Details
Brand
Asics
Heel To Toe Drop
10mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Asics Gel cushioning in the midsole• Mesh upper for breathability and overlay for support• AHAR outsole• Flexibility grooves• Many vibrant color choices
Upper
The upper of the Gel-Impression 8 is primarily a mesh design. Mesh is another common option in running shoes due to its flexible nature and ability to allow air in and out of the shoe, promoting flexibility. The upper also features overlays, which are designed to secure the upper and also provide support to the foot from above. The padding of the upper is reported to be quite good as well, increasing the comfort of the shoe. Finally, the sock liner is constructed of EVA foam as well, which helps make the shoe feel more comfortable as well. As a whole, the upper offers solid features and doe a great job securing the foot while also retaining breathability and comfort.
Midsole
The midsole of the Asics Gel-Impression 8 is primarily composed of EVA foam. EVA foam, or Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, is a foam that provides good energy return upon impact and is also light and durable. EVA is a very common choice for shoes, due to these properties and it is not surprising to see it in the Gel-Impression 8. The midsole also contains a Rearfoot Gel Cushioning System.;As its name implies, this piece utilizes gel, in order to provide a more comfortable run, and better cushion the foot. Asics is very well known for their gel cushioning, and the rearfoot system here does exactly what it is intended to well. Finally, the midsole features an insert called Asics Trusstic, which is designed to provide a smoother transition with every step. Overall, the midsole of the Impression 8 is quite solid, offering good features and useful technology.
Outsole
The outsole of the Gel-Impression 8 is covered by AHAR rubber. AHAR, or Asics high abrasion rubber, is designed to resist impacts and prevent general wear and tear that occurs on shoes over time. AHAR is a fairly standard choice for Asics and can be found on a good number of Asics shoes. The outsole also contains grooves, designed to promote flexibility when colliding with the ground. Overall, the outsole is solid, but definitely not exceptional. AHAR rubber is decent in terms of protection and durability but is also quite standard, and a lack of other technology to reduce wear and tear is a bit disappointing. This is fair though when considering the price.
Breathability
In terms of breathability, the Gel-Impression 8 is pretty solid. As most shoes tend to nowadays, the Impression 8 has a mesh upper, which is a big component of the breathability of the shoe. Mesh uppers have holes in them which allow air to circulate in and out of the shoe, greatly reducing stuffiness. This is important for preventing foot sweat, odor, and possible even blisters. Overall, the breathability of the Impression 8 is quite solid, and stuffiness should not be an issue.
Comfort
The Asics Gel-Impression 8 is definitely a comfortable shoe. Asics shoes tend to be a bit more cushioned and offer more comfort than other brands, and that definitely shows in the Impression-8 as well. A big component of this is the gel cushioning system located in the back of the midsole. This cushioning system is a well-known hallmark of Asics shoes, and its appearance here is no surprise.;This gel system does a great job of minimizing shocks and giving an overall smooth ride. The upper also greatly contributes to the comfort of the shoe. The mesh upper is firm and fits snugly, while also being flexible, making it very comfortable in that regard. The sock liner also adds to the comfort by cushioning the bottom of the foot with every step. Like most Asics shoes, the Gel-Impression 8 delivers in the comfort department.
Style
Asics tends to have a bit of a unique style, often offering vibrant colors and a straightforward but sleek design. That said, Asics tend to be less common of a choice for everyday wear, in comparison to brands like Adidas and Nike. The Impression 8 is a fairly stylish shoe, but falls into this category, of being hard to use as an everyday shoe. The Impression 8 is definitely visually appealing and is offered in a variety of colors, making it likely that there is a color for everyone. As a whole, the shoe is fairly solid in terms of fashion.
Durability
Durability is one area where the Gel Impression 8 might be questionable. The outsole does not have much to protect it from wear and tear, apart from the AHAR rubber which is standard on most models of Asics. The midsole is EVA foam, which has a solid lifespan, but there are no features to protect the midsole from degradation either. The Gel Impression 8 does not have many features that help extend its lifespan, but with that said it should still last a decent length. It might just be preferable for those seeking a side pair of shoes, or who don’t do very heavy mileage.
Protection
In terms of protection, the Gel Impression 8 is pretty solid. The upper contains synthetic overlays that secure and protect the top of the foot. The midsole’s rear cushioning gel does a good job of protecting from hard impacts and generally cushioning during runs as well. Overall, the protection of the Gel Impression 8 is good due to the previously mentioned features.
Responsiveness
The responsiveness of the Asics Gel-Impression 8 is decent, but definitely not exceptional or groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination. The main component to consider with responsiveness is the midsole and what material it is made of. In this case, the midsole is made of EVA foam. EVA foam is known to be good at returning energy due to its springy nature, and again, is a very standard choice for many running shoes. The responsiveness of the shoes, as a result, is fairly good, but not really special, as it follows the same formula as many other trainers, at least in regards to the midsole’s material. As a whole though, the responsiveness of the Impression 8 is definitely solid.
Support
Asics tends to offer fairly well-supported trainers, and the Gel Impression 8 follows this standard. The support in the Gel Impression 8 stems from its midsole, and well made Gel Cushioning in the heel, as well as the secure upper and synthetic overlays. In tandem, these two key features of the shoe ensure that the foot is well supported from top to bottom, which is definitely important in helping prevent injuries and sprains.
Terrain
Being a more standard running shoe, the Gel Impression 8 should be well suited for most terrains. As most trainers nowadays fare, the Impression 8 is probably best used on concrete and road, but should totally be usable on trails, grass, or other terrains as well. The shoes should also have no major issues with rain, though they are not waterproof, so caution and proper care should be exercised.
Price
Price is definitely a strong point of the Asics Gel-Impression 8. They can be found at a price that is a fair bit under the average price of most popular trainers today. That can partially be attributed to the fact that there is a newer model of the Impression out, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that the shoe is still quite solid. Though it offers arguably fewer features than a top of the line shoe, the Impression still is quite solid, especially for the price it comes at.
Drop
The drop or measurement of heel size of a shoe on the Gel-Impression 8 is 10 mm. This is definitely very standard for shoes of this nature. The drop shouldn’t be a source of issues for most, as it is basically to be expected of a shoe like this.
Stability
The Gel Impression 8 is a fairly stable shoe. This again can be seen as a product of the upper. The solid mesh construction, in tandem with the synthetic overlay, does a great job of providing support above the foot. On the other side, the midsole helps in terms of stability, again due to the gel cushioning in the rear foot. The stability of the Impression 8 should definitely not be an issue for most runners.
Flexibility
The Flexibility offered by the Impression 8 is fairly good. First, the upper contributes to this with its mesh design. Mesh is a more flexible design than other types of uppers, and this one is no exception. It does this while still offering solid protection and security of the foot. The outsole also features grooves that allow for flexibility with every step. These are the main components that contribute to the flexibility of the shoe and they do an overall good job of allowing for natural movement while still protecting the foot.
Traction
Traction of running shoes refers to the grip of them on various surfaces. The traction on these shoes is decent, but definitely not ahead of the curve in any way. The AHAR rubber is the main factor that contributes to this, as the outsole is the part that grips the ground. AHAR has good traction for the most part, but apart from this, the shoe does not do too much to increase traction. That said, there really shouldn’t be any major traction issues, especially on the road and concrete terrain. Caution should be exercised on other terrains, but the Impression 8 should definitely be usable on dirt, grass, or trails as well.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Asics Gel-Impression 8 is a very solid shoe. It has a bit less in terms of features than other popular trainers, but it makes up for it with great value. Offered in many vibrant colors, the Gel Impression 8 is a solid shoe for anyone seeking a trainer for lighter running days, or for any beginners trying to get their first pair.
