A quick Google search of "best running shoe" turns up no shortage of opinions and experiences with different models, but one shoe comes up again and again: the renowned ASICS Novablast.

I'll admit my bias upfront: the Novablast is my go-to shoe, and I've run several half marathons in them. So when ASICS asked me to review the GT-2000 V15, a shoe they felt was under-hyped with real potential, I tried to keep an open mind. Even so, we've carried the GT-2000 for years without it ever being one I reached for, especially with the Gel-Kayano getting so much well-deserved hype.

After running with them, I was honestly and truly blown away by how much I enjoyed the shoe, and astounded that it had been hiding under my nose all this time!

So let’s dive into why the GT-2000 is often overlooked.

Meet the GT-2000 V15: Where It Fits in the ASICS Lineup

ASICS has a VERY strong line-up of shoes, and the Gel-Kayano is the support and stability shoe that always gets all the love, even when compared to other brands. So how does the GT-2000 V15 fit in and compare?

Like the Kayano, the GT-2000 is a stability shoe built to correct over-pronation. In plain terms, pronation is what happens with "flat feet" or "fallen arches," and support shoes typically correct for it in one of two ways: extra cushion buildup to prop up the arch, or a denser section of cushioning under the arch that holds its shape as the rest of the midsole compresses underfoot. That said, I'd also call this the snappiest, most "fun" feeling supportive runner out there. As strange as it sounds for a support shoe, this one actually feels like it was built for running (more on that below).

A note on pronation and self-diagnosing: I have neutral feet myself, but I've helped thousands of people who pronate, and there's a lot of noise online about what's "right" or "wrong" and who needs what. In my experience, some pronation is completely natural and fine as long as it's not causing you problems. Our advice is to go with what feels and works best for you, and to loop in a physio or doctor if you're dealing with pain or a running injury.

Being a supportive shoe also doesn't mean neutral runners should avoid it: plenty of neutral runners like the extra support once their form loosens up on longer runs. That said, if you use inserts or orthotics, don't pair them with a supportive shoe unless your doctor or physio says to, since stacking two corrections can overcorrect and cause the opposite problem. Bottom line: choose the shoe type that works best for your preferences, your issues, or what's been prescribed to you.

What’s New?

Compared to the V14, the GT-2000 V15 is more cushioned and responsive but lighter. 

The midsole of the ASICS GT-200s V15s is 1.5mm higher in both the forefoot and underheel. They are constructed with PureGEL underheel and re-tuned FF BLAST™ MAX foam transitioning through the forefoot. Additionally, the Gt-2000s have the Trampoline Pod under the forefoot just like ASICS' famous Novablats and Superblasts. Under the arch of the foot, their 3D guidance system props the arch up to guide the foot into a corrected gait from landing through toe-off.

All this to say, is that compared to the V14s, the V15s have a softer feel with more bounceback and responsiveness. Again this is so prevalent in the feel of the shoe running, especially when compared to other support-focused shoes.

Fit and Specs

I found the sizing to be true-to-size. I didn’t feel a need to go up/down a half size or try on a different width. The toebox was a comfortable fit, but I would say it is generous if you have a wider forefoot (since I think this shoe is more for running rather than walking, this is typical and not surprising). The lockdown of the heel and the hugging of the upper felt nice, secure, and streamlined.

Ride & Performance

So how did these actually feel while running? 

I won’t beat around the bush: I was honestly so impressed and taken aback with how much I enjoyed running in them. In my opinion, most Supportive/stability shoes are very clunky and flat-feeling while running in them. They are usually first and foremost designed to correct for pronation, and all of the R&R goes for improving and developing this aspect of most shoes, and all the fun R&R tech goes to the neutral shoes to make them faster, snappier, and more fun to run in.

ASICS broke that mold with these shoes. With all the brands investing lots of money into faster neutral daily trainers to compete with the Asics Novablast, Asics combined their success with the responsiveness and “fun-ness” of the Novablast and the background of their amazing stability tech into the GT-2000 V15. When I was chatting with our Asics Rep, one of my worries was that they wouldn;t be as supportive as the Kayanos - he let me know that they have the same level of support when tested in the lab, so you are not sacrificing support for speed in then GT-2000s compared the the Kayanos if that is a deciding factor.

When running in these shoes, I didn’t notice them in the best-way process. Maybe I was going into reviewing these with low expectations based on my experience with other support shoes, but I was sincerely taken aback by how fun they were to run in. I felt like I was flying, and the support under my arches actually felt really nice on longer runs when my feet got tired and my gait was getting sloppier.

When I took them on a faster effort, they kept up with me, and I didn’t feel held back by the normal lack of responsiveness in stability shoes. I felt like the shoe had a super smooth transition from step to step, and the trampoline pod under my forefoot gave me a lot of spring and feedback in my tempo and hill runs. Again, I am a huge fan of the Novablasts and I genuinely felt like these felt super similar, just with some extra support under the arches.

For walking and as an everyday shoe, they were great: soft, comfortable, and the support indeed a little extra stability compared to neutral fast daily trainers. They also have a bit less stack height than the Novablasts, so they felt more stable as an everyday shoe comparatively. 

Comparisons

Compared to the GT-2000 V14s, the V15s are lighter, softer, and much more responsive. This version definitely feels like it is meant to be a running shoe first that has good support rather than a support shoe that you can run in if needed. 

As for comparisons with other models and brands, it’s a bit trickier to find a direct comparison as this shoe’s feel is pretty niche.

Other support/stability shoes would be the New Balance 860, Brooks Adrenaline GTS, Mizuno Wave Inspire, and the Hoka Arahi. However, while they are great running shoes, they do not feel terribly responsive compared to the ASICS GT-2000 V15. The ASICS Gel-Kayano is also a support shoe, but it is geared more towards that long distance, plush, and protective feel like the Brooks Glycerin GTS compared to the light, fast, and snappy GT-2000.

Other responsive daily trainers that have a similar feel would be the ASICS Novablast, New Balance Rebel, Brooks Ghost Amp, Mizuno Neo Zen, and Hoka Clifton Pro, but these are all neutral shoes while the GT-2000 corrects for pronation. A better comparison would be these neutral responsive daily trainers with your own orthotic or over-the-counter arch support insert in them.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the GT-2000 is a supportive, responsive daily trainer that is great for tempo runs, faster long runs, easy runs, and has ample protection to comfortably run half-marathon distances. For longer distances, you may want to consider shoes with more protective cushioning or higher stack heights like the supportive Gel-Kayanos (plush and protective) or the neutral Superblasts with your own supportive insert (protective and responsive).

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