Asics Gel Lyte III

Editor rating: 8.7 / 10

User's rating: based on 32 user ratings

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By Steph Coelho

All ASICS Shoes

Asics Gel Lyte III Review Facts

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A comfy feel and a classic ‘90s-inspired design characterize the Asics Gel Lyte III. The fashion sneaker combines a lightweight feel with an athletic-inspired design. The Lyte is an excellent choice for runners who want to brighten up their wardrobe on their off days.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Attractive retro design
Comfortable
Versatile
Lightweight
Good value

Cons

Awkward split tongue design
Narrow sizing

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What are buyers saying?

We have spent 3.8 hours analyzing a total of 637 reviews.

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

Below you will read a summary of them:

Positive

I have put in a good number of miles over 7 months and so far no complaints, the shoe FITs and its holding together and believe me I do run some rough paths at times. I’m not a trail runner but if I do I would try these out. For me I like how light it is and the level of cushion is about right for me.
Loved the level of shock absorbing, exactly what I wanted, the sole looks tough and thick but the shoe does feel light. The split tongue was a surprise but it works and the materials gives me enough stretch without feeling loose, I like the shoe and I’m confident it’s going to last ages.
Been using these shoes for a long time they are the best I have tried, I have a narrow foot and I get a good secure stable FIT from these. These now come with a polyester toe cover and I was wondering if this would wear but it has been fine. Cushion level is nice.
Took me awhile to get used to the split tongue in the shoe, at first I could not figure out why but I soon found it its useful for putting on the shoe quickly, the upper has just about the right amount of stretch and top marks for how much my feet can breath.
I had to choose a half size higher, I’m 5.5 and I got a size 6, the Fit is snug, the shoe turns heads because the design is catchy to the eye. It feels like the shoe is built to last and the price is inexpensive
First off, do your homework, you have to size up for these which is what I did. The FIT has turned out to be comfortable, not too impressed with the polyester mesh for the toe area but that's just a small gripe. These were affordable so I’m not expecting perfection, they do the job.
I like the shoe, it does perform for cushion and protection and the designers have thrown in a nice choice of colors. The shoe would probably be even better is they had put in a tongue like you find in the GLVs
I do some running but I also transit a lot, the journey is long and I found these shoes are perfect for wearing for long hours of travel. For running I do like the breathability and comfort though do get a sense of the shoe being a bit narrow.
Can’t complain, the price was good, the shoe has a catchy silhouette to it and nice colors, there is some rigidity while running but nothing that causes problems, the level of cushion is right for me.
I loved the quick break in time as this is important to me, no frictions so no worries about blisters, generally the grip is good and the shoe structure is strong, cushion so far is ok I’m not sure is it will stay that way but so far this feels like a very good shoe and it was a cheaper option than some other shoes.
When I first chose the shoe I was drawn in by the cool retro design and I was pleased to find the shoe is not just only about good looks, it does run really good, the shoe is light and I can feel reliable protection from impact. The only area showing some minor signs of wear are the toe box but nothing serious.
I have a narrow foot and this shoe fits as if it were made specifically just for me, the shoe is protective and I like the upper which feels like it has been made to hold my foot during tricky surfaces and the traction is impressive, I’m happy to recommend these shoes as a lower cost option which gives a nice run.
Breaking in the shoe was quick, it feels light but at the same time it feels solid enough to deal with knocks and impact, my feet can breath comfortably and the cushion even-though not high quality it does do it’s duty. All in all a good shoe and not too pricey.

Negative

The shoe runs small and if you don’t do research into the sizes you end up with a shoe which does not FIT, should also point out that even when you get the sizing right, if you have wide feet you could also have problems with how narrow the shoe is.
It seems like the shoe is only sized for men, as a lady runner I had problems because the shoe does not give a FIT that suits a lady, I can wear it but my foot does not feel stable.
The shoes were tricky to break in, they broke in on the sides to quickly and I ended up with plantar fasciitis, the shoe material is not durable, the shoe looks good but it’s functions are rather poor.
I found the shoe too stiff, just not enough flexibility when I need it, this caused me discomfort each time I took a run and I think that if I keep running in these I will get worse problems.

8.7

Outsole

The Lyte’s outsole is made of thick, durable rubber. Reviewers had no comments, positive or negative about the outsole’s performance or design.

Midsole

Besides the retro styling of the Lyte III, the GEL cushioning is the highlight. The comfortable midsole also features a triple density EVA foam for a bit of added firmness to counteract the soft feel of the GEL material. Reviewers felt good about wearing the Lyte all-day and appreciated its shock absorbing abilities.

Upper

The design of the Lyte’s upper is quite unique. The shoe features an odd split-tongue design which is intended to help provide support and ensure a secure fit. What the tongue does best, however, is ensure an easy on/off process. The upper itself is made of a combination of Nubuck leather and mesh. Reviewers not only loved the retro design but enjoyed the shoe’s incredibly lightweight and breathable feel. A few reviewers mentioned sizing issues and found the shoe fairly narrow. The mesh material, though, does offer a bit of stretch. Many reviewers found the split-tongue design incredibly awkward. While it does make it easy to take the shoe off, the fit didn’t feel natural for a lot of wearers.

Weight

We couldn’t locate a listed weight for the Asics Gel Lyte III, but reviewers did mention that they loved the lightweight feel of the shoe.

Breathability

A combination of mesh and Nubuck leather make up the upper and reviewers appreciated the airy mesh portions of the shoe. Users also noted that the mesh was stretchy, too, which helped with the fit.

Comfort

Reviewers found the Lyte III quite comfortable, mostly thanks to its GEL cushioned midsole. A few reviewers did find the narrowness of the shoe a problem, but otherwise, reviewers seemed happy wearing the Lyte all day.

Style

Inspired by the ‘90s, the Lyte III offers up a retro design scheme. A combination of Nubuck leather and mesh effortlessly matchup sport and classic aesthetics. The shoe is available in too many colorways to list from dual-toned versions to neutral styles. Reviewers loved the attractive design of the Lyte, and many chose to purchase multiple colorways.

Durability

The thick rubber outsole is capable of withstanding everyday wear. The mesh upper is stretchy and accommodating but resilient thanks to the inclusion of Nubuck leather. The shoe’s Gel cushioning provides fresh impact protection over time thanks to its pairing with triple density foam.

Protection

Mesh upper portions ensure wearers stay cool in the heat and a thick rubber outsole keeps the shoe’s bottom safe from overuse. Likewise, the Gel cushioning offers a comfortable shock absorbing platform.

Responsiveness

The Lyte’s Gel cushioning is paired with triple density EVA foam. The firmer foam balances out the softer GEL material for a ride that’s fairly responsive.

Support

The Lyte III offers decent support, though it’s not clear whether the split tongue design contributes at all. Reviewers seemed to agree that the split configuration felt awkward more than anything else and many added they would have preferred a regular tongue. Whether the split tongue has anything to do with it or not, the Lyte does provide a firm hold that feels fairly supportive.

Terrain

The casual wear sneaker is not intended for traversing rough terrain. Though the outsole is fairly thick, the Lyte III isn’t designed for hardcore athletic activities. Stick to walking the dog or going out with friends in this shoe. We’d hate to see it get dirty!

Price

The Lyte is offered at an incredibly attractive price point. Stock up on colorways and get a pair for each day of the week! The comfortable sneaker is definitely worth its price.

Traction

The outsole’s thick construction makes it very durable but traction-wise, the sole appears fairly standard. Aggressive lugs are non-existent. The flat outsole will provide decent grip, though.

Flexibility

Don’t expect anything spectacular in terms of flexibility. In fact, the newer version of the Gel Lyte offers a greater degree of flexibility than the III. This edition of the Lyte is stiffer and firmer underfoot.

Stability

The split tongue may feel awkward to some, but it’s intended to provide a form-fitting feel. The snug fit ensures a stable overall ride. Again, stability isn’t over the top with the Lyte III, but the wearer will feel adequately secured inside the shoe.

Drop

There is no information on drop height for the Asics Gel Lyte III.

Key Features

Bottom Line

Fashion-forward wearers will love the ‘90s-inspired design of the Gel Lyte. Combined with the comfortable, protective GEL cushioning, the shoe is perfect for all-day wear. Look good and feel good wearing the Asics brand shoe. Your feet will remain cool thanks to the resistant and breathable mesh and leather upper, and there are plenty of shoe colors to choose from. In fact, there are so many options it may take you a while to make a final choice. The good-looking shoe will go with nearly every outfit in your closet, though we’d avoid the Lyte for running, it’s simply not our top pick. We’d categorize this footwear option as more of a fashion sneaker.