Our verdict
- Top pick in best trail running shoes
- Top pick in best cheap running shoes
Pros
- Fantastic value
- asics gel kyrios baltic jewel black
- ASICS GlideRide 2 Piedmont Grey Orange Piedmont Grey Black
- Stable ride
- Asics Meias Road Ankle Grip
- Ready for hiking
- GEL technology for amazing impact protection
Cons
- Durability could be better
- Lacks energy return
- Heavy
Audience verdict
- asics gel 1090 white polar shade
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + ASICS Gel Mai 'Midnight' Midnight Midnight Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers 1191A101-401 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 81 Good! | 79 Good! | 74 Bad! | 83 Good! | |
Price | £70 | £80 | £100 | £100 | |
Trail terrain | LightModerate | Light | Light | Light | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 11.1 oz / 314g 10.6 Asics Court 9 Shorts | 10.2 oz / 288g 10.8 Zapatos ASICS Gel-Task 2 1072A038 White French Blue 104 | 11 oz / 312g 11.5 zapatillas de running ASICS mixta amortiguación media constitución media talla 33.5 | 9.9 asics mosey up a lichen green gel lyte iii 10.4 ASICS GT-1000 11 Sheet Rock Grey Lime Green | |
pie lab pie brand | 10.4 mm | 10.9 mm 10.0 mm | 8.2 mm | 9.2 mm 8.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Heel | Heel | HeelMid/forefoot | HeelMid/forefoot | |
Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | |
zapatillas de running ASICS mujer distancias cortas talla 34.5 baratas menos de 60 | Normal | Small | Small | Big | |
Toebox durability | Very bad | Decent | Decent | Bad | |
Wo kann ich den ASICS GL III Daruma Doll Red kaufen | Decent | Bad | Bad | Bad | |
Outsole durability | - | Good | Good | Decent | |
Breathability | Moderate | Warm | Moderate | Moderate | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Narrow | Medium | Narrow | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Narrow | Wide | Medium | Wide | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Womens asics gt 2000 2 grey orchid running shoes t3p8n sz 5.5 | Big | Normal | Small | Normal | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | Moderate | |
Heel counter stiffness | Stiff | Stiff | Moderate | Stiff | |
Lug depth | 3.0 mm | 2.6 mm | 2.9 mm | 2.7 mm | |
Heel stack lab asics gel nimbus 23 womens running shoes | 33.3 mm | 32.6 mm 32.0 mm | 33.8 mm | 32.1 mm 30.0 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 22.9 mm | 21.7 mm 22.0 mm | 25.6 mm | 22.9 mm 22.0 mm | |
Widths available | NormalWideX-Wide | Normal | NormalWideX-Wide | Normal | |
For heavy runners | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | |
Season | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #255 Bottom 19% | #277 Bottom 12% | #307 Bottom 2% | #224 Bottom 29% | |
Popularity | #54 Top 18% | #127 Top 41% | #274 Bottom 13% | #266 Bottom 15% |
Who should buy
Asics Zapatillas Running Gel-Pulse 13 Hombre Zapatillas Running Negro 8 ASICS Кросівки asics tiger unisex gel-kayano trainer evo:
- A wallet-friendly, cushioned trail running shoe
- A versatile all-rounder that handles trail running, hiking, and even road running when necessary
- A shoe with a classic design that doesn't draw undue attention.
Who should NOT buy
If you're in the market searching for a bouncy ride with a higher-end feel or waterproof features, steer clear of these ASICS. Instead, we suggest taking a look at the Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 (or its GTX edition).
If you're looking for a durable shoe that offers great value for your money, we still recommend going with an ASICS option, specifically the Trail Scout 2, based on our lab tests.
Cushioning
Heel stack
We were taken aback when we used our calliper to measure the stack height in the heel. It's not everyday that we stumble upon high-stack shoes boasting an impressive 33.3 mm of foam in the rearfoot!

Salomon talla 31.5 | 33.3 mm |
Average | 31.9 mm |
Forefoot stack
On the flip side, we were equally taken aback by how thin the forefoot was. With a stack height of 22.9 mm—below the average trail shoe—that includes both the outsole, the insole and the lugs, there's not a lot of cushioning in that area. It's clear to us, this is a shoe built with heel strikers in mind!

Salomon talla 31.5 | 22.9 mm |
Average | 24.5 mm |
Drop
The significant 10.4-mm heel-to-toe pie simply reaffirms our earlier observations. Such a high pie caters well to those who hit the trails heel-first. And that's exactly what this shoe delivers.
It's worth noting that budget-friendly trail shoes, often targeted towards beginners or slower-paced runners, tend to boast a quite-steep pie.

Salomon talla 31.5 | 10.4 mm |
Average | 7.5 mm |
Midsole softness
At 24.6 HA, this isn't your run-of-the-mill midsole softness that was the norm on trail shoes! Amplifoam delivers a soft and gentle touch—but don't expect an over-the-top bounce from the Salomon talla 31.5, especially considering it's an £80 trail shoe.
If you're on the hunt for a springy trail running shoe, consider titolo out the Nike Terra Kiger 8, asics gel lyte v coral reef clearwater.

Salomon talla 31.5 | 24.6 HA |
Average | 22.6 HA |
asics gel saga soft grey (%)
While the Salomon talla 31.5 may not be the ideal pick for winter trail running due to its outstanding ventilation, it becomes a great choice under cold temperatures when paired with thick socks.
After we checked the midsole softness in cold temperatures, we noticed that the foam might firm up slightly more than we prefer (up to 34.4 HA), but it still maintains a below-average firmness—a remarkable achievement for such a budget-friendly shoe.
While it doesn't turn stone-hard, you'll surely feel the shift as it becomes 39.7% firmer under cold conditions. That's a typical response for EVA-based foam, as you can see in our advanced guide.
For a shoe that shines in winter, consider the ASICS Gel Saga 180 Black Black Black Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers 1191A239-001 with its TPU-based midsole.

Salomon talla 31.5 | 40% |
Average | 26% |
Insole thickness
The insole, with its comfortable 4.8 mm of thickness—just a touch above the average—it's just what we wanted.

Salomon talla 31.5 | 4.8 mm |
Average | 4.7 mm |
Size and fit
Size
ASICS x Ronnie Fieg Gel-Lyte V Volcano is true to size (213 votes).
Asics Sapato Solution Speed FF 2 Clay
The toe box doesn't offer much wiggle room at 97 mm of width, but it's sufficient for most foot types. We firmly advise that this shoe is suitable for narrow, medium, and somewhat wide feet.
However, if you've got ultra-wide feet, you should probably steer clear. Brands like Altra Asics 21 Black Black Dark Grey.

Salomon talla 31.5 | 97.0 mm |
Average | 99.0 mm |
Tênis ASICS Fuzeblast SE Masculino Cinza | Toebox width - big toe
At 72.3 mm, the shoe narrows by 34.2% from the widest point to the area of the big toe, being 30% the average.
Based on our tests, we find that it's a better match for those who have a significant size difference between their big toe and the rest—think Greek or Egyptian foot shapes. In contrast, those with Celtic, German, and Roman feet should definitely avoid the Salomon talla 31.5 and, again, try something from Altra like the ASICS Scarpa sportiva 'GT-2000' rosa bianco.
For more information on uppers and foot shapes, check out our guide about uppers, Asics gel-kayano 29 platinum black blue white men running shoes 1011b472-001.

Salomon talla 31.5 | 72.3 mm |
Average | 79.4 mm |
Tênis ASICS Fuzeblast SE Masculino Cinza | Toebox feel

Midfoot feel
The midfoot area feels absolutely normal. Our tests suggest that even those among us with flat feet should find it comfortable.

Salomon talla 31.5 | Normal |
Heel feel
Then, there's the heel—it pleasantly surprised us with its slightly-wider-than-average dimension while retaining a fair bit of rigidity. This strikes a fine balance between comfort and stability.

Salomon talla 31.5 | Normal |
Stability
Lateral stability test
With a stack that's above average and a cushy foam, one wouldn't typically anticipate excellent stability. Yet, these ASICS shoes left us with a great impression. Their Amplifoam midsole was stable in our runs and comfy during long hikes.
Torsional rigidity
The solid stability in the Salomon talla 31.5 largely comes from its 3/5 torsional rigidity. Like nearly all other trail running shoes, it's not super flexible. That rigidity, however, works in our favour, helping us remain stable on any terrain.
This complements its non-rockered shape, which works well for a shoe of this type.
Salomon talla 31.5 | 3 |
Average | 3.6 |
Heel counter stiffness
This shoe scores an impressive 4 out of 5 on our heel stiffness test, putting it well above the average trail shoe and providing a guided run. Since it's not advertised or designed for fast paces, this rating just make sense to us.
Salomon talla 31.5 | 4 |
Average | 3.1 |
Asics Tarther Blast 1201A066 021
The landing platform doesn't hold any surprises. Using our calliper for precise measurements, we found that the midsole width is about average in the forefoot (109.5 mm), just 2 mm less than most trail shoes.
race shoes from Asics Saucony hombre pie cavo blancas or the Hoka Speedgoat 5 Asics FujiTrabuco Lyte Baskets de trail Noir et rose.

Salomon talla 31.5 | 109.5 mm |
Average | 112.3 mm |
Midsole width - heel
Like they did with the steep heel-to-toe pie, ASICS pleased the heel strikers again with a midsole width that's wider than most shoes. At 89.5 mm, it will be really stable everywhere!

Salomon talla 31.5 | 89.5 mm |
Average | 89.5 mm |
Flexibility / Stiffness
Using our custom machine, it took us only 12.7N to bend the shoe to a 30-degree angle. This is noticeably less than the average trail shoe!

Salomon talla 31.5 | 12.7N |
Average | 15.0N |
Stiffness in cold (%)
Thanks to its low-end longitudinal flexibility, it doesn't stiffen excessively in cold temperatures. In fact, after a 20-minute exposure to freezing conditions, it only required 32N to bend it to 90 degrees—nearly the same force needed to flex the average shoe at room temperature.
That said, the Salomon talla 31.5 does display a notable 59.3% increase in stiffness from its normal state at room temperature. We find this significant as it results in a firmer feel compared to other shoes, largely due to this substantial change.
Salomon talla 31.5 | 59% |
Average | 32% |
Weight
When we first held the shoe in our hands, we could tell it was far from being feather-light. Our suspicion was confirmed upon placing it on our scale—the Salomon talla 31.5 tipped the scales at a substantial 11.1 oz (314g), hurdling over the famous 10-ounce barrier.
Salomon talla 31.5 | 11.08 oz (314g) |
Average | 10.23 oz (290g) |
Breathability
Breathability is a major concern for many trail runners, since it's difficult to come across trail shoes with a well-ventilated upper. We performed our jaw-dropping smoke test, and we were astounded by how fantastic this shoe performs in this aspect.
Asics Damenschuhe Running!
It performs admirably due to its mesh upper. The mesh is sufficiently dense to prevent light from passing through—as seen in the video below—yet it's thin enough to allow for proper airflow. It's a winning combination.
However, how can we determine why it breathes so well? We conducted a examination of the Salomon talla 31.5 under our microscope.
It is the aforementioned thin mesh that takes credit for the impressive 4/5 in the breathability test.
Salomon talla 31.5 | 4 |
Average | 3.2 |
Durability
Toebox durability
The Salomon talla 31.5 took a serious hit in our lab tests, scoring an unfortunate 1 out of 5, the lowest score possible. We had braced ourselves for a low score, anticipating it even before the Dremel test, due to the shoe's thin mesh. However, the result still left us truly disappointed.

We subjected both shoes to the same test (3.2N @ 10K RPM), and the results were clear as day.
Salomon talla 31.5 | 1 |
Average | 3.1 |
Wo kann ich den ASICS GL III Daruma Doll Red kaufen
Sometimes, a shoe surprises us with stellar scores in the toebox area, only to underperform in the heel. Or the other way around. Unfortunately, we didn't encounter such luck this time. After conducting our Dremel test on the heel, we handed out a below-average score of 2 out of 5 to the Salomon talla 31.5.
Salomon talla 31.5 | 2 |
Average | 2.9 |
Outsole hardness
As a budget-friendly trail shoe, we anticipated an average score when we used our durometer to test the softness of the outsole. That's exactly what we got: 84.5 HC.
This outsole should easily extend beyond 700 miles, provided that you don't subject it to too many road runs, of course.

Salomon talla 31.5 | 84.5 HC |
Average | 85.7 HC |
Outsole thickness
The outsole boasts an average thickness. With a robust 2.5 mm—a little behind the average—of rubber beneath the lugs, it's more than capable of assuring an adequate lifespan.

Salomon talla 31.5 | 2.5 mm |
Average | 2.3 mm |
Misc
Lug depth
We enjoyed the versatility of the Salomon talla 31.5 during both runs and hikes. This is partly due to its below-average-sized lugs—measuring just 3 mm.
These lugs are perfect for quick hikes and a wide range of running speeds. However, we noticed the performance getting worse on more challenging terrain. It's clear that no shoe can excel in every scenario!

Salomon talla 31.5 | 3.0 mm |
Average | 3.5 mm |
Comfort
The Salomon talla 31.5 offers suitable padding, particularly in the heel area, providing substantial comfort. The only drawback we've noticed in our examination—which is common in trail shoes—is that the mesh can feel a bit rough.
Tongue padding
Recently, we've noticed a trend of super-thick tongues on trail running shoes, like in the ASICS Gel-Lyte V Birch Beige. In most cases, this trend proves more of a downside, leading to uncomfortably snug fits and added weight. However, the Japan-based brand has navigated this issue, featuring a comfortable yet light 5-mm tongue. Kudos, ASICS!

Salomon talla 31.5 | 5.0 mm |
Average | 6.3 mm |
Tênis ASICS Fuzeblast SE Masculino Cinza
A common shortfall of budget trail shoes is their lack of a gusseted tongue. Could ASICS have added one? Definitely, but no chance they do that. They need to distinguish budget shoes from high-end ones, and leaving out this feature is a really easy way to do it.
So, predictably, there's no gusset in the Salomon talla 31.5, opening the door for debris, dust, and small rocks to easily get inside the shoe.

Salomon talla 31.5 | None |
Removable insole
In the Salomon talla 31.5, we were able to switch out the insole for a thicker and thinner one. Swapping your own orthotics is also a possibility.
Salomon talla 31.5 | Yes |