Details
Brand
Asics
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Gel Sonoma 3
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Asics Gel Sonoma 2 GTX• Tough reversed lug outsole is both durable and designed to grip the trail.• The SPEVA midsole offers arch support and padding through the whole foot.• Lightweight and breathable uppers offer great ventilation and comfort.
Upper
The upper of the Gel Sonoma 2 GTX is both comfortable and flexible. It is made out of a mesh material that is closely knit to prevent dirt and debris from making it to the inside of the shoe. At the same time, the mesh allows the foot to stay ventilated. The upper also features synthetic sections stitched on top of the mesh. This holds the upper into shape and provides structure as well as connect the lacing system into the shoe. The upper also features a tab at the heel area to make it easier for runners to get the shoe on and off. The tongue and collar are padded to offer the runner more comfort and less chance of blisters.
Midsole
The midsole of the Gel Sonoma 2 GTX is a full-length midsole that provides a comfortable cushion on even the toughest runs. The SPEVA material is flexible and soft. The Gel Cushioning System provides a thick shock at the heel section, allowing the runner to maintain comfort while landing each heel strike. The midfoot section of the midsole is molded and provides a contoured arch support. Although the Sonoma 2 provides a thick cushion, it does offer a responsive feel. The thicker back also allows the runner to move from strike to mid-stance easily.
Outsole
The outsole of this shoe is partially made out of Asics High Abrasion Resistant Rubber (AHAR) in an aggressive form. This material is meant to deliver more durability and prevent debris from causing damage to the shoe. It is placed in areas of high wear attached to the standard Asics outsole, which prevents breakdown from use over time. The outsole is also aggressively shaped in a reverse lug form to provide traction in both uphill and downhill settings. It also grips on a wide variety of terrain such as dirt trail, gravel, sand, and asphalt.
Breathability
The Asics Sonoma 2 GTX offers great ventilation due to the upper being made of mesh. This allows for air to flow through to the foot and keeps the runner cool while they move down the trail. The synthetic around the mesh doesn’t inhibit the airflow, which helps keep the foot dry and prevents smell as well as irritation.
Comfort
This shoe offers superior comfort due to the thickness of the cushioning in the midsole. Beyond being soft and comfortable, there is a molded compound underneath the mid-foot provides a strong arch support and a contoured shape. The material mix in the upper creates a shape that covers and hugs to the foot while still allowing air to get through to keep the shoe comfortable. The shoe is responsive to the movement of the runner and is secure on the foot. The cushion even provides enough comfort to use on hard surfaces in contrast to the loose pack of a trail without sacrificing the enjoyment of the runner.
Style
Asics Gel Sonoma 2 GTX is a shoe that features a modern look and is available in multiple colors. Offering traditional Asics styling with contrasting stripes serving as the logo on the side. The reversed lug outsole is aggressive on the trail and unique looking but doesn’t draw too much attention. These shoes would be at home on any trail run or 5k race. They also would serve well as a daily wear shoe without looking as if a person was just waiting on race day. Available in muted colors with bright contrasting logo stripes, there is surely something for everyone.
Durability
The AHAR outsole is designed to be durable and to hold up to the rigors of high usage. AHAR stands for Asics High Abrasion Rubber, which serves as specific sections of the sole prone to wear. This covers the heel where many runners make contact on each stride. The midsole features SPEVA materials which improve bounce-back and springiness while also preventing breakdown. The rugged design is meant to keep these shoes putting in miles for a long time but also putting in quality miles like those found while running on trails and beaches. Designed to be exceptionally durable, the Gel Sonoma 2 GTX will take the abuses of running while continually offering comfort.
Protection
The Asics Gel Sonoma 2 GTX offers a high level of protection at a reasonable price and comfort level. With a strong outsole created with reverse lugs, the bottom can cover roots, rocks, and other risky stretches of the trail without the possibility of puncture or cut injuries. The thickness of the entire sole construction also separates the runner’s foot from the hard ground below, offering protection from stress-fracture type injuries. The materials, as well as the design and shaping of this shoe, create a safer trail running environment, especially when traction is in question and the aggressive sole can serve to help keep your footing.;The midsole consists of a thick layer of formed material that cushions the foot while still cradling and providing strong arch support. The cushion will help prevent any runner from having problems with stress-related fractures or problems due to repetitive impacts. At the same time, the arch support will protect the runner from pain caused by fallen arches. The upper mesh allows the foot to move within the confines of the shoe for comfort and safety purposes but still maintains a nice feeling around the top of the foot. The light weight of these shoes also means they will feel more natural while offering strength to protect runners that under pronate and heel strike often. The upper also features material alignment around the collar and tongue meant to make blistering less likely to occur.
Responsiveness
While the Asics Gel Sonoma 2 GTX offers some comfortable insulation from the ground beneath you, it also offers a responsive feeling to help runners feel connected. The midsole creates a springy bounce that allows terrain to be felt even through the thicker padding on the bottom of this shoe. The traction created by the reverse lug outsole means that runners can adapt to the changing ground underneath their feet. The lightweight construction means the runner can also still feel free to move in natural ways and be less constrained than with other types of running shoes. The Gel Sonoma 2 GTX is responsive without sacrificing safety and support.
Support
These shoes create a feeling of support under the arch of the runner thanks to the shaped midsole. These shoes also feature a strong base for those that under pronate or land in a neutral position. This is created by a tough outsole section around the outside edge of the foot as well ask the support created by the thick midsole. In comparison to other styles of running shoes, these offer a good bit of support without being prohibitive.
Terrain
Many running shoes are intended for specific uses, such as the difference between track spikes and trail shoes, but the Asics Gel Sonoma 2 GTX is one that may be intended for trails and could easily find a place on any run. Asics have been known for having some of the best trail shoes in the industry. The outsole is designed in order to suck up the rigors of dirt paths while offering traction regardless of roots or hills. The reverse lug design creates a tough underneath to grip even the steepest hills and descents. Fortunately, as the trail turns to a dirt road and then asphalt, these shoes fit right in thanks to the comfortable cushion and support. This makes them ideal for runs that include multiple surfaces as well as dirt only runs.
Price
Compared to other Asics, the Gel Sonoma 2 GTX is reasonably priced. These shoes are available at a lower price than comparable running shoes. One of the key features of this shoe is the rugged outsole, which provides durability and should in turn increase quality per dollar spent. As any runner knows, shoe quality adds to considerations about price, so the durability of this shoe helps create the value that comes along with the price tag.
Drop
Although many runners consider less drop to be best, there is something to be said for shoes with a full cushion and some heel to toe drop. There is a lot of information available about heel-toe drop, and a lot of it comes down to personal preference. The Asics Gel Sonoma 2 GTX offers a 12mm drop, which is a nice compromise between the large contorting drop that some shoes offer and the small-to-zero drop offered by others. At this level, runners can heel strike first and roll their foot forward on the trail with ease while still getting the protection offered by the full midsole. At the forefoot, this shoe offers a 21mm height and the heel is 33mm height, which both offer a bit of protection from the elements.
Stability
Stability while running is one of the key things needed to get down the trail quickly. The Gel Sonoma 2 offers runners a stable base on which to begin. The mid sole’s molding gives arch support and the plush underfoot platform and it gives another layer to the stability provided by the shoe.
Flexibility
The flexibility of the Asics Gel Sonoma 2 GTX can be felt through the reaction of the midsole cushion which serves as a spring and the upper mesh’s ability to conform to the moving foot on the inside. These shoes offer strong support underneath but flex to connect to the ground around them.
Traction
The reverse lug soles on these Asics provides any runner with the traction they need to get through the steepest and most root-filled trails. There is plenty to worry about on the trail, including hydration and nutrition, so your shoe’s traction shouldn’t be in question at all. The rugged and aggressive bottoms can grip to most any surface while not sacrificing the comfort that Asics is known for. With superior grip and plenty of support, these will keep you moving forward in a wide variety of conditions.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on the Asics Gel Sonoma 2 GTX is that they offer a high quality running shoe at a reasonable price. The SPEVA material in the midsole creates a nice cushion to absorb roots and bumps in the trail while the rugged outsole creates traction regardless of the hills underneath. Due to the effective design, these shoes work well for daily running both on and off road.
