Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 7.6 oz (men's) · 27/17mm stack · 10mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The ASICS GEL-DS Trainer replaced it
How it ranks
The ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 trails most daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and durability are its strongest sub-ratings. The rating is based on 37 runner reviews and 8 other rated shoes in the GEL-DS Trainer product line.
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
94 High
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
“Stable enough for trail running, cushioned enough for roads. Fast enough for speed work.”
“They have a very low weight yet great stability and just the right amount of cushioning.”
“It has a firm feel so you don't feel like you're running on marshmallows.”
“The only pair of shoes that I have been able to simply pull on, and run in straight away—without any fear of blisters.”
“That part of the shoe tends to wear completely down and then just rubs the hard outer part of the shoe against my heel.”
“This shoe is perfectly trail-worthy and you don't feel all the rocks.”
“I have had a few pairs that have started to rip below 300 miles on the inside of my big toe.”
“Since version 18 I have been experiencing more wear and tear on the inside, back part of the heel.”
“They are too roomy in the forefoot, which makes my foot slide around.”
“Offering a nice amount of support, without feeling like they are overly heavy—especially on a long run.”
“It's light but provides support for an overpronator.”
“This becomes the solid, durable trainer that supports a solid mileage week with long runs and slow tempos.”
“The stack height is not ridiculously high, but is high enough so you don't put too much strain on your calves.”
“I would not run more than 300 miles in them.”
“The recent versions have gotten too bulky, especially in the forefoot.”
“This shoe requires a certain amount of foot strength to replace a daily trainer.”
“The shoes were clearly narrower at the front than the DS Trainer 17.”
“Their value should be $20–30 less than current retail.”
“Wear is higher than normal.”
“After 400–500 miles that I usually have to replace the shoe.”
“The back seems overbuilt compared to the front.”
“Excellent for speed/high intensity workouts.”
“I had to go up half a size.”
“The shoes have lasted pretty long (400 miles).”
“I prefer the versions with slightly less midsole.”
“The previous model had a softer sole.”
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
Each dot is one version of the GEL-DS Trainer, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
2021 · 10 reviews
77 Decent
78 Confidence
2020 · 3 reviews
66 Below average
71 Confidence
2019 · 4 reviews
58 Bottom-tier
81 Confidence
2018 · 9 reviews
59 Bottom-tier
88 Confidence
2017 · 7 reviews
62 Below average
85 Confidence
2016 · 3 reviews
60 Below average
79 Confidence
2016 · 9 reviews
63 Below average
89 Confidence
2014 · 45 reviews
55 Bottom-tier
96 Confidence
GEL-DS Trainer 18 This shoe
2014 · 37 reviews
50 Bottom-tier
94 Confidence
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
5/5
Overall
Maahketer · Sep 19, 2014
5 mpw training for sprints
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 19, 2014
40 mpw training for a half marathon
5/5
Overall
JC91 · Sep 19, 2014
35 mpw training for a half marathon
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 19, 2014
25 mpw training for a half marathon
3/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 19, 2014
15 mpw training for a half marathon
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