Asics GT-2080 £75
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Weight 324g
Evaluation From the 2030 to the new 2080, the Asics 2000-series has been one of the top five – often the top – all-round running shoes on the market. In reviews, it almost becomes a victim of its own success, as we pounce on any shortcoming and become more excited by the fact that other companies have been shaken up to produce better products to try to match it.
Except for the rather bulky 2050, our only issue over the latest models has been with fit – a fraction loose in the midfoot, and too tapered in the forefoot for some. But if that doesn’t cause you problems, and you have no extreme weight or stability demands, you’re unlikely to find a shoe to better the soft, smooth, light and stable GT-2080.
Put the 2070 on one foot and the 2080 on the other and you’re unlikely to notice the difference. The forefoot fit is still a little narrower and shallower than in the 2060 and its predecessors (though the shoe is available in width fittings). The midfoot fits better, without bagginess, and there’s more open mesh for breathability.
You’d have to look closely to see the main technical change, but in theory it should make the 2080’s ride even smoother: the midsole now has a second section cradled in the middle, which is designed to flex better at the seams. Apart from that, the long second density and midfoot shank for stability are the same, as is the Impact Guidance System (IGS). Available from December 1.
In short We’re so used to the 2000 series that it’s lost its wow factor. But it’s still one of the very best shoes on the market, for everyone from neutral runners to moderate overpronators.
Try it on if you liked Asics GT-2070 (£75), Saucony GRID Omni, (£70), New Balance 854 (£70), Mizuno Wave Mercury (£64.99)
Discuss this article
Back from teh shops - ended up going for the 1080s after all! I wish I'd read this thread more carefully beforehand as I was thinking you'd been praising the 2080 over the 1080, and was unsure about my choice!
I don't need that much anti pronation, so they should be okay, and one factor which persuaded me was the fact that the forefoot in the 1080s is more flexible. I (and several other people down my club) had a lot of trouble with the 2070 because of this, even though we liked the 2060 (forefoot is more flexible in that too).
I also liked the fit on the heel better, although it wasn't that much of an issue. I solved it on the 2080s by loop lacing - thanks for the tip on that, even though I did know it, it was kind of you to pass the info on :-)
Oh well - we'll see how they suit me in practice in a few weeks - going to try them out on the treadmill for a while before venturing outdoors, and then see how I get on with them over 20 miles!! That's a hell of a difference from running up and down Palmer Street a couple of times, although that's a lot better than just running in a shop!
A big thumbs up to Run and Become, they were enormously patient, gave plenty of advice without being over directive, and even gave me the benefit of the doubt over a credit note. Basically the pair of shoes I returned had been credited at full value, whereas I strongly suspect I got 10% discount on them (couldn' swear to it, but it made sense) so the credit note should have been for that price - 10% lower. I was quite happy to accept that but they insisted on giving me the full value.
Anyone know why they never have male assistants?
Posted: 31/12/2002 at 14:02
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