Details
Brand
Asics
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Shock absorbing• Cushion and comfort• Supportive Trussic System• Durable outsole• Upper supports stability and control
Upper
Asics has further improved the breathability of the upper with an open mesh weave which comprises the majority of the upper unit. Synthetic overlays add structure and help to lock the foot in. These overlays, along with the laces, give a comfortable and supportive fit. This shoe has thick laces that are evenly distributed around the top of the foot to make sure that there are not any pressure points. These laces connect to the overlays at the midfoot, which helps support and stabilize the midfoot. The inside lining uses a plush material that is good for wicking away moisture, making for a soft and comfortable feeling. The shoe also has a padded collar and tongue, good for keeping dirt out, creating an even more comfortable-feeling fit, and increasing the durability of the shoe.
Midsole
The midsole is primarily cushioned with Asics gel style cushioning in the rear and forefoot, making for a very comfortable ride. This is great for impact protection and long runs on hard surfaces. Besides the plush cushioning that the gel system provides, there is also dual density EVA cushion which provides additional support and stability for runners with flat feet. This shoe also includes a Trusstic system, which is a plastic bridge located under the arch. It provides additional strength and stability without the loss of flexibility. This plastic bridge also helps to control the twisting of the foot during the stride, preventing knee injuries.
Outsole
This shoe’s outsole is designed for hard, road -like surfaces. The outsole combines blown and carbon rubber. The blown rubber gives great traction by sticking to surfaces after partially flexing around them on impact. The blown rubber also provides some impact protection and it works with the midsole cushioning and in order to provide a stable and smooth ride. The carbon rubber protects high impact areas of the outsole and enhances the durability of the shoe. The outsole pattern follows the natural curvature of the foot, providing runners the sufficient traction and encouraging a natural stride. There aren’t many deep grooves in the outsole pattern, making for a shoe that is not as flexible as others on the market.
Breathability
The open mesh upper is a great improvement on an already excellent shoe. It is highly breathable and designed with the synthetic overlays to let in as much air as possible while still giving the shoe a nice structured, secure fit. The inner lining of the shoe is made of nylon, which wicks away moisture and dries quickly, making it great for hot humid climates. Pair with thin socks to make the most of how breathable this shoe really is.
Comfort
Asics had comfort in mind when they designed this shoe. There is gel cushioning under the forefoot and heel, which is great for the touch down and lift off. It is also good for providing shock attenuation and reducing impact-related muscle and joint injuries. The DuoMax support system is dual density EVA cushion that also encourages proper foot alignment and creates a supportive stride. The Trusstic system is under the arch and is good at minimizing the twisting of the joints during strides and preventing injury. Some testers found that the shoe ran a little smaller than expected, meaning that runners with wide feet would find it uncomfortable. However, Asics has removed some of the overlay material from the last revision to create a snugger fit around the midfoot and more room in the toe box, which is good for runners who like to splay their toes. Overall, if you get the right size for you, this shoe fits comfortably and has lots of cushioning and supportive features.
Style
The Asics Trounce 3 is built with stability in mind and because of this, it is has a typical running shoe look. The laces and heel cup come up to hug around the foot making this shoe look a little bit big. One of the major revisions that they made from the previous version was the colors. Asics really updated the colors to make for more of a flashier, younger-looking attractive shoe.
Durability
Asics kept all of their great durable features from their last version of this shoe and incorporated into this update, although some runners have had issues with the laces breaking. This minor problem can be corrected by replacing the laces. The carbon rubber provides great durable traction and is especially abrasion resistant, making it great for hard paved surfaces. The midsole is also built with durability in mind, as the gel cushion, dual density EVA material and Trusstic system are built for durable support and strength in the midfoot. The synthetic overlays on the upper are placed throughout to enhance the durability of the shoe. The open mesh is also quite good at standing up to wear and tear and keeping debris out.
Protection
The support and stability features offered by this shoe are very protective to the wearer. This is great for protecting runners from overuse injuries, which are the most common kind of injury for a recreational runner. The shoe is built for runners who have fallen arches or need some extra support. The build is also good for discouraging runners from overpronating, a popular cause of injury. It also has a toe cap to prevent bruising or stubbing on the toes and forefoot. There is a good amount of cushioning in the midsole to attenuate shock, important in protecting the foot and joints from injury. The soft interior lining and breathable are great for comfortably warding off blisters and irritation.
Responsiveness
This is not a responsive shoe, as the gel cushioning allows the foot to gently sink in and absorb shock. This is a supportive, cushioned shoe great for many slow, comfortable, injury-free miles. The midsole unit has a few different technologies that provide support and cushion the stride, making for a shoe that does not have a lot of ground feel or responsiveness. This shoe is well suited as a long-distance trainer, the casual 5km or even a shoe for everyday, comfortable use. It is not well suited as a speed trainer or as a racing shoe.
Support
Asics classifies the Trounce 3 as a lightly supportive shoe, but there are several supportive and motion control features used in the shoe, making it great for promoting a proper gait and form and preventing injuries for new runners. The midsole’s DuoMax dual density EVA foam encourages proper running motion. Its Trusstic system strengthens and supports the arch, which is great for runners who have flat feet. It also helps prevent runners from making any twisting movements in their strides, which might harm the knees or other joints.
Terrain
This is a road specific shoe and the many impact resistant features make it great for protection and traction on hard, paved surfaces. The carbon rubber outsole gives the shoe traction and durability while the blown rubber enhances impact protection and helps to grip these hard surfaces. This shoe is built for roads. sidewalks, or other paved, even surfaces.
Price
The Asics Gel Trounce 3 originally sold for 110 USD. Now the shoe is available on sale for a little more than 65 USD online. 65 USD is a great price for this high-quality shoe. And, as it is one of the best shoes on the market for runners with fallen arches or flat feet, it is an especially good price for runners plagued with a foot shape that is not ideal for running and requires a specific style of shoe.
Drop
This shoe has a 10mm drop, a standard offset for motion control or stability shoes. This amount of drop it is good for controlling the stride while encouraging runners to get from their heels onto their toes for a good toe-off. It also allows for extra cushioning in the heel area which is the most prone to impact related injuries.
Stability
This is classified as a light stability shoe and is built for runners requiring stability throughout their stride. It is great for promoting good form and getting through the miles injury free. It supports the foot from heel to toe and provides some torsion control, which is important for runners who tend to twist their knees. It helps stabilize the arch and prevent over-pronation.
Flexibility
This is a shoe that was built for stability and support, and as such, it is not a flexible shoe. It is more suited to people who are new runners or require a shoe to help support their stride and prevent injury. A small amount of flexibility is provided in the upper, the cushioning and the treads to allow the foot to push off and land without causing strain. The Asics Gel Trounce 3 is a good choice if you are looking for a shoe to get started with the sport of running while preventing overuse and form-related injuries.
Traction
The combination of carbon rubber and blown rubber treads on the outsole of this shoe make for good traction on hard, solid surfaces. The blown rubber flexes on impact and bends around hard surfaces lending the outsole a bit of a sticky feeling, which is great for a solid toe off and a nice ride. Asics has also improved the way the upper and lacing system really work together to wrap around the midfoot, providing a nice tight feeling that moves with the foot and provides additional traction.
Bottom Line
There have not been many updates to the already successful Asics Trounce 2 design. The most noticeable update is the different type of mesh used in the upper. Asics has also removed some of the overlays in the upper to create a more form-fitting shoe. My favorite update to this shoe, however, is the new colors that are really refreshing to this line. It has great breathability, a nice amount of cushioning for those who are prone to joint or heel injuries, arch support, and stability to help prevent twisting injuries and over-pronation. It also helps prevent overuse injuries and form injuries in new runners. Overall, this is a great shoe for runners needing a little more stability in their shoe, or are new to the sport of running.
