ASICS GT-2000 13 Review
By Matthew Klein & David Salas
Asics GT-2000 13
Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.5 oz, 270 g (men's size 9), 8.3 oz, 235 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: Men's: 36.5 mm / 28.5 mm; Women's: 35.5mm / 27.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Moderate Stability Daily Training Shoe
Pros: Lightweight Feel, Snappy Midsole, Noticeable Guidance/Medial Stability
Cons: Slightly Stiffer than Last Version
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The ASICS GT-2000 13 is a moderate stability daily training shoe. A slight update from version 12 provides the same solid heel bevel that is unique within the ASICS line with a normal to slightly snug and secure fit throughout. The midsole adds a tiny bit of extra stack height which provides a softer heel while a slightly stiffer forefoot provides better versatility into uptempo paces. The 3D Guidance System provides continued medial support and central guidance for those who want great heel and midfoot stability. A continued stability staple, version 13 returns for those who want a slightly faster shoe with a bit more apparent medial pressure/stability from the past version.
SIMILAR SHOES: Hoka Arahi 7
PAST MODEL: ASICS GT-2000 12
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The ASICS GT-2000 13 fits me true-to-size in my normal Men's US size 10. The fit is slightly snug as is tradition for this series. The width is normal to slightly snug throughout. This is mostly due to a slightly lower volume upper that does stretch with some wear. The forefoot is normal in width with a light taper in the toe box. This transitions into a snug midfoot with a thin, gusseted tongue. The tongue wraps the foot quite well and I did not have to tighten the laces to get a secure fit. This continues into a normal to slightly snug rearfoot. The slight snugness occurs due to a large amount of heel collar padding that helps secure the heel. There is a stiff rounded heel counter that did not bother me initially but was noticeable. Those with sensitive heels may not do well in this shoe while those who want a stiff heel counter will do great. The inner liner of the upper is quite comfortable against bare skin. However, the toe guard is apparent when going sockless, so I would encourage the use of socks with this shoe. The overall security is great even with fast turns thanks to the slightly lower volume, slightly snug fit, and excellent foot hold at the midfoot and heel.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
David: The ASICS GT 2000 13 fits true to size in my men's 9.5. The fit throughout reminds me a lot of the Saucony Ride 16 from last year. The shoe has normal width throughout with a slightly wider forefoot. The volume is higher through the forefoot, with a more snug fitting midfoot. The shoe uses an internal heel counter that has enough padding around it that does not provide any irritation. There are some gentle sidewalls that give guidance through the rearfoot and integrates with their "3D Guidance System". The mesh material itself is decently comfortable and holds its structure really well. It does not come off as overly plush and remains breathable. The tongue is moderately padded and has just enough padding to prevent biting from the laces. I do feel the shoe has enough volume to accommodate swelling in long runs, as I have taken this shoe as far as 19 miles without any issue. This is one of the better fitting uppers of the year for me and it does work well with my foot. There aren't major bells and whistles here. Just a well done upper.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Slightly
How Flexible is the Shoe: Less Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Mostly Good
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The ASICS GT-2000 13 is a moderate stability daily training shoe with a touch of snappiness and additional stack height. Per ASICS, the newest version features a half mm more of midsole foam compared to version 12 while keeping the same weight. The full-length FF Blast Plus and the PureGel Heel piece create a softer landing at the rearfoot and a cushioned but slightly firmer landing up front. The shoe feels far lighter than the 9.5 oz /270 g listed weight (men's size 9) partially due to the relatively lower volume (for an average shoe on today's market) and the snappiness of the midsole. While version 12 felt cushioned and a little soft, version 13 feels a little stiffer and a little faster. While the heel drop is listed at 8mm, it feels slightly lower due to well cushioned heel but relatively firmer/stiffer forefoot. The forefoot transition is smooth but a little stiff initially. Fortunately there is a good forefoot rocker, so those with mild-to-moderate toe mobility issues may do decently here (extreme issues may require a far larger rocker than the GT-2000 13 provides). The heel has a far better posterior lateral heel bevel than most ASICS shoes and provides a smooth transition once it breaks in. There is still a bit of clunkiness initially (which also makes me want to land a little farther forward) but it smooths out fairly quickly.
In regards to paces, the GT-2000 13 is meant as a daily training shoe. However, the relatively lighter weight and snappiness of the forefoot allow it to pick up the pace even more so than previous. I have done a variety of runs (long run, easy run and a workout with a variety of paces) and found that while it is not the fastest shoe, it still did excellent during a threshold run. Uptempo and tempo paces are doable in this shoe although the weight tends to slow it down over extremely fast efforts. I personally would not race in this and would prefer the Metaspeed Edge/Sky Paris or even the Magic Speed. However, those who want a training shoe that can handle some uptempo efforts and maybe even be a stability marathon shoe may enjoy this shoe for that.
It can certainly handle that training as the durability is excellent. I have 25 miles on my pair with barely any wear on the outsole. I got to well over 100 miles on version 12 without major wear and I expect a similar result from version 13. Outsole traction-wise, this shoe is best for road but it can still handle some mild trail. I have run on gravel and bark chips without issue, so smooth varied terrain is fine. For more technical terrain, something more trail-specific will still be needed.
David: The ASICS GT-2000 13 is a mild to moderate stability training shoe for those that need a touch of guidance from the traditional training shoe. This shoe takes home a lot of the "stable neutral" things we talk about at Doctors of Running and gives a great in between for the neutral and stability category. The GT 2000 series has always been a moderate stack height shoe that also gives decent comfort for both walking and running. The newer model updated to a FlyteFoam Blast + and Pure Gel midsole and changed up the heel bevel. I think this made all of the difference. This shoe surprised me as one of my favorite shoes of the year.
The ASICS GT-2000 13 does a great job of providing gentle guidance and a natural feel on the foot. Being at a 36.5mm stack height in the heel puts this on the higher end of moderate cushioning by todays standards. The shoe does feel like there is less foam underfoot, but not in a bad way. The FlyteFoam Blast + midsole provides plenty of cushioning underfoot for any daily or long run efforts. Because of the slightly lower stack height, the shoe feels a lot more grounded than many of the other daily trainers as well. This is also accomplished in part by the thicker outsole coverage as well. The shoe feels cushioned, but does not sacrifice much ground feel.
The shoe transitions a lot like a neutral shoe would, but with elements of guidance and stability along the way. The heel has a gradual bevel to it that is joined alongside some gentle sidewalls in the medial and lateral heel. The shoe gives you a bucket sensation in the heel from the foam and general geometry. The midfoot is subtle with its stability. It does have some gentle sole flaring to help widen the platform as well as a more filled in medial aspect through the outsole. The forefoot has a more noticeable sole flare to it both medially and laterally and gives you a late stage rocker through the forefoot. The late stage rocker however does not feel overly dramatic. This is in large part due to the many flex grooves through the forefoot imbedded into the outsole. The shoe has a very gentle rocker throughout and a natural feeling toe off. The ASICS GT-2000 13 is not very dramatic, but provides a gently structured experience that is oddly natural feeling as well. The shoe performs best at rhythmic paces for easy days and long runs, but does have some bounce in the midsole as well. For some slight uptempo work, the 9.5 ounce offering can still get the job done. The high abrasion rubber is also lasting me really well. I expect high mileage out of this shoe.
Find a comparison between the GT-2000 13 and 12 here.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The ASICS GT-2000 13 is a moderate stability/guidance shoe. The stability comes most significantly from internal geometry (3D Guidance System), which provides more resistance the harder you fall into it. This was most apparent to me along the medial heel and midfoot. However, I also noticed resistance to lateral motion in the same area. This was far more prominent than in version 12, so those who felt like there wasn't quite enough of a post-like sensation (pressure) will enjoy version 13 more. There are also additional methods of guidance, including a large medial sidewall that is most prominent in the midfoot and a lateral heel sidewall (they both extend through the midfoot and heel but are largest in those areas). There is also a significant amount of sole flare with a midfoot that stays wide and a large amount of heel medial and lateral flare. The sole flare in the forefoot has been toned down compared to the previous version, but the stiffness makes up for this providing a stable front to toe off from. Those needing moderate stability in the heel and midfoot will do best in this shoe while those need a stiffer forefoot for mild stability will also do well.
David: The ASICS GT-2000 13 is moderate stability shoe. The shoe provides its stability in some subtle ways. The foam is tuned to resist harder motions in the 3D Guidance System. The construction of the shoe does make this the most noticeable through the heel, where the sole flaring is also the largest. The feeling is much more subtle though, and does not feel quite as stiff as a post. The shoe uses gentle sole flaring and sidewalls throughout the platform to give a sense of guidance as well. The outsole rubber is both durable and grippy for a large variety of uses. The upper is very secure throughout and gives good confidence on the platform as well. I do think these components shine brighter because of the lower stack height as well. There is some inherent help with stability when the shoe isn't towering with height.
Thoughts as a DPT: Why Stability Shoes are Still Necessary
By Matthew Klein
Over the last 5 years, there has been a significant decrease in the number of stability shoes. The majority of lightweight stability shoes have almost completely disappeared (including the ASICS DS Trainer and DS Racer series) and several higher-level stability shoes are gone. As someone who generally does well in at least mild stability, I had to search for additional methods that might provide stability with the decrease number of stability options. This is where the concept of guidance and stable neutral came in. I noticed that shoes with sidewalls, wider midfoot widths, sole flaring and other geometries could make shoes more tolerable for me from a stability standpoint. Much of the industry has evolved to using these concepts and a variety of others in an attempt to create shoes that provide better individual guidance in line with the current research concepts (Nigg et al., 2017).
Willems, T. M., Ley, C., Goetghebeur, E., Theisen, D., & Malisoux, L. (2021). Motion-control shoes reduce the risk of pronation-related pathologies in recreational runners: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 51(3), 135-143.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The ASICS GT-2000 13 continues to be a top stability shoe. Its updates make it slightly different from the prior version without deviating too far from what made it great. There is a tiny bit more room in the forefoot thanks to the upper stretching just a bit more. However, I would still like to see the toe box more rounded rather than pointed for optimal foot function. The heel bevel is far better that most of the ASICS line, but curving or extending the length of the bevel may improve the transition just slightly. My last suggestion is to widen the forefoot back to what it was in version 12 and improve the flexibility through the forefoot. While I enjoy the additional snappiness for workouts, it does make the forefoot feel a little firmer. This may not be as comfortable for the average person and I would keep the extra methods that kept the forefoot stable. Outside of that, this continues to be a great shoe for those with stability needs who want a training shoe that sits on the lighter side for daily runners.
David: I really enjoyed my time in the ASICS GT-2000 13 and definitely plan on getting more miles in them beyond the writing of this review. My main recommendation for the shoe is to make for just a tad more volume through the midfoot. I did feel like the slightly snug fit through that region felt a little encroaching, but not enough for me to dislike the shoe. Otherwise I feel like ASICS nailed it on this one.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The ASICS GT-2000 13 is a moderate stability shoe for those who want solid guidance with a lighter daily trainer that can handle easy and uptempo paces. The upper will continue to work best for those with normal to narrow-width feet despite having some stretch. The sole will work best for those who want a good heel transition, a slightly softer but well-cushioned rearfoot and a snappy forefoot. The stability is best in the heel and midfoot with a post-like feeling that changes depending on how much you collapse (adapts to you). It is still significant stability and feels more apparent than the last version, so those who want to feel secure and centered with some medial pressure will enjoy this most. The ASICS GT-2000 13 continues to be a staple stability shoe that maintains an excellent price while providing durability that really stretches its life out. These types of shoes are key components of the running industry and I hope ASICS continues to move this line forward while maintaining the great things they have done in the last two versions.
David: The ASICS GT-2000 13 is a mild to moderate stability shoe for someone that likes a neutral feel, but needs just a little more guidance. I do feel this shoe appeals to those that are looking for a cushioned shoe that doesn't sacrifice ground feel as well. The moderate stack height gives a very approachable package for most and does not feel like overkill. There is a very gentle rocker geometry, but this shoe does still feel very natural on foot when you are running. This isn't going to be a shoe that showcases all the newest bells and whistles, but more of an execution on the bread and butter components of the industry. There is an element of simplicity with this model, and its one of the reasons it is one of my favorite shoes this year so far.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A-/B+ (Slightly snug with secure but slightly stretchy upper. Best still for those with normal to narrow feet)
Performance: A- (Continues to run on the lighter side and feels lighter. Snappy forefoot provides some versatility into uptempo and faster efforts. )
Stability: A [Moderate Stability] (Maintains good moderate stability through internal geometry that provides medial post feeling while still keeping the foot centered with the wider sole, sidewalls and other methods)
Value: A (Excellent price for a durable workhorse that can pick up the pace and provide a lighter but highly stable ride)
Personal: A (Continues to be a favorite and so far in contention for being the best stability shoe of 2024)
Overall Design: A-/A
David
Fit: A- (Slightly snug fit through the midfoot, otherwise very comfortable and secure lockdown throughout)
Performance: A (A very comfortable and refreshing ride. Moderate stack height that still has enough cushion for long runs. Competitive weight for stability category. A gentle guidance and natural feeling at the same time.)
Stability: A [Moderate Stability] (Sidewalls, sole flaring, and upper integration are all very well thought out and executed.)
Value: A (This shoe will definitely last you and I don't see the midsole breaking down any time soon. A smooth and rhythmic workhorse that excels in the value category.)
Personal: A (I normally don't lean towards stability shoes, but this one has me reaching for it over and over again.)
Overall Design: A
SHOP | SUPPORT DORASICS GT-2000 13Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
The Hurricane returns refined with new stability mechanics and a very cushioned sole.
A more orthotic focused shoe for those who need a stable platform.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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