THE SPECS
Support: Stability
Weight: 9.7 oz / 275 g (men), 8.3 oz / 235 g (women)
Stack Height: 36.5mm / 28.5mm (men) 35.5mm / 27.5mm (women)
Midsole Drop: 8 mm
Cushion Level: Mid
ON THE RUN
Blake: I loved my experience in the GT-2000! It’s nimble, responsive, and just feels effortless with every step. After taking it out for several runs, I had a consistently smooth experience every time I laced it up. It’s light on foot but supportive enough that you barely notice it’s there. The 3D Guidance System held my foot perfectly without feeling intrusive, and every stride felt fluid. Plus, the FF Blast+ foam made each run incredibly soft and comfortable.
There aren’t many shoes that balance stability and softness as well as the GT-2000. I was impressed the entire time I ran and walked in it. With so few standout lightweight stability options in the running industry, this one takes the throne—without even trying.
The only downside? The traction. In slushy conditions, this shoe feels like running with banana peels under your feet. And on ice? Good luck staying upright. In perfect conditions, traction was never a concern—I felt completely in control—but the moment I hit slush or ice, I could feel my feet slipping out from under me. While it’s not a dealbreaker, it’s definitely a minor inconvenience. If ASICS can improve the grip in future versions, this will be an absolute must-have shoe.
THE FIT
Blake: This shoe fits true to size, though the forefoot is slightly roomy. The upper is highly flexible, allowing your foot to move freely while running. Some runners may find it feels a bit too spacious, especially if they prefer a more compressive fit. If that’s you, consider sizing down. Otherwise, you should be fine sticking with your usual size in ASICS or most other brands.
I love the upper—it strikes the perfect balance, hugging the foot just right. Not too tight, not too loose—truly a Goldilocks fit. The heel collar plays a big role in that secure feel, locking everything in place. The GT-2000 has a solid heel counter that keeps you held in the entire run, and the ankle padding is just right—not too thick, not too thin. I never experienced any slipping, which made for a comfortable and reliable ride.
The one aspect I wasn’t blown away by? The tongue. While I appreciate that it’s gusseted, it’s so thin that it almost gets swallowed by the shoe. I constantly found it falling to one side during runs and walks. ASICS has nailed more comfortable tongue designs in other models, and if they could improve this detail, the GT-2000 would be an absolute game-changer.
THE FEEL
Blake: The FF Blast+ cushioning is incredibly comfortable underfoot—soft, yet with just the right amount of pep. I love how responsive and lightweight the GT-2000 feels, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a consistent, soft daily trainer.
I’ve noticed that when this foam is stacked too high, it starts to lose some of its responsiveness—you can really feel this in its high-cushion sibling, the Kayano. But at the GT-2000’s stack height, you get the perfect balance of softness and snap underfoot.
As for support, I’d describe it as a fairly straight last with just a touch of flexibility. It offers solid stability, but if I were fitting someone who’s a heavy overpronator, I wouldn’t recommend the GT-2000—it’s just not built for that level of correction. Think of it like a canoe in water—stable enough under normal conditions, but if you tip too far to one side… well, you’re getting wet.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Blake: This shoe strikes a great balance between the lightweight feel of a speed shoe and the support of a mid-cushion daily trainer. Underfoot, it provides just as much cushioning as models like the Ghost 16, Ride 18, and 880v14—but with the lighter weight of shoes like the Rebel v4, Hyperion Tempo, and Kinvara. In terms of durability, I’d expect a mileage range of 350-500 miles, similar to most mid-cushion options. However, compared to other shoes in this category, the GT-2000 feels both lighter and softer throughout those miles.
When it comes to support, this shoe is comparable to the Adrenaline GTS 24, 860v14, Guide 18, and Arahi 7. All of these models use some form of stability system to help reduce pronation, but they go about it in different ways. The guide rails in the Adrenaline and the stability frame in the 860v14 are both highly adaptable, adjusting support based on where you apply the most pressure. Meanwhile, the Arahi 7 uses a firmer medial posting.
The GT-2000 feels like a blend of these approaches. It features an adaptable medial posting that provides support depending on how much pressure you apply to that side of the shoe. Combined with its straight-lasted base, it offers a balanced ride without feeling overly corrective. What’s interesting is that it gives the subtle stability of a motion control shoe, but only when you need it. I love the way the GT-2000 feels underfoot—it keeps me coming back to lace it up again and again.
THE RUNDOWN
Blake: I love everything about the GT-2000. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to fall for the fit and feel as much as I did. The last GT-2000 I tried was the 11, and this version feels like an entirely new shoe. The advancements in midsole technology are what truly set it apart—not just from previous models, but from everything else on the market.
Despite these upgrades, Asics has stayed true to its roots by keeping the PureGel cushioning, showing a commitment to both consistency and innovation. For a mid-weight trainer, this shoe checks all the boxes—lightweight, responsive, roomy in the forefoot, and balanced with soft-yet-stable cushioning. I’m excited to see how Asics continues to improve upon this design because this iteration is already a fantastic evolution of what they do best. There was very little that disappointed me while running in or wearing this shoe.
If I could make one change, it would be the tongue. Adding just a bit more thickness around the sides would provide better foot control and eliminate the slight shifting that happens while running. It’s a small tweak, but one that could take this shoe from a 9 to a 10—just that little extra touch to make it perfect.
To leave you with my honest opinion: if you overpronate and haven’t tried an Asics stability shoe in the past five years, prepare to be blown away.
MEET BLAKE
Blake is our fergalicious karaoke singing shoe geek always looking to provide a good laugh. He's the best solution shoe wear tester there ever was.
All time favorite shoe: Brooks Aurora-BL