The Asics 33-M is Asics's first venture into the world of maximalism. But there’s a twist to this shoe that may surprise many loyalists to the brand.
There's no gel in this shoe.
To give the shoe a pillow-like feel, Asics has included it's brand new, proprietary foam: Amplifoam. Amplifoam is softer than any midsole compound that Asics has produced before. Since it is too soft to use as a stand-alone midsole, Asics places a top layer of Amplifoam just beneath the footbed and adds a full layer of Solyte foam underneath to provide a more structured base.
The heel-to-toe drop is 4mm, resulting in an incredibly soft shoe that offers formidable responsiveness during toe off.
The 33-M is a great fit for any runner or walker looking for a more natural ride, but wants the extra cushioning to soften impact. Though it is built as a neutral shoe, it has a wide enough base to naturally provide some stability.
For those who are curious about how the 33-M stacks up to popular maximalist brands like Hoka One One: We're glad you are doing your research.
Hoka One One is famous for their oversized and ultrasized midsoles, some of which more than double the volume of a traditional running shoe midsole. Though, comparatively, the midsole height is noticeably smaller in the 33-M (24mm in the heel, 20mm in the forefoot), the Amplifoam technology provides the same pillowy feel.
Runners can treat the 33-M as an everyday trainer. It's well suited for marathons and ultra marathons—for those brave enough to go the distance.
Learn more about the new ASICS 33-M in this video:
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Check out the Asics 33-M for men and the ASICS 33-M for women.
ASICS 33-M Specifications
Category: Maximal, Max Cushioning
Men's Weight (size 9): 11.1 ounces
Women's Weight (size 7): 8.9 ounces
Heel-Toe Drop: 4 mm
Recommended for: Neutral runners and some overpronators looking for a natural, yet highly-cushioned ride