Details
Brand
Asics
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Asics Gel cushioning• Solyte midsole• Mesh upper• Ahar rubber outsole
Upper
The upper of the Gel FujiEndurance is made of mesh, which has become a very standard choice for uppers. Mesh is commonly used as it gives both flexibility and breathability thanks to its inherent properties, and the way it is woven with hole intentionally left in it. In addition to this, the upper also features a Plasmaguard, which is made of a water-resistant material and is designed to help keep the shoe dry in wet or rainy conditions. The upper also has a special Ortholite X-40 Sockliner, which is a liner within the shoe designed to wick away moisture and also provide some extra comfort within the shoe. Finally, the upper features a pocket to tuck laces into, which can be very useful. Overall, the upper of the FujiEndurance is well equipped with lots of features that make it very secure, flexible, and breathable.
Midsole
The midsole of the FujiEndurance is composed of Asics’ Solyte material. This material is a top of the line EVA foam blend that has some fairly unique properties. EVA foam, or ethylene-vinyl-acetate, is a fairly common choice for midsoles due to some of its useful properties, but Asics’ Solyte midsole expands on these features greatly. The Solyte midsole is similar to EVA in a lot of ways, as it is essentially a special blend, but it is significantly lighter, returns energy even better than EVA foam, and has better cushioning and durability. Clearly, this is a very high-quality material, and one of Asics’ most high-end materials. The midsole also features Asics’ standard rearfoot cushioning gel. This gel is designed to help disperse shocks and make the stride more smooth overall. The midsole of the FujiEndurance is very high-quality and is one of the stronger pieces of the shoe as a whole.
Outsole
The outsole of a shoe is a significant piece, as it plays the biggest part in the durability and traction of a shoe. The outsole of the Asics Gel FujiEndurance was designed specifically with trails in mind and is composed of AHAR, or Asics High Abrasion Rubber. This rubber is a special carbon rubber blend, which is very resistant to impacts, and does a good job extending the durability of the FujiEndurance’s outsole. The rubber also has the added benefit of good grip, which is beneficial on many surfaces. The outsole also features trail lugs, which help a great deal with traction when climbing and descending hills or uneven areas. Finally, the outsole features a plate to help protect from rocks on the trail, which can cause very painful bruises if stepped on. Overall, the outsole of the FujoEndurance is very well equipped for trails and goes a long way in extending the lifespan of the shoe, as well as its traction.
Breathability
Breathability describes how well a shoe can facilitate air flow. This is important in preventing odor, and sweaty feet, which are definitely not fun problems to deal with. The main factor that contributes to breathability in the FujiEndurance is the upper. The upper is composed of mesh, which does a good job allowing air in and out of the shoe thanks to its inherent design. This is because the mesh is woven with tiny holes into it, intentionally. Apart from this mesh, there are not really any other features that contribute to breathability. This is pretty normal though, as the upper tends to play the biggest role in determining air flow. Overall, the breathability of the FujiEndurance is good.
Comfort
The FujiEndurance is a very comfortable shoe overall thanks to its upper and midsole. The upper features a lot of technology and materials that make the shoe very flexible, but also still very secure. The mesh design and the liner are the main features that add this comfort in the upper. The midsole contributes with its cushioning and with its impact protection. The lightweight Solyte material is what makes up a majority of this, by being extremely lightweight, and offering great cushioning and shock absorption. The rearfoot gel adds to this with some extra cushioning in the heel. Overall, comfort is pretty solid in the Gel FujiEndurance thanks to the midsole and the upper.
Style
The styling of Asics shoes tends to be fairly bright, and they offer vibrant color combinations. The FujiEndurance comes in two color combinations, black and onyx red, and, red and vermillion. Asics shoes are styled very much like classic running shoes and often have a bright and somewhat expressive design. This is the case for the FujiEndurance too which is a nice looking shoe overall. The shoe might be a bit harder to use as an everyday shoe, however, especially in comparison to other popular trainers like Adidas ’, which are more discreet and less bright.
Durability
Durability is a hugely important aspect of any shoe. No runner wants to replace their shoes frequently. The Gel FujiEndurance is quite durable overall, thanks to its midsole and outsole. The Solyte material in the midsole is huge in terms of durability, as it is an upgrade on the already very durable EVA foam. This material retains its original shape very well, even after repeated impacts upon it, which allows it to last for a very long time. The outsole contributes to durability with its AHAR rubber. This carbon rubber is extremely durable and also remains resistant to impacts over time, regardless of what terrain it is used on. These two factors together make the FujiEndurance last a very long time.
Protection
In terms of protection, the FujiEndurance does a pretty good job overall. The upper protects the foot from the elements well, with its Plasmaguard also protecting from water. The midsole contributes with its Solyte material once again, which greatly reduces the shock of impacts. The gel cushioning in the heel adds some extra shock protection as well. Finally, the rock plate in the outsole is another source of protection that helps prevent bruises on the bottom of the foot. The FujiEndurance protects the foot well which is definitely important for a trail shoe.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness refers to the ability of a shoe to return energy, and encourage a more natural stride. The FujiEndurance is pretty good in this department thanks to its midsole material. The Solyte foam is exceptionally responsive, even more so than EVA foam, and as a result makes strides in the shoe feel very efficient and natural. The midsole usually is the feature that determines the responsiveness of a shoe, and that is the case for the FujiEndurance as well.
Support
Asics tends to offer very well supported trainers, and this is the case with the Gel FujiEndurance as well. The shoe features a great deal of support through the midsole and the upper. The midsole again contributes with its Solyte material, and its gel cushioning material. The Solyte adds support through its ability to cushion from impacts while running. The gel cushioning in the heel compounds on this and makes the midsole a very supporting piece. The upper adds some support through its security. By securing the foot very well, while still allowing for good movement and flexibility, the upper supports the foot very well from above. The FujiEndurance is a well-supported shoe as a whole.
Terrain
The Gel FujiEndurance should be usable on most terrains. Being primarily designed for trails, the shoes will definitely perform best there. On roads, and other city terrains, the shoes are definitely still usable, but they are optimized specifically for trails. The only terrains that might give the FujiEndurance trouble are very extreme terrains like in icy, or mountainous areas. They are also usable in rain, and are water resistant, though not waterproof.
Price
The Asics Gel FujiEndurance is definitely on the more expensive end for shoes. This is primarily due to the fact that they are trail shoes, which tend to be more expensive, and also offer some of Asics’ top of the line features. For what is received, the FujiEndurance is definitely worth the price, but the price will probably be fairly high for most. If found for a discount, the FujiEndurance would definitely be a good value.
Stability
The FujiEndurance is a pretty stable shoe overall, mainly due to its upper and midsole. The upper contributes to stability with its well-designed mesh. This holds the foot in place very securely, while also not sacrificing the flexibility that is necessary for a good range of movement. The effect of this is a shoe that is very well supported from the top and makes for a more smooth stride. The midsole contributes through its cushioning from its Solyte material and its rearfoot gel cushioning.
Flexibility
Flexibility is a feature that can help prevent minor twists and sprains which can be very frustrating. Good flexibility allows the foot to move more naturally which can help a great deal. The upper usually plays the biggest role in flexibility, and that is the case for the FujiEndurance too. The mesh upper does its job well, and allows for a good range of movement, thanks to its woven design. The overall flexibility of the FujiEndurance is quite solid.
Traction
Traction on running shoes refers to the ability of them to grip onto various surfaces. The traction on the FujiEndurance is very good, mostly due to the outsole. The AHAR does a great job of clinging onto surfaces because of its carbon rubber material. The additional lugs on the outsole also greatly enhance traction and are especially useful when going up or down hills. Overall, traction on most runnable surfaces should not be an issue for the FujiEndurance.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Asics Gel FujiEndurance is a very impressive shoe. It offers a great deal of technology and useful features for trail running that make it very effective. The only real knocking point of the shoe is its price. Its price is definitely on the higher end, even for a trail shoe. For those that can find it for a discount, or don’t mind the price, the FujiEndurance is an excellent shoe.
