Asics during the French Days

Neutral or stability: which Asics for your stride

Choosing a Asics running shoe starts with how your foot lands on the ground. A runner with a neutral gait, where the ankle stays aligned, leans towards the Gel-Nimbus for maximum cushioning or the Gel-Cumulus for versatile training. A runner whose foot rolls inward with each step, in pronation, finds support in the Gel-Kayano that guides the foot without restricting it. The Novablast focuses on a bouncy foam for quick sessions and dynamic runs. During the French Days, it’s a great opportunity to compare these families of models before replacing a worn-out pair.

The other brands

The French Days brands also include:

• Nike.
• adidas.
• Puma.
• Hummel.
• Kempa.
• adidas Originals.

All the brands are gathered on the brands page.

Kobe, 1949: from Onitsuka Tiger to Asics

The story of Asics begins in Kobe in 1949, when Kihachiro Onitsuka founded a small sports shoe company to rekindle the spirit of effort in the post-war Japanese youth; its first models were basketball shoes. Under the name of Onitsuka Tiger, the brand then outfitted Japanese marathon runners. In 1977, the merger with two other manufacturers led to the birth of Asics, an acronym for the Latin maxim Anima Sana In Corpore Sano. The crisscross bands designed on the side, which appeared in the sixties, enhance midfoot support and have become the visual signature of the brand, from tracks to sidewalks.

GEL cushioning and modern running foams

The GEL is a silicone-based cushion placed in the midsole, at the heel and sometimes at the forefoot, to absorb the shock of impact. Asics introduced it in 1986 and made it the emblem of its running shoes: the Gel-Kayano, launched in 1993 and named after its designer Toshikazu Kayano, is the most well-known example. Recent models combine this gel with lighter, more responsive foams, like the FF Blast, which return some of the energy with each step. For trail running, the Gel-Trabuco adds a rugged outsole that grips muddy paths and rocky trails.

Handball, volleyball, tennis and padel: the Asics for indoor and court sports

Asics also outfits indoor sports, where the shoe must support lateral movements. The handball and volleyball models, such as the Gel-Rocket or the Sky Elite, feature a non-marking rubber sole that grips the court and a low-cut upper that allows the ankle to move freely for jumping. On the courts, the Gel-Resolution is the brand’s flagship tennis shoe: it comes with a herringbone sole for clay court and a multipurpose sole, and versions designed for padel adapt the grip for sanded synthetic grass. In the city, the reissued Gel-NYC and Gel-Kayano take inspiration from archived running shoe designs.

Frequently asked questions

Which Asics for a heavier runner?

A runner over eighty kilos should prioritize a thick and stable cushioning, like the Gel-Nimbus for a neutral stride or the Gel-Kayano if the foot rolls inward. Keep an eye on the wear of the midsole, which compresses faster under higher weight.

Which Asics to choose for a marathon?

For marathon preparation, a cushioned and comfortable shoe over time, like the Gel-Nimbus or the Novablast, can handle long runs. Experienced runners keep a lighter plate shoe, like the Metaspeed, for race day.

Which Asics for running with flat feet?

A flat foot often rolls inward: a stability shoe like the Gel-Kayano corrects this movement with a support on the inner side. If there are pains, a visit to a podiatrist remains the best starting point.

Should you take your usual size in Asics?

In most models, Asics is true to your regular shoe size. For running, going up half a size provides a finger's width of space in front of the toes, as the foot swells during effort, especially on longer runs.

Which Asics to start trail running?

To discover trail running, the Gel-Trabuco or the Gel-Venture offer a rugged sole and good support on paths. They remain comfortable on stretches of road that often connect the trails.