What Running Shoe is Best for Me? A Guide to the Best Asics and Brooks Shoes for Your Foot

Picking out the right ASICS or Brooks shoes for your feet and activities can help prolong your foot health and protect you from damage.

In most sports – and even everyday activities – your feet absorb a great deal of impact.

When not properly cushioned, your feet, muscles and even spine can be damaged over time, leading to short-term pain and long-term damage, including hammer toes, strained muscles, Achilles tendon injuries and osteoarthritis.

But here's the good news...

In this brief guide, you’ll learn how to identify the perfect style of ASICS or Brooks runners for your lifestyle and foot needs, so you can spend less time worrying about injury and more time focusing on what you love to do.

 

Which ASICS or Brooks Shoe is Best for High Arches?

High arches are a common foot type in which the middle part of the foot is naturally arched higher.

Because this condition causes weight to be distributed unevenly, things as minor as everyday activities can lead to pain and exhaustion if the proper shoes aren’t worn.

If you suffer from aches and pain caused by high arches, you need to be in neutral running shoes that provide cushioning. You’ll love the relief you’ll experience with the Gel cushioning in the Asics Nimbus and Asics Cumulus.

Likewise in Brooks, you'll enjoy the Brooks Glycerin. They're specifically designed for high arch runners. It offers neutral support and a personalised fit with its super DNA midsole.

 

Which ASICS or Brooks Shoe is Best For Overpronation?

Overpronation occurs most frequently in runners who tend to roll their feet inward when landing, and can also be caused by knock knees and flat feet.

Not only can overpronation result in tremendous foot pain, it can also lead to pain in the shins and knees.

If you’re unsure whether you have this condition, you can always tell by how much quicker the inner side of your shoes wears out than the outside.

The ASICS GT-2000 is designed to help compensate for the tendency to overpronate. These super-lightweight shoes are equipped with Guidance Line midsole technology to allow for flexing in the runner’s gait and the midsole is made with special “Speva” material, which bounces back and helps properly support the feet.

If you’re on a tighter budget or don’t run frequently, the ASICS GT-1000 is a fantastic low-cost alternative to the GT-2000 that still provides plenty of support and durability. Overpronators will find the shoe's stability features supportive, while runners looking for a stable trainer can discover that the GT-1000 meets their needs as well.

For long-distance runners looking for lightweight shoes that provide ample support, the ASICS DS Trainer is another excellent option.

Our Brooks suggestion is the Brooks Adrenaline. They provide over-pronators with a superior level of stability and protection over long distances. It also features a diagonal roll bar which guides your body into its natural motion path.

 

Which ASICS or Brooks Shoes Have the Best Cushioning?

Regardless of your footwear preferences, cushioning is a vital component in every shoe.

For people with chronic soreness, pain or previous injuries, having an extra layer of cushioning is especially important for keeping foot impact to a minimum. Don’t miss the Asics Cumulus and Asics Nimbus, which provide extra cushioning that’s ideal for runners with previous foot injuries or chronic pain.

The Brooks Transcend has 25% more cushioning than any other Brooks shoe, making ti an easy suggestion.

 

Which ASICS or Brooks Shoes are Best for Flat Feet?

Flat feet is a condition that occurs when the arches on the inside of the foot don’t fully develop.

This can be due to injuries or old age, but can also occur in children. Although flat feet usually does not cause pain to the feet themselves, they can create ankle and knee pain – as well as posture problems – if leg alignment is thrown off.

If you suffer from flat feet, consider the ASICS GT-2000 or ASICS Kayano, which provide cushioning and extra stability to gently over-correct stabilising issues . For a cheaper alternative, check out the ASICS GT-1000, which contains most of the same technology to help flat-footed runners.

We have two suggestions for Brooks with Brooks Beast and Brooks Addiction. The Brooks Beast is built for the flat footed runner who needs motion control with a ton of extra cushioning. The Brooks Addiction is built for the flat footed runner as well as the moderate to severe over-pronator.  

Which ASICS Shoes Are Best for NetBall Players?

NetBall requires players to make split-second changes in direction and quickly perform full-body movements.

If you play NetBall, having a shoe that gives the proper support for these moves – as well as landing from jumps – is a must.

The ASICS Netburner is specifically designed for NetBall players and has everything you need to dominate on the court: the Forefoot Gel cushioning system and FluidRide midsole for safe landing from sky-high jumps, synthetic leather body for extreme breathability, and all the standard features of top-performing ASICS running models for extra support and minimised chances of injury.

 

What ASICS Shoes Are Best For Runners?

Although running can be a healthy way to exercise, it carries a high potential for injury if the proper shoes aren’t worn.

To avoid doing serious damage to your heels, ankles and knees, you’ll need to find a shoe that effectively reduces impact, absorbs shock and supports your feet.

Luckily, ASICS makes several shoes that are custom-made for runners.

While all the ASICS shoes are made with runners and sports enthusiasts in mind, there are certain features you’ll want to have in your shoe, depending on the type of running you do.

For the serious runner, take a look at the ASICS DS Trainer or ASICS DS Racer. Both are specialty running shoes designed to provide marathon runners with lightweight support to ensure they remain comfortable and moving fast.

If you frequently train for triathlons, the ASICS Noosa model is the way to go. Aside from its striking aesthetic and color, the Noosa is made to be worn sockless and can quickly be put on and taken off. This is very important for anyone involved in triathlons, since they’ll quickly need to remove their shoes for some events.

For the budget-conscious social runner, don’t look past the ASICS GT-1000 – a cost-friendly model that provides the support and comfort you need at a fraction of the more specialised models.

 

Which ASICS or Brooks Shoes are Best When I Need Arch Support?

Shoes with good arch support are often being prescribed for people to avoid injury or to help support those with an existing injury such as plantar fasciitis. We do strongly suggest that if you do have an existing injury, you should refer to your podiatrist before changing shoes.

Such shoes will provide shock absorption and support for the fascia ligament.

The ASICS Gel Tech Neo is often referred to as the best ASICS shoe for arch support. Although we don't stock that model, we would also suggest that you refer to our advice for either high arches or flat feet.

Depending on what you want to do in your shoes, the Brooks Addiction Walker may be the better option. They are great for people that are on their feet all day. Although they are styled to be a more formal looking shoe, which may be an advantage if you want to use them for work.

 

Which Running Shoe Is Right For Me?

To determine which running shoe best fits your lifestyle and foot needs, think about how you intend to use them. Are you a runner? Do you play a specific sport? Will they be for casual, everyday wear? Then, think about the type of foot you have. Do you overpronate? Have high arches? Are you flat-footed? Once you’ve determined these factors, the only thing left to do is find a color and style combination that fits your personal tastes!