ASICS Gel Venture 9 Mens Trail Running Shoes

Product Information

That’s good news for folks with cold feet, and good news for anyone considering these shoes for colder weather.

However, if you just want something adorable, durable, and comfortable for meditative runs on the trails, this shoe has you covered. Despite being a budget-friendly trail running shoe, the Asics Gel Venture 9 can withstand over 800 miles. I have done 200 miles, and the outsole has minimal sights of wear. I am sure about getting new pairs before they wear out. I was ok with this shoe on short to medium runs, but I felt the shoe was too stiff for me on longer 10+ mile runs. If you love running because it’s calming and meditative and just gets you out into nature, this shoe is one of your best options. You won’t be setting any speed or distance records while wearing this shoe. Quite solid, not too much flexibility, and lots of grip. My first run was along the Charles River Esplanade and the shoes felt ready enough for a longer trail run.

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There’s a long list of ASICS shoe technologies that make their footwear different from other manufacturers. The following section contains a shortened list of tech you can expect to see in their lineup of trail running shoes. Amplifoam technology dampens vibrations

After finishing this first test trail run, I was pleased since the shoes held up and I had seemingly no problems on my feet. Trying on trail runners is more than just slipping on a pair of shoes and calling it good. If you’re going to be relying on ASICS shoes to protect and support your feet while trail running, you want them to be more than good–you want them to be perfect. Asics has long been known for creating durable, well-cushioned, and highly supportive training shoes–the Gel-Kayano is a prime example–so if you run long and often, this is a great brand to consider. In recent years, Asics has also broken out of that mold to create excellent racing shoes with new, lightweight foams to compete with other brands’ premium models. I suggest heading down to your local shoe store to give these shoes a try before your buy them. If you have wide feet, it may be in your best interest to opt for a half size larger than normal so that your toes don’t jam at the end of the shoe.

Weight

What I also love about the construction of this upper is that it is resistant to water. Technically, it’s not considered to be waterproof, but the materials used help to keep water away from your feet. What I found most impressive about the upper of this shoe is that it has a very short break-in period. The first few runs wrap your feet in padding, and the comfort of the upper only gets better the more that you train in them. I found pretty much all Asics GEL shoes are comfortable and hard to notice any specific area where there is a GEL patch. Plus, FF Blast tech creates a more energized toe-off. In other words, it helps convert the impact of your step into energy for your next step as your foot progresses through its natural stride pattern.

Like other shoemakers, Asics has its own proprietary cushioning, called FlyteFoam. Although it’s based on ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), the traditional running shoe cushioning material, this foam is formulated to be lighter and more resilient than standard EVA. It doesn’t have quite the same springy feel as the other types of FlyteFoam below, but it works fine for everyday running. It’s used in Asics’ more affordable shoes, like the GT-1000. Rearfoot Gel Technology: silicone gel integrated into the rear of the shoe helps lessen the impact from heel striking and helps your foot transition smoothly into the rest of its step progression. The adhesive is mild, such that you can still remove the insole, but it keeps the insole in place when removing or putting the shoe on.

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Believe it or not, ASICS is an acronym for the Latin phrase anima sana in corpore sano, which roughly translates to “you should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body.” This helps keep your foot positioned in the shoe and improve fit. However, it also increases weight and decreases breathability. The overall fitting and comfort are exceptional. Asics Venture 9 has a generously padded collar, tongue, and sidewall that hugs the foot snugly. There is an excellent midfoot hold. The heel counter is also solid enough to hold the heels down. The Gel Venture also fits true-to-size for anyone with regular foot size. I wear a size 10. This tech consists of a squishy, gel-like substance implanted in the midsole, and it absorbs impact forces for a smoother ride. The latest iteration is Pure Gel, and it’s formulated to be lighter, softer, and more flexible than previous versions of Gel. Even so, it’s still a heavier material than foam, so it’s best for training shoes where long-lasting cushioning, rather than low weight, is the most important factor. You’ll find it in many of the company’s flagship shoes, including the Gel-Kayano, Gel-Cumulus, and Gel-Nimbus. FlyteFoam Even when it was 50F (10C) out, I still saw sweat collecting inside the shoe, especially on this foam fabric.