Asics GT 2130: Why It's this Runner's Shoe of Choice

Runners are very particular about their equipment, and for good reason. When you're logging anywhere from 30 to 60 miles a week only the best will do. Every piece or equipment has a purpose and has to hold up throughout the running season. The lighter and more comfortable the better in most cases. Shoes are the most important item any runner has. The shoes have to handle the constant pounding against pavement, grass, gravel, and concrete. They have to survive mud, water, dust and dirt. Lets face it a runners shoes take a beating on a regular basis and their owners expect them to be perform and give them that edge against their opponent. After running for a few years and going through pairs upon pairs of shoes a runner develops a preference. This could be a preference on which brand of shoe, or what type of shoe, or even the exact shoe. For me, my preference is the Asics GT2130 series. In fact, I have not run in anything other than this series for five years.

Asics GT2130 are the newest generation in the Asics GT series. For those familiar with the shoe you will notice improvement to the forefoot area of the shoe as well as the ankle collar. Also, Asics has improved the shoe's cushioning system. This is good news for those runners that complained the GT2120 were too stiff. This improved cushioning was achieved through the use of a new softer lighter foam used in the mid sole, as well as what seems like a softer rubber then was used in the GT2120. For those concerned that the new cushioning will undermine the fabulous support that the GT2120's offered, the GT2130's have a thicker footbridge that not only improves the look of the shoe, but also greatly increases the shoes support and stability.

While the GT2130 hosts new and improved features some of these have adverse affects in other areas. While the new foam makes the shoe feel better then ever before, it has completely destroyed one of the most important features of the series. The new foam found in the Gt2130 tends to wear out faster then any shoe I have ever worn. One of my first pairs of Asics, the GT2110, lasted forever. They were a strong durable shoe with none of the bells and whistles of other running shoes. When these finally wore out I upgraded to the GT2120's. While these did not last as long, I still consider them a durable shoe. However, the GT2130's wear out three to two to three months faster then any other running shoe I've worn. For runners running one to four miles a day this should not be a problem. More active runners averaging five to eight miles a day will find themselves buying a new pair within a few months.

All in all the Asics GT2130's are a great shoe. They are for the runner with normal to low arches, they tend to be on the softer more cushioned side of running shoes, have mid to high responsiveness, and tend to be slightly more flexible then your average shoe. The only con to these shoes are their lack of longevity. If you need new running shoes and are looking for something a bit softer then the GT2130's are the shoes for you. However, if you don't mind a stiffer shoe, go with the GT2120's simply for the longevity until Asics updates the series again.