I've worn the higher end Asics like Kinsei, Kayano and Nimbus so I was a bit hesitant to go for the 'mass' model. Nonetheless, the US$50 price tag was too hard to resist, inclusive of free shipping to Singapore!
To be honest, I buy running shoes for two reasons. I'm a regular runner, 3-4 times a week, but not long distance. 6-10 km each time, easy pace. I'm 43 years old, so no longer trying to improve a lot. Just trying to keep healthy and fit enough to enjoy the years ahead with my relatively young children. So the other regular use of my shoes are in the weekends, with jeans or bermudas, or on casual friday at work. So, they have to look good too and be as comfortable for walking as they are for running.
Perhaps my expectations were already realistic but I was v pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the fit was immediately. Hey this is as cushy as the more expensive models! Have I been paying too much for 'segmentation' all this while?? It has that nice 'foot glove' feel - snug but not too tight. The neon green turned out to be very nice too. Not garish or 'obiang' but bright and catchy.
When I took it for the first run, initially I felt the 'side cushioning' wasn't as stable as the Kayano (19, also bought from Amazon at a great value of US$87!), but that was just for the first minute or two, as I got used to this shoe. After that, the run was pretty much what I'd expect from an Asics - you don't notice the shoe after a while, which is the best compliment you can give to a runner's shoe. Frees your mind to wander, focus on your form, enjoy the morning fresh air and the feeling of being alive.
Human beings are naturally relative creatures. Once we get used to something better or more expensive, we only notice the bad things of a more 'regular' product. It was amazing to me that this did not occur with the Gt-2000. In fact, I find myself reaching out for this shoe as often as I do my Kayano or my Saucony Kinvaras (4). Surprisingly, the one that turned out most disappointing, perhaps again because the expectation was the highest due to the price, was the Kinsei (4). Twice (out of perhaps 1-2 dozen times) after 10km runs with the Kinsei, I felt soreness in my feet that bordered on pain. Considering its positioning as the highest end Asics, this was a big letdown. Nonetheless, the design is very creative and I still use those shoes a lot for casual walking.
A final word about buying the latest model vs an older one. My view is unequivocal. Buy the older model!! They are much cheaper and unless you are Sebastian Coe, you won't notice the 'advance in technology'!! Most of these brands will discount as much as 40% to clear the older stock, which to me is a great bargain. So why would you pay 60% more (or $30) for the gt 3000 when you can get a perfectly brand new gt 2000 much cheaper? And these shoes wear out in less than a year anyway, when the gt 4000 will appear and your gt 3000 is no longer the latest model? This is one of the best arbitrages in the world, until the shoe makers wise up to this and stop discounting the last to latest models! In the meantime, pick up these great bargains. And happy running!!
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Reviews with images
Great price, Great Product.
Just what I was looking for to help compensate for my over-pronation. Feet don't hurt after 5 mile runs anymore.Edit:I've now logged 500+ miles on these shoes and they're amazing. I've been considering trying the GT 2000 2 series, but I'm hesitant since these shoes have performed so well. As you can see from my pic, the wear of the soles is fairly even and the shoe has held up well even through a Canadian winter. I've run 2 half marathons and my feet felt great afterward. Not sure how much longer they'll last, but I've most definitely gotten my money's worth out of them.
Top reviews from other countries
Mr Andrew Nash
I've bought 3 pairs of these over the last 3 ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2015