Asics Gel Lyte V

8.5
8.5 score
Runnerclick score (8.5)/10

Our overall Runnerclick score is based on 3 different factors: Editor's rating after in-depth testing. User ratings submitted on this page Overall score from the "reviewmeter" based on reviews across the web the weight of each factor is: 40% editor rating 15% user ratings 45% reviewmeter
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Editor rating: 8.5 / 10
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Asics Gel Lyte V Review Facts

Initially released in 1993, the Asics Gel Lyte V was re-introduced 20 years later in bright, new, retro-styled colorways. The Gel Lyte III is its predecessor. There’s no version IV since in Japan four is considered an unlucky number. The updated Asics shoe features some distinct differences from its tongue to its overall design. If you want a casual shoe with retro vibes, the Lyte is a solid pick.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Available in a myriad of attractive colorways
  • Great cushioning
  • Perfect for all-day wear
  • Soft feel underfoot
  • Supportive
Cons
  • Not a great choice for running
See How
Reviews were analyzed here:
We read, analyze and sort reviews into positive & negative categories to give you the complete picture.
What are buyers saying?

We have spent 4.00 hours analyzing a total of 540 reviews.

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

Below you will read a summary of them:

Positive
  • I have always loved Asics shoes since I had my first pair of Gel Lyte III's and this pair is absolutely gorgeous. NOW, for those with a have a narrow foot this is the shoe for you. Runs just a half size smaller so you need to order up. Cannot shout enough on about how much I love these shoes.
  • Ordered a 1/2 size larger just as it seems all reviews I see lately for all brand shoes say they’re too small/narrow. I maybe didn’t need to because this shoe isn’t narrow. Not for my foot anyhow. The tongue seems like scuba flippers for how it fits the foot. All in all I do like them.
  • First design like this I’ve ever owned. Ordered the black/white shoe and it looks slick and cool. Fits me well. With extra pair of white laces. Unless they suddenly get holes or fall apart, its a very good shoe. Can’t beat the cost at $35 for a pair.
  • I Love them, these shoes are worth the buck, every cent, feel comfortable, great for long rides, feet feel cushioned. But does tend to run a little bit small. Go half size bigger for a good fit.
  • For someone with an ingrained trainer buying and owning fetish, I do have very high standards when it gets to trainers and these qualify as certainly good, comfort fest each time I put them on.
  • I found a tight area on my right shoes at the obvious cross stitching on the outside, very annoying and causes pain to my foot after a couple of hours of wearing. I love the shoe and it fits well and feels very comfortable
  • Really pleased I went up half a size from my usual size. They're super comfortable, even at a half size bigger the toe box is narrower than I prefer. They might loosen up with wear. Great shoes very good quality.
  • I do love this pair of ASICS. I’d buy a new pair in every single color if I could for each day of the week! This shoe is good. I am happy to tell others it’s worth buying.
  • I ordered online a pair half size bigger due to hearing that Asics run more narrow towards and in the toe area. But, not a big issue, I run regularly and find this shoe meets my expectations each run.
  • I wear a usual size12 for most every brand but these twelve and a halfs fitted perfectly. I love the sturdy look and style of the shoe, when they made it they gave attention to appealing detail and the sole is tough reliable and grips every surface that I run on.
  • Great looking pair of shoes and delightfully comfortable. I like the comfy tongue on these, it’s just like a comfortable sock around my foot.
  • It takes some time to break in the shoe to a natural level of comfort. These are narrow shoes but they are fine for my foot size. A very good looking shoe with a clever combination of designs which promote the performance of the shoe.
  • The shoe is appreciated by many runners for its unique design features which I like and the shoe gives very good performance even in challenging running situations..
  • I found the shoe to be extremely comfortable, lots of support in the right areas and bags of protection where it is needed the most, I feel confident during runs.
  • I have used this shoe for some long tough rides, hiking trails, even worn these while at work, this shoe is a jack of all trades and seems to be good for wherever I chose to wear it.
  • I would like to say here that I feel that the shoe gives good value when I factor in how well it performs for my regular rides, I get the support and comfort that I need and to top this off this it is a great impressive looking shoe.
  • This shoe has more than enough cushion no need for more, the balance is perfect and I feel the structure of the shoe is super supportive. I will buy these again, money well spent.
  • The shoe felt light and yet it feels solid while I run, I don't notice shock or weight dragging me back and I know whatever surface I hit that the grip keeps me going. I run some muddy trails and its very easy to clean the shoe after each run.
  • For me I wanted shoes that let my feet breath, I’m tired of having sweaty stinky feet and picking up infections between my toes, I have found the breath factor that I want, Thanks ASICs
  • I like the fact that I can plough through dirty trails, lots of dust and the shoe does not cake up and stifle my feet, what dirt does take a hold is really easy to clean away. I needed good support and cushion and with these shoes I got it, didn’t mind the price tag, worth it.
Negative
  • There is an annoying muscle aching tight spot on my right shoe at the point for cross stitching on the outside of the shoe. Rather annoying and hurts my foot after a few hours of wearing them, hopefully it works out and give in to stretch a bit more.
  • I tried out these shoes and was surprised right away, the tongue makes it feel a bit tight to wear but I don’t mind because I feel it gives stability. ASICs should sort out the sizing confusion.
  • I got the shoe, took a good long run and found the shoe is way too narrow and does not allow for my wide feet. Wish this had been made clear about the shoe before I got it. I won’t suggest runners with wide feet buy these
  • Got a big surprise when the shoe first arrived at my home, I opened it and boom it was nothing like the color on the store website. This might not seem much but for me I wanted a specific color. Disappointed.
  • Maybe it’s just me but I don’t think so but when I run the heels feels to rigid, it’s stiff to the point where my foot aches, good idea to make the shoe more flexible. The shoe look kinda big and bulky and the stiff heel might be part of a problem with this.
Reviewmeter
The Reviewmeter shows you an overall score that you can easily refer to. The highest rating is 10 (100% positive feedback)
Of the 540 reviews we found in total, 15% were negative, and 85% were positive.
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Outsole

Outsole

The outsole of the Asics Gel Lyte V is essentially the same as its predecessor. A rubber sole with Flex Grooves provides both traction and durability. Reviewers greatly appreciated the deep outsole grooves and agreed that they really enhanced the ride feel of the shoe.
Midsole

Midsole

The Lyte’s midsole includes the same GEL cushioning as seen in the III. While the GEL material is the same, the feel is slightly different. Reviewers describe the V as feeling softer underfoot, while the III feels firmer. Reviewers found there was a good amount of cushioning in the V, enough to keep feet comfortable for all-day wear. One notable difference from the III is that the V does not feature a plastic heel piece, reviewers felt this was mostly an aesthetic difference, however.

Upper

Upper

The upper gets a total redesign with the V. The overall look of the Lyte V is very different from its sister-shoe. The most significant difference is the move from a unique split tongue design (III) to an attached tongue. The V also features added ankle collar padding for a plusher feel around the heel and ankle. The overlays on the V are entirely different, too. In addition, the Asics branding is featured in a different spot.

Because of the attached tongue design, the upper has a much snugger fit than the III. The V also comes in a variety of versions with different upper materials. Different upper constructions are available at different price points. Some versions available are mesh, suede, and nylon. Inside the Lyte, there’s a quick-dry neoprene lining. In terms of reflectivity, it depends on the colorway you choose. Some offer reflective detailing at the back of the shoe. A few Lyte V colorways are also made with waterproof Goretex material.

Weight

Weight

There is no listed weight information available for the Asics Gel Lyte V but from the look and material used, it appears to be of an average weight range.
Breathability

Breathability

This will all depend on which version of the shoe you select. Options range from mesh to waterproof Goretex. Mesh will offer the best ventilation, while Goretex may decrease breathability. The shoe’s neoprene liner, however, ensures that moisture is kept at a minimum inside the shoe. Most reviewers seemed happy with the V’s ability to circulate air.

Comfort

Comfort

As a lifestyle shoe, it’s crucial that the Lyte V be comfortable for all-day wear. Reviewers agreed that the shoe was a good choice for casual activities where long periods of wear were likely. Reviewers liked the lightweight feel of the shoe and really loved the Gel cushioning. A slightly wider fit than the III's makes the V's more accommodating, and the very flexible nature of the outsole makes for a great heel to toe transition.

Style

Style

While the Lyte colorways are fresh and modern, the overall look is retro and classic. The ‘90s shoe keeps its throwback design but gets a whole slew of new colorways with its latest release. The look is different from its previous edition (the Lyte III) thanks to newly placed overlays, freshly positioned branding, and a bunch of new colors. Reviewers loved the look of the Lyte V and appreciated the vast array of colorways available for purchase.
Durability

Durability

The shoe offers an average level of durability compared to other street shoes. For everyday wear, they hold up just fine, according to reviewers. The rubber outsole is sturdy across the board, and each upper design offers its own degree of durability. The mesh upper, for instance, may not feel as tough as the Goretex construction.

Protection

Protection

The degree of protection you’ll get from the Lyte V depends on the construction you choose. The mesh style will provide a greater amount of ventilation while the Goretex version will keep snow and water from soaking you to the bone. In each version, however, the Gel cushioning provides a great shock absorbing platform.
Responsiveness

Responsiveness

The Gel V’s midsole is slightly softer than the III, so the feel underfoot isn’t as energetic. Reviewers still really liked the plush feel of the V, though.
Support

Support

Wearers of the Lyte V will receive an average amount of support thanks to a well-structured sock-like upper. For those needing help with over or under pronation, this shoe will not provide enough support but should be good enough for the average runner.
Terrain

Terrain

The Lyte is intended as a streetwear shoe. While some reviewers mentioned that they used the sneaker for running, we wouldn’t recommend them for serious training. These are better kept for casual situations and activities.
Price

Price

Reviewers felt the Lyte V was well-priced for a street shoe. Compared to other similarly designed shoes, the price seems like a steal. Many reviewers were quick to mention that they owned several versions and colorways of the shoe.
Traction

Traction

The rubber outsole seems to work just fine when it comes to grip. Expect a bit of slipping and sliding when dealing with slick surfaces, but otherwise, wearers should get enough traction.
Flexibility

Flexibility

Deep flex grooves in the outsole make for a very flexible heel to toe transition. The result is a shoe that moves with the user. Reviewers really liked the flexible design of the Lyte.
Stability

Stability

Although the V lacks the plastic heel shank of the III, the design is still just as stable and supportive. Reviewers had no complaints in this department and felt the fit of the shoe was snug enough to offer an average amount of stability.
Drop

Drop

There’s no mention of drop height anywhere for the Asics Gel Lyte V, but the shoe does have a fairly well-built heel, so don’t expect a zero-drop experience.
Key Features

Key Features

- Update to the Gel Lyte III
- Rubber outsole with deep flex grooves
- Asics GEL cushioning (slightly softer than in the III)
- Attached tongue and foot-hugging fit
- Available in several upper materials (mesh, nylon, suede, Goretex)
- Quick-dry neoprene lining
- Some colorways include reflective detailing

Bottom Line

Bottom Line

The Gel Lyte V is a good looking casual wear sneaker with a lightweight feel. Available in a variety of upper designs and styles, there’s certainly a version that will suit any individuals particular needs. A true to size fit, attached tongue, and GEL cushioning make the V a super comfy all-day sneaker choice. Its price makes it a steal, too, so it’s easy to buy multiple colorways for your shoe collection.