ASICS GT-2000 11: For the Traditional Stability Fans
By Matthew Klein
The ASICS GT 2000 series has long been a popular moderate stability daily training shoe. For many iterations, it retained the features ASICS is known for. A snug fit, a split forefoot/heel, a midfoot trussic system and a medial post. Version 10 made some drastic changes with a full ground contact outsole, minimization of the midfoot trussic, an increase in flexibility, a reduction in stability, a lighter ride and a faster ride. While not what long-standing (long-running) users of the GT series may have been used to, version 10 was a drastic change that shift the shoe more toward being a light stability trainer that felt lower to the ground and quicker on foot. Version 11 attempts to rectify the extremes of the previous version. While staying light (sub 10 oz), the stack height has increased, the stability has increased back to a moderate level and it feels like a trainer again. It still retains some of the previous upgrades, but version 11 is likely to bring back those who may have found version 10 too different from the essence of the GT-2000 series
Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.8 oz, 277 g (men's size 9), 8.3 oz, 235 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 31mm /23mm
Drop: 8 mm
Classification: Moderate Stability Daily Training Shoe
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The ASICS GT-2000 11 is a moderate stability daily training shoe with a snugger fit for those who want a trainer on the lighter side while still providing plenty of protection. The full ground contact outsole combined with a medial Lite Truss system provides a solid level of medial stability in the heel and midfoot. A cushioned ride that sits between firm and soft provides balance and decent transition. The snug and secure upper returns with a mesh that still accommodates some stretch without sacrificing security. The ASICS GT-2000 is for those who want a moderate stability shoe for daily mileage and longer efforts with moderate heel and midfoot stability that combines some newer concepts with a slightly more traditional ride.
SIMILAR SHOES: Saucony Guide 16, Brooks Adrenaline 21
FIT
The ASICS GT-2000 11 fits true to size in my normal men's US Size 10. The width is slightly snug throughout the length of the shoe, especially up front. The forefoot features a light mesh that does stretch slightly. It is still snug and borderline tapered, so those with normal to narrow feet will do better here. The midfoot features a non-gusseted moderately thick tongue. The ASICS logo overlays add additional security here and I did not have to lace-lock the shoe. The heel is snug with a decent amount of heel collar cushioning. There is a stiff heel counter in the rearfoot. The heel upper cushioning kept my heels happy, but those with sensitivities to stiff counters should approach cautiously. Those who like stiff counters will be happy. The internal mesh is quite comfortable, but there is some stitching at the heel/midfoot transition. It would be best to use these with socks, but those who are experienced with sockless wear may be able to go sans socks.
PERFORMANCE
The ASICS GT-2000 11 is a moderate stack height daily training shoe for easy miles and mild uptempo work. The midsole is full-length Flytefoam Blast which provides a mildly soft step-in feel. The ride is cushioned and on the lighter side for a daily training shoe at 9.8 oz (men's size 9). It can pick up the pace a little for strides and mild fartleks, but works best as a long run and daily mileage workhorse. There is an 8mm drop listed, but it feels closer to 9-10 mm due to the slightly clunky rearfoot. The heel bevel is improved than models prior to version 10, but there is still some posterior flare that leads to a slightly early initial contact. There is still a bevel, although it is mostly centered and is offset by the posterior protrusion of the sole. This transitions into the smooth, full ground contact, decently stable midfoot. This continues to the forefoot which is moderately flexible and provides an solid transition off the toes. There is a forefoot rocker, but the toe spring is mild.
The outsole durability is moderate and works best for roads and mild trails. There is a trail version with a more substantial upper (we have not reviewed this model), but the outsole can handle mild trails without issue. The traction is decent and has done fine on all road surfaces wet and dry. The durability has been fine after 30 miles. I am seeing a normal level of wear at my usual spot (posterior lateral heel), so expect an average number of miles for a daily trainer out of these.
STABILITY
The ASICS GT-2000 11 is a moderate stability shoe. Unlike version 10, there is a significant feeling of medial support in the heel and posterior midfoot. This tapers in the anterior midfoot and transitions to a fairly neutral forefoot. There are small medial and lateral sidewalls in the heel/midfoot transition, although compared to the medial post, these are minor. The feeling of the medial post (which actually almost feels like a medial wedge. I do not know the exact design) has become more significant as the shoe has broken in. There is additional stability built in through what ASICS calls 3D space construction, which is similar to what they have used in their Kayano Lite series. How specifically this affects this shoe I do not know, but the medial support in the heel and posterior midfoot is noticeable. Those who have been yearning for the feeling of traditional medial stability will love this shoe.
Thoughts as a DPT: Variations in Stability Shoes
By Matthew Klein
While ASICS has been aggressive lately in their footwear development, there are several areas they have continued to maintain. Their stability offerings certainly been shaken up, with the Kayano becoming a more moderately stability shoe and incorporating some guidance elements. The Kayano Lite is still lighter than the Kayano (now sitting under 10 oz) and was the first (I think) to use the concept of geometric shaping in the midsole to create stability (at least in the ASICS lineup). The GT series went through some shake ups, with version 10 feeling mild stability and now version 11 returning to a noticeable moderate level. We have seen the light stability models disappear (the DS Trainer has been discontinued) and many neutral models are doing a great job at being stable neutral. The challenge with current concepts of stability is that ASICS is missing a shoe with centered stability. As I mention below in the recommendations section, it is fine to have a medial support shoe or two. People still and will always need that.
However, I want to challenge ASICS to create or evolve a model to be more centered. Not everyone does well with medial stability. This is exactly why we started talking about stable neutral and other ways to find stability as one concept does not work for everyone. Especially based on what we know from the Preferred Motion Paradigm, people have unique movement pathways that may even go back and forth between medial and lateral as they transition through the gait cycle, not just in one direction (Nigg et al., 2017). That is the current hole in their lineup. There are plenty of shoes with medial stability. Even the Kayano Lite series (at least up to version 2, we have not tried v3) still has lateral bias in its 3D space construction. In the interest of inclusion and accessibility, I want to encourage ASICS to evolve one model in this direction. This will only benefit customers as there are still plenty of medial options.
Nigg, B. M., Vienneau, J., Smith, A. C., Trudeau, M. B., Mohr, M., & Nigg, S. R. (2017). The preferred movement path paradigm: Influence of running shoes on joint movement. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 49(8), 1641-1648.
RECOMMENDATIONS
After the dramatic shift of version 10, the GT-2000 11 has brought the series back to where I would expect a moderate stability daily trainer to sit. Version 10 was aggressive, felt lighter, more flexible and faster. As someone who loved the DS Trainer series, it almost got me excited that the GT-2000 series was moving in that direction. That is not what the series is meant to be as those who want light stability lightweight trainers are niche (myself included) compared to those who want a simple moderate stability daily trainer (majority). So while I liked version 10, version 11 is back on track.
That said, there are a few things that still need to be refined that are borderline inexcusable at this point. The first is the heel bevel and posterior flare. ASICS has proved they can do heel bevels well with their racing models, uptempo shoes (Evoride Speed) and max cushioned trainers (Superblast). The bevel should be facing at least slightly posterior lateral (not central) and should be a little larger. The second is to widen the toe box. Having the heel and midfoot snug is fine, but people need to have a little room for their toes to move.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR
The ASICS GT-2000 11 is for those who want a snug-fitting, moderate stability shoe that are getting annoyed at the continued decreasing number of true stability shoes as well as the reduction in traditional methods of stability. The current stability level of this shoe almost rivals the current Kayano but provides a lighter and slightly firmer ride. For those who were concerned about the mild stability level of version 10, version 11 fixes this. It provides a traditional medial stability feeling in a world of shoes with centered stability. So those that still want that, this could be a shoe for you.
ASICS has made some aggressive changes lately that have continued to surprise me. I suggest keeping certain lines like the GT series a bit more conservative, but continue to go nuts and push boundaries with shoes like the Kayano Lite.
GRADING
Matt
Fit: B (Secure and snug upper, especially in the toebox. Best for those with narrow feet or who want a snug fit.)
Performance: B (Best for easy miles and long runs. A slightly clunky heel with solid transitions through the midfoot/forefoot)
Stability: B+ [Moderate Stability] (Noticeable medial post/stability in the heel/posterior midfoot. Neutral forefoot)
DPT/Footwear Science: B (Traditional stability. Nothing really new, but the GT 2000 series returns to being a moderate stability shoe)
Personal: B- (A fairly traditional and slightly boring training shoe. This will work great for some people, but the medial stability is a bit aggressive for my tastes. I prefer more centered stability and a wider toe box. Others may love this)
Overall: B
SHOP | SUPPORT DORASICS GT-2000 11Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
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