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ASICS

GEL-DS Trainer 23

GEL-DS Trainer 23
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Below average (56/100)

Shoe details

Weight
8.4 oz
Release
2018 Q1
MSRP
$120
Stack Height
24mm heel - 14mm toe
Drop Height
10mm

Ratings & Reviews

Below average (56/100)

Better than about 5% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates worse than 95% 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

Below average (56/100)

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

Below average (56/100)

Rank

Ranks above 5% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Good (65/100)

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

Good (65/100)

Rank

Ranks above 20% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Below average (60/100)

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

Below average (60/100)

Rank

Ranks above 11% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Below average (55/100)

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

Below average (55/100)

Rank

Ranks above 5% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Below average (55/100)

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 (55/100)

Rank

Ranks above 4% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Below average (52/100)

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

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.

29%

2/7

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Worse than 95% of 2,541 running shoes ranked.

Below average (56/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 94% of 1,841 daily trainers ranked.

6%

ASICS

Worse than 92% of 260 ASICS shoes ranked.

8%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.

Cons

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

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 23
Shoe image placeholder
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
GEL-DS Trainer 23
GEL-DS Trainer 26
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.4 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
—
Stack
24/14mm
28/20mm
—
Drop
1mm
8mm
7mm
Release
2018 Q1
2021 Q2
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$120 Lower MSRP
—
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (5%)
Average (51%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Bottom tier (2%)
Below average (30%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Bottom tier (11%)
Above average (68%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (4%)
Bottom tier (17%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Bottom tier (5%)
Average (53%)
Excellent (96%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (20%)
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

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Reader Ratings

9 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 8 written reviews

Still a great lightweight support option but not as good as the previous 19-22

Anonymous runner · Aug 14, 2019

4/5

Overall

I'm not a fan of the more traditional, overly-cushioned, built-up, detached road shoe, so had settled nicely into the DS trainer for all of my training and the DS racer for when the safety pins came out. The level of support is fine for someone who over-pronates and cushioning is good enough to stop me suffering from joint problems. They're light and responsive, probably best suited to racing and interval/tempo for someone looking for options and transitioning away from shoes for heavier folk (I'm 5'11'' and approx 150lbs btw). One negative on the 23 compared to the previous incarnations is it seems to make my feet hotter and I get a bit more calf soreness the next day. Might be slightly firmer ride?
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

with achilles pain

Anonymous runner · Jul 18, 2019

5/5

Overall

Overall it was very good for all my trainings - long run, fartlek, tempos, race. But with my Haglund deformity I cut out the heels from shoes. Now I use them again. I have two pairs of them.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Fast and firm shoe

ultimatemissy · Jul 11, 2019

4/5

Overall

The DS-Trainer required a few miles of break in time before feeling comfortable. Although the shoe is light, it is very firm and takes awhile to get used to. Running in the shoe on easy days caused pain in my calves. However, the DS-Trainer does work well for tempo runs and track work-outs. I also wore these shoes for my last marathon (and PR'd by nearly 30 minutes).
Comfort
3/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Back to basics, I love this shoe.

Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019

5/5

Overall

My College was sponsored by Asics so this was my go to shoe, but I have gotten away from them in the last few years. ogt back to them recently on sale and reminded why I loved these shoes. Lightweight, good grip, does not hurt my feet. Only issue was durability, I felt like I got more miles out of them back in the day.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
5/5

Light multipurpose trainer

Anonymous runner · Aug 21, 2018

5/5

Overall

These, alongside my Brooks Ravenna 9’s, are the current running shoes in my rotation. These shoes are less cushioned, but still comfortable enough for running on hard surfaces. Simply put, these shoes have a light feel compared to other neutral shoes. These are great on roads, but excel at trail running. I’ve also ran in these on hard packed sand at the beach and they were very comfortable. They are a very supportive shoe all around, and wrap the foot well. I would say they run slightly narrow. If you are purely a road runner, there might be a better shoe out there for you. If you run on trails, beaches, roads, grass, etc, this shoe will perform very well for you.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5