What Makes the Asics GEL-Craze TR Feel So Right?

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Complex Original

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Category: Training

Best For: Run-Training/Speed and agility

Star Feature: Rearfoot GEL Cushioning System

Weight: 9.9 oz

Every once in a while you come across a pair of trainers that just feel right. You say to yourself, “Wow, I’ll take two please, thank you very much” and you leave the store with a smile from ear to ear. Well for me, the Asics GEL-Craze TR is that trainer. I've fallen for them.

For a shoe meant to help you perform at a high level, it’s extremely comfortable and without a doubt durable. This shoe is very thick and well cushioned from the Achilles support, to the tongue, the toe box, and most importantly the sole. I really enjoy this shoe as a late fall early winter type trainer because it’s a little thicker than most trainers out today. If you take a look around at all the new trainers, you’ll notice that everyone wants to cut out as much weight as possible, or be as low to the ground as possible. The Asics GEL-Craze wants nothing to do with that and I love it. These trainers weigh in at 9.9 ounces but in all honestly, the difference between these and something that weighs 5.9 ounces wasn't at all noticeable. In fact, it was a lot better than half these light, minimal type shoes out there because my feet never became tired, sore, or uncomfortable. The sole, which is jam packed with Asics technology, makes your feet feel like they’re riding on a cloud throughout your workout. It’s almost like a nice Tempur-Pedic style mattress for them. These shoes are so comfortable that I’ve literally been wearing them all day every day, for about a week and a half now. To class, to the corner store for an Arizona, to the student center for a slice, to the library for some study hours and most importantly, to my favorite stop of the day, the gym.

I completed one of my favorite workouts in the Asics Gel-Craze, “Mr. Spectacular” from WodShop.org, and I was so impressed. As you can see in the workout, I was doing multiple different styles of training in one session. From deadlifts to power cleans, and burpee’s. Every movement was fast and explosive and the Asics GEL-Craze gave my feet the support and response you would expect from a great trainer.  Most of the credit deserves to go to the sole which is designed with SPEVA cushioning to absorb shock, and its Rearfoot GEL cushioning system to help your foot bounce back. If you look at the pictures above, you'll notice the sole is designed for all purpose training, and quick movements. They feature a non-marking, court specific outsole, which allows you to go from pavement, to turf, to grass, and onto a gym floor. The versatility is great. The sole is also built with an outrigger design at the forefoot.  What this means is that the sole under the ball of your foot spreads wider than the rest of the shoe. This helps increase your lateral movement ability and allows your foot to cover more ground when doing explosive drills like box jumps or hurdles.

As you look over the shoe you’ll notice that it’s covered entirely with a soft, breathable mesh. The shoe is completely porous and built for sweat. It also has some stitched, reinforced synthetic overlays around the toe, laces, and heel of the shoe. They’re definitely constructed for heavy duty training, and this goes for the laces as well. They were the first thing I noticed when I opened the box. Asics hooked the GEL-Craze TR’s up with some laces that you would find on a basketball shoe. They’re thick and durable. They even come with a lock-down lace system that keeps your foot snug.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking to work your shoes out as hard as you work yourself out, than look no further the Asics GEL-Craze TR. The durability factor alone will be enough to satisfy your interest, and with Asics long history of quality products, you know you can’t go wrong. Buy two, be happy.

$85

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