Speed shoe · Stability · Road · 7.6 oz · 28/20mm stack · 8mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.
How it ranks
The ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 26 ranks above most running shoes in our data. Value and looks are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 10 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
78 Moderate
External retailer ratings
We break apart ratings from mass-market retailers and specialty running shops since they serve different audiences.
The middle of the bar marks the typical shoe at each type of retailer. The dot shows where this shoe ranks in comparison.
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.
“Lifespan is 200–250 miles.”
“Not cushy enough for recovery runs, but great for faster paces and speed work.”
“Very responsive, with just a small amount of support.”
“Wear fairly quickly.”
“Better cushioning than previous models.”
“Relatively lightweight.”
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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
GEL-DS Trainer 26 This shoe
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
2014 · 37 reviews
50 Bottom-tier
94 Confidence
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
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.
Jerry Swartsley · Nov 29, 2023
training for 5K and 10K came from the ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 25
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.
Scott · Jul 2, 2023
25 mpw training for 5K and 10K
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.
John H SF · Jun 9, 2023
60 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 26
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.
Jerry Swartsley · Jun 8, 2023
23 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 25
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