In production · trail · Trail / Long run / Recovery · $170
Max-cushion trail cruiser, lighter than the 4, with water-repellent mesh.
Built for trail, long run, recovery, at a target pace of 9:30–12:30 /mi on trail.
Asics tuned this midsole soft (4/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is moderate — comfortable and predictable rather than bouncy. At 41 mm of heel stack this sits in max-cushion territory; legs stay fresher on long efforts, but the platform is tall. Combined, the ride reads as lively at 3/5 responsiveness.
A rock plate sits between the foam and the outsole to spread the load of sharp stones and roots. It is protection, not propulsion — it does not add pop, but it keeps the underfoot bruising out of long days on technical ground.
A low 5 mm drop encourages a midfoot landing and keeps the ankle working through a fuller range. The rocker is aggressive: the sole is curved and stiff enough to tip you into the next stride on its own, which saves the calf on long runs but feels strange when you slow right down. The forefoot is stiff, so it rolls rather than bends — a lever, not a slipper. Support is light — neutral, with a mildly steady platform.
The toe-box is standard width — comfortable for most feet without swimming. It fits true to size. Expect roughly 400 miles from the outsole, about $0.42 per mile at $170.
For the foams and plates Asics uses across its line, read the Asics brand guide.
Measured against the 542 currently-available shoes in the catalog. The bar shows where this shoe sits in that range.
Weight
300 g / 10.6 oz
25 g heavier than the catalog median of 275 g
Heel stack
41 mm
5 mm taller than the catalog median of 36 mm
Drop
5 mm
1 mm lower than the catalog median of 6 mm
Price
$170
10 pricier than the catalog median of 160
Responsiveness
3 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Cushioning
4 / 5
Catalog median 4 / 5
Energy return
3 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Durability
~400 mi
Catalog median ~400 mi
Within the Asics line it is heavier than the brand's median (268 g / 9.5 oz) and sits taller than its median stack (38 mm).
Current shoes with the nearest combination of weight, stack, drop, foam feel and plate.
Hoka Speedgoat 6(2024)
277 g / 9.8 oz · 40 mm · 5 mm drop · Rock · $155
Vibram grip and a tall cushioned stack — road comfort translated to dirt.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v10
290 g / 10.2 oz · 40 mm · 4 mm drop · Rock · $150
Cushioned trail cruiser with Vibram Megagrip and a roomy fit.
Brooks Cascadia 20(2025)
306 g / 10.8 oz · 38 mm · 6 mm drop · Rock · $150
Stable, protective trail workhorse for rough ground.
Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX
306 g / 10.8 oz · 38 mm · 6 mm drop · Rock · $180
Waterproof Cascadia for sloppy, cold and wet trail conditions.