the comfort comes with the lightweight inclusion of the Solyte midsole system. This area is comprised of EVA builds, helping to increase comfort and reduce fatigue. Due to the solid construction, the breathability component is light at the exterior. This notion is covered at the insole with a removeable ComforDry sock liner. This liner provides the user with an ample amount of bounce and helps to wick away moisture with ease, keeping the proper balance of air flow at the interior.

ASICS Men's Gel-Torrance Running Shoe

Extending into the low-profile space is the Asics Torrance running shoe. This shoe is made from synthetic materials, with mesh treatment covering the outer shell. The outer shell is fused to the sole, helping to limit the overall weight of the product and deter irritation from stitching away from the interior. Lockdown lacing seals the padded upper to the top of the foot, providing ample lockdown in this region. The sides of the shoe features two side-by-side panels that start at the midfoot and extend to the heel counter. These panels keep the user operating in the correct, upright position. These panels also increase the stability, providing additional lockdown and footing increases at the midfoot area.

The outsole is thick, allowing you to increase your impact on the surface, gaining the proper push-off streams to reduce fatigue. The undercarriage of this outsole is treated to a dual-design. The design starts with thick grooves and cuts into the material, which are perfect for applying pressure to uneven and rough terrains. There are also small cuts that form designs. These designs apply traction to your surfaces, leaving little extensions to increase grip. The heel counter is wide and extended, applying a greater resistance to shock and pressures. This caters to the heel and ankle areas, keeping the ride smooth for the user.

ASICS Gel Cumulus 20 Women's Shoes

Asics is also a major player in the women's footwear field, crossing over most of their successful models and productions into the female space. One of their models that works exclusively in the women's space is the Gel Cumulus 20 running shoe. This shoe is comprised of synthetic and mesh materials, keeping the overall weight of the shoe low. A reinforced upper meets the mesh tongue to provide comfortable, lockdown support overtop the foot. One of the new technology streams released for this model is FluidRide technology. This technology targets the forefoot and rearfoot areas, applying cushioning at the interior and infusing the midsole with properties for a smooth ride. This also infuses stamina into your distance, reducing the pressure placed at these mentioned areas.

Heading back to the upper region, we see that this model introduces a seamless foot wrap, which better helps create a sound hold on the ankle area. This helps to reduce twisting and improper turning at this area, a feature most commonly utilized in high-top builds. There is also a reinforced wrap that extends around the insertion point. This wrap meets at the heel counter to build up the support at the back of the shoe. A layered outsole works to reduce shock and emit proper footing on any surface traveled, making this shoe an option for adverse surfaces.

ASICS Women's Gel-Sonoma 4 Trail Runner

For trail traveling and working with uneven or rough surfaces, the Gel-Sonoma 4 trail runner is the selection for you. Utilizing both synthetic and textile materials, this model is allowed to host a reinforced construction that keeps the shoe resistant to abrasions. The outer shell is treated to a mesh toe box and a mesh upper, allowing for breathability increases. The midsole is designed with an SpEVA material, which is a little lighter than the normal EVA design and it holds properties that relate directly to bounce and push-off. This helps to reduce breakdown in this area and during your movements, keeping it as a responsive component of this build.

The outsole of this shoe is treated with the trail specific design, heightening the gripping at the undercarriage and increasing the spread of grooves for travel across uneven surfaces. These extensions are also spaced and heightened to give the outsole a second area of support below the flat combination. This helps establish stability and start the introduction of comfort to the undercarriage of the foot. The interior features the rear Gel cushioning system that Asics is known for. This keeps the interior stable and emits properties of cushioning to the areas of the foot that require high usage during movement. There is also a nice hike in the midfoot area, producing an element of arch support that helps form fit to any foot size or type.

ASICS Women's GT-1000 8 Running Shoe

One of the crossover models in the Asics product line is the GT-1000 8. This model features presence in both the men's and women's spaces, making it a contender for either gender. This model is designed with synthetic and mesh materials, reducing the overall weight of the product. The upper is treated to a heavy mesh design and a thick tongue, which produces a comfortable wrap overtop the foot for lockdown and comfort. Breathability is a major component built-in to this design, with treatment areas extending across the outer shell. This helps reduce internal moisture build up and it increases the positive flow of air to and from the shoe.

This model also features a proprietary technology known as the Impact Guidance System. It helps to link components in the soles and at the interior design, to improve natural sitting of the foot and gaining the necessary push-off strengths and responses. The sock liner is both removable and light, utilizing the Asics ComforDry technology. This is a second component that helps to reduce the build up of moisture, working at the source of production to keep your feet cool and far away from the blister threat. This model also utilizes the lighter midsole with SpEVA materials making up the middle component of this model.

ASICS Women's Gel-DS Trainer 24 Running Shoe

If you haven't figured it out by now, Asics loves to use the notion of gel-like materials at the interior and exterior of their models. The women's Gel-DS Trainer 24 is no compromise for this affection, holding multiple inclusions that expand upon this notion. This model utilizes the synthetic and mesh design combination, which relates directly to lightweight function and addresses breathability concerns. This model also encompasses the Impact Guidance System, which keeps the user moving fluidly, with little impact from shock or pressures. This model introduces the DuoMax Support System which increases support at the insole with a flat base and increased cushioning properties.

This model also expands on tension reduction with the inclusion of a Propulsion Trusstic System. This system works with the major tendons of the foot and ensures a proper surrounding and hold being placed at these areas. This helps to address injury concerns, keeping the health of your foot in-check. Additional included systems range to help increase support at the midsole and increase heel holding capabilities. Asics packed this model with proprietary inclusions to ensure the final product was treated from all angles of movement. The improved midsole increases the natural function of the foot, allowing you to move fluidly. The heel system works to apply a cup sitting that allows the heel to rest in a locked-down positioning. All of these properties make this model one of the safest options the company has released.

ASICS Women's Gel-Kenun Running Shoes

The last model that peaked our interest in the women's category was the Gel-Kenun design from Asics. This shoe is made primarily from fabricated materials, hosting one of the lightest overall weight amounts of any product on our list. This material features natural cuts and holes, keeping the shoe breathable and functioning in the correct fashion with air flow. The upper features the seamless knit design, which reduces irritation at the insertion point and adds comfortability to the lockdown component. The fabric treatment extends to the interior of the shoe, keeping the overall feel comfortable. A removeable OrthoLite sock liner greets the feet upon insertion. This inclusion is great for introducing comfort cushions to the bottom and sides of the feet.

The midsole is comprised of a Solyte material, which is lighter than the SpEVA material. This helps extend the reach of the lightweight notion and keeps your natural movements in-balance. The Rearfoot Gel Cushioning system is included at the interior, keeping the pressure off this high traffic area. The outsole is something to behold with this model. It utilizes rubber compounds to produce a half and half outcome. The front half is the common build while the second half introduces shock absorption balls and a clear design. This allows the user insight into the inner workings of this component. Its location is primed to helping increase the overall heel support.

When it comes to selection of walking shoes, there are a few key areas of focus to be aware of. These focal points must start with prescribing the proper usage. Are you looking for every day, all-day wear? Or do you prefer a partner to assist you on the trails? The importance of usage is at the center of the selection process. For example, if you are looking to prescribe a model for every day wear, you wouldn't look towards the trail running space. Trail running shoes are heavier in build, allowing the heavier weight to add pressure to your feet for extended wear.

The model of consistency for every day wear is finding a model that is light and supported. The lightweight notion keeps your movements fluid and doesn't bog you down throughout the day. The supportive inclusion keeps your operating in the correct formats, reducing slumping and improper body slouching. Posture is a key deterrent for all-day wear, so some of the effort relies on your shoulders. The key area of an all-day shoe is the heel area. When we walk, the heel represents the highest area of traffic. We use it to push-off and land. We also utilize the front of our feet, leaving the toe box as a second component to keep an eye on. A toe box that is wide and spacious allows the toes to splay naturally. This is a primary need of the all-day user, because every bit of additional pressure will add up throughout the day.

Here is a diagram that highlights the position the body should be in when walking:

As you can see, the walker keeps their shoulders back with their head extending beyond their diaphragm. The main area of emphasis is the back and shoulder areas. Too often we let our shoulders slump and this leads to a trickle down effect that impacts our back, our strides, and our overall positioning. Operating in the proper positioning plays the essential role to stamina increases, allowing you to host all-day footwear usage without facing irritation or stamina decreases.

For those that include walking as a part of their daily fitness routines, the trail runner takes the place of the proper walking footwear. The construction of the trail runner emits increases in support and cushioning at the main area of impact: the outsole. These soles are often thick and include rubberized components that combat that strains that rough terrains can emit. Keeping this footwear model termed as a running shoe makes for a light outer shell. Since walking doesn't include a ton of pounding or adverse movements, hosting lightweight properties are important to keeping the feet from over-heating. Made for elongated movement, the shorter strides applied by walkers affords them the usage of the increases in cushioning properties.

Another goal of the common trail running shoes is to reduce the shock and pressures placed on the feet. This makes footwear options targets for increased attention at the midsole, outsole, and internal properties. Lighter midsoles keep the user's motions responsive, which is something the walker should key-in on in selection options. The insole can apply properties that include gel-like inclusions or memory foam types. Either of these inclusions would be addressed by preference, with both hosting beneficial properties to the user. The trail runner makes for the optimal target of those only looking to gain a few hours of strides under their belts.

The folks at Asics are consistently developing new product lines and brand inclusions. While their walking shoe specifics are few, most of their footwear selections apply the correct means for crossover into this space. This premise is built off of the properties of increasing comfort and creating responsive models that keep the user in balance. Applying their focus to these dual-purpose footwear options has allowed the company to explore proprietary inclusions to continue to infuse their selections with the latest and greatest components. These internal and external systems is what set them apart from the competition. They take the model into consideration, apply a purpose, and then seek areas of improvement. This top-down approach helps to address the needs of the consumer while keeping an influx of new options for the user to choose from.

Our list of inclusions focused highly on all-day footwear selections and exercise-specific selections. The narrow of focus to these two sub-categories helps produce a better stream of results for the user to choose from. Narrowing down the selection further would have hurt the focus of the user, which would also limit the playing field of options.

When it comes to walking shoes, we want to take usage as the number one area of focus. Write down the specifics as they relate to travel surface, duration of wear, stride type, foot size, and other such inclusions. Since Asics applies this mindset in their production, the heavy lifting is already done for you. All of these areas are addressed and adhered to, keeping a varying selection at-the-ready for the user. The focus should be less on the model inclusions and more on individual purpose. Once that can be established, you will amaze yourself with the purchasing power you have now obtained.

What are the best Asics walking shoes for plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis occurs at the heel, often causing inflammation and sharp pains. It develops from utilizing the improper footwear. When it comes to addressing this concern from the brand, Asics utilizes their rear Gel Cushioning system to combat this painful ailment. Most of the mentioned selections include this technology. Another form of this inclusion would be termed as a heel cup. Look for a cup that internalizes padding that secures the heel and wraps to cover the heel at the sides. This will reduce the internal movements that often cause this ailment, creating a comfortable ride for users who are already ailing from this form of pain and inflammation.

What are the best Asics walking shoes for high arches?

When it comes to hosting high arches, it is important to locate a rise in the midfoot area of the shoe. A few of the mentioned selections feature this inclusion. This can also be combated on a fit-by-fit basis. You are going to look for a selection that features a solid outer shell. This can be accomplished most effectively via a synthetic, reinforced construction. As it relates to internal means, a flat insert that applies thick cushioning is the best practice. Most of the Asics inclusions come with a removeable sock liner that allows you to host your own inserts. Look for a model that has these mentioned properties to better cater to high arches.

How to choose insoles for Asics walking shoes?

The beauty of most Asics models is the removeable sock liner. Most of these liners have thinning properties, affording you with surface area to work with. The best inserts are those prescribed by a medical professional. They can highlight the direct areas of contact and pressure your feet endure, allowing them to produce an insert that is specific to your foot type and size. Gel-insoles are a staple at Asics, which is a thinner take on memory foam options. These inclusions help to carefully massage the foot during travel, limiting the overall impact that pressures and shocks can take hold of.

Do I have to break in the new walking shoes?

With the many different designs Asics host, some may require some breaking in. However, since most of the production models are termed as dual-purpose, highlighting running for main usage, most of the mentioned items can be worn as is. The proprietary inclusions help take the initial pressures off of the foot, reacting to movements on an immediate basis. If you have wider feet or suffer from plantar fasciitis or high arches, you may want to stretch the materials around a bit. Most of the production models Asics has are very responsive to movements, meaning they are good-to-go for immediate usage.

How to choose Asics walking shoes for overweight people?

Sometimes the construction of shoes can pain the overweight individual, struggling to find the correct fit. The first step to applying fit and comfort is to increase your size or width. Stepping up by half a size or gaining that extra width can make the difference in hosting a comfortable fit. The wide models often take a more meticulous approach to material reinforcement, which helps account for an increase in weight. A thick outsole is something that helps the overweight user find their balance, while still benefiting from the comfort increases.

After scaling through our product reviews, we have narrowed down the selections to apply our top candidates for intrigue. As it relates to an editor's pick, the Men's FuzeX Lyte 2 Running Shoe and the Women's Gel Cumulus 20 Shoes would be our top selections across both genders.

Taking price out of the equation, we can better focus on build and design. The FuzeX Lyte design keeps the overall weight of the final product extremely low. While this quality can be afforded to the other mentions, these models don't adhere to as much reinforcement at these lightweight models do. The FuzeX is also a model that caters to your movement, keeping it highly responsive to your stride and pressures. It is the perfect balance for a user who is looking to find their stride and develop the correct pace. The top women's contender, the Gel Cumulus 20, features an incredible amount of holding and lockdown for a lightweight option. Extensive wrapping techniques keep the proper hold on the ankle and heel, producing high-top properties from a low-profile model. This functioning was the great separation for this model as most of the inclusions feature similar properties.

If it is value picks you are searching for, look no further than our two trail runner inclusions: the ASICS Men's Gel-Scram 5 Trail Runner and the ASICS Women's Gel-Sonoma 4 Trail Runner. For the traction gains and the stability increases, the price tag of these models remains too low to ignore. Both of these inclusions are enhanced options in their respective model lines, applying new properties and components to increase cushioning, lockdown, and breathability. If you are on a budget, the trail running options will represent the best bang for your buck.