I'm an overweight walker, wear a size 8.5, and have been buying very good ASICS cushioned running shoes. Problem is all the shoes I have used wear out (lose their cushioning) within 6-9 months. I walk between 9-12 miles a week and hate seeing $70-$100 ASICS Cumulus running shoes get replaced so quickly. I figured, since all shoes lose their cushioning faster with heavier users then why not try some cheaper shoes.
I picked the Gel Venture 3 Trail shoes because I noticed the Cumulus becoming marshmallow like on hot days when they were closer to the end of their life span and because my ASICS Neo Walkers were wearing very quickly on the soles. The Venture trail running shoes have a stiffer bottom of slower wearing black material. They do not flex as well when brand new but give them 5 or 10 miles of use and they are great. Cushioning is less than the Cumulus but give a more secure feel and I have had no shin splints develop. They breathe a bit less than the Cumulus but are warmer in the winter. So far they are great and the experiment seems to prove that I don't necessarily need the higher end shoes. The gel in the heel works well and since I am not running, I really do not need the forefoot gel of the Cumulus. Also, the gel is centered on the heel(better for the heel strike of a walker)vs the Cumulus runner where the gel is pushed toward the outside of the heel.
Only drawback may be slight break-in and the fact that the laces are pretty slippery and come undone more easily than other ASICS I have had. You just have to tie them tight. I lucked out and found mine for $40 at that lower end "french department store chain ....Jacque Penney" :)
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Not impressed at all with this shoe. Asics road shoes are fine. I have a pair that i've been using on the treadmill and the road for the past several months. But these Asics trail shoes are a different story. Too spongy, no feel, the stability is shaky over rocks and roots, the heel to toe drop is too pronounced for a comfortable trail run at any distance over a couple miles, it's like running on a pedestal. After a few miles on even a moderate trail with rocks, roots, and changes in elevation it really takes its toll on your feet, knees, and hip flexors. When you attempt to run properly, with changes to your stride on hills and dealing with smaller obstacles in your way the shoes end up hurting your toes. Going down even slight grades turned into an a very painful exercise that a trail runner cannot afford, safety wise. The weight of the shoe is also a problem, as in the sho is much too heavy considering the minimal protection afforded the wearer. And although I'm not one that has to love the way their shoes look, I'm still human and enjoy shoes that aesthetically pleasing. It seems that Asics was trying to get into a more modern scheme with the colors, incorporating the bright yellow/green citron shade that many shoe makers are using right now. Asics' attempt, unfortunately, is a disaster. The shoes don't look good. More importantly, the shoes, just don't look right. The citron yellow/green is two different shades in different places, and the shades are just similar enough to tell that they aren't meant to contrast or compliment, but they just clash and really makes the shoe look sort of silly. Looks like a bad shoe from the mid 80's. In short, I've worn these 3 times now over the past 6 days and logged only about 14 miles in them. 7 of those are on a mix of light trails and pavement. I couldn't use them any longer b/c they were that bad. I have normal sized feet, unlike so many reviewers on here who apparently have size triple F width feet. If I needed a toe box the size of a small lifeboat, then perhaps i would think that "hey, maybe it's just me." But I don't. And I know how to properly run trails. And even with a normal width foot, these shoes crushed my toes during a short trail run. Never again. I'm done with these. Asics really failed with this shoe. It's as if the designers NEVER ran on a trail. And then just suddenly decided one day to design a trail shoe that ultimately doesn't do very well running on trails. That's this shoe. Sorry Asics. You had me, but after buying and using the Gel Venture 3, you've lost me. Move on folks, there's nothing to see here. Unless you have a keen interest in wasting your money.
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These shoes are great looking and comfortable. Unfortunately the soles started to peel away after having them for only 5 weeks. Thankfully ASICS sent me another pair but not without some persistence.
Honest reviews on ASICS Men's GEL-Venture 3 Trail Running Shoe
This is a solid shoe. Fit is true to size, maybe just a little bigger on my size 12's. Lots of extra padding and not very breathable so maybe not a good choice for hot climates. Pleased overall.
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Different sizing than any other shoe I own so had to return. Don't understand why there can't be any consistency in a process for sizing shoes.
