Details
Brand
Asics
Breathability
8.2/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• DuraSponge Outsole uses high abrasion blown rubber compound to enhance durability and cushioning in the forefoot• Amplifoam midsole was engineered to be both durable and soft, providing comfort, flexibility, and platform adaptability• Solyte midsole material is lighter than standard EVA or SpEVA, featuring enhanced cushioning and durability• Ortholite ComforDry Lasting with antimicrobial properties provides durable plush comfort, moisture management, and breathability• ComforDry Sockliner cushions the foot and wicks moisture• Seamless construction reduces risk of irritation and hot spots• Natural33 Last secures the heel and gives ample room in the toe box• 4mm drop gives runners natural transitions
Upper
The upper is made of mesh with a few synthetic overlays. The overlays from the previous edition are mostly gone and a single overlay holds the heel in place, giving support, flexibility, and comfort. The mesh has bigger holes in the forefoot and midfoot for greater breathability. The laces create a snug fit that helps keep the foot in place. The ComforDry Lasting and sockliner add cushioning, wick moisture, and have antimicrobial properties to reduce bacteria and fungus. The seamless construction reduces the risk of irritation and hot spots, and the Natural33 Last gives ample room in the toe box while securing the heel.
Midsole
The midsole uses Amplifoam as the bottom layer and Solyte on top for soft cushioning, durability and flexibility. Amplifoam is soft and flexible yet durable, has platform adaptability, and provides responsiveness by creating explosive takeoffs. The Solyte material is lighter than EVA foam or SpEVA, with better cushioning and durability. The foam protects joints by absorbing shock and cushioning landings. The midsole provides a neutral amount of arch support.
Outsole
The outsole is made of DuraSponge, a blown Asics high-abrasion rubber (AHAR) that improves cushioning and durability in the forefoot. The midfoot has cuts that run from the medial to the lateral side or sideways that increase flexibility and improve rear-to-front transitions. The treads allow the shoe to grip sidewalks, roads, tracks, or light trails. The outsole itself supports the foot from underneath and protects against the ground.
Breathability
The 33-M 2 is a very breathable shoe. The upper is mostly made of mesh, and the few overlays do not take away from the overall breathability. The holes in the mesh are bigger than the previous version, especially in the forefoot and midfoot. The upper also uses a seamless construction to reduce the risk of blisters, irritation and hot spots. The ComforDry Lasting that adds padding and reduces moisture, bacteria and fungus is also breathable. Although the shoe has a high breathability rating, it does tend to pick up moisture in wet environments.
Comfort
The M 2 is very comfortable, with many runners complimenting how soft it is and how nice the landings are, especially for older runners and runners with joint pain. The DuraSponge outsole adds cushioning to the forefoot. In the midsole, the Amplifoam is flexible and soft and the Solyte provides good cushioning. In the upper, the ComforDry Lasting and sockliner add cushioning while wicking away moisture and killing fungus and bacteria. The laces give a comfortably snug fit and the breathable upper with its seamless construction reduces the chance of hot spots or irritation. Some runners found the toe box to be too narrow and didn’t like the fact that the shoe absorbs water in wet conditions.
Style
The 33-M 2 received mixed reviews in the style category. Some reviewers loved the styles and colors and bought multiple pairs in different colors, while others thought it looked too bulky. The shoe is currently available in three color choices for men and women. For men, it comes in Yellow /Blueprint/Blue Jewel, Carbon/Black/Hot Orange, and Deep Cobalt/Black/Flash Yellow. For women, it comes in Aquarium/Flash Coral/Aruba Blue, Titanium/Black/Diva Pink, and Pool Blue/White/Iron. Since it is the latest version, each style is available in most sizes, although the 33-M 2 does not offer any wide sizes.
Durability
This shoe offers durability at every level. In the outsole, the DuraSponge rubber is very durable, especially in the forefoot to allow the shoe to maintain traction against rougher surfaces and accidental scraping or stubbing. In the midsole, the Amplifoam and Solyte cushioning were designed to last for many miles without wearing down. The upper’s synthetic and mesh materials are soft and flexible yet durable.
Protection
The outsole protects the foot against harsh impact, with special attention to the forefoot, which can help prevent sore joints and blisters. The midsole’s Amplifoam absorbs shock and the Solyte cushions landings to protect joints. The upper holds the heel and foot in place to protect against slipping and sliding, and the antimicrobial properties protect the user’s skin against bacteria and fungus. The upper also protects against the wind and cold, although it does not protect against rain, as it absorbs water in wet conditions.
Responsiveness
The M 2 is a responsive shoe that gives smooth transitions and natural strides. The outsole allows the shoe to bend with the foot, allowing runners to pick up speed. The midsole’s foams also bend with the foot, with the Amplifoam amplifying the user’s movements to create explosive takeoffs. The upper also moves and bends with the foot during runs. The lightweight feel makes the shoe easy to move in and allows runners to maintain their energy over long distances, whether it be a race, a marathon, or worn as an everyday shoe. The 4mm drop promotes natural movement, thus allowing greater speed and better running form.
Support
The 33-2 M provides a neutral level of support. The outsole helps lift the foot up off the ground and the Amplifoam in the midsole cushions and supports from below. The upper has a lasting and sockliner that surround the foot, the laces and Natural33 last give a snug fit, and the Natural33 secures the heel. The heel overlay also gives a decent amount of support. The shoe’s midsole and upper offer a neutral amount of arch support to the user. Runners who need additional arch support might need to use an arch support or gel insole.
Terrain
The shoe’s outsole has treads and grooves that make it great for running on roads. The 33-2 M can be used for daily runs on the sidewalk or gravel, racing or training on dirt tracks, and hiking on light trails in a park or forest. The treads are too shallow for heavy trails, and the shoe does not have spikes to go on snow, ice, or slippery terrain.
Price
The 33-M 2 is pricey for a road running shoe, especially for the Asics brand. However, it does have a good amount of cushioning that helps runners with joint pain and is good for older runners, and its high-quality components make the shoe last for many miles without deteriorating or wearing down prematurely. Since it is the latest version, many retailers sell it for full price or close to full price, but because it’s been out for a while now and not every color is available in every size anymore, some retailers are selling it for 50% or more off its full price, which makes it affordable for more people.
Drop
The Asics 33-M’s heel height is 24mm and the forefoot height is 20mm, giving the shoe an offset of 4mm. A 4mm drop gives natural transitions because it makes the foot flatter and is closer to a barefoot running style. It also promotes a more natural running form. A lower drop distributes cushioning and padding more evenly throughout the shoe instead of mostly in the heel, which makes the shoe great for forefoot, midfoot, and heel strikers rather than just heel strikers as in the larger drops.
Stability
As a neutral shoe, the 33-M 2 is ideal for neutral runners to light underpronators and does not have the high level of stability required for overpronators. The midsole’s cushioning helps keep the foot in place and has a neutral level of arch support. The upper has laces to hold the foot down and the Natural33 Last secures the heel. The level of stability helps prevent most runners from sliding or rolling, but runners with severe overpronation will probably need a different shoe because the high amount of cushioning for comfort and mesh for low weight do not stabilize runners who overpronate, especially heavy overpronators.
Flexibility
The 33-M 2 is a flexible shoe that moves with the foot, allowing runners to move quickly, easily, and naturally. The outsole’s midfoot has cuts that run sideways and from the medial to the lateral side that increase flexibility and improve rear-to-front transitions. The midsole uses Amplifoam and Solyte, which give soft, flexible cushioning. The upper is mostly made of flexible mesh, and the few overlays provide some support but still allow the foot to move.
Traction
The M 2’s treads and grooves provide great traction on dirt roads, gravel, sidewalks, or light forest trails. This allows wearers to use it as an everyday shoe on a variety of terrain. However, the shoe does not have good traction on technical terrain because the treads are not very thick and it does not have lugs. It also cannot grip snowy, icy, or slippery surfaces.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Asics 33-M 2 is a great shoe choice for neutral runners. It offers cushioning at every level, which makes it both comfortable and popular with runners with joint pain as well as with older runners. Its light weight, flexibility, breathability, and antimicrobial properties let runners race or go for long runs without any problem. It can also be used as an everyday shoe. Although it can be a bit pricey, the level of comfort and durability make the shoe worth the investment. It offers a good amount of protection and provides decent traction on roads or light trails. Some runners thought the shoe was stylish and others would have preferred a less bulky look. Possible areas for improvement include making the toe box less narrow, offering wide sizes, a lower price in some retailers, and making the shoe water resistant instead of absorbing water in wet conditions. In short, the 33-M 2 is a good shoe for neutral road runners looking for cushioning and durability.
