Great fit and GEL Cushioning System make the GEL-Contend 2 an ideal trainer for any entry level, low-mileage runner. Size: 11 4E. Color: Royal/White/Black. Gender: Male. Age Group: Adult.
Great fit and GEL Cushioning System make the GEL-Contend 2 an ideal trainer for any entry level, low-mileage runner. Size: 11 4E. Color: Royal/White/Black. Gender: Male. Age Group: Adult.
Great fit and GEL Cushioning System make the GEL-Contend 2 an ideal trainer for any entry level, low-mileage runner. Size: 11 4E. Color: Royal/White/Black. Gender: Male. Age Group: Adult.
Great fit and GEL Cushioning System make the GEL-Contend 2 an ideal trainer for any entry level, low-mileage runner. Size: 11 4E. Color: Royal/White/Black. Gender: Male. Age Group: Adult.
Last updated at 04/01/2025 16:22:07
originally posted on asics.com
I wanted a pair of GT- 1000s with a little more padding but could not find any in size 10 Extra Wide. So I ordered the first Asics in stock in my size and up came the GEL-CONTEND 8. THEY HAVE TURNED OUT TO be a comfortable shoe for walking the streets in our neighborhood. My wife thinks the Midnight Blue pairs well with Levi's. And the Extra Wide width prevents a Tailor's Bunion on outside of foot caused by too narrow of a shoe width from becoming painful. I have been walking comfortably in my neighborhood and taking longer hikes in the mountains of the Baja Penninsula in Asics shoes for more than 50 years.
originally posted on asics.com
I have been running for over fifty years and at the start I tried other makes but ASICS were always the best and I would never buy other makes now. Every time you get a new pair, they fit perfectly. You feel like you have been running in them for weeks! Cushioning is very good, I buy the men’s sizes as there is good width for feet inside. Comfortable from the first time you wear them. Really love ASICS.
originally posted on big5sportinggoods.com
This particular ASICS shoe enables me to put my orthotic in the shoe. I put in many miles walking on my shoes and average 1 1/2- 2 months between change outs.Over time, as opposed to prior Gel ASICS shoes, I did notice a faster breakdown of the shoe.I can feel the gravel and rocks on the balls of my feet after a three to four week use.Three stars for convenience of use and an average shoe.
I wanted a pair of GT- 1000s with a little more padding but could not find any in size 10 Extra Wide. So I ordered the first Asics in stock in my size and up came the GEL-CONTEND 8. THEY HAVE TURNED OUT TO be a comfortable shoe for walking the streets in our neighborhood. My wife thinks the Midnight Blue pairs well with Levi's. And the Extra Wide width prevents a Tailor's Bunion on outside of foot caused by too narrow of a shoe width from becoming painful. I have been walking comfortably in my neighborhood and taking longer hikes in the mountains of the Baja Penninsula in Asics shoes for more than 50 years.
I have been running for over fifty years and at the start I tried other makes but ASICS were always the best and I would never buy other makes now. Every time you get a new pair, they fit perfectly. You feel like you have been running in them for weeks! Cushioning is very good, I buy the men’s sizes as there is good width for feet inside. Comfortable from the first time you wear them. Really love ASICS.
This particular ASICS shoe enables me to put my orthotic in the shoe. I put in many miles walking on my shoes and average 1 1/2- 2 months between change outs.Over time, as opposed to prior Gel ASICS shoes, I did notice a faster breakdown of the shoe.I can feel the gravel and rocks on the balls of my feet after a three to four week use.Three stars for convenience of use and an average shoe.
Great everyday shoe. This was my second pair of the same shoe, bought as a backup to the first pair. The first pair is still wearing and holding up well after two years, but wanted to have a backup pair ready when needed. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am picky with shoes, but hey, I'm in my 40s now, and life is just too short to spend any time wearing shoes that make me even the slightest bit unhappy.Here is what is important to me, more or less in order of priority: a flexible upper that does NOT dig into the top of my foot when it bends with my steps (it's shocking how many shoes do this—does that go away after breaking them in? I prefer not to bother trying to find out), at least some arch support, wide enough for my wide feet, breathable, overall comfort, good look/style (not too flashy, ideally something mostly neutral with some accents), able to slip on and off without tying/untying, the tongue doesn't slide too far to the side, holds heel in place, good for walking/everyday use (not for running; I work ... MoreI am picky with shoes, but hey, I'm in my 40s now, and life is just too short to spend any time wearing shoes that make me even the slightest bit unhappy.Here is what is important to me, more or less in order of priority: a flexible upper that does NOT dig into the top of my foot when it bends with my steps (it's shocking how many shoes do this—does that go away after breaking them in? I prefer not to bother trying to find out), at least some arch support, wide enough for my wide feet, breathable, overall comfort, good look/style (not too flashy, ideally something mostly neutral with some accents), able to slip on and off without tying/untying, the tongue doesn't slide too far to the side, holds heel in place, good for walking/everyday use (not for running; I work in an office but some of my work requires a lot of standing and walking and hauling equipment), lightweight.I usually have two pairs of shoes I alternate between each day. After three years of the same two pairs of shoes, it was finally time to find some more.I set my budget at a maximum of one hundred twenty dollars for each pair.Over the past few weeks, I tried 20 different pairs of shoes. Of those 20, only three were acceptable, and from there I narrowed it down to two: this Asics Gel Contend 8 (size 11 extra wide), and another pair from a different brand from a different website.The sole is cushiony. These shoes are very lightweight and breathable—I owned a pair of Asics a bunch of years ago, and I got sick of how non-breathable those were, but this pair is great. Basically, this shoe checks all of my boxes and I'm very pleasantly surprised at how much less they cost compared to other shoes.My only potential qualms are that there seemed to be a mild imperfection in the left heel that made it so I could feel the edge where the insole met the material under it, but that seems to be going away as I wear them more and I'm no longer concerned. Also, there's a bubble of heel support that is maybe a little aggressive for my usage (sitting at a desk 80% of the time), but it's certainly not enough to steer me away, and I'm guessing it would feel good for a runner. Also, the tongue slips a tiny bit to the side, but, again, not enough to be an issue or even feel it when it's happened.In order to be able to slip them on and off without tying/untying, I unlaced it from the top lace. I was worried this would make them feel too loose, but no, they stay in place just fine.I only just barely made my final decision two days ago and took them out on the town for the first time today. It went very well. So, you're not getting an "I've worn these for six months and here's my report" review from me here, but I hope someone out there still finds value in this. I recommend you give these a try.
I am picky with shoes, but hey, I'm in my 40s now, and life is just too short to spend any time wearing shoes that make me even the slightest bit unhappy.Here is what is important to me, more or less in order of priority: a flexible upper that does NOT dig into the top of my foot when it bends with my steps (it's shocking how many shoes do this—does that go away after breaking them in? I prefer not to bother trying to find out), at least some arch support, wide enough for my wide feet, breathable, overall comfort, good look/style (not too flashy, ideally something mostly neutral with some accents), able to slip on and off without tying/untying, the tongue doesn't slide too far to the side, holds heel in place, good for walking/everyday use (not for running; I work ... MoreI am picky with shoes, but hey, I'm in my 40s now, and life is just too short to spend any time wearing shoes that make me even the slightest bit unhappy.Here is what is important to me, more or less in order of priority: a flexible upper that does NOT dig into the top of my foot when it bends with my steps (it's shocking how many shoes do this—does that go away after breaking them in? I prefer not to bother trying to find out), at least some arch support, wide enough for my wide feet, breathable, overall comfort, good look/style (not too flashy, ideally something mostly neutral with some accents), able to slip on and off without tying/untying, the tongue doesn't slide too far to the side, holds heel in place, good for walking/everyday use (not for running; I work in an office but some of my work requires a lot of standing and walking and hauling equipment), lightweight.I usually have two pairs of shoes I alternate every other day. After three years of the same two pairs of shoes, it was finally time to find some more.I set my budget at a maximum of one hundred twenty dollars for each pair.Over the past few weeks, I tried 20 different pairs of shoes. Of those 20, only three were acceptable (two pairs were Asics), and from there I narrowed it down to two: this Asics Gel Contend 8 (size 11 extra wide), and another pair from a different brand from a different website.The sole is cushiony. These shoes are very lightweight and breathable—I owned a pair of Asics a bunch of years ago, and I got sick of how non-breathable those were, but this pair is great. Basically, this shoe checks all of my boxes and I'm very pleasantly surprised at how much less they cost compared to other shoes.There seemed to be a mild imperfection in the left heel that made it so I could feel the edge where the insole met the material under it, but that seems to be going away as I wear them more and I'm no longer concerned. In fact, I wore them all day today and didn't notice it at all, so I guess it's gone now. Also, there's a bubble of heel support that is maybe a little aggressive for my usage (sitting at a desk 80% of the time), but it's certainly not enough to steer me away, and I'm guessing it would feel good for a runner. AND, after wearing them all day today, I didn't notice that at all, either, so, never mind, I guess. Also, the tongue slips a tiny bit to the side, but, again, not enough to be an issue or even feel it when it's happened; so, non-issue. I guess I'm saying I was worried these might be problems but they're not.The arch support is good. On a scale of 0% = flat and 100% = waaay too much, then 55% is probably right where I would ideally want it to be in a shoe. These shoes are probably at 46% on that scale. So, still good.In order to be able to slip them on and off without tying/untying, I unlaced it from the top lace. I was worried this would make them feel too loose, but no, they stay in place fine.I only just barely made my final decision 5 days ago so I only have 2–3 days' worth to review here. But it's going very well. So, you're not getting an "I've worn these for six months and here's my report" review from me here, but I hope someone out there still finds value in this. I recommend you give these a try.You've done it, Asics. You've created one of the best shoes I've ever worn.
I own previous generations of the Contend line and they are awesome shoes. The Contend 8 quality is very poor. The mesh is not flexible and the shoe is very stiff. The cushioning is not as good. Also the width and length runs small. It's like they cut a bunch of corners to reduce cost. I wish I could return this shoe but it's already worn out after wearing it a few times.
Overall quality and comfort is great as long as it doesn’t rain. Due to the very hard rubber material they use on the bottom, as soon as the ground gets wet it’s like trying to walk on ice. Almost slipped several times walking around Disney World. Keep this in mind if you go for long runs.
Many moons ago, I bought the very first Gel Contends (2012 model) and remember finding them mostly fine, but too thinly cushioned. Looks like things haven't changed -- these Contend 8s felt comfortable enough in the store, but I soon found out they don't cut it for serious use. I went on a 10-mile walk and woke up the next day with something called Achilles Tendinitis, forcing me to visit a doctor, miss work, and limp around with a cane for days.If you're on a budget, I'd go with the Gel Venture instead (just a few dollars more), though I've had better experiences with their mid-range models like the GT-1000 and GT-2000.
I bought a pair of these last week at a local FF store. I tried them on for size in a 9.5. , and the fit seemed good. After getting them home, I started looking more closely at them and found the construction/assembly to be very sloppy. The toe cap overlays were cut in different shapes, the side graphics weren't correctly aligned, and the molded rubber trim along the bottom edges weren't the same width. I returned them the next day. I've owned several Asics over the years and always loved them. Quality has gone drastically downhill since then. Very cheap-looking shoes!
