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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 · Sep 1, 2014

4/5

Overall

Comfort: 3/5
Durability: 3/5
Appearance: 2/5
Value: 3/5

Reader review

PolishedTurd · Sep 1, 2014

4/5

Overall

Nice lighter weight trainer but I have had a few pairs that have started to rip below 300 miles on the inside of my big toe. Other than ripping of the upper on the inside of my big toe, the shoes have lasted pretty long(400 miles). Good value and great trainer to workout in.

Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 2/5
Appearance: 2/5
Value: 3/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 31, 2014

4/5

Overall

I wore the DS trainer for years, and I really liked that I could get them cheap online ($70-80). The recent versions have gotten too bulky, especially in the forefoot. They are too roomy in the forefoot, which makes my foot slide around. I prefer a snug feeling all the way through the foot.

Comfort: 3/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5