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GEL-DS Trainer 18

ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18

Name: ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18
Brand: ASICS
Rating: 4.1 (37 reviews)

Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 7.6 oz · 10mm drop · 27/17mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 22 replaced it

How it ranks

The ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 rates in the 1st percentile overall among daily trainers. Its strongest dimension is cushioning (69th percentile); its weakest is looks (1st).

Based on 37 runner reviews.

Bottom-tier

43/100

Overall

Bottom-tier 43

Cushioning

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (83/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 69% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Very good 83

Durability

Durability rating

Better Shoes Rating

Below average (52/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 2% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Below average 52

Appearance

Appearance rating

Better Shoes Rating

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Bottom-tier 50

Value

Value rating

Better Shoes Rating

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Bottom-tier 50

Comfort

Comfort rating

Better Shoes Rating

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than <1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Bottom-tier 50

What runners say

“Stable enough for trail running, cushioned enough for roads. Fast enough for speed work.”

seaunter 5/5 Full review

“They have a very low weight yet great stability and just the right amount of cushioning.”

5/5 Full review

“It has a firm feel so you don't feel like you're running on marshmallows.”

momsrunstrong 5/5 Full review

“The only pair of shoes that I have been able to simply pull on, and run in straight away—without any fear of blisters.”

5/5 Full review

“That part of the shoe tends to wear completely down and then just rubs the hard outer part of the shoe against my heel.”

smithrun 5/5 Full review

“This shoe is perfectly trail-worthy and you don't feel all the rocks.”

5/5 Full review

“I have had a few pairs that have started to rip below 300 miles on the inside of my big toe.”

PolishedTurd 4/5 Full review

“Since version 18 I have been experiencing more wear and tear on the inside, back part of the heel.”

smithrun 5/5 Full review

“They are too roomy in the forefoot, which makes my foot slide around.”

4/5 Full review

“Offering a nice amount of support, without feeling like they are overly heavy—especially on a long run.”

5/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

20% 1/5

Where to buy

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No offers available

Pros & Cons

Pros

Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.

Cons

Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes overall.
Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on comfort.
Rated below average on cushioning.
Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on durability.

Reader Ratings

37 reader ratings

5/5

4/5

3/5

2/5

1/5

Runner reviews

Write a review

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Dec 11, 2015

2/5

Overall

I bought them at a chain store named Winners. Comfort is my number one factor when buying shoes. These feel fine.

Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · May 12, 2015

5/5

Overall

Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · May 7, 2015

4/5

Overall

I think this shoe requires a certain amount of foot strength to replace a daily trainer. But if you do speedwork in flats or wear spikes occasionally, this becomes the solid, durable trainer that support a solid mileage week with long runs and slow tempos.

Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Reader review

troppo · Apr 3, 2015

4/5

Overall

The shoes were clearly narrower at the front than the DS Trainer 17, meaning I had to go up half a size, and the shoelaces were short on my size-13 pair. Durability was fine, though the previous model had a softer sole.

Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5