ASICS EvoRide 2 Shoe Review

The Asics EvoRide 2 is a newer shoe from Asics. Unlike the Nimbus, Cumulus, or Kayano, it’s much lighter due to the lack of gel, but what makes the Asics EvoRide 2 different?

Designed with a firm rocker midsole, it’s designed to go faster. Will it live up to the rest of the already established Asics line? What makes it different than the Glideride?

Asics EvoRide 2 Quick Facts:

Weight: 9.1 oz.
Heel to Toe Drop: 5 mm

Asics EvoRide 2 Intro:

Unlike many Asics models, the Asics EvoRide 2  is designed to handle several different paces and distances. It’s not just an “easy run shoe” or a “fast run shoe.” It’s supposed to be a “jack of all trades shoe” doing nothing 100% but everything well. So if you only need one shoe, the Asics EvoRide 2  might be a good option.

Asics EvoRide 2 Fit:

Many Asics shoes have run narrow for years. There were years I couldn’t even wear a women’s wide in the Asics Nimbus, but Asics has slowly started to fix that issue. The Asics EvoRide 2 uses engineered mesh and fits fairly well. It’s still on the narrow side but not as narrow as many other Asics shoes.

Asics has made the upper of the EvoRide 2 simple: it’s a single engineered mesh. All of the plastic overlays and unnecessary pieces on the upper are gone. For whatever reason, Asics hasn’t converted to more simple overlays like most brands. Finally! Adjusting to simple meshes reduces weight and makes better-fitting shoes.

If you’ve ever run in an Asics shoe, you know Asics shoes are the most plush, which is no different. The back of the shoe is higher cut with a more padded heel, and the tongue of the Asics EvoRide 2 is like a lux pillow. Maybe unnecessary, but it’s comfortable.

In running shoes, I usually wear a size 10-11 wide. I cannot remember I didn’t wear anything smaller than an 11 in Asics shoes and the 11 fits well here. Given the option, I might do 11 wide.

Asics EvoRide 2 Ride:

What makes the Asics EvoRide 2 and the Asics GlideRide different? The EvoRide features the “EvoGuide” in the midsole. What is that? The EvoGuide is a rockered geometry in the shoe that gives it a smoother transition. The Evoride propels forward much smoother than the GlideRide.

Why create the EvoGuide? This design reduces the dorsiflexion and plantar flexion in the foot. It means you use less energy to run at the same pace. Is it a gimmick?

A few things that make the EvoRide different than shoes like the Asics 2000, Kayano, Nimbus, and Cumulus: 

• Rockered geometry: Together, the rockered geometry and the newest Asics FLYTEFOAM makes the EvoRide light but very firm. You won’t find too many shoes as firm as the EvoRide. Even the GlideRide is softer!
• Lower heel to toe drop: The EvoRide features a 5 mm drop where most of the Asics flagship shoes are 10-12 mm.
• Less gel, more FLYTEFOAM: so it’s designed to go faster. It does not completely lack gel, and there is a little bit in the heel of the shoe.

Finally, what about the traction and durability of the Asics EvoRide 2? It has plenty of blown rubber on the bottom. I’ve taken it out on a few wet and rainy days and haven’t had an issue.

Durability wise, it looks to be about 300-400 mile shoe. I’ve run about 100 miles in the Asics EvoRide 2, and it looks worn as a normal shoe would.

You can tell Asics designed this shoe to run fast and efficiently. I appreciate that it’s lighter than the GlideRide and more smooth during transitions. The GlideRide is better for longer and easier runs.

In the EvoRide, I’ve run easy runs, tempo efforts, and daily runs. For me, I find it fits best with longer, harder efforts. If I want to do 12+ miles and want to go faster, I like the Asics EvoRide 2, but I also like it for easy and daily runs too.

This is a roundabout way of saying like it was designed for; I like the Asics EvoRide 2 for most things. Obviously, there is no point to take it to the track or on trails as it’s definitely not designed for that. Which reminds me, I don’t think I’ve tried an Asics trail shoe in quite some time.

 

Asics EvoRide 2 Conclusion:

I wasn’t sure what to expect when trying the Asics EvoRide 2. I didn’t know anything about the shoes before picking a pair up, but they are already one of my more favorite shoes in the last few months. The EvoRide is a great shoe to keep with you when you don’t know what kind of run you want to do because they can handle it all. OR if you are looking for a faster, lighter complement to your Asics Nimbus or any heavier bulkier trainer, really.

My Current Shoe Rotation:

Easy/Daily Runs Saloman Sonic 3 Balance,  Brooks Glycerin 18,  Mizuno Rider Waveknit 3, Brooks Ricochet 3, Nike Pegasus 37, New Balance 1080 v10, Diadora Mythos Blushield Blushield Hip 5,  Hoka Bondi 7, Asics GlideRide.

Speed Work: Nike Tempo Next%, New Balance Fuelcell TC Shoe Review, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro,

Long Runs: Asics EvoRide 2, Hoka Clifton Edge,  Under Armour Sonic HOVR 3

Trail Running/Hiking: Hoka Torrent 2, Saucony Peregrine 10, New Balance Hierro v5 

Races: adidas Adizero Pro, Asics MetaRacer, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%,  Saucony Endorphin Pro, New Balance fuelcell TC, Reebok Run fast Pro 

You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.

Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.

Questions for you:

Have you tried the Asics EvoRide 2?

What is your favorite shoe?