Asics Gel DS Trainer 22

Editor rating: 9.0 / 10

User's rating: based on 4 user ratings

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By Stephanie Potter

All ASICS Shoes

Asics Gel DS Trainer 22 Review Facts

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The Asics Gel DS Trainer 22 is a lightweight stability racing shoe. It was designed to give the wearer a stable yet responsive ride. It uses a lightweight Dynamic DuoMax Support System that stabilizes and supports the foot, with extra support in the platform that also slows over-pronation comfortably. The Heel Clutching System adds support and improves the fit around the heel. The Guidance Line Midsole Technology uses decoupled tooling and a vertical flex groove that helps the wearer achieve a more natural and efficient gait with smooth transitions. The Impact Guidance System technology also improves the wearer’s natural gait. To improve speed, the Gel DS Trainer 22 uses Propulsion Trusstic Technology to push the foot forward, Rearfoot Gel Technology to cushion landings, absorb shock and improve transitions, and Flytefoam for durable super fiber cushioning that bounces the foot back into the air after each step. The outsole uses Duosole technology for lightweight flexibility, durability and traction, and DuraSponge in the heel for durability and cushioning during landings. If you are a neutral runner or over-pronator looking for a daily running, interval training or medium distance running shoe, read on to see what the Asics Gel DS Trainer 22 has to offer.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Great grip
Lightweight and supportive
Comfortably slows over-pronation
Smooth interior
Fast and responsive
No break-in time

Cons

Thin tongue slides
Narrow fit and no wide sizes
Uneven cushioning
Limited color options

See How

What are buyers saying?

We have spent 5 hours analyzing a total of 550 reviews.

These reviews are then categoried into "Positive" and "Negative" feedback.

Below you will read a summary of them:

Positive

I use these religiously. This shoe is very reliable and offers mild support for a more shorter and faster type running. I also se them for my interval training and sprint racing. They work really well and are comfortable.
These have a great grip and are very light. The support is great for a natural style runner. These are great with my races and long runs.
I am comparing to the 21 model. I used it for speed training. This shoe hold up well to it and even seems lighter than the older model. This has a good support for my pronating.
I buy these a half size up to accommodate my orthotics and they work well. These fit my slim foot well, which is nice. They are really comfortable and hold my feet well all day.
These fit great and have a nice light support to them. I have owned all the DS models and I have loved them all. As much as I love these shoes though, after about 3 months, every single pair has fallen apart in the heels. The upper back area fringes out and just falls apart. Only with the DS does this happen.
These fit smaller than anticipated so I ordered a half size up. I love this shoe otherwise and enjoy their light and stable feel. They are extremely comfortable and cushioned. I work out indoors and do a lot of cardio and these keep my feet happy.
I love my DS Trainers! This newer version is so much lighter and has way more cushioning than my older trainers. These fit great on my weird skinny feet too, Great shoe!
These are super shoes. I always get the DS Trainers and these, the 22’s, do not disappoint. They are great for my light runs and they style and colors have definitely been upgraded.
I purchased these to train for a marathon. They are really great shoes, I just don’t think they ar for the ilage. After about 5 miles they begin to cause heel burn. They are faulted the cushioning I need for the distance. I use cushioned socks, which helps a bit. These however, they are going to be my strength training and short distance shoes because I do like them and they are very light, 6.6 ounces.
These have corrected the 6 months of annoying pain from my plantars. They have a great responsiveness and are very light to boot! I got a full size up due to the snug mid area and the tighter toe box and they are working great.
These are a shoe I would highly recommend. They are light and built sturdy. They are flexible and have a lot of comfort when running my daily runs. They needed no break in time; that is how I can tell I have found a great shoe.
I am liking running in these. They are tighter than my normal Asics. I would definitely suggest getting a half size up. Other than that, they are comfortable and very supportive shoes.
A half size smaller and a bit tight in the toe box. However, with that worked out, these shoes are great. Light and comfortable and after the switch, the toe box fits great and they cradle my foot.
This shoe is a great upgrade to this model, which I have bought multiple times. They are very sturdy shoes and seem lighter that the older models. I like that they keep my feet cool too. I really like this shoe a lot.
The DS trainers are the best shoes made. I have been using these since the 6 model. They consistently get better. They are a neutral style running shoe. They are light and productive. The cushioning is good but for heavier set runners they might fail and flatten a bit. These shoes have been very reliable and I will use them till they stop making them.
These most definitely run a half size small. I am comparing these to my old GT 2000, these are way more comfortable. They are lighter and have a lot of great supportive cushioning to them. I racked in about 300 miles on these and am now getting a second pair.
Only negative is the toe box is a bit more snug than I prefer. It works well with a mid strike ad the pavement doesn't smack you back in these. It took a couple runs to break them in but they fit great now.
These are very similar to the Nike Fly knit. They are just way more durable and comfortable than the Nikes though. These are so very light and stretch well over your feet. I didn't have to use insoles for my overpronation, these did the job and saved me the hassle on their own. I would most definitely suggest a whole size larger. I did a half and they were snug.
These shoes works magic on my longer runs. I feel like I have cloud pillows attached to my feet. They are a bit snug so go a half or whole up. Once you get them broken in, you will be flying.
Looks better than expected, thank God. These are great m mild trails and all other running terrain, great grip. They have wonderful support and are mad comfy.
These are an all over great shoe. Nice and cushy and grip well. They are sturdy and keep my feet in place. I good go to shoe for every day runs.

Negative

I only got a month of use out of these before they started to break down and become unwearable. My other Gels ‘asteed forever. It was mostly in the heel area. This is so disappointing.
I wasn't able to tie the hoe right with the laces give, they were too short, by like 2 inches. The tongue bulks up and folds over on the top of my foot causing irritation. I am not a tough shoe person but these even started wearing really fast. Poor quality shoe.
This shoe is horrible. It is really cheaply made and falls apart so fast. I only had these for a bit over a month and they are garbage. I have been wearing ASICS for years, I am switching as I no longer feet seure buying their shoes if this is the route they are going.
I had to walk barefoot back to the house after the first run. Thee shoes are so god awful terrible and uncomfortable. They went straight back!
These shoes were way too tight. I only wear ASICS and these just are not right. He sizing is way too off.
These are lacking al the support and padding I need for a solid and safe running experience. I do not recommend for people who like to run more than a mile a day.
This shoe was told to have the same room and ride as a noosa. That is not the case. It is so tight and horrible. These gave me blisters right away on my baby toes.
With normal use they have started to fall apart after a few months in the heel area. They are no longer good to wear. Really poor quality control.
If you are a heel striker, stay away from this shoe. It will fall apart before you finish 15 miles. The worst GS Trainers I have had.

8.2

Outsole

The outsole is made of different types of rubber. The forefoot uses DuraSponge technology and AHAR (Asics High Abrasion Rubber) blown rubber that adds a layer of cushioning to toe-offs while also providing some durability. The heel uses Duosole, which is lightweight, durable, flexible and provides great traction for landings and ascending during longer runs. Diagonally across the midfoot is Propulsion Trusstic Technology, which gives the wearer a forward push while running. The perimeter of the outsole uses threads for gripping roads, and the forefoot uses three-sided lugs for better traction during take-offs and when going uphill or downhill.

Midsole

The midsole has many technologies that improve the ride. The Guidance Line Midsole Technology uses a vertical flex groove as well as decoupled tooling, which helps the wearer improve gait efficiency and smooths transitions. The Rearfoot Gel Technology Cushioning System cushions landings, absorbs the shock of impact and transfers the energy forward for a smoother transition. There is also Flytefoam, made of durable super fibers, that springs the foot into the air. Last is the Dynamic DuoMax Support System that is lightweight and supports the entire foot, especially the platform, and slows over-pronation comfortably. The drop also adds to the forward momentum and heel cushioning of the shoe.

Upper

The upper uses textile for its lining and mesh and synthetic material for the outside of the shoe. It has a Heel Clutching System to improve the fit and support and stabilize the heel. The Impact Guidance System technology enhances the natural gait to make it more efficient and prevent over-pronation. The textile lining is very smooth for comfort and to prevent blisters and irritation. The forefoot and midfoot are covered in breathable mesh with a few overlays for structure and style. The heel has a little bit of mesh but is mostly covered by the Heel Clutching System. There is a toe cap to prevent stubbing, laces for a snug fit, a thin tongue and a padded collar.

Weight

The men's size 9 weighs 8 oz and the women's shoe weighs 6.6 oz. Although it is on the heavy end of the lightweight spectrum, it is light for a stability shoe. The outsole uses blown AHAR rubber in DuroSponge that is lighter and softer than other rubber, lightweight Duosole rubber, and the Propulsion Trusstic Technology that does not take up much space or add much weight. The midsole's rearfoot gel is light and the Flytefoam is compact and lightweight. The Dynamic DuoMax Support System adds a little bit of weight due to its stability and support. The upper's textile lining is very light, as is the mesh. The synthetic material does not cover much of the shoe, but the Heel Clutching System does add some weight to the heel due to its stability.

Breathability

This shoe has good breathability. The mesh covers the forefoot, the midfoot except for some overlays and the logo, and a small area of the heel. This allows the shoe to stay ventilated in order to keep the foot dry and cool, which is especially good for warmer weather or longer runs. The lining is smooth, which prevents blisters and hot spots, and the outside of the shoe does not use stitching in order to reduce the risk of irritation.

Comfort

The Asics Gel DS Trainer 22 is comfortable, although there are areas that could be improved. Testers found that it comfortably slows over-pronation with supportive technologies, compared to other shoes that have hard medial posts that cause discomfort. The interior is smooth which feels soft and prevents blisters. Reviewers noted that the shoe can be worn out of the box, meaning it takes no time to break in. The outsole's blown rubber acts as an extra layer of cushioning, and the midsole cushioning is provided by the Rearfoot Gel Technology Cushioning System, Flytefoam, and the Dynamic DuoMax Support System. Some people noticed that the tongue is thin and it slides, which can be uncomfortable. Although the length is true to size, the fit around the midfoot is narrow and no wide sizes are available. A few testers thought that the cushioning was uneven, with thicker, moderate cushioning in the heel and thinner, firmer cushioning in the forefoot.

Style

The Gel DS Trainer looks sporty and has nice colors that do not clash, although multiple reviewers did not like that there were so few options. The men's shoe comes in either Prime Red/Black/Gold Fusion or Carbon/Black/Safety Yellow. The women's shoe can be either Aquarium/Aqua Splash/Flash Coral or Blue/Purple/Black/Coral. The shoe is mostly one color with an accent color on the sole, logo, laces and/or interior. The shoe has a lot of mesh except in the heel and large logos on either side of the midfoot. Not all sizes are available in every color, which adds to the lack of variety in the shoe.

Durability

This shoe has good durability. The DuraSponge technology and AHAR provide durability in the forefoot, the Duosole provides good durability in the heel, and the Propulsion Trusstic Technology is a durable layer in the midfoot. The midsole's Rearfoot Gel Technology Cushioning System is durable, as is the Flytefoam that uses super fibers so it can last for many daily runs or even be used for longer runs up to half marathons. The upper is also durable, with the synthetic material in the overlays and Heel Clutching System providing great durability, and the mesh is durable due to its woven construction with smaller holes.

Protection

The Asics Gel DS Trainer 22 protects from shock, stubbing, irritation, overheating and over-pronation. The sole unit provides a layer of protection from bruising against objects or cracks in the road. The midsole's Rearfoot Gel Technology Cushioning System absorbs shock to protect feet, legs and knees. The Dynamic DuoMax Support System and Impact Guidance System make the gait more natural to protect against over-pronation or injury from improper form. The upper's mesh protects against overheating, while the lining and lack of stitching protect against blisters and irritation. The toe cap protects against bruising.

Responsiveness

The Gel DS Trainer 22 is fast and responsive. The outsole has good ground feel due to its treads and small lugs. The blown rubber helps to bounce the foot back into the air, while the Propulsion Trusstic Technology helps keep it moving forward. The midsole has Rearfoot Gel Technology Cushioning to move energy forward and smooth transitions. The Guidance Line Midsole Technology improves gait efficiency and transitions. The Impact Guidance System enhances the natural gait and makes transitions more efficient. Although it has many responsive features, testers noted that this shoe does not have as much energy return as many other shoes.

Support

This shoe is very supportive. The Rearfoot Gel Technology Cushioning and Flytefoam add some support to the heel and bottom of the foot, but the most supportive midsole feature is the Dynamic DuoMax Support System. It supports the entire foot, with extra support on the platform and arch in order to slow over-pronation comfortably. The upper has some support in the heel with its Heel Clutching System and padded collar. There is also some support around the midfoot from the overlays and inside padding.

Terrain

This is a road running shoe intended for competitive use. It does well on dirt tracks, gravel, paved roads, sidewalks, treadmills, and light trails. It can also ascend and descend hills that are not too technical and be used for long distance runs such as 5K, 10K or half marathons. It can also be used on wet terrain or varies types of weather conditions as long as it is not too slippery.

Price

The initial price was at the high end of the average range. Its diverse usage from indoor to outdoor use, from daily runs to long distance runs to training, and by both neutral runners and over-pronators, make it a popular shoe choice for many types of runners. Current pricing is from full price up to 57% off the original price, depending on the size, color, and retailer.

Traction

The Asics Gel DS Trainer 22 has great grip that offers good control in any type of weather. The treads provide good traction on roads, tracks, treadmills and other hard, flat surfaces. They can even go on wet pavement without slipping. The small lugs allow the wearer to ascend and descend hills, great for training or long distance runs.

Flexibility

The Gel DS Trainer 22 is rated by testers as very flexible. DuraSponge and Durosole are flexible rubbers that move with the foot and the ground for a comfortable ride. The Guidance Line Midsole Technology has a vertical flex groove that adds flexibility and improves transitions for a better gait. The Flytefoam layer and Dynamic DuoMax Support System also allow the foot to move naturally. The upper is also flexible due to the amount of mesh used, and the Heel Clutching System and overlays lock the foot in without preventing movement.

Stability

This shoe is for both neutral runners and over-pronators. It has some stability features, although severe over-pronators and heavier runners may want a stability-only shoe rather than one that can be worn by neutral runners as well. The Dynamic DuoMax Support System supports the arch and stabilizes the foot from over-pronating. The upper has the Heel Clutching System to keep the heel in place, the Impact Guidance System to improve gait form and efficiency, and overlays for structure and light stability in the midfoot.

Drop

The drop is 10mm. The men's heel is 20mm high and the forefoot is 10mm high, while the women's heel is 19mm high and the forefoot is 9mm high. The drop is caused by the gel cushioning in the heel, which absorbs shock, transfers the energy forward, and helps create smooth transitions.

Key Features

Dynamic DuoMax Support System

Impact Guidance System technology

Propulsion Trusstic Technology

Heel Clutching System provides a comfortable and supportive fit

Guidance Line Midsole Technology

Duosole Outsole is lightweight, flexible, durable and has great traction

Rearfoot Gel Technology Cushioning System

Flytefoam bounces the foot back into the air

DuraSponge Outsole uses AHAR blown rubber for forefoot durability and cushioning

Textile and synthetic upper

Bottom Line

The Asics Gel DS Trainer 22 is a versatile shoe. It can be used by neutral runners to moderate over-pronators. Testers tried it on tracks, treadmills, and roads and found it works well in different weather conditions. It can be used for daily training or races. It is lightweight, flexible, durable, breathable, supportive, and fairly comfortable. It has nice color choices and is reasonably priced. It has a smooth interior and takes no time to break in. It could use wider sizes, more than two color choices, and a tongue that does not slide, but overall it is a great addition to the Gel DS Trainer series.