Type a shoe name, like Pegasus, Clifton or Kayano.

ASICS GEL-DS Trainer

Every version of the GEL-DS Trainer we track, compared on ratings, specs and current price.

GEL-DS Trainer
62Below average
vs. Median Line
-14

The line's rating is the median Better Shoes Rating of its five most recent rated versions. The median product line rates 76, and the GEL-DS Trainer rates above 3% of the lines we track.

ASICS GEL-DS Trainer vs. Other Shoes

Each dot is one rated shoe: the GEL-DS Trainer in gold, all other shoes in gray.

GEL-DS Trainer shoes as gold dots among every rated shoe we track, on the Better Shoes Rating scale

Rating by version, oldest first

Each dot is one version of the GEL-DS Trainer, placed by its rating and release year.

Rating

Release year

See our analysis of whether a new version is usually as good as the one it replaces.

ASICS GEL-DS Trainer versions with ratings, specs and prices
Version Released Weight Stack Rating Change Reviews Price
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 26 2021 7.6 oz 28/20mm stack · 8mm drop 77 +11 4 —
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 25 2020 8.4 oz — 66 +8 — $130 MSRP
ASICS GELDS Trainer 24 2019 — — — — — $130 MSRP
ASICS GELDS Trainer 23 2019 — — — — — $120 MSRP
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 24 2019 8.4 oz — 58 -1 3 $130 MSRP
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 23 2018 7.8 oz 24/14mm stack · 10mm drop 59 -3 8 $120 MSRP
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 22 2017 7.6 oz 10mm drop 62 0 7 $120 MSRP
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 20 2016 7.9 oz 26/16mm stack · 10mm drop 63 +2 9 $80 MSRP
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 21 2016 7.4 oz 26/16mm stack · 10mm drop 60 +10 3 $120 MSRP
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 2016 9.1 oz (men's) — — — — $120 MSRP
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 2014 7.6 oz (men's) 27/17mm stack · 10mm drop 50 -5 37 $115 MSRP
ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 19 2014 9.0 oz 27/17mm stack · 10mm drop 55 — 45 $93 MSRP

12 shoes

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

  1. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer 26

    77 Decent Decent 10 reviews Confidence 78

    2021 · Speed shoe · Stability · 7.6 oz · 28mm stack · 8mm drop

    Two reviewers find it responsive and well suited to faster training paces.

    GEL-DS Trainer 26
    Durability 64
    Overall
    77
    Value
    81
    Appearance
    71
    Comfort
    66
    Cushioning
    64
    Durability
    64
    Confidence
    78

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    Two reviewers find it responsive and well suited to faster training paces.

    It weighs 8.5 oz in the men's version and 6.7 oz in the women's.

    No other version in the line scores above 64, against this version's 85.

    Cons

    Two reviewers say it wears out quickly, one putting the lifespan at 200 to 250 miles.

  2. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer 25

    66 Below average Below average 3 reviews Confidence 71

    2020 · Daily trainer · Stability · 8.4 oz

    Averaging 8.3 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale.

    GEL-DS Trainer 25
    Durability 56

    MSRP $130

    Overall
    66
    Value
    68
    Appearance
    63
    Cushioning
    59
    Comfort
    58
    Durability
    56
    Confidence
    71

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    Averaging 8.3 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale.

    Overall and appearance both average 4.7 out of 5 across three reviews.

    One reviewer calls it their perfect training shoe for most of the year.

    Cons

    Durability averages 4.0 out of 5, the lowest of its dimensions.

    The GEL-DS Trainer 26 after it scores 85 on ten reviews.

  3. ASICS

    GELDS Trainer 24

    2019 · Daily trainer · Stability

    GELDS Trainer 24

    MSRP $130

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

  4. ASICS

    GELDS Trainer 23

    2019 · Daily trainer · Stability

    GELDS Trainer 23

    MSRP $120

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

  5. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer 24

    58 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier 4 reviews Confidence 81

    2019 · Daily trainer · Stability · 8.4 oz

    Averaging 8.3 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and one reviewer calls it lightweight and fast for any workout.

    GEL-DS Trainer 24
    Durability 55

    MSRP $130

    Overall
    58
    Appearance
    61
    Value
    60
    Comfort
    55
    Durability
    55
    Cushioning
    51
    Confidence
    81

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    Averaging 8.3 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and one reviewer calls it lightweight and fast for any workout.

    One of four reviewers so far finds the toe box roomier than the GEL-DS Trainer 23.

    Cons

    Reviewers rate cushioning 3.3 out of 5, its lowest dimension, and one calls the ride as firm as running on cement.

    One of four reviewers so far went down half a size from the GEL-DS Trainer 23.

    The GEL-DS Trainer 26 after it scores 85 on ten reviews, against this version's 50.

  6. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer 23

    59 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier 9 reviews Confidence 88

    2018 · Daily trainer · Stability · 7.8 oz · 24mm stack · 10mm drop

    Averaging 7.8 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and four reviewers use it for tempo and track work.

    GEL-DS Trainer 23
    Durability 58

    MSRP $120

    Overall
    59
    Value
    70
    Durability
    58
    Appearance
    57
    Comfort
    53
    Cushioning
    53
    Confidence
    88

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    Averaging 7.8 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and four reviewers use it for tempo and track work.

    One of nine reviewers so far reports good grip across road, trail, grass and packed sand.

    Cons

    Two reviewers find the firm ride leaves their calves sore after easy runs.

    Two reviewers say it wears out faster than the DS Trainers they had before.

    The GEL-DS Trainer 20, 21 and 22 before it score 64, 59 and 64, against this version's 53.

  7. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer 22

    62 Below average Below average 7 reviews Confidence 85

    2017 · Daily trainer · Stability · 7.6 oz · 10mm drop

    At 8.0 oz reviewers find it light enough for tempo work and racing, one arguing you could race a half marathon in it.

    GEL-DS Trainer 22
    Durability 56

    MSRP $120

    Overall
    62
    Value
    63
    Appearance
    63
    Comfort
    59
    Durability
    56
    Cushioning
    51
    Confidence
    85

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    At 8.0 oz reviewers find it light enough for tempo work and racing, one arguing you could race a half marathon in it.

    Reviewers say it stays quick while still offering enough stability for mild overpronation.

    Overall, comfort and appearance each draw 4.6 out of 5.

    Cons

    Durability and value each draw 3.9 out of 5, the lowest marks of any dimension, and one reviewer replaces them at 300 miles instead of 400 to 500.

    Reviewers find the cushioning thin beyond half marathon distance, one switching to the GT-2000 for anything over 13 miles.

    The GEL-DS Trainer 26 scores 85 on ten reviews against its 64.

  8. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer 20

    63 Below average Below average 9 reviews Confidence 89

    2016 · Daily trainer · Stability · 7.9 oz · 26mm stack · 10mm drop

    At 8.7 oz, five reviewers call it light, one of them lightweight but stable.

    GEL-DS Trainer 20
    Durability 51

    MSRP $80

    Overall
    63
    Value
    62
    Appearance
    59
    Cushioning
    57
    Comfort
    56
    Durability
    51
    Confidence
    89

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    At 8.7 oz, five reviewers call it light, one of them lightweight but stable.

    Three reviewers use it for easy miles, track workouts and racing.

    Comfort averages 4.3 out of 5 across nine reviews.

    Cons

    Durability averages 3.3 out of 5, the lowest of its dimensions, and one reviewer says it wears down fast under moderate to high mileage.

    One reviewer who has run in the line since 2005 prefers the older models.

    The GEL-DS Trainer 26 later in the line scores 85 on ten reviews.

  9. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer 21

    60 Below average Below average 3 reviews Confidence 79

    2016 · Daily trainer · Stability · 7.4 oz · 26mm stack · 10mm drop

    Two reviewers call it a light, comfortable trainer, one using it for recovery runs.

    GEL-DS Trainer 21
    Durability 53

    MSRP $120

    Overall
    60
    Value
    65
    Appearance
    59
    Cushioning
    59
    Comfort
    57
    Durability
    53
    Confidence
    79

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    Two reviewers call it a light, comfortable trainer, one using it for recovery runs.

    Averaging 7.4 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale.

    Cons

    Durability averages 3.3 out of 5, the lowest of its dimensions, and one reviewer has a layer of the toe box cover rip quickly.

    The GEL-DS Trainer 26 later in the line scores 85 on ten reviews.

  10. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer

    2016 · Daily trainer · Stability · 9.1 oz (men's)

    GEL-DS Trainer

    MSRP $120

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

  11. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer 18

    50 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier 37 reviews Confidence 94

    2014 · Daily trainer · Stability · 7.6 oz (men's) · 27mm stack · 10mm drop

    At 7.6 oz it is well under the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and five reviewers call it light while still supportive.

    GEL-DS Trainer 18
    Durability 55

    MSRP $115

    Overall
    50
    Cushioning
    55
    Durability
    55
    Appearance
    53
    Value
    52
    Comfort
    50
    Confidence
    94

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    At 7.6 oz it is well under the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and five reviewers call it light while still supportive.

    Four reviewers have run the DS Trainer line for eight years or more and call it reliable.

    Three reviewers like the firm ride for speedwork and tempo miles.

    Cons

    Three reviewers report the upper tearing at the big toe or the inside of the heel, two before 300 miles.

    Three reviewers replace them between 300 and 500 miles.

    Two reviewers find the forefoot too roomy and their foot sliding in it.

  12. ASICS

    GEL-DS Trainer 19

    55 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier 45 reviews Confidence 96

    2014 · Daily trainer · Stability · 9.0 oz · 27mm stack · 10mm drop

    Nine reviewers call it light while still supportive enough for tempo and speed work.

    GEL-DS Trainer 19
    Durability 50

    MSRP $93

    Overall
    55
    Value
    56
    Cushioning
    56
    Appearance
    56
    Comfort
    50
    Durability
    50
    Confidence
    96

    Buy it now

    Not available at tracked retailers right now.

    Pros

    Nine reviewers call it light while still supportive enough for tempo and speed work.

    Four reviewers say it gives ground feel rather than bulky cushioning.

    Five reviewers have run in DS Trainers for years and say this version keeps them training.

    Cons

    Reviewers rate durability 3.6 out of 5, and four report it wearing out faster than they expect, one under 300 miles.

    Three reviewers report the mesh over the toes tearing or going loose.

    Three reviewers find the toe box or overall fit narrow.