Shoe Review: ASICS GT-2000 12

What’s white and red and runs all over? No, this isn’t one of your childhood riddles. It’s the ASICS GT-2000 12, in the “Light Garnet and Brisket Red” color, that is.

The GT-2000 is ASICS’ mid-level stability shoe, meaning it offers a moderate level of both cushioning and support. The latest version has been revamped with key ASICS technology like their FF BLAST PLUS cushioning, 3D Guidance System and Lean Back Achilles Construction. Don’t worry, this isn’t another riddle. We’ll explain all of those features, and more, in detail below. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the ASICS GT-2000 12.

The ASICS GT-2000 is a stability shoe, meaning it offers reliable support for runners with flexible feet that feel best in a rigid shoe. Runners who overpronate, the excessive inward rolling of the foot upon landings, need a wide, stable base, and the GT-2000 12 delivers.

While the previous version of the GT-2000 used a firm, medial posting to reduce the effects of overpronation, the latest version takes a different approach with ASICS’ new 3D Guidance System. This system consists of three key components—a wider base, a beveled heel and a forefoot flare.

The wider base gives you a more stable platform to land on, reducing excessive side-to-side motion. The beveled heel lessens the impact upon landings, and the forefoot flare helps you transition efficiently into the toe-off phase. While all of these factors help support you on your run, they don’t restrict your foot’s natural motion path, which is an important distinction between new stability shoes on the market today versus older models.

“I took the ASICS GT-2000 12 for their first run in the middle of the day, which wasn’t really fair to them because I set myself up for a hot, hilly run. Even with the odds stacked against them, the shoes felt great,” Kate says. “The cushioning is fairly firm, yet the shoes don't feel restrictive on the run. They feel comfortable and energetic.”

Another reviewer found them to be so comfortable that she considered them an extension of her foot.

“I hardly noticed the shoes were there as I raced my daughter around a local lake,” Mandy says. “Although I wouldn’t put these in the super cushioned category, they had enough support for me to easily carry an additional 35 pounds when my daughter decided she absolutely could not walk another step.”

The latest version of the GT-2000 12 boasts an additional millimeter of stack height, too. While the stack height of 36 millimeters in the heel (35 for the women’s model) is moderate compared to other ASICS shoes (like their max-cushion stability trainer, the Kayano-30), it’s relatively high when compared with stability trainers from other brands. It’s worth noting, though, that different brands may have different methods for measuring stack height.

“I enjoyed the feeling of being closer to the road in the GT-2000, versus other ASICS shoes I’ve tested,” Max says. “They feel really light and nimble.”

The GT-2000 12 is also the first iteration without any visible gel in the heel. ASICS’ new PureGEL technology uses an internal gel cushioning compound that’s invisible from the outside. It’s lighter and, according to ASICS, 65-percent softer than the previous gel compound. That, combined with a thick bed of FF BLAST PLUS foam (their softest foam yet), makes the GT-2000 12 one of the softest stability trainers we’ve ever tried.

The ASICS GT-2000 12 has been modernized all over. Not only did the midsole get a makeover, but the upper is sleeker and lighter than before.

An engineered mesh upper hugs your midfoot, while a roomy forefoot gives your toes room to breathe.

“Right away, I can sense a big improvement from the GT-2000 11,” says Caroline. “The heel is sleeker and slightly tapered to avoid any blistering or rubbing, and the tongue is much thinner, too. While this version may feel stripped down compared to the previous version, it evokes a more modern feeling. The heel and tongue fit like a glove around my foot, while there’s plenty of space in the toe box for my toes to wiggle around.”

The tapered out heel, which ASICS calls their Lean Back Achilles Construction, reduces irritation on the achilles and avoids chafing for a distraction-free fit.

“When I put the shoe on, it feels just as sleek as it looks,” Kate says. “The heel collar has a really soft material that is padded without being too thick, and feels smooth against my skin. The tongue is different–it’s super thin in the middle with two little pads to rest on either side of my ankle.”

The ASICS GT-2000 12 has been revamped with new FF BLAST PLUS foam, additional cushioning underfoot and a redesigned upper. The new 3D Guidance System offers stability without motion control, allowing your foot to move naturally while still feeling supported.

“ASICS has been knocking it out of the park this year updating its legacy series and the GT-2000 continues that trend. It looks sleek and stylish, and has plenty of firm cushioning for long runs,” Mandy says.

The GT-2000 12 is slightly lighter than the previous version, despite having an extra millimeter of stack height. This is likely due to the lighter, sleeker engineered mesh upper.

We took a look at the ASICS GT-2000 12 and how it stacks up against comparable models. Here’s what we found.

Reviewers found that the New Balance 860 v13 and the Saucony Guide 16 offer a similar feel to the ASICS GT-2000 12. All three shoes are similar in weight and heel-to-toe drop, while the 860 v13 has a lower stack height than the other two shoes.

All three shoes fall into the moderately cushioned, moderately stable category within their brands’ respective lineups, but the GT-2000 12 is the only shoe out of the three that does not use a medial post.

“My favorite thing about the GT-2000 12 is the overall slim profile, which makes it feel faster than its competitors,” says Max. “It just might be the lightest stability shoe I’ve ever run in.”

Because of it’s light weight and sleek materials, we recommend the ASICS GT-2000 12 to runners who enjoy a low profile daily trainer that offers a moderate dose of stability. While it’s not the shoe to reach for if you need as much stability and guidance as possible, it offers enough support for runners with low, flexible arches. If you’re not sure about your arch profile, be sure to head into your local Fleet Feet for an expert one-on-one outfitting.

Because the shoe has a spacious toe box, it’s ideal for runners who want some extra wiggle room. The ASICS GT-2000 12 is also available in narrow (A) and wide sizing (D) for women, and wide (2E) and extra wide (4E) sizing for men. If you enjoy the feel of the GT-2000 12, you’ll likely be able to find your perfect fit.