ASICS

GEL-DS Trainer 26

Shoe image placeholder
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Good (76/100)

Shoe details

Weight
8.5 oz
Release
2021 Q2
Stack Height
28mm heel - 20mm toe
Drop Height
8mm

Ratings & Reviews

Good (76/100)

Better than about 51% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 51% 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

Good (76/100)

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

Good (76/100)

Rank

Ranks above 51% 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 68% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Good (79/100)

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 (79/100)

Rank

Ranks above 63% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (76/100)

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

Good (76/100)

Rank

Ranks above 53% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Good (69/100)

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

Good (69/100)

Rank

Ranks above 30% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Below average (63/100)

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 (63/100)

Rank

Ranks above 17% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

100%

1/1

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 51% of 2,541 running shoes ranked.

Good (76/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 52% of 1,841 daily trainers ranked.

52%

ASICS

Better than 68% of 260 ASICS shoes ranked.

68%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on cushioning.
  • Rated among the top 25% 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
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.5 oz M Lightest
9 oz M
Stack
28/20mm
Drop
8mm
7mm
Release
2021 Q2
2020 Q1
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$130 Lower MSRP
$200
Best price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Average (51%)
Bottom tier (5%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Below average (30%)
Bottom tier (5%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Above average (68%)
Below average (28%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (17%)
Bottom tier (3%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (53%)
Bottom tier (21%)
Excellent (96%) Best appearance
Value
Above average (63%)
Bottom tier (15%)
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

10 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–4 of 4 written reviews

Great Running Shoe

Jerry Swartsley · Nov 29, 2023

5/5

Overall

Great running shoe.   Very comfortable.  longevity coul improve as they wear fairly quickly.   Have worn this model of ASICS since they first came out.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Fast Shoe with Minimal Support

Scott · Jul 2, 2023

5/5

Overall

Very responsive, with just a small amount of support. They're not cushy enough for recovery runs, but great for faster paces and speed work. Relatively "low tech," which makes the switch to super shoes for races that much better. 

Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Good training shoe

John H SF · Jun 9, 2023

5/5

Overall

The DS 26 is a good training shoe but not very durable. The lifespan is 200 x 250 miles. It is relatively lightweight. The 26 seems to have better cushioning than previous models. 

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

Great Shoe

Jerry Swartsley · Jun 8, 2023

5/5

Overall

I’ve worn ASICS forever (50+ years since 1969) and particularly the DS Trainer since it came out.  Asics is a great shoe.   Have run over 75,000 miles and 350 races.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5