Details
Brand
Asics
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
33 DFA 2
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• Solyte midsole• Deep FluidAxis midsole and outsole technology• ComforDry Lasting• AmpliFoam midsole layer• AHAR rubber compound• 4 mm drop• Removable insole• Natural 33 Last
Upper
The upper of the shoe is not very breathable, but it is very flexible. The closed mesh upper allows your feet to breath well when performing short runs, but not so much when performing more demanding runs. On longer runs, your feet will sweat more and the moisture will accumulate inside the shoe ultimately causing discomfort. The closed mesh was designed to protect you from the elements during your runs. These shoes feature a round and wide toe box for a more natural position for your toes. The very flexible upper is capable of adapting to the shape of your feet with ease and comfort. It allows a more comfortable fit for enhanced responsiveness.
Midsole
This shoe comes with a dual-layered midsole. A Solyte material that is up to 30% more durable than regular EVA and SpEVA midsoles from Asics, is layered up with the AmpliFoam material for enhanced cushioning. The dual-layered midsole promotes a more natural and flexible movement of your foot because it follows the FluidAxis technology that mimics the natural movements of your foot while running and walking. This shoe is good for running short and medium distances. The foam is very responsive to the shape of your feet and very resilient to the impact and use of the shoe. Your underfoot will be protected and comfortable for longer.
Outsole
The outsole of this shoe has been designed to provide good traction and support where you need it the most. The Asics High Abrasion Ruber (AHAR) compound used in the outsole provides extended durability and good traction. Harder than other rubber compounds, it keeps those high abrasion areas in good shape for longer. The lug distribution in the outsole follows the FluidAxis technology that provides anatomical support to each of the 33 joints of your foot. The Flex Groves follow the same geometry promoting a better and more natural support for extra responsiveness. The outsole of this shoe is definitely one of its strongest features.
Breathability
The closed mesh upper provides optimal breathability to a certain point. When running during short periods of time and performing not very demanding runs, the breathability is okay. When you take these shoes to perform a more intense runs or use them for an extended period of time, their breathability often decreases rapidly. The close mesh does not promote good ventilation, so the more you sweat, the more moisture gets accumulated inside the shoe. When running long distances the chance of getting blisters and hot spots increases.
Comfort
These shoes can be very comfortable or very uncomfortable depending on how they are used. As mentioned earlier, the breathability of the shoes can be compromised when running long distances and during the performance of intense activities. Opinions are divided when it comes to the flexibility of the shoes. They are very flexible, so much that they can feel too soft and squishy. The cushioning is good in the midsole thanks to the AmpliFoam layer. The support from the base of the shoe is also very good. These shoes provide a good fit thanks to the overlays in the upper.
Style
This is a good looking shoe. They carry the style that characterizes Asics, simple but powerful. The look of these shoe has been improved by its successor. They come in different colors for both men and women. However, the shoe has been discontinued, so it can be a bit tricky to find the right color and the right size.
Durability
The durability of the shoe is one of its weaker points. Reviewers have stated that it starts breaking prematurely. Many reviewers stated that the heel counter is the first thing to fall apart, followed by other various parts of the shoe. However, there are parts that do provide durability. The AHAR rubber compound is very durable and provides good traction. The Solyte midsole is more durable than regular EVA and SpEVA ASICS midsoles. Unfortunately, overall, the components of the shoe do not stay together as long as you would like to.
Protection
This shoe does not provide much protection for your feet. Reviewers stated it feels too soft and squishy. The protection against debris you may find on the road is minimal. The shoes have no toe caps. As the shoes promote a midfoot strike, they do provide an element of protection to your knees and hips. A midfoot strike reduces the impact on your knees and hips by distributing the energy from the landings. The FluidAxis technology promotes anatomic support to the 33 joints of your foot for a more natural movement.
Responsiveness
The flexibility of this shoe makes them very responsive to your natural movements. The upper really adapts to the shape of your feet and the midsole to the movements you make. Floating straps integrated into the lacing system are meant to provide a great fit for enhanced responsiveness. The good traction on the outsole makes them very responsive when running on asphalt and other flat and even surfaces. The Solyte midsole provides good control and performs as if the shoe was minimal shoes. As a neutral running shoe, it promotes a natural strike.
Support
This shoe has been designed to provide a neutral support. Underpronators can also wear these shoes comfortably. Reviewers with flat feet have said the Asics 33-DFA are supportive and comfortable when performing short runs and walks. The shoe has been designed to follow the natural shape of your feet and promote a natural gait cycle. The shoes guide you to run on the ball of your foot for enhanced efficiency. The FluidAxis technology they feature provides anatomical support to your foot. The 33-DFA comes from support the 33 joints of your foot by the Deep FluidAxis technology.
Terrain
This shoe is great when running on the road, tracks and even light gravel. The traction on paved roads is good and decreases the more you run on loose terrain. Even when running on wet roads, these shoes manage to provide good control due to the good traction. The 33-DFA are meant to be worn for walking, running and training rather than for standing for long times. The support and cushioning work the best when you run on flat and even surfaces because of the low drop. Recommended shoes for training in the gym and walking.
Price
One of the best things about these shoes is that they are very affordable. You can get them for under $100. The average price is $90 USD. The shoes were discontinued a while ago, so you can get them only exclusively online. It seems that there is still a good stock of these shoes. However, you get what you pay for. It’s worth evaluating whether the “pros” outweigh the “cons”. Have in mind that the price may vary depending on the size of the shoe you are looking for.
Drop
The drop of a shoe is the difference between the height of the heel and the height of the toe. The Asics 33-DFA road running shoes have a 4 mm drop. The heel height is 19 mm for men and 15 mm for women, and the forefoot height is 14 mm for men and 10 mm for women. The drop of these shoes promotes a midfoot strike that will help keep your knees and hips more protected. It also increases the efficiency of your run.
Stability
The stability of this shoe comes mainly from the FluidAxis technology in the midsole and outsole. That technology provides anatomical support to the 33 joints on your foot. Due to the flexibility of the shoe, the shoes are not very stable though. The heel counter is not hard. The stability of the upper comes from the welded overlays. The ComforDry sock liner provides some stability for neutral runners and it’s removable so you can change it to an insole of your choice for enhanced stability. The shoe has been designed to be minimalistic. The low drop and the technologies incorporated in this shoe make them good for people with flat feet.
Flexibility
The shoes are very flexible – maybe too much for some runners. The shoes do not need any break in period before taking out on your first run. The outsole is very resistant but very flexible, so the shoes feel more like a very protective sock. The way the shoes are designed to be more flexible in the midfoot rather than in the forefoot is an issue for some runners as compared to other shoes. It might take some time to adjust to this different type of flexibility. It is worth noting that due to the midfoot flexibility, these shoes may cause pain in the plantar fascia for some users.
Traction
The AHAR rubber compound in the outsole provides enhanced durability and also good traction. The Asics 33-DFA will provide the best traction on paved surfaces. The lug pattern that follows the FluidAxis geometry makes the shoes grip the ground and allow for natural foot movement as well as enhance traction. The traction is strategic – they provide anatomical support to your feet and the outsole is more flexible in the midfoot area rather than in the forefoot area. This type of traction makes for better take offs.
Bottom Line
This shoe is good for runners who are looking to transition to a midfoot strike but don’t want to sacrifice comfort. This shoe is not the lightest ones in its category but it is light enough to promote faster and more comfortable runs thanks to its responsiveness and cushioning. The overall protection and durability are well below average, so in order to get the best life of these shoes, we suggest keeping them on the roads and sidewalk. This shoe provides good traction on smooth surfaces such as pavement and track.;The Asics 33-DFA is comfortable enough for short distance runs and training sessions. They do not perform well on long runs. They offer support for neutral and under-pronators and also do very well for people with flat feet. If you are looking for a minimalistic-like shoe with cushioning and a low drop, this might be the shoe for you. Some runners had issues finding a proper fit and size, so we highly suggest you try them on before purchasing them. There has been an update, so if you are interested in the updated version of these shoes, definitely check out the Asics 33-DFA 2 review.
