Details
Brand
Asics
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Solyte midsole cushion provides a responsive ride• Gel Cushioning technology in heel• Trail Specific Rubber Outsole is tough enough to handle a variety of conditions• Multi-directional lugs enhance traction• Rock Plate protects from hard trail debris• Lace Pocket keeps laces out of the way• Perforated Sockliner provides excellent drainage in wet conditions• Closed mesh upper keeps out debris like rocks and pebbles
Upper
The Asics Gel Fujilyte features a lightweight closed mesh upper. The closed construction is meant to help keep random debris out of the shoe. No runner wants to worry about a tiny rock stuck in their shoe when they’re racing on the trails. The interior of the shoe features a sock liner which wicks away moisture and provides a bit of extra padding underfoot. In addition, the upper also has a useful lace pocket so that runners can tuck away and store excess laces to keep them out of the way while on a run.
Midsole
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is a meant to fast trail runs so it’s on the lighter side but it still manages to offer protection underfoot. Its neutral categorize means it’s targeted towards runners with efficient biomechanics. The midsole utilizes Gel technology in the heel of the shoe to provide ample shock absorption when needed. The midsole also features Solyte cushioning. This material is lightweight but still provides a good amount of shock attenuation and padding for the wearer.
Outsole
The Asics Gel Fujilyte features a tough outsole that’s meant to handle the trails. The rubber found underfoot is meant to protect from regular wear and tear as well as any debris encountered off the road. The outsole features lugs underfoot that vary in direction to offer up the best amount of grip. The intention is to provide enough traction for when you’re scaling tough hills or bounding down mountain trails. The shoe also features a rock plate which is meant to protect against hard trail debris. The design of the outsole also means that mud is repelled effectively. Most reviewers were happy with the fact that mud did not tend to get caked on and add additional weight to their runs.
Breathability
The Asics Gel Fujilyte features a closed mesh upper made of lightweight materials. The upper is breathable while still managing to keep out trail debris. The interior of the shoe also features a sock liner that helps to wick away moisture and ensure a cool, dry environment. The shoe does a really good job at draining water. If you happen upon a giant puddle on the trails, you won’t have to deal with a constant waterlogged feeling. Water drains effectively from the Asics Gel Fujilyte.
Comfort
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is fairly comfortable. Most reviewers found the shoe fit true to size. The outsole provides underfoot for the wearer and the midsole cushioning provides a comfortable base for runners to enjoy their trail run or race. The Gel and Solyte cushioning are lightweight and provide ample padding underfoot for the wearer. In addition, the interior liner of the shoe helps to enhance comfort for the wearer. The liner wicks away moisture helping to create a dry, cool environment so runners can enjoy their run. A few runners complained that the shoe was a bit too narrow and some needed to size up to ensure a comfortable fit.
Style
The Asics Gel Fujilyte looks pretty tough. You still get the standard Asics stylings but there’s a hint of ruggedness with the Gel Fujilyte. From the side profile, you can sneak a peak at the rugged lugs underfoot. The upper’s design is aesthetically pleasing and looks fit for off-road running. It’s a unique look for the Asics brand and is anything but boring. The shoe comes in a few fun color options. For women, pops of pink offer a bit of a feminine touch, though, it would be nice to see versions without pink enhancements. For men, the color options are darker and will likely hide caked on mud quite well.
Durability
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is solidly built. The quality of the construction is apparent. The rubber outsole is aggressive enough to deal with varied conditions and everyday wear and tear. The upper is equally tough. The shoe is made for running fast on trails but it’s equally suited for long distance trail running. Durability issues were hardly mentioned by reviewers who found the shoe kept up just fine throughout their training.
Protection
The Asics Gel Fujilyte provides decent protection. In terms of shock attenuation, the midsole cushioning materials provide a good amount of padding. The Solyte and Gel cushioning components are meant to add padding underfoot and protect from impact. The upper does a great job at keeping out debris, like small rocks and pebbles, so runners won’t have to worry about these things bothering them on the run. The outsole also protects runners by ensuring runners are stable as they move forward. The shoe also features a rock plate to help protect from hard trail debris. Quite a few runners were disappointed in the rock plate. Many didn’t even think there was one! They found the shoe just didn’t provide enough protection from hard obstacles that might be encountered on the trail.
Responsiveness
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is very responsive. It’s meant to provide a smooth, fast ride on the trails whether you’re running uphill or downhill. Even with the addition of a rock plate, runners were very pleased with the shoe’s ground feel. There were numerous complaints about the shoe’s inability to protect adequately and many runners were surprised to find out that the shoe even contained a rock plate. This negative aspect was actually something a few reviewers were pleased with. They enjoyed the close-to-the-ground feel and the amount of energy return provided by the shoe. For those used to more minimal shoes, the inadequate rock plate was not really an issue. For those transitioning from more traditional style shoes, they found the shoe was a bit too responsive and lacked protection.
Support
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is a neutral shoe meant to provide a stable and responsive ride. The midsole, composed of Gel and Solyte cushioning provides a supportive base upon which runners can move forward. In addition, the upper fits snugly and securely and supports the wearer’s foot. Many reviewers enjoyed the supportive feel of the Asics Gel Fujilyte, especially in terms of the upper. A few found the fit was a bit too snug, but most were happy with the supportive construction of the closed mesh.
Terrain
The Asics Gel Fujilyte’s tough outsole is meant to handle varied terrain. Runners can head off-road without worrying about the shoes on their feet. Some runners did find that the shoe lacked protection. Even with a rock plate, runners found there was too much ground feel when running on technical trails. The shoe is likely not the best option for highly technical and rough trails because of this. The lugs underfoot, though, are aggressive enough to provide adequate traction on tougher trails. Runners used to running off-road with minimalist footwear shouldn’t have too much of a problem in the Asics Gel Fujilyte.
Price
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is at the higher end of the pricing scale. For someone looking for a dedicated trail shoe, the higher price does not necessarily mean a higher end shoe. The lack of protection underfoot was one of the main complaints from runners. Although the shoe does contain a decent amount of cushioning in its midsole, the poor performance of the rock plate is an important reason to look elsewhere for your trail running needs. The shoe is better suited to someone who wants an everyday trainer that’s tough enough for runs on non-technical trail surfaces.
Drop
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is unique in that the heel to toe drop for men and women is different. The drop for the women’s version is 4mm and for men it’s 8mm. It seems that women can enjoy a closer-to-the-ground feel thanks to the lower drop. It’s likely that the responsiveness and ground feel is much enhanced in the lady’s version of the shoe. For men, the drop is lower than the standard heel to toe drop but it’s still fairly high for a shoe geared towards racing. The shoe is perfect for those trail runners with a forefoot or midfoot strike or for those wanting to experience a bit with footstrike patterns.
Stability
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is a neutral trail shoe but despite its categorization, it offers a decent amount of stability for wearers. There’s no medial post, of course, but the firm midsole cushioning provides a supportive base for the wearer keeping runners stable even when encountering uneven trail. The shoe’s upper fits securely enough to keep runners locked in, eliminating any kind of wobbling movement. Runners felt the shoe fit snugly enough to keep them from turning their ankles.
Flexibility
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is very. The rock plate underfoot does add a bit of rigidity for the wearer but it’s not enough to ruin the shoe’s pliability. This might be why many runners were unaware of the presence of a rock plate. The shoe is much more flexible than most trail shoes and provides excellent ground-feel. For some, this was a problem because greater ground-feel means a greater possibility of impact with hard objects that may result in pain and injury. Still, many reviewers enjoyed the responsive, flexible construction as it enabled them to move quickly and nimbly even on the most technical trail surfaces.
Traction
The Asics Gel Fujilyte features a tough outsole with multi-directional lugs. The lugs provide enough traction for runners dealing with various weather conditions and different types of trail surfaces. Poor rock plate construction aside, the shoe provides enough grip for running fast on trails. The outsole is designed to keep mud off the shoe to ensure traction does not suffer. Runners were very happy with the ability of the shoe to shed excess mud as they moved forward.
Bottom Line
The Asics Gel Fujilyte is a solid trail shoe constructed with quality materials. The neutral racer is meant to provide a fast ride for those seeking adventure in off-road conditions. The shoe provides adequate cushioning and support for the wearer and comes in a variety of aesthetically pleasing color options. The outsole provides excellent grip and traction in wet or dry conditions. The protective upper keeps out unwanted rocks and pebbles to ensure a worry-free run. Because of its poorly constructed rock plate, the Asics Gel Fujilyte is likely a better option for runners seeking a hybrid trainer. Runners who only head off-road on occasion will like the lightweight construction of the Fujilyte. Additionally, trail runners looking for a more minimalistic feel might enjoy the responsive ride of the Fujilyte. Those seeking a dedicated trail shoe or racer will likely find the Asics Gel Fujilyte falls a bit short of the competition.
