ASICS

GEL-DS Trainer 18

GEL-DS Trainer 18
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Bottom-tier (43/100)

Shoe details

Weight
7.6 oz
Release
2016
MSRP
$115
Stack Height
27mm heel - 17mm toe
Drop Height
10mm

Ratings & Reviews

Bottom-tier (43/100)

Better than about 1% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates worse than 99% of shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Bottom-tier (43/100)

Overall ranking

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.

Estimate

Bottom-tier (43/100)

Rank

Ranks above 1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Above average (81/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (81/100)

Rank

Ranks above 64% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Below average (52/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (52/100)

Rank

Ranks above 2% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Rank

Ranks above 1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Rank

Ranks above 1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Rank

Ranks above <1% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

20%

1/5

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Worse than 99% of 2,541 running shoes ranked.

Bottom-tier (43/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 99% of 1,841 daily trainers ranked.

1%

ASICS

Worse than 99% of 260 ASICS shoes ranked.

1%

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.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.6 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
27/17mm
28/20mm
Drop
1mm
8mm
7mm
Release
2016
2021 Q2
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$115 Lower MSRP
$200
Best price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (1%)
Average (51%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Bottom tier (<1%)
Below average (30%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Above average (64%)
Above average (68%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (2%)
Bottom tier (17%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Bottom tier (1%)
Average (53%)
Excellent (96%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (1%)
Above average (63%)
Very good (85%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

More from ASICS

Reader Ratings

37 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 37 written reviews

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

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Mar 23, 2015

4/5

Overall

Good lightweight shoe with medium support. Wear is higher than normal but is a nice shoe if you can afford to replace it more than average.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
3/5