Anybody out there use the Gel DS Trainer for training in and then strap on the Gel DS Racer for race day? Reason I ask is because the Trainer does not have port holes for drainage and the racer does. I hate having to slosh through a race. My Kwicky Blade Light from KSwiss is no longer made apparently. Just looking for an alternative that matches well with the DS Trainer (since this is the shoe my running store prescribed to me) but has port holes for race day. I also can’t tell if there is that much difference from the Racer vs the Trainer on ASIC’s website. Any input appreciated.
Port holes are more gimmick then function. Water leaves the shoe through the fabric and probably in a greater amount vs the port holes on the bottom. Plus water can enter into the shoe from the port holes as well.
I have the DS trainer and Racers. You might also want to look at the Asics Gel FujiRacer’s. It’s a kick ass shoe. It actually became my racing flat of choice over the Racers. YMMV.
You could also look at the Noosa 8 or 9 (can’t remember which number they are up to) shoe. IIRC it’s about an ounce lighter than the DS trainer but built on the same platform as the DS trainer
Good point on the fabric part. Thank for the help Brian. I will certainly look into the Fuji.
I disagree with Brian about the drainage holes being useless. Using shoes with drainage holes keeps my shoes from holding sweat and water poured on me. I hate sloshing around in a soaked shoe.
As for the DS Trainer and DS Racer…
The DS Trainer is a advertised as a lightweight stability trainer but 9.6 oz isn’t really that light. The DS Racer is a Neutral shoe at just over 6 oz, other than the name they really aren’t related to each other. I’ve run in both of them and the DS Trainer has a lot more support.
jaretj
The last time I bought a pair of Trainers was about 5 years ago, I bought a pair of Racers last year and found that the support of the Racer is very similar to the older Trainers. I do train in the Trainers and race in Racers, and I find the support much the same in both. The newer Trainers may have more support, but I’ve been fine mixing the two.
Good points, thanks for knowledge. I always thought the holes worked but could see both sides of the argument. Thanks
As for the DS Trainer and DS Racer…
The DS Trainer is a advertised as a lightweight stability trainer but 9.6 oz isn’t really that light. The DS Racer is a Neutral shoe at just over 6 oz, other than the name they really aren’t related to each other. I’ve run in both of them and the DS Trainer has a lot more support.
jaretj
You must be thinking of a different shoe. The DS racer and trainer are both marketed as low level stability shoes and the racer clocks in at 7mid oz.
OP, using the trainer/racer combo is common practice. If you were fitted for the Trainer I would be careful going to the Fuji Racer as someone mentioned. Fantastic shoe, but they are neutral and have little cushioning. Someone else suggested a Noosa Tri which would be a better fit, but you have to like obnoxious color schemes. Not going to have your port holes either.
I have run in both shoes and there is a noticable difference between the two of them.
I stand corrected on the marketing on the DS racer but it has nowhere near the support of the DS Trainer. I stopped using the DS Trainer because of the posting that it has.
Fuji Racer is a Trail shoe, I don’t know why that was brought up in the mix early in the thread. It is the trail shoe I use for racing.
Edit: I posted the weight of my shoes after some use which are smaller than most peoples’
Even though the Fuji racer is a trail shoe it’s light and makes a great shoe to run/race in on the roads. In fact after running in it on rocky trails and roads, it might be a better road shoe vs trail shoe.
It’s built on the same platform as the DS trainer, lighter and a bit firmer. Just bc a shoe is labelled as trail doesn’t mean you can’t use it for something else. I’ve seen it being used in ITU races as a racing flat.
here is a review I wrote on that shoe http://accelerate3.com/asics-gel-fujiracer-the-best-racing-flat/
I like the Fuji racer a lot, for me I like the flexability of the DS Racer more for the road. Maybe because I’m smaller than the average triathlete.
I’ve run long distance trail runs in the Fuji Racer and it works really well. It’s going to be my Xterra shoe this year.
jaretj