Asics Gel-Contend 9 - Women's Review

For under $100, it is hard to beat the performance of the Asics Gel-Contend 9. We recommend these to anyone venturing out on short and medium-length walks, or just strolling around town. They are comfortable right away, requiring no break-in. They are even available in a wide, should you need the extra space.

Comfort

The Asics Gel-Contend 9 is shockingly comfortable right out of the box. We were able to get a good fit immediately, with no pinched toes or pressure points. The soft mesh upper is notable for its comfort. It hugged our feet perfectly, without squeezing them. Even our testers who prefer wider toe boxes thought these were plenty wide and those with narrow feet can cinch them down enough for a snug fit. Plus, they are very breathable.

For most walks, our feet stayed happy. The midsole is supportive, but not very responsive. This was only noticeable during much longer walks when our feet became fatigued. We didn't have the gentle push forward that some of the other springier shoes offer. Still, we found them great for most walks (typically under 5 miles), and especially during outings around town.

Support

The Gel-Contend 9 was among the few that we could really notice the arch support. One of our testers, while in her final months of pregnancy, appreciated the extra support here. Most neutral shoes have minimal arch support and need insoles to be switched out, but not the Gel-Contend.

Otherwise, the support is fairly neutral. The upper, while light and flexible, is snug enough to keep the foot in place. The padded heel aids in keeping the foot locked into place. These shoes are more flexible than others, offering a more athletic/running shoe fit. You might prefer this if you like a free-feeling foot that can move through the stride. However, if you find yourself standing for hours on end, the lack of rigidity can cause fatigue. While not a pro or a con, this can make or break the experience depending on your preferences. If you're walking a few miles or want a reliable shoe for running errands, the support is adequate.

Shoe Exterior Shoe Interior

The shoes feel stable underfoot. We never felt like we were going to roll an ankle or lose our footing. They still have a mid-level of cushioning though, which we measured to be 31 mm under the heel. Part of the stable feeling is that they aren't plush and pillow-like. While that marshmallow-cushion might sound heavenly to a tired foot, it can also make your stride less stable. Instead, the Gel-Contend offers a stride that is the same, time and time again, while also not skimping on the cushion.

Durability

You get a lot of value for the price of the Gel-Contend 9. During testing, we didn't notice any major signs of wear, though we do expect a normal breakdown of materials, with the shoes needing to be replaced each walking season.

It is worth noting that these shoes are built for road and hard surfaces. They also aren't built for very high mileage. If you are walking a few miles a week, you'll get a full season out of them. We expect the midsole so show signs first, with the cushion packing. The upper is also a potential weak point, with the mesh more susceptible to tears and pokes. Still, we have no major concerns with the expectation being one walking season.

Traction

As mentioned, these shoes are built for the road. They have a rubber outsole with areas of exposed foam. That said, these are best suited for dry hard surfaces, like indoor flooring and concrete.

We took these shoes on various surfaces, including tile, pavement, gravel, and more. They are reliable on most paved paths and indoor surfaces, as long as they aren't wet. Once wet, the traction becomes far less reliable.

Weight

The Asics Gel-Contend 9 weighs just 7.3 ounces per shoe (US W 6.5). These are among the lightest shoes in our lineup.

The shoes didn't feel like it was weighing us down during our walks. If anything, we noticed the opposite. The airy upper helps, which kept our feet dry and cool during warmer days.

Should You Buy the Asics Gel-Contend 9?

For the sub $100 price tag, these offer superb value. There are some things to consider though. If you are taking very long walks, your feet might get fatigued in these shoes. Otherwise, for average sub-5-mile walks and trips into town, these are a great choice. They'll last you the season and likely need to be replaced once a year, depending on how much you walk. Still, the price is hard to beat, and the performance isn't that bad either.

What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?