MIDSOLE

The midsole of the Asics Glideride 2 is where this shoe really sings. It boasts high-end cushioning with a steep 30 mm stack height and modest 5 mm drop for more than enough cushioning on those longer runs.

It utilizes a top layer of FLYTEFOAM and a bottom layer of FLYTEFOAM Propel. The top layer provides runners with plush and squishy cushioning that you can feel your feet sink into with each and every step.

The FLYTEFOAM Propel found at the base is of the midsole is much more responsive and stiff and keeps your gait cycle nice and bright.

As anyone knows, the best part of any sandwich is what is found in between the bread. In between these dueling layers of FLYTEFOAM is a curved guidance plate.

This plate helps to naturally roll your foot through your gait cycle for nice and easy movements. It also helps to craft explosive toe-offs and stable landings on your heel.

This blend of responsive cushioning and an interior plate work to keep your stride cushioned and energetic, even at the end of a long-distance run.

OUTSOLE

The build of the outsole of this shoe is not only durable, but it also boasts a unique design to keep your stride light and easy. It utilizes Ascis’ GUIDESOLE design that utilizes a slight curve to the outsole that works like a rocking chair for your feet.

The curved nature of the outsole just makes you want to run faster! It allows for effortless toe-offs that feel as if you are gliding along the pavement.

Many runners found that when the Guideride 2 was strapped to their feet, they could run just a little father and a little faster because the build of this outsole didn’t require as much energy output while they ran.

What also makes this outsole great is that it is composed of heavy-duty rubber that is built to last. The Aharplus rubber compound is incredibly durable and built for long-distance miles. With a shallow 5 mm drop and limited cutouts in the outsole, the Glideride 2 provides more ground contact which helps you run more efficiently.

While this shoe weighs in at just over 10 ounces (which is slightly heavy for a neutral running shoe), the balance of weight doesn’t exactly feel heavy.

The placement of the heavy rubber in key areas and the high stack height keep your stride lightweight and easy, even though this isn’t exactly a lightweight training shoe.

UPPER

The upper of this design is made to really contour to the shape of your foot. It is composed of a blend of 3D print and mesh materials that hug your feet in all of the right places.

The lightweight construction of the upper is great for running in hot weather. It works to lift hot air up and away from your feet where it quickly evaporates on the surface.

This upper is free of potentially uncomfortable seam lines, which craft a neutral fit without the potential of causing hot spots and blisters. One of the best features of this upper is that it is incredibly flexible. While the midsole and outsole don’t provide much flexibility, the design of the upper fits and feels like a glove.

It’s also made from 20 percent recycled materials, so you can feel good about updating your running shoes to the Guideride 2!

PERFORMANCE

The Asics Glideride 2 is a shoe designed for neutral runners that believe that there is no such thing as too much cushioning! The curved design of the outsole and ample padding and plates in the midsole means that you don’t need to exert that much energy on long-distance runs.

The more energy saved on those long-distance runs means you’ll have more gas left in the tank to run longer. Overall, I would recommend this shoe for runners that love to push themselves just a little farther with each and every daily run.

With its high-end durability and ample cushioning, it’s also a great choice to wear on race day as well!

It’s important to note, however, that this isn’t exactly an agility shoe. While the midsole and outsole are highly cushioned and responsive, they are also incredibly stiff.

This shoe won’t provide you with the flexibility needed to engage in speedy WODs or HIIT. When rocking the Asics Glideride 2, it’s better to stick to nice and easy tempo runs or long-distance training.

FIT

Overall, the Asics Glideride 2 runs true to size. If you are a size 10 in other Asics training shoes, the 10 will fit you just fine. If you are new to Asics, be sure to take ample measurements of your feet and compare those numbers to their detailed sizing chart.

I love the nice and rounded toebox on this design that prevents your toes from being squished at the end of the shoe and allows your toes to naturally splay as you run.

I also love that it has a nice and sturdy heel counter with ample cushioning. The heel on this design keeps your heel locked in place, and will not budge as you train.

While the heel counter is stiff, it is reinforced with a plush padding that wraps your ankles in support and will not cause blisters or chafing, even on those first initial runs.

This shoe fits like a glove, has a non-existent break-in period, and has an excellent lockdown to keep your feet securely in place. As far as the fit is concerned, there are no issues to report!

PRICE

While the price tag is competitive with brands such as Hoka or Brooks, the Glideride 2 is one of the more expensive designs in the Asics lineup. While Asics often lands in the budget-friendly category, this shoe is anything but budget-friendly.

However, the high-end materials used on this shoe give highly-cushioned brands like Hoka a run for their money, so to speak.

If you are on the hunt for a daily trainer that is built like a tank while offering more than enough cushioning for those long-distance runs, this shoe is well worth every penny!

When the Glideride was released, runners absolutely loved the high-end cushioning and unique performance of this shoe when running long distances. However, most runners felt that the fit of the upper just didn’t hit the mark.

While the midsole and outsole performed quite well, the upper felt stiff, clunky, and very hot. Asics listened to these complaints and implemented key changes in the upper that really work.

Fear not, Glideride fans, because Asics didn’t change a thing in the construction of the midsole and outsole. The Glideride 2 still possessed that ample cushioning and GUIDESOLE design in the outsole.

The only change made to the construction of the newest addition in the Glideride lineup is the construction of the previously problematic upper.

Overall, the construction of the upper of the newest addition is more lightweight, flexible, and breathable. It provides runners with a more tuned-in fit that is much more stretchy and breathable when compared to the previous design. This newer design is also seam-free, which eliminates hot spots and uncomfortable chafing as you run.

The improvements made to the design of this shoe make it sleeker, faster, and a lot more comfortable while maintaining the same level of performance.

If you are on the hunt for a highly cushioned daily training shoe to take on those long-distance runs, the Glideride 2 from Asics is a shoe that is worth checking out. It’s a shoe that is geared toward runners that love a high level of plush cushioning that is often only found in stabitliy running shoes.

The FLYTEFOAM cushioning in the midsole is incredibly plush and padded, which is perfect for those long-distance runs. Plus, the built GUIDESOLE outsole works to keep your gait cycle nice and bright without the use of heavy and built materials.

The Asics Glideride 2 is nimble and bright while still providing a high level of plush cushioning. It’s not exactly the lightest neutral trainer out there on the market, but the even distribution of weight doesn’t feel like a heavy and bulky running shoe.

If you are a long-distance runner or just like to take nice and easy tempo runs, the Asics Glideride 2 is likely to become your favorite daily trainer. It may cost a little bit more than other shoes in the Asics lineup, but it is well worth the investment!