Asics Gel Venture

Enjoy a mixed variety of terrains with the reasonably-priced Asics GEL Venture. From casual activities to fitness workouts, the Asics GEL Venture would surely keep the feet stable, supported and well- protected from terrain irregularities and the shock from landing impact. This neutral shoe has been under the radar for its lightweight concept, comfortable feel, durability, superb traction and versatility. Its rugged outsole could surely compete with decent trail shoes in the market, without limiting its performance on uneven surfaces.  Get ready for a rugged ride with the Asics GEL Venture.

Arch support and pronation control

The Asics GEL Venture is a neutral shoe. Neutral shoes are a cross between minimalist shoes and stability shoes. These shoes adopt the lower heel to toe drops that are a common feature of barefoot shoes, but have the cushioning technologies of the stability ones. Neutral shoes are non- traditional and they work perfectly for runners who want to pursue barefoot running in the future. In terms of pronation control, the Asics GEL Venture is recommended for supinators or runners who experience under pronation. It provides a steady platform and medial support to keep the feet from rolling outward while on the move.

Terrain

The Asics GEL Venture is a versatile shoe that is best for mixed terrains. It has shoe technologies made for both the road and trail.  Its AHAR outsole provides super grip and traction on a variety of surfaces, but the Trail Specific treading pattern is helpful in cross country marathons. The shoe fares well on the hard pavement, shiny gym floors, rocky courses and dirt trails. It also has superior performance on wet and slushy surfaces. However, it is not recommended for serious mountain runs that require more aggressive lugs on the shoe’s outer sole.

Use

Versatility is one of the strongest assets of the Asics GEL Venture. The shoe is said to be a hybrid between a trail and track shoe, making it a great choice for cross country or mixed terrain running. Furthermore, a lot of fitness enthusiasts use the Asics GEL Venture for general fitness activities like gym workouts and sports, like indoor volleyball and tennis. It is also used for casual days, like going to work or just walking around the block, considering that the shoe looks great with pants. Runners with orthotics will also be pleased to know that the padded insole is removable.

Durability

The durability of the Asics GEL Venture is, without a doubt, spectacular. For a $60 shoe, the quality at par with the high- end collections of Asics. In fact, it does great on both track and trail terrains without the danger of falling apart the next day. The resilience of the upper also keeps the shoe in top shape despite numerous flexing. The outsole, the most vulnerable part to damage, has AHAR rubber that is proven to have enhanced durability and high wear resistance. There are some cases that shoes are defective upon purchase but Asics would be happy to replace them if it happens.

Fit and sizing

In terms of sizing, the Asics GEL Venture shows a standard length. It is advertised that the shoe’s forefoot, mid-foot and rear foot accommodates medium widths. However, many have been complaining about the tightness or narrowness of the shoe. While the heel’s fit is satisfactory, the toe box feels cramped. This could result in discomfort while running. It is best to order a half size bigger than your original size to solve the problem.

Outsole

Like any normal trail shoes, the outer sole of the Asics GEL Venture displays an aggressive pattern technically designed for the trail. Uneven terrain can be tricky, even if runners tend to stick in light nature trails most of the time. The outer sole’s primary material is the AHAR or Asics High Abrasion Rubber outsole, a common technology in Asics performance shoes. It has a Trail Specific treading pattern which features reversed lugs. These lugs may not be as big and aggressive as mountain trail shoes, but they are fairly capable on both track and trail. Together, they provide enhanced durability, super traction and grip, and high wear resistance to the Asics GEL Venture.

Midsole

The midsole of the Asics GEL Venture has minimal cushioning technologies, due to the fact that the shoe is primarily designed to promote a natural running technique. For the forefoot to rear foot coverage, there is the Full- length EVA foam. The EVA foam is a lightweight material that could be seen in other performance shoes, not just Asics products. In the heel part, there is he Rear Foot GEL cushioning system. These two midsole technologies provide better shock absorption, protection, comfort and support without keeping the feet far from the ground.

Upper

The upper construction of the Asics GEL Venture did not stray far from its siblings. It still prioritizes a customized fit and breathability, which is why the materials are the same in other models. The primary material of the upper is the breathable open mesh. This resilient fabric is then supported by synthetic overlays for a structural control. A traditional lacing system is in place to adjust the fit of the shoe. The heel collar and tongue are also plush and padded to improve the step-in comfort of the Asics GEL Venture. Inside the shoe, there is a removable sock liner which is handy if you are using orthotics. The lightweight concept of the upper surely made the model a good choice for speed work on mixed trail/ track runs.

Summary

For the runner with the tendency to run on one terrain to another, the Asics GEL Venture is undeniably the perfect match for you. The neutral shoe is not as common as other trail shoes because it has impressed people with both its form and function. The shoe fares well for casual activities like shopping or traveling, but it does not compromise its performance when used on the track or trail. In fact, it provides a balance of of comfort, support, stability and durability rolled into a cool-looking product. The Asics GEL Venture is highly commendable and remains as one of the Asics best releases  in the performance shoe market.

Price

It retails at $60, which is truly affordable for a trail shoe. Many have doubted its quality, but based on reviews, the shoe certainly delivers top notch performance on both the track and trail. Casual runners won’t even have complaints in purchasing this shoe, knowing its versatility and quality. Professional runners might not be too excited to go back to a traditional shoe for trail running, but getting this model for their collection won’t hurt their wallets.