Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

These are my 47th pair of DS Trainers---first impression over the 17s is positive. Round laces are back! Haven't liked the flat laces since they started using them. Didn't have any problem with 17s weight, but the 18s just feel lighter. I'm looking forward to hitting the road with them

Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

I've been running in Saucony Kinvaras for the last couple of years to get back to more natural running, and I recently started wearing them a little more loosely laced (quit using the extra loop at the top), and I think this led to an Achilles tendon injury above my left heel). After a week or so off with lots of cold treatments, I tried Pro-Tec Athletics Achilles Tendon Support System and a pair of DS Trainer 18's (what I used to run in before switching to the Kinvaras), and the combination worked beautifully.

The DS Trainer 18's are a great improvement over the previous editions. They have a roomier forefoot, better forefoot cushioning (not necessarily softer, but better distributed), better heel impact and better transition. So you get a more structured and better-cushioned foot plant and transition than that provided by the Kinvaras (which is where I felt the Achilles pain), more elevation in the heel to help de-stress the Achilles, and better forefoot cushioning, too. The best parts are that you still have a pretty light shoe (just few oz. more than the Kinvaras) with good road feel and toe-off, so I can still keep my mid-foot strike/stride.

The lime-green color and black stripes are pretty hard to take; but I don't really care what they look like, personally. I just know that my Achilles tendon feels OK again, while running and after the run, too. I strongly recommend the Pro-Tec Support System (bought through RoadRunners'), too. A great, inexpensive solution for Achilles pain.

Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

I've been a DS Trainer user for a few years now as I've found them to be the perfect balance of structure and lightness. Last year's 17 version deviated from that. Not only was it heavier but the sizing was too small so I was ready to look elsewhere for a shoe I could both train and race in. This year with Version 18 Asics went back to true sizing and shaved some weight off and voila, it's a great shoe again!

Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

I used the Gel DS Trainer 17 and liked them for any length of run. Ran a marathon in them as well. When I first put the 18 on my thought was "ah those feel gooood!" I like the changes and look forward to wearing out this pair. I rotate through 3 pair of shoes at any given time and these are my mid to long distance trainers.

Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

I've run in these for almost 200 miles now. The outsoles are showing showing some wear now, but the shoes don't feel like they'll need to be replaced soon.

I never owned v.17, but the weight of v.18 is definitely not noticeable during long runs.

The main problem I have with these shoes is the toebox. As Leaks mentioned, it's too narrow. (My feet are normal width.) This was especially true when the shoes were new, but even after breaking them in they pinched enough to cause a corn to develop on the toe adjacent to my right foot's big toe.

Toebox aside, the DS Trainers still have a snug fit. I tried going 1/2 size larger in the store, but they slid around my feet a little, so that was no solution. I think Asics is just going to have to widen v.19, or come out with an "E" width version of v.18 for people with normal feet.

Oh, and I also think the bumblebee color scheme is ugly, but there's no accounting for taste.

Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

Ran competitively throughout high school and college. Have run in previous generations of the DS Trainer. Having a wide foot, I found that the toe box would stretch a bit to accomodate my foot. That won't happen with the DS Trainer 18. Those black stripes are structural. No give at all. Would be nice if RRS offered this shoe in a wider width.

Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

Wow, I can't say how happy I am. I've been running in DS Trainers for the last 15 years. The iteration that was the 17's were awful. They were heavy, too much shoe, ridiculous heel flap/retaining mechanism. Most of all, they just felt spongy and non-responsive. Over built for sure.

The new 18's: Back to its' roots. Super fast, responsive, light, mild stability. All around awesome. The weight is perfect at the 9oz mark. Fast enough for races and enough meat underfoot for all training. I wouldn't want them any lighter, or heavier.

I'll be stocking up on these in case Asics feels the need to make these a tank for the next model.

The only drawback, very minor, is the toe box could be a touch bigger. Once I put over 100 miles on them they felt great- so maybe this is a non-issue. Maybe drop the heel toe drop a tad too from 12 to 6?

Great job Asics- please don't make these tanks again.

Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

This shoe is outstanding. Great stability, comfort and lite-weight! Ran a half marathon and they were incredible.

Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

I have worn DS Trainers on and off for over a decade. The 18 is nice recovery after the 17 which was way too much shoe. After running in the 16 I sent the 17 back the moment I tried them on. The 18 is back to the original intent of the DS Trainer. Relatively light weight with mild stability. Feels like a wider toe box than the 16. Haven't run much in them yet but first impression is very positive.

Comments about Mens ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 18 Running Shoe:

These shoes are bright, hence the Most Excellent and not just Excellent in the title. I wear a size 9 and my Gel-DS Trainer 17 weighed 10.65 ounces new and this pair is 9.80 ounces. The shoe fits the same as the previous generation and seems to have the same level of cushioning as well as ride height. I wrote a fairly negative review of the Gel Cumulus 14 because the update made them noticeably narrower than the Cumulus 13. This update Asics got right. With my eyes closed I cannot tell the difference between the two generations.
These will be my marathoning shoes for Boston Marathon this year, after completing 18 consecutive Bostons my legs will not let me run more than a half marathon in my Gel DS Racer 8. I did run a fall marathon in the Trainer 17s without a problem and expect the 18s to be padded enough for the distance.
My only concern is the durability of the new upper design. Those black stripes are structural.