I love Asics but they seem to be getting heavier with each year. Some of their new perf neutral shoes (DS Sky 2) are 10 ounces compared to their competitor’s at 7-8 ounces! Are they just out of touch? I haven’t seen anything new from them in years.
I would like to find a lightweight trainer with good drainage that is not too soft. Addidas adizero’s wear out way too fast and Saucony are too soft. Maybe I will just stick with the Elixer or try a KSwiss.
More gel and more soleyte is what I would wager. It used to be they would use 30-40 foam and now they are up in the 45-55 range in some shoes. Same with the gel, you just can’t make that stuff very light.
The 2100’s have always seemed a little heavy to me when compared to the Brooks adrenaline, but darn it if they aren’t tanks to wear.
For light weight I’ve always enjoyed Brooks and Saucony. They feel good and tend to hold up well.
I think the Elixir feels heavier than the DS Trainer, even though it might actually be slightly lighter. The Elixir has a firmer sole and doesn’t seem to return as much energy as the DS Trainer. I use the DS Trainer for my long runs but everything else (up to a half marathon) is in the Wave Musha right now.
I really don’t know crap about shoes other than what I like so take what I say with a grain of salt.
They are simply overbuilt. And every year they add more junk so the guys at runners world can say stuff about the new stuff. Problem is they don’t seem to be concerned about taking anything out.
Also “Gel” weighs more than “Air”.
I run in the DS Sky I and really like them. I didnt want an all out minimalist shoe so this one works really well for me. My opinion is they are still doing their own thing. Yes their shoes are generally heavy but some people still like that. Ill probably move to the DS Sky II when my Sky I wear out. Gotta dig the colors.
asics arguably makes the best shoes on the market.
look at the asics speedstar for instance, it annihilates everything in its category in terms of cushioning to weight ratio without sacrificing outsole material.
have you tried the hyperspeed? obviously not, so stop making these ignorant comments about being heavier.
It is pretty easy to call people names like “ignorant” when you do not put your personal information behind your user name…
For your information I currently run in hyperspeeds right now and have run in Asics for last 20 yrs from first generation of DS trainers to the last version. Perhaps you should get your facts before calling people names.
The trend by Kswiss, Saucony and other is less than 9 ounces for light weight trainers. If you compared the weight of the DS trainer and the 21XX series over the last 8 years they have gone up so how is my comments ignorant?
As SeasonsChange has put it: what are you comparing the DS Sky Speed to? Because that’ll make a huge difference.
If you’re looking for lighter weight, you’d go to the Hyper Speed, or the Speed Star, or you’d wait for some of the 33 line to make it’s way to market in S12.
Their shoes are always about midpack in the weight front, but they also nail down (similar to, say, Hoka One One does) that running’s accumulated stresses need to be dealt with.
And no, I don’t wear Asics…they don’t fit well on my foot. But they sure work for a hell of a lot of people.
you seem to have an issue differentiating between different characteristics of shoes.
the only shoes lighter than 9 oz from saucony or kswiss are stripped heavily in some form or fashion. i cant think of a shoe from either manufacturer that even comes close to the speedstar at 8.9oz (cushioning and built in supportive characteristics that dont make it a noodle like the kinvara).
if you think they ds trainer is too heavy a whopping 10.5oz, then drop down to the ds racer. the mizuno elixir is hard as rock compared to the solyte/gel combo found in the ds trainer.
I have both Asic Gel-Kayano’s and Kswiss Konejo2’s. They’re virtually identical in weight. Neither is, however, a neutral racing shoe. But after having my feet feel like they were quite literally coming unglued at mile 20 of a marathon last year, they are a welcome relief.
I’m glad you glossed over my first comment of calling people names without providing your name. Perhaps you should consider updating your profile.
But to get back to my point, every year Asics get heavier.
Those are also just the mfr “listed weight”. As with bike components, some manufacturers are grossly off in weight (Deda is particularly bad). Asics are usually spot on their listed weight with others (Saucony, Nike for ex) pretty far off under. I weigh many shoes on a precision digital scale (don’t ask).
I have no problems taking advice from someone who has completed their profile information 
.
I have no problems taking advice from someone who has completed their profile information
people who cant logically argue a point look to attacking someones credentials.
the only shoes lighter than 9 oz from saucony or kswiss are stripped heavily in some form or fashion. i cant think of a shoe from either manufacturer that even comes close to the speedstar at 8.9oz (cushioning and built in supportive characteristics that dont make it a noodle like the kinvara).
.
Have you tried on the current version of the Fastwitch? If you haven’t stop hatin for a second, try them on, and get back to me. The Fastwitch has a much snappier ride compared to the Kinvara, a much better fit, and a great drainage system to boot. Fantastic allaround shoe, under 8 oz on my scale (size 10). Ditto on the Type A4, except they’re pretty much reserved for my shorter distance racing.
I always wished I could run in the speedstar, but alas, it has never fit me, and those “built in supportive characteristics” are most of the reason why it doesn’t. My foot has never cooperated with a stiff midfoot bridge. The current DS Racer is a whole different story. I wish they would make that shoe in some better colors, because I freakin love that shoe.
I think the Elixir feels heavier than the DS Trainer, even though it might actually be slightly lighter. The Elixir has a firmer sole and doesn’t seem to return as much energy as the DS Trainer. I use the DS Trainer for my long runs but everything else (up to a half marathon) is in the Wave Musha right now.
I really don’t know crap about shoes other than what I like so take what I say with a grain of salt.
X2. Just started running in the elixir 6 and I like it but they feel slightly heavier than my old ds trainers.
The Elixir is definitely lighter than any version of the DS trainer. However, I do find that perceived weight can be as much a matter of how well the shoe fits the foot and how the weight is proportioned inside the shoe as it is of the actual weight of the shoe.
the fast twitch is a really great shoe (A series and fast twitch are the only good shoes by saucony) but it still doesnt impress me more than the ds racer.
I put them pretty equal. The DS racer fits me better, but I like the ride of the Fastwitch.