Two weeks later I had a foot injury that nearly flushed away my marathon plans. I thought I was smart about slowly incorporating the new shoes into my training about six weeks before the marathon. Perhaps, not smart enough. Needless to say I managed to run the marathon anyway, albeit in a different pair of shoes.
After the marathon, I gave them another chance. Now I have, I hope, a balanced perspective on these shoes. Bottom line: I'm not impressed with them. No shoe works for everyone, and this shoe by and large works for me but the price tag is incomprehensible ($160). Here are my main complaints:
- Too expensive
- Too loud. These shoes make a lot of noise on asphalt, something I haven't heard for a while in a running shoe.
- Too heavy.
41 comments:
It's always good to hear reviews of shoes by people who know what they're talking about. Too many times I read a review online for something and think "Do they really know what they're talking about?" And FAR too many times that's the case with the salesperson!
Noisy, eh? That would really bug me. When I cycle, everything needs to be whisper quiet. I've also noticed differences between my running shoes, noise-wise.
I'm a long-time Nimbus lover too. I looked at the Kinsei but my first impression was "Holy crap these things are HEAVY!" The price sucks too.
I can't imagine paying that much, but I guess it shows your dedication to Asics gel. You have more patience with new shoes than I do!
And a quick e-mail or letter to Asics might help them help you (and everyont else with the same viewpoint). Nothing ventured... and If they don't respond, then it's time to for you to check out their competition.
i like those shoes too. they are really comfortable.
Also a long time Asic user.
I ran for two weeks with these shoes on an indoor treadmill and the sole starting cracking and breaking off on the inside of my left shoe. I got them replaced thinking I got a bad pair, two weeks later the same thing on the second pair but on the right inside sole. This time I was watching them closely and I saw once the gel started pulling from the sole with a small crack, it took only two more times running before the gel really started breaking up. Its easy to identify when the gel starts cracking it turns a more white colored blue and crumbles. These shoes are not durable, granted I weigh 220 perhaps, but regardless the shoes don't hold up for heavier people.
I purchased a pair of Asics Gel Kinsei last December & was running in snow in Alberta Canada. They were comfortable but had a weird odor from glue or plastic material.
I ran a race in Phoenix & all of a sudden noticed the loud noise on the asphalt. I thought maybe I was just tired & wasn't running my usual quiet run. Back home and running after the snow disappeared & the same loud noise. Odor never did go away & my wife won't alow them in the house. Ran into 2 other people in Phoenix with same odor complaint. I wrote Asics with no response back & had to go back to my old Kayano. Because of lack of response I now have purchased Mizuno, first time I have switched from Asic's since 1971.
i still can't let go of the fact that i purchased a pair of Asics Gel Nimbus VI online last year for 64.00 on ebay.
can't find them ANYWHERE.
it bothers me that corporations like asics won't keep the original style.
$64!!! Wow, I'm jealous. I agree, I wish companies could stick with a model for a little longer. The Nimbus VII isn't the same. I feel like I'd have to start an entirely new relationship when there was nothing wrong with the old one.
I have a pair of Kinsei's that are about 9 mos old ... love them, actually, but I do have to write and say that Asics customer service sucks ... the only downside of my shoes is that they SMELL ... like a barn, the most bizarre thing, have smelled since I took them out of the box. I wrote Asics and they basically said "we know" and "tough". I have had Nike running shoes in the past that "leaked" air on each step and Nike took them back without so much as a question. To have Asics basically tell me to suck it up is unacceptable customer service ... just thought I'd throw that out there.
I actually love the Kinsei's and have gone through 6 pairs of them...I have had no problems with any of the smells other people are talking about. Each runner chooses their shoe and I was a ling time Nike wearer before I tried the Kinsei...Kinsei 2...cannot wait for the new shoe. TX runner
OK shoe but terrible stink. After 2 mo I still have to keep them outside.
Haha... same problem here, they are so smelly that I feel embarassed when taking a lift with other people!!
You can see look at their face and you know they smelled something strong!
yes i have that weird smell on my brand new kinsei"s. thats not the problem though. i have been using new balance and adidas supernova cushion shoes as of late. no problem. but since i'm getting older, almost 50. i figured i'd treat myself to the best. i thought the kinsei. i read some blogs and reviews and they were mostly positive. i am a fitness runner, about 20 miles a week. some of the blogs had mentioned a heel blister and pain on the right foot only, if you can beleive it. well thats exactly what happened. the first time on a four mile run at mile 2 it started really hurting my right heel on both sides. when i got home i began to develop a nasty blister. i'll need to alternate my shoes now and hope they break in. otherwise i just wasted alot of money. anybody else have this problem, and is their a solution?
thanks, robert wpb fl.
I just purchased the GEL-Kinsei 2 from the Base Exchange for only 139.00. I decided to google the shoe online to see if this was a real deal. That's when I ran across your blog. I immediatley took to the shoe and started to sniff it to see if there was an odor. Hmmm...Just smells like new shoes to me. I'll let you know how they perform. I'm taking them out for a short run today.
Well, thanks people for helping making my mind about buying a Kinsei. I have 3 pairs of Nimbus VI, 1 of Nimbus VIII and 2 of Nimbus IX. I just love number VI. Can´t let go of them... Eight is not the same but Ok. Nine made blisters in my feet. It is terrible in the heat. I can feel my feet "cooking". So... I was considering buying a Kinsei... I hate smells and heavy... So, I will give a try to Cumulus? Any comments about it?
I am a devoted runner and asics fan. I have been running in the Gel landreth 2's but heard about the Gel Kinsei and figured I would give them a shot. After running in them for three months and just getting back from the worst run I have done that I can remember I have to say that these shoes are the worst I have ever run in in my life. Yes they smell but who cares these things are way too heavy and they are hard as a rock. I feel like I am running with bricks on my feet. I must have been sold a defective pair these are just horrible and the as I said before I love Asics!.
I am 5'9 175 pounds were these designed for larger runners? Anyone.
The last 7 months I have been preparing to run the Berlin marathon. I've run so far 916km with the Ascis Gel Kinsei 1 (women's shoe)and I must say that I am VERY pleased. The life time of a running shoe is usually around 400km but the gel kinsei only started to feeling uncomfortable at around 800km.
I had bought the gel kinsei 1 (women) after reading some positive reviews and of course after trying a number of running shoes which I ended throwing away after using them for a couple of times.
The gel kinsei feels extremely comfortable when I run in them. I have finally stopped thinking about THE SHOE when running!I only had a blister once in the inside of my foot arch( during the first month) but I did not have a problem since then.
With regards to my foot mechanics, it may be useful to mention that I roll inward moderately and I have a medimium arch. My weight is around 48kg.
It is true that they smelled when I bought them but they do not anymore. I also found them a bit noisy in the beginning.
I should also mention that I haven't used another model of asics so I can't compare it with another model. Some people may find it a bit heavy( I only say it because of the comments I read in the internet).
However, I find it just perfect for my kind of training and I am buying another pair of gel kinsei for the marathon race.
My kinsei also smells like the barn. I did not even notice the odor came from the shoes, I thought it might have come from my dirty denim. But, it is coming from the shoes. I also emailed Asics, no reply.
They are now in the garage, I wear them to do yard work.
Also, I love the Nimbus VI, unfortunately I tossed my only pair two years ago. I have not been able to find a shoe that comes close to VI.
I've got the same problem with the odor, I also have a pair of bike shoes that are emitting the same smell. I am going to try and write Asics as well... a smell like that could have toxic consequences.
They run fine, the heavier weight I find benefits your workout, and when you switch to your race day shoe you feel much lighter... and faster!
I agree about the smell but not about the shoe. Kinsei 1's have been excellent once worn in but now have already been "upgraded" to Kinsei 2's. These seem much heavier and really not comfy to run in at all (especially heel area is awful and much harder) and now giving loads of problems that I'm running back in my old ones :o(
I love my Gel Kinsei's. I'm a fitness instructor and had a fracture on my foot from so much high impact stuff - that's when I was wearing Nike shocks. As soon as I swapped to Asics it healed pretty quickly. But OH MY GOD THE SMELL!!!! I really thought one of the cats had peed on them - no amount of washing gets rid of that smell. It's so wierd - does anyone know what that smell is??
Klara
Suck it up people. You all whine about every little non-important issue. Running shoes are meant to smell like crap, so if the gel does that be happy that it smells stronger than your toe cheese sweat. And for the 300 lbs people using these shoes on a treadmill complaining they break fast is another annoying thing to read.
These shoes are the best I ever wore for jogging. I run in the grass and sand with them and they are extremely durable, comfortable and I agree they are a little heavy however. But that is actually a good thing for us runners because it makes our legs even more stronger so unless I am running with ski-boots I see no reason in complaining that this shoe is extremely heavy, it is in fact just a tiny little heavier than other shoes.
These shoes are expensive but I believe they are made for lean people that already have been running for some time and these shoes should not be bought by heavy people because you will break them faster and lose lots of money since you can buy 3 pairs of good asics for the price of this one.
Quit complaining about the smell, they are running shoes so don't expect them to be like your boy or girlfriend's high heels.
This post is fairly old and I've heard Asics has made improvements on this shoe. I can say that my experience with the first version was sorely disappointing. The smell of them was a minor issue, but a notable one at that considering I've been through scores of shoes and never smelled anything like the Kinsei.
Then again, there is the simple fact that all shoes are not for all people. These shoes, in theory, should have worked for me (I'm a lean runner with enough miles and an avid Asics user for years). Instead, they gave me an injury and cost an a lot of money compared to other worthy shoes.
I also think criticizing their weight is fair given their cost.
Since when did a running shoe companies R & D dept. design a shoes to "smell like crap"? "Okay Asics employees...we need to get the smell on this shoe even stronger"!
I don't think so.
Even though the poster thinks a heavier shoe will make your feet and legs "more stronger" since the shoes are only a "tiny little heavier", an opinion is an opinion especially after shelling $180.00.
Seems the poster would be wise to invest the same or more on a revised GED prep guide for his or her 2nd attempt at not graduating high school.
This shoes are the best i just bought them and i have some tips for anyone who feels uncomfortable with this shoes
1.First buy the asics gel kinsei2 shocs they made special shocs for this shoes.You will find that foot and shoe becomes one body and also the air comes more easily inside.
2.Dont go for running with your new shoes for 2 weeks.But start wear them were ever you go from shoping to work.That gives time
for the shoe to take the best possible shape for your foot.I guarande that after two weeks you
will feel more strong when you walk.
3.when you finaly start running
dont run for more than 4km or else you will feel terrible burn under your feet.But dont worry i have the answer go and buy some cooling spray for shoes you can find one in super markets.
After you do all this you will say
that asics kinsei2 are best,and for the one who said that shoes make a lot of sound when he runs,
you better go and buy an ipod,with
120db the only thing you can hear is a nuclear explosion.It depends on how you run for example me and my friend we have no problem on the road.
All tips are tested just try:)))
The Kinsei is heavy because it has so much Gel compared to the other models, but I think that it is excessive. Also, in October 2009, the Kinsei 3 is coming out, so that means new designs!
Anyways, I prefer the Asics Kayano 14s. They are really comfortable and are very flexible.
The Kinsei is a great running shoe. I am 5 - 11 and 170 lbs and the shoe provides great cushioning and fits like a glove. however, I cannot wear them in any situation other than races. When I wear them in a car or at a friends house everyone complains about the toxic smell. It is brutal. I will not buy another pair till this problem is rectified. I will stick with my tenth pair of the Gel Nimbus.
I bought a pair of Kinsei 2, and found that on the inside of both shoes the gel started cracking. I called Asics and they said to mail them the shoes so they can take a look.
I just Bot the Kensei 2 on Sunday 7/26/09. on Sale for $109. I did notice a little smell at the store but figured it just new sneaker smell. Now its Wednesday & I ran in them this morning and wore them to work to help wear them in. Now, because of this site, I can't stop smelling them.. I had one of the girl at work come over to take a whiff. she thought it was my B.O. then started laughing when I showed her this blog.. Too Funny. Unfort. the joke is on all of us who wear this sneaker.. I guess I dont need to blame it on the dog anymore..
I am about to buy a Gel Kinsei 2....my foot size is 8.5....so should I buy the 8.5 or 9.0 or more....Any advice Please!!!!
As a forty something runner i've always had the mind set that the proper gear will help with staying healthy. I started running in Kayano's and over the next several years delt with ( I would'nt call them injury's) but aches and pains that were sever enough to put a stop to my training. Being determined to run, I was able to find solutions to each of my problems. The last piece of the puzzle that alows me to run pain free is the Gel Kinsei 2. I had a video analysis done and discovered that I didn't need a stability shoe (Kayano) but a neutral shoe (Kinsei). I've ran on several types of surfaces including trail running in the rocky mtns and have been very happy with the shoe's performance,I live in minneasota. I have averaged 500 miles a pair before their worn out thereby getting me thru a year on 2 pair as opposed to 3 or 4 pair. Yes the price is high (180.00) but at years end its about a wash. As far as the shoe smelling and being noisy my solution is gold bond shoe powder and an Ipod. Drew A.
I supposed that was the Kinsei 1 or Kinsei 2 that you wrote in your review?
Because so many people have commented on your blog since two years ago, it would be nice that you update your review with the newest Kinsei version. I haven't owned a pair but I've heard good things about the Kinsei 3.
just bought a pair of kinsei 3's. will wait and see how they go. as for previous posts... PEOPLE PLEASE get the right shoe for you learn and understand what "gait","pronation" and supination are
My 2c worth
I know thois post has kinda gone dead, but will add my 2 cents anyways. I have had a pair of Kinsei-II for almost a year now. I'm 6'3" 190lbs (was 265 when i got them) wearing size 13's. I LOVE THESE SHOES! yes they are expensive, but they last longer than anything else out there, and personally with the health benefits i've observed from losing 75 lbs they have more than paid for themselves, literally and figuratively. Smell- yes they reek, smell actually disappated though after about eight months. weight- size 13= heavy regardless, and the comfort of these shoes more than outweighs (pun intended) the negative of the weight. Noise- bought a twenty dollar mp3 player from target, 'nuff said. durability- as long as you are good about unlacing and taking off the shoes without pulling on the heel, they hold up, if you use the heel as a "grip" to remove them, they fall apart. i run eight miles a night every night, and have for a year, average weight over that time period was probably 210. not worried about them holding up if taken care of. overall i like this shoe, and while it isnt perfect, the pros easily outweigh the cons
why not try the Kayanos? Me and the girls I train and run with all wear them. We just did the Gold Coast Half Marathon a few weeks ago and had no complaints. I find I get a good season of tri / marathon training and racing out of a pair. Yep they are a bit more pricey than some other shoes out there but for me the extra $20-$30 is worth it considering the number of hours I spend in them on my feet (im a personal trainer and aerobics instructor).
Just my 2 cents :)
Does anyone have any opinion about Gel Destination by Asics?
I have had the Kinsei 3's for a year now, have pretty much worn them every day over a multitude of terrains, I go to the gym in them everyday, walk/jog around the Brissie River in them, hike with them and it was only the last three months that an hole opened up where my big toe poked through. This is a first for any of my asics shoes defecting in the housing but given what I have put them through then they have really stood up to the demands. I have had a few pairs of Kayanos and then upgraded to the Kinsei, again never had trouble breaking them in and am now looking at getting the Kinsei 4's.
Asics provides the best and branded shoes at best price.
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I bought a pair of kinsei 3 and wore them all through army basic training. absolutely love them. I want another pair but wonder how they compare to the feel of the kinsei 4. Anyone????
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