Asics Gel-Contend 9 Review

During our testing, the Asics Gel-Contend 9 surprised us with its amazing fit — snug at the heel and midfoot, but with plenty of room for toes to splay. Its breathability and low price are other highlights, but it felt a bit flat in some other aspects. The newly updated midsole foam is designed to be softer and slightly more forgiving than the previous model, but we didn't detect much of a difference during our test period.

Comfort

As noted, we really appreciate the fit of the Asics Gel-Contend 9. The upper materials hug tight exactly where we want them to, and our toes have so much room to splay out for improved comfort and stability. Plus, the heel-lock lace eyelet is tucked closer to the ankle, almost at the shoe's collar, providing substantial rearfoot leverage. Fully laced — this shoe does a good job of holding your foot in place and keeping your heel locked down to prevent slipping and rubbing.

On step-in, the Gel-Contend 9 feels inviting, thanks to a soft mesh upper and a cushioned insole. But the soft, ungusseted tongue and high laces make it difficult to slide this shoe on and off without fully untying it and holding the tongue up and out of the way. It's not a deal-breaker, but it does mean you'll have to bend down to put your shoes on every time.

The Amplifoam+ midsole provides basic cushioning but lacks the softness and responsiveness of more modern designs. The ride is firm — borderline dull — and while it absorbs impact adequately, it doesn't offer much in the way of energy return.

Shoe Exterior Shoe Interior

For short walks or standing, it's perfectly serviceable. For longer outings, the limited forefoot cushioning becomes more noticeable. During a 5-mile walking test, we certainly felt the lack of bounce and cushion. Our dogs were a bit sore. However, they were plenty cool — we could feel the breeze pleasantly caress our feet throughout our outdoor tests, both under the foot arch and between our toes. Breathability is certainly on point.

Support

The Gel-Contend 9 offers moderate support, typical of a neutral trainer. With rearfoot GEL cushioning, the heel impact is softened, and Asics Guidance Line tech promotes a consistent stride. A rigid heel counter and synthetic stitching on the upper overlays help keep the foot aligned, while adding a bit of torsional stability without making the shoe overly stiff.

That said, this is not a stability shoe. Arch support is not substantial, and those who need corrective features will likely find it lacking. Asics claims that this shoe was designed for those who underpronate (AKA supinate), but one of our testers has a long history of underpronating, and they didn't notice any corrective support. For neutral walkers, though, it provides enough structure to feel secure without being intrusive.

Asics also claims the shoe has an 8 mm heel drop, but we measured a 12 mm heel-to-toe drop, which is a significant difference, especially given the lack of forefoot cushioning. You'll feel the difference in support between your heel and your toes.

Stability is one of the stronger aspects of this shoe. The relatively firm midsole and moderate 32 mm stack height create a grounded feel that helps maintain balance. It doesn't feel overly cushioned or wobbly, which is actually a benefit in this category. You won't get the “sinking” sensation of softer shoes, and that translates to a more predictable, stable step.

Durability

Durability is average overall. The outsole held up well over the thousands of steps we took, but the upper may show wear sooner than expected with heavy use. It doesn't feel robust enough to hold up to months of daily use, and we expect the upper will wear through before any other part of the shoe.

The build quality doesn't inspire confidence — particularly where the upper meets the midsole. In the pair we tested, we noticed excess midsole foam bleeding into the upper mesh and uneven fusion between the synthetic overlays and the midsole foam.

This isn't a shoe designed for high mileage or rugged conditions. It's built for casual use, and within that context, it performs fine. But don't expect it to go the distance like higher-end models.

Traction

The Gel-Contend 9 uses a firm rubber compound that performs well on typical urban walking surfaces, such as concrete, tile, and pavement. On these surfaces, when they're dry, grip is reliable. Traction weakens when these surfaces are wet, and begins to fail when fine sand and dirt become part of the equation.

The shallow tread is sufficient for small amounts of debris, but neither the tread nor the grooves between the patches of rubber are deep enough to provide adequate grip on loose soil and gravel. There is some outsole texture depth — it's not completely flat — but there isn't much. You're better off sticking to well-kept paved paths and indoor walkways.

Weight

We weighed a size 10.5 men's Asics Gel-Contend 9 shoe in at 9.96 ounces. At under 10 ounces per shoe, or 20 ounces for the pair, the Gel-Contend 9 feels lightweight enough for all-day wear. It doesn't disappear on foot, but it never feels cumbersome either.

This is a big plus for this shoe. Coupled with its good forefoot ventilation and rearfoot upper cushioning, the shoe feels light and airy. Though it lacks energy return where the rubber meets the pavement, it's not weighing you down, either, which helps to balance things out.

Should You Buy the Asics Gel-Contend 9 shoe?

If keeping costs low is a priority and you want a lightweight walking shoe that can also be used for occasional jogging, the Asics Gel-Contend 9 is a good choice. The well-ventilated uppers are clutch for warm weather and indoor exercise, and the lightweight design makes them suitable for all-day wear — you won't be dragging your feet at the end of a long day.

What Other Men's Walking Shoes Should You Consider?

We also really like the Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 as a low-cost alternative. The Charged Assert is astoundingly durable for its price and provides better overall traction than the Asics shoe, though it is a bit heavier on the foot. But if going even lighter in weight with even better breathability and much improved comfort sounds too good to pass up, the Altra Experience Flow 3 is a premium shoe that's worth the cost.