ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT Fully Reviewed Review Facts
ASICS got its start in the living room of Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka in 1949 as Onitsuka Co., Ltd. They manufactured basketball shoes in Kobe, Japan. Fast forward to 1977 and Mr. Onitsuka decided to rename his company ASICS, based on the Latin phrase “Anima Sana in Corpore Sano” which, very appropriately translates to “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.” With that premise in mind, ASICS was designed around the belief that a happy and healthy lifestyle is created by promoting total health and fitness. They have followed this guide for the 40 plus years they have been on the market and will continue to do so going forward. The ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT was created with both fitness and lifestyle in mind, with the ultimate goal of a happy and healthy lifestyle.
The ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT pulls key elements of 3 previous models to create an incredibly comfortable, warm shoe that can be worn as a boot in winter conditions or around town running errands. Borrowing the Sockliner from the Gel Lyte V, the padded split tongue from the Gel Lyte III, and the Heel Clip from the Gel Respector, this shoe has the best of each and combines them beautifully.
Outsole
The rubber outsole of the ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT features a rugged traction pattern on the bottom of the shoe, making it an easy winter boot replacement. The extra cushion and warmth makes for a stylish, current alternative to the traditional
winter options. The rubber of the sole grips hard surfaces and ice, providing for a sturdier traction. The design of the outsole is such that it flexes with the natural motion of the foot with little resistance.
Midsole
The midsole of the ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT is a combination of EVA foam and Alpha Gel technology developed in Japan. This gel provides shock absorption and heat dissipation. The silicone gel material is extremely soft and allows the foot to sit securely into the base without movement and unnecessary friction.
Upper
ASICS has created a coated leather upper in the Tiger Gel Lyte MT that borrows key elements from three of the earlier models. The
Gel-Lyte V sockliner contributes a snug, warm fit that is still breathable with a ballistic mesh design around the collar. The addition from the Gel Lyte III is the padded split tongue that gives additional cushioning and warmth to the top of the foot. And the Gel Respector contributes the heel clip to give additional stability and heel comfort by holding it steadily in place, reducing friction and potential for blisters.
Weight
The ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT is a sports lifestyle shoe. It draws on all of the elements of a great running shoe and makes them incredibly comfortable. Even considered a mid high boot, this shoe has all of the technology to keep it lightweight. Mesh construction, foam and gel midsole and a lightweight rubber keep it fairly light as compared to other heavy duty winter boots. We were unable to find an actual weight but considering the materials, we would agree with the lightweight designation.
Breathability
The ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT is a fairly breathable mid high shoe. With the ballistic mesh coated leather upper, the mesh is interwoven with the ASICS symbol over the outsides of the shoe along with the coated leather supports wrapping around the toe box and
lace construction. The Alpha Gel midsole also provides heat dissipation, keeping the foot dry and allowing excess moisture to evaporate as it is created.
Comfort
ASICS has become a popular name in the lifestyle footwear industry, despite also producing amazing performance-based designs. Their focus is entirely on performance, ensuring a great fit, a durable product, and a comfortable experience. They have done that and more with the ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT. With a near 1-piece upper, additional cushioning on the tongue, a soft midsole, and great traction on the outsole, this shoe is ready for anything.
The lightweight, snug, mesh upper keeps feet cool but adds support at the same time with the coated leather materials. Additional stitching around the foot, all-around cushioning and a padded, split tongue create a soft feel all around the foot. The breathable mesh upper allows air into the shoe while creating an even more comfortable fit.
Style
The ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT is all about style. It is considered a lifestyle shoe and is ready to be shown off at parties, clubs, family gatherings or around town handling business. With many colors to choose from, everyone’s taste is represented. From a solid gray to black and white with specks on the outsole, or even a camouflage look, these shoes will complement your daily activities well. They are also warm enough, comfortable enough, and have sufficient traction to replace your traditional winter boots with a stylish flair.
The entire upper is connected in a sock-like feel. Slightly higher in the heel, the Tiger Gel Lyte MT protects the Achilles heel on any excursion. The ballistic mesh on the upper provides breathability and keeps the foot cool but it also adds contrast to the coated leather supports and ASICS symbol on the outside of the shoe. The split tongue shows the ASICS brand at the top in and adds depth to the appearance.
Durability
The ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT is a comfortable, durable shoe. With almost 70 years in business, this company has perfected the double stitch, reducing fraying at connections and protecting material. The extended rubber on the toe, as well as the toe cap, add additional layers to the front of the shoe, reducing potential tears and holes. The sturdy rubber construct on the outsole with the rugged traction pattern is built for added traction and long-term durability.
Protection
ASICS has created a protective lifestyle shoe that will meet all your needs. The sockliner has a breathable mesh that keeps airflow moving around your foot, reducing sweat and potential friction. The silicon AlphaGel in the midsole provides shock absorption, reducing the
impact of each step and protecting knees and joints from additional stress. The rugged outsole has an extra traction that will keep you moving and gripping the ground safely, reducing the potential for slips and falls.
Responsiveness
The AlphaGel silicon material is extremely soft and absorbs shock while dissipating heat. It is not considered a responsive material through the EVA foam is a more durable, cushioning material. As a lifestyle shoe, responsiveness is not a great need for the ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT.
Support
The coated leather on the upper of the ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT provides support over the mono sock liner that holds the foot on its own. The additional support around the toe box and along the midsole holds the foot in place, resting securely in the AlphaGel midsole.
Terrain
The ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT is a lifestyle shoe but can also be considered for a solid replacement for your traditional
winter boot or for the additional versatile terrain. The shoe will be most effective on roads, clear pathways, compact tracks, and treadmills but should easily handle light to medium trails and gravel roads, ice and snow. The rugged traction pattern on the bottom of the shoe supports flexibility and movement over any terrain.
Price
As a lifestyle shoe, you’d expect the ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT to be near the higher end, especially given that it has comfortable, throwback-reminiscent look, an extremely
comfortable fit and an outsole that accommodates almost any type of use you’d put to it. But the nice thing is that it isn’t. This shoe has a middle-of-the-road price that is comparable to other lifestyle shoes of its caliber. The quality is more than worth the number you’ll find.
Traction
The outsole of the ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT is made of a standard rubber but the traction pattern is a rugged design along the full base of the shoe. The spacing of the individual lugs is both individual and connected, providing additional traction over diverse terrain and climates. With open spaces, the foot can flex naturally along normal flex lines and not where forced to do so. The midsole, with the combination of EVA foam and AlphaGel provides support but also sinks the foot lower into the base, securing the foot and providing additional traction to the full foot.
Flexibility
The coated leather upper with
sock liner, split tongue and heel clip fits closely to the foot similar to a sock. With only leather supports, the shoe flexes with the foot, along with natural flex lines. The soft AlphaGel midsole is extremely flexible and cushioned while the outsole is a traditional rubber with a rugged traction pattern that allows flexibility in all directions and allowing a natural flex movement with each step.
Stability
For a lifestyle shoe, the ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT is stable and comfortable. The structure of the AlphaGel silicone gel material and the EVA midsole sinks the foot into the base of the shoe, making it feel more secure with little to no movement inside the shoe. Added traction on the outsole with the rugged pattern and diverse design gives a better grip on the terrain keeping the foot stable and secure while allowing a variety of terrains and weather conditions. Cushion around the tongue and upper with a standard socklike design with exterior lacing construction helps to secure the foot firmly into the base of the shoe for a more stable experience overall.
Drop
As a lifestyle shoe, it is difficult to find a measured on the drop of the ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT. There does appear to be a decent drop between heel and toe based on pictures but the shoe appears to have a natural drop with an emphasis on
comfort for a fairly natural, cushioned experience.
Key Features
• AlphaGel silicon gel material in midsole for added shock absorption and heat dissipation
• Highly flexible, lightweight rubber outsole
• Sock liner surrounds the entire foot in one piece, for a snug, comfortable fit
• Heel clip holds the foot securely in place, reducing friction and rubbing
• Coated leather mesh upper allows for additional breathability and cooling
Bottom Line
The ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte MT is an incredibly comfortable, versatile shoe. It can be worn as a lifestyle shoe or used to replace your traditional winter boots. The extensive traction and incredibly breathable upper make this shoe great for just about any workout or event you have planned. You’ll stay comfortable. Your feet will stay dry. And you have many styles and colors to choose from so you can wear them to any event or function you have planned. The AlphaGel silicon midsole creates a soft base for the foot to sink down into and the coated leather upper keeps the foot secure with a snug sock-like feel. Breathable mesh along the upper also adds airflow, keeping the foot cool and dry and comfortable.
ASICS offers many different products, from performance-driven shoes to technical active sports apparel to accessories, all dedicated to bringing harmony to the body and soul. The Tiger Gel Lyte MT has such a versatile base that it brings harmony to the sheer flexibility of uses. Reasonably priced based on current market and other models available in this genre, ASICS keeps this shoe at the forefront, challenging competitors to raise the bar and increase their technology and design budgets to keep with their ongoing production of new models.