Third run: 15 miles treadmill. This run sort of happened by accident—or whatever you call planning to run 6-8 but talking yourself into “just two more miles” until “just one more mile, and it’ll be 15.”

The GT 2000 GTX is billed as a hybrid all purpose shoe but upon first glance it looks as though it’s designed exclusively for the trail. Second run: 4 treadmill. The shoe felt comfortable and more lively, with a smooth roll off the toes. The jury was still out. Asics special AHAR+ (Asics High Abrasion Resistant) carbon rubber is reserved for use in the heel where heavy wear can occur. Asics also decided to keep their Guidance Line design philosophy which carves a channel under the foot and helps to move the shoe through foot strike in a more natural manner. Asics GT 2000 GTX Upper People who overpronate: ASICS GT-2000™ running shoes are designed for people who overpronate when they run. Overpronation is when your feet roll in more than average when you are running, and you push off from your big toe. This means the pressure of running is focused on a small area of your feet, and this can lead to pain and discomfort. We designed ASICS GT-2000™ running shoes to provide additional support for people who overpronate.I took them out of the box and took them on a 10k mile maiden voyage. Since I have reviewed many ASICS offerings in the last couple years there was a familiarity I immediately felt. In the midsole FLYTEFOAM® Propel replaces standard FLYTEFOAM®, providing better cushion. After over 80 miles in the shoe I do not yet notice a dip under the ball of my foot when I remove the liner and feel the base. A significant dip is a sign that the shoe is “worn out,” so this speaks well to the life of this shoe. The lime zest logos are a highlight that grabs your attention. My only colorway suggestion I would make is to have the midsole be white all the way from heel to toe instead of blue halfway through. While it may be hot the Gore Tex upper works as advertised. I took the shoe through good weather on the road and trail but the true test came when I ran the GTX through town in a thunderstorm. On that run I hit every puddle I could find and the only time water entered the shoe was when I hit puddles deep enough to wash over the heel collar. My feet stayed remarkable dry and zero water entered from the toe box or mid foot. Not only were my feet dry but that storm was heavy enough to wash the trail dirt off the shoe and leave it nice and pretty for the photo shoot!

The shoe feels stable on and off road and reasonably cushioned and flexible. The midsole also felt lower in profile compared to previous versions. This much-loved line started with a different naming system and is now in its 26th year. Though I ran in Kayano in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, my first go in the GT-2000 was the 2000 4 Lite Show . I really liked it and wish top-end marketing for Kayano hadn’t blinded me from trying this line earlier! Gel cushioning is found in both the forefoot and heel areas. This counteracts the firmness felt from the flytefoam. Asics GT-2000 9 is a real working horse, which can handle short and long distances at a different pace - and even for an extended period as the shoe is equipped with one of the most durable outsoles in the market. The GT 2000 9 will allow your feet to breathe in comfort! The softer mesh upper provides for plenty of ventilation, especially in the heat of the day during those longer runs.I like ASICS’ somewhat “old school” approach to stability. It is secure and dependable like your favorite pair of running shorts. The shoes over the long run actually surprised me by how comfortable the midsole was. My feet did not hurt at all mid run or in the hours after. This was a positive surprise and not what I was expecting! Thankfully FLYTEFOAM® Propel (as with FLYTEFOAM® Blast) has a better feel than the original FLYTEFOAM® as the first version did not impress. The fit of the shoe met my expectations for an ASICS trainer. A snug feeling was felt throughout the shoe, especially in the midfoot area. There isn’t much to actively dislike about this shoe, but a couple of suggested tweaks would be to make the heel counter (the plastic wrap that holds the heel in place inside the shoe) a touch softer. It is effective but ever so slightly aggressive regardless of foot width. And the lace quality needs to be improved, with some visible fraying on one or two test pairs. Conclusion