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Asics Gel DS Trainer XI

The cushioning and performance is as good as before, fit has improved though.

Wisely, Asics has made only small changes for the 11th version of its best performance shoe. Wisely, because the previous model, the DS Trainer X, was a welcome return to form after some of the shoe's fans were disappointed with numbers eight and nine in the series. The midsole and ... Continue reading

18 user reviews of Asics Gel DS Trainer XI See all

Overall reader score

Kampfmaus

Perfect! Continue reading...

neil walker 9

I have used these purely for racing and they havent missed a beat. Light, comfy great cushioning (which I dont understand how they achieve considering how light they are), look much better than this years dull Continue reading...

sensible

As a sub 10 stone lightweight, I expected the cushioning to last longer as it has done in comparable shoes (Zoom Elite/Wave Maverick). Midfoot support was adequate but not perfect for my requirements, left foot Continue reading...

Peter Diamond

I did London Marathon with only 10 miles breaking them in, and no blisters. Having returned to Asics DS Trainer after several years away, I am now rejuvinated. Whilst my pb's will always be behind me, I have a Continue reading...

Robert Fabien

Overall a good shoe, surprisingly better than I had expected, excellent performance and comfort. Continue reading...

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René Fromage (rhb)

Bought some new DS Trainers yesterday, so comfortable I thought I'd race 10k in them today, and they were perfect. No need to break in. A real improvement on last years model, something I hadn't thought would be possible.

Anyone else enjoying these trainers?

Posted: 11/06/2006 at 22:29

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

..red ?

Posted: 12/06/2006 at 09:13

Don Minquez

DST's are and will always be great shoes... I hope. Don't use em anymore, but did think they were da bomb when I did.

Posted: 12/06/2006 at 10:48

Badly Drawn Bloke

Thumbs up from me. I use mine for speed work and raced a HM in them - really comfy plus I got a PB. Took a little bit of getting used to on normal pavement/road runs compared to my 2110s as I could feel alot more of the bumps etc. but will definately carry on using them. A second pair may even come in handy.

Anyone used them for marathon distance?

Posted: 15/06/2006 at 13:27

Gold Rush

Got mine on the Tuesday before f.l.m did 2x6milers in them with no problems,took a chance and wore them for the marathon,felt very comfortable and no blisters.The only downside is the lack of traction in wet weather found them very slippery especially on drain covers.
Overall though a great shoe.

Posted: 15/06/2006 at 13:50

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

yup.. ive done marathon in them.

trying to wean myself off super cushioned shoes except for ultra racing.

Posted: 15/06/2006 at 15:21

Badly Drawn Bloke

Did you have to build up GTold Rush & ed?

Posted: 15/06/2006 at 16:30

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

hmm well yes i guess so but i'm a special case ;-)

i was doing high mileage for a 24hr race so was pretty well conditioned over that distance.

dont think my legs felt that much more hammered but then i'm not particularly quick.

i notice the difference between ds-trainers & racing flats over a quick(relative term) half marathon..... but between a marathon in say 2100s & DS-trainers not particularly.

Posted: 15/06/2006 at 18:01

René Fromage (rhb)

I ran FLM 2003 in the old tiger stripe DS - I think they were VII's.

Posted: 15/06/2006 at 19:00

40 minutes

Done 4 marathons in various DS Trainers. Use them for track work & races, no problem. I need more correction & cushioning for the bulk of my mileage, hence I feel the benefit when I race in them.

Posted: 15/06/2006 at 21:04

Geryi

Are these shoes ok to wear as your main trainer? My longest run is about 10 miles and I'm pretty light 9.5 stone. Just looking for a light training shoe. Cheers.

Posted: 16/06/2006 at 10:17

René Fromage (rhb)

Should be ideal Geryi - but will depend on your running style, not just body mass and distance.

Posted: 16/06/2006 at 23:53

Geryi

Hi Rene thanks for your reply. I've been running in kayanos up until now, no problems, i race in ds racers. Think the ds trainers would be ok?

Posted: 17/06/2006 at 17:15

Blackers

I tried a pair last week, but there's too much structure in them for me - I'm neutral - so bought a pair of Mizuno Wave Riders instead (about 25g heavier, still performance trainer but for neutral runner)

Posted: 19/06/2006 at 18:11

René Fromage (rhb)

Geryi - probably, but using Blackers as an example, it is all down to personal preference / running style.

Posted: 20/06/2006 at 22:18

Chris Humphreys

Took mine to Majoraca last week.

They even work brilliantly on dusty rock strewn trails.

Posted: 24/06/2006 at 09:44

40 minutes

I'm now using DS Trainers as my main training shoe as well, while trying to shift to a more "forefoot striking" running style. Seems to work OK so far.

Geryi - I'm 10stone 11 if that helps!

Posted: 26/06/2006 at 18:40

Balham Bouncer

Hi guys

I ran FLM in Kayano 12s and have picked up some DS Trainers for summer training and (if all goes well) Chicago marathon in October.

They feel fantastic so far. I think I'll still do the majority of my long runs in the Kayanos, but will race in the DSTs and marathon.

PS I'm a moderate overpronator, and about 12 stone bloke

Posted: 28/06/2006 at 22:36

Mid Pack Mike

I have been using various different models and colours of DS trainers for around 7 years so have got through around 20 pairs. I've run everything from quick 5ks to marathon distance in them and found them great for me at all those distances. The 2005 model I found to have slightly worse traction in the wet than other years but I haven't tried the 06 model yet. I'm around 11 stone and wear some pretty severe customised orthotics on both feet but haven't found any problem with that.

Posted: 29/06/2006 at 21:19

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