Details
Brand
Asics
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• BOA Fit lacing system• Highly durable AHARPLUS outsole• Springy SpEVA midsole• Guidance Line Midsole Technology allows the foot to move more naturally• Rearfoot Gel Technology helps strike the ground easily and absorbs shock
Upper
The most interesting part of this sneaker’s upper is its unique BOA Fit system. On the lateral part of each shoe, you will see a circular instant release dial: this is the first part of the three-part lacing system. This dial allows you to tighten the fit of the shoe by twisting it. The second part of this lacing system is the strong and lightweight laces, they may not look like they pack much of a punch because they are very thin in appearance, yet, they are very strong. Thirdly, they lacing system boasts low friction guides that help the laces move more freely up the tongue of the shoe. When this lacing system is loosened, the opening of the shoe is pretty wide so you are able to slide your feet in and out efficiently. The padded tongue also features a pull loop on the top to aid in easy on and off as well. The upper is made up of a lightweight breathable mesh and contains a seamless overlay beneath most of the lacing system to reduce irritation. The colorways offers are also very unique in that they have two main colors on each sneaker, but on the left and right shoe, the colors swap places giving the upper a distinctive look. On the lateral part of each shoe you will see the recognizable grid-like ASICS logo while on the medial sides, you will notice the ASICS “A”, giving these shoes another interestingly eye-catching appeal.
Midsole
The midsole of this is made up of SpEVA material, which is found in a number of the company’s shoes. SpEVA is made up of regular run-of-the-mill EVA material found in many running shoes combined with a bouncy-ball-like rubber. This combination results in both shock absorption and a 20% higher rebound than standard EVA midsoles. The heel of the ASICS Gel 451 boasts Asics’ infamous silicone-based GEL that provides both comfort and additional shock absorption. Another feature of this sneaker’s midsole is its “ Guidance Line Midsole Technology ”. This can be seen by looking at the bottom of the shoe and is a vertical flex groove running up the center of the shoe. This groove is designed to efficiently enhance gait by decoupling the tooling along the line of progression. In other words, this technology helps your foot to perform more optimally by allowing it to move more freely on its lateral and medial sides.
Outsole
The ASICS Gel 451 features the company’s AHARPLUS outsole material, of which the AHAR stands for “ASICS High Abrasion Rubber” and the PLUS referring to the rest of the material, which is blown rubber. The high abrasion rubber is actually engineered by mixing the same kind of rubber used in manufacturing car tires and reinforcing material resulting in a durable, long-lasting outsole. In fact, the AHAR material found in this sneaker’s outsole is the most durable rubber currently being offered in any of Asics’ sneaker models. The rest of the outsole is made using blown rubber, referred to as DuraSponge, which is simply rubber mixed with air during its production. This blown rubber is lightweight and, on this shoe, it is protected by the extremely durable AHAR rubber placed on the high-wearing areas of the outsole.
Breathability
The engineered mesh overlay of this sneaker gives it a highly breathable quality even with the supportive synthetic overlays. Since this is a shoe designed for triathlons specifically, it can be worn with or without socks and has a breathable fabric lining. When you are cycling, running, and swimming, you want to be sure your feet aren’t uncomfortably sweaty within your sneakers and the Asics Gel 451 will keep your feel fresh and airy while you push your body to its limits.
Comfort
Many users have stated that these sneakers tend to run a small and narrow but that if you are able to try them on in person, you won’t be disappointed in the level of comfort. If you don’t over overly wide feet and are able to purchase a size that correctly fits your foot, this sneaker won’t leave your feet feeling uncomfortable. The inner lining of the sneaker is made of breathable mesh and can be worn with or without socks comfortably. The cushioned foam insole provides comfort for your hard-working triathlon feet as well. The rear foot Gel system will keep your feet cushioned and comfortable as well and the BOA fit system will give this sneaker a more precise and comfortable fit to your unique foot shape.
Style
Although these are performance sneakers and are specifically engineered to help triathletes compete efficiently, they do not fall short on style. Despite that fact that they are not meant to be a lifestyle sneaker with high marks in the stylish department, they are certainly not hard to look at. They BOA fit lacing system is pretty unique looking so to wear them out and about for everyday use may not be the most stylish choice, but if you are using them for training or competing, you will definitely turn some heads. They are available in a couple of bright eye-catching colorways and the alternating colors on each sneaker give them a unique and stylish appeal.
Durability
The most durable part of these sneakers is their outsole, made from a combination of high abrasion rubber and reinforcing material to help them last longer. Triathletes train and compete hard and the ASICS Gel 451 will hold up to the challenge. In addition to having an extremely durable outsole, the BOA fit system more evenly disperses tension, helping the shoe fit more accurately to each individual foot shape and giving it a longer lifespan since it shouldn’t be wearing it some places more than others.
Protection
The ASICS Gel 451 is engineered to be a shoe to aid in helping you succeed in a triathlon competition. With that said, they are pretty supportive if used for what they are designed for. The highly durable outsole of this shoe, combined with the responsive midsole, will help propel you on your 6+ mile run and keep your feet comfortable and protected against the elements. Because the upper is made from an engineered mesh, they will allow water to get in, but because the BOA fit system helps the shoe mold to your foot, you shouldn’t have any issues with blisters.
Responsiveness
The shoe-length SpEVA midsole is extremely springy and provides an amazing amount of response with each step. Unlike regular EVA which is found in many running shoes today, SpEVA is even bouncier, all while remaining lightweight. Along with the bouncy midsole, the ASICS Gel 451 also features the companies famous Rearfoot Gel Technology at the heel of the shoe which reduces shock during impact and allows for a smooth and comfortable transition after each heel strike.
Support
These performance specialty sneakers are best for under to neutral pronators and support runners like this successfully. If you have normal to high arches, these sneakers are an excellent triathlon shoe option for you.
Terrain
The ASICS Gel 451 does not come equipped with heavy duty lugs on the outsole so it’s best not to try to wear these on the trail or on uneven terrain. Since they are triathlon specialty sneakers, they are best suited for smooth running surfaces like roads, sidewalks, or even treadmills.
Price
For a specialty sneaker offering lots of great features, the ASICS Gel 451 is priced fairly. It won’t be a shoe you wear every day and it’s not made for every kind of run, but if you are a triathlete in training or competition, they are worth the price.
Drop
These sneakers have a heel stack of 16mm and a toe stack of 10mm, giving them a 6mm drop. This makes the ASICS Gel 451 a lower-drop shoe. If you are used to a higher drop, you may want to ease into these but if you are more of a minimalist runner, you should be fine in these.
Stability
This pair of shoes is manufactured to keep your feet supported and stable on your triathlon runs. It is not necessarily labeled as a “stability sneaker” but it is certainly made to help keep your foot safe and comfortable. If you have a neutral stance or even under-pronate, these will help keep your feet in line as you run.
Flexibility
The lightweight nature of these shoes gives them an excellent amount of flexibility. With the upper being made entirely of engineered mesh with overlays to support your foot, they will be able to move gracefully with your foot. The Guidance Line Midsole Technology, which is a groove that runs up the bottom of the shoe, helps to keep the sneaker flexible as well because it allows for each side to move slightly independently of the other. This will help you take better, more efficient steps.
Traction
This sneaker’s durable AHAR rubber outsole helps to deliver reliable grip and traction. Because the rubber used to make the state of the art AHARPLUS outsole is used to manufacture tires, you can bet that these sneakers offer a great about of traction. The rubber on the soles of these shoes will grip the ground with ease in a wide array of weather conditions.
Bottom Line
If you are gearing up for competing in a triathlon or if you are a seasoned three-event pro, these sneakers will help you get through the cycling and running sections with ease. ASICS went above and beyond with their BOA fit system and allows for easy on and off while conforming the shoe to fit securely to your feet, with or without socks. The relatively low drop and neutral support of these shoes are good for anyone with a neutral to under-pronation gait, which is a lot of people. They are lightweight, fun to look at, and supportive. The Rearfoot Gel Technology that ASICS is known for will help absorb shock and propel you easily to the midfoot while the SpEVA midsole and AHAR outsole will push you forward effectively. One thing to note is that these shoes may not be the right ones for wide feet and tend to run a tad small so if you are interested in them, try to find a retailer nearby to test them out in person or order a few sizes to see which suits you best and return the not-so-great ones. They are a specialty sneaker and are definitely worth the investment to up your triathlon game.
