As high school cross-country and track letter winner (running 5ks and 400ms), Asics were my trainer of choice. Through college, when I standardized my personal routine—a 2-3 mile a day habit—I continued to use Asics. Recently, I switched the Nike Free 2, as I was interested trying something with greater flexibility and of a lighter weight and fell for the aesthetic virtues of the visually great, all-black shoe.
With my morning runs reaching becoming less physically stimulating, and some convincing from Sneaker Report, I volunteered to go back to Asics and try the GEL-Lyte 33 2. At $89.99, it's a moderately priced running shoe built to give under pronators and neutral runners a speedy, responsive ride. Slipping into the shoe, the difference in support from my previous shoe was immediately apparent. The GEL-Lyte 33 2 is well-cushioned, even cozy, but the shoe did feel a bit on the heavy side compared to Nike Free 2. It seems the overall weight of the shoe could be reduced by simply making the overly plush upper a little more streamlined. However, despite the initial reaction, only a few miles were required to adjust to the weight difference.
The GEL-Lyte 33 2 is neither a "responsive" or "fast" shoe. It works well for short-milage jogging, but certainly not as a true race trainer. If your fitness routine involves both heavy walking and to light jogging, the shoe hits stride easily. A neutral arch ensures a comfortable fit for most foot types. The cushioning of the sole of the shoe is substantial in all areas, but the heel is slightly larger than other running shoes, and bulkier. If anything, this made me feel that I was striking my heel more than usual. The shoe is designed to create an overall neutral strike on the ground, however it feels slightly over compensated—forcing a particular stride rather than working with the athlete. This made running feel slightly awkward and cumbersome.
The GEL-Lytes tested well on both trail and road surfaces, as well as a spin on the treadmill, with sufficient traction and stability—my foot felt well cushioned and level. The laces fail a bit, regularly coming untied and forcing employment of double-knot to safeguard against distractions or mishaps.
Bottom Line: Good for short-distance runners who train on both indoor and outdoor surfaces and desire traditional support and cushioning.
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