I have run in the Hoka One One Elevon’s for a while and they have some similarities to the Gel-Contend 7’s. Both have the all-over mesh on the upper and a very cushiony midsole. I took these shoes out in the rain a few times and did end up getting wet. They didn’t seem to hold on to water and dried out almost completely by the next day. The sole has flex grooves that improve the flexibility of the sole and makes for an even ride. The midsole is made from the Rearfoot Gel cushioning unit called AmpliFoam. ASICS have done their bit to help runners keep a consistent gait. With Guidance Line technology, the Contend 7 corrects supinating foot strikes, when your heel rolls outwards.

Guidance Lineis a special flex groove that allows the shoe to bend and go along to the movement of the athlete’s foot for a springier run. When I got the ASICS Gel Contend 7 I knew that they promised very little beyond the price tag, which meant I was extremely happy with the result. Supportive, well-built, and comfortable, there’s little else you can expect from this shoe. The upper is an engineered mesh. It is a multi-directional mesh material that improves ventilation and stability. There are 3 overlays on the shoe that has synthetic stitching.The Amplifoam Midsole is engineered to maintain durability at softer densities which will provide you with better flexibility, comfort, and platform adaptability ideal for natural running. Are planning on doing regular, long runs. Protect yourself and your joints with some more advanced cushioning like Hoka Clifton 8 There’s also minimal arch support in the midsole which some might find uncomfortable. “Excuse me, you’re shoe’s squeaking” In addition to this, Asics also has put GUIDANCE LINE technology in the Gel-Contend 7. This helps the runner to develop a more natural and consistent stride.

I have been a runner for the past 15 years and this lower-end shoe has opened my eyes to adding the not so “fancy” running shoes into my weekly mileage.For the price, you can’t ask for everything. With the Gel Contend 7, apart from the squeaky outsole and limited midsole, the laces are a real let down. In testing it took just 8.6N of force to slip them from their knot. This shoe offers a lot of great features for a steal. I would recommend this shoe for any introductory runner who doesn’t want to get near the triple digits at price. The Gel-Contend 7 is a solid choice that won’t let you down. When I opened the box my first thought was for a budget-friendly shoe they look more like a higher-end shoe. After trying the shoes on I was nicely surprised by how comfortable they felt right away. The Gel-Contend 7 provides a great choice for runners who are looking for cushioning and support. It’s a budget-friendly shoe that does a lot for its price. The shoe is designed for neutral runners and those who supinate.

Another added benefit of the simplified design of the Contend 7 is that it’s a great all-rounder, so it could be perfect for: Never before have I been one to turn heads when I run. In the Gel Contend 7, I found myself doing so for the wrong reasons. The full rubber outsole is incredibly noisy on anything but the roughest tarmac. While this is quite a big limitation for a shoe (in a perfect world you can buy one pair of shoes that will do everything), it comes at such a low cost that it’s still a perfect shoe for those starting out, or short recovery runs. Of course, not everything is perfect at this price: the rubber is basic, and a bit noisy, the upper can cause rubbing, and the cushioning is a bit stiff. Nevertheless, overall, the value for money is good. The best thing is to see the Contend as a complementary shoe to alternate with your regular shoes and get your feet used to a different configuration.One over the heel, one on either side of the middle of the shoe, and one up at the toe box. The overlay in the middle of the shoe holds the shoelaces in place and helps to offer more support when tying the shoes.