Asics vs Brooks: 8 Major Differences in Running Brand

When I was young, my parents used to buy me Asics shoes. I have worn different models from this brand until high school, and they all suit my feet very well.

As I grew up, I started exploring shoes, especially for my daily running session. The Brooks have impressed me very much, and I’m still using one of their models for my exercise.

Today, I’ll share the difference between Ascis and Brooks from my personal experience and provide honest suggestions for picking the right brand.

So, let’s jump in.

A Short Overview of Asics and Brooks

Brooks and Asics are two popular brands in the footwear industry. The companies are situated on the opposite side of the world but share one common aspect.

Both brands make exceptional running shoes, and the models are famous worldwide.

We all have been using shoes from these brands since childhood, but we know little about the companies.

Asics

Asics is a Japanese footwear brand founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka. Initially, the company was called ONITSUKA Co. Ltd.

But later, they changed the name to ASICS, an acronym for the Latin expression “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano”.

Asics is best known for its running shoes, which are popular among athletes of all levels for their stability, cushioning, and durability.

They offer a wide variety of running shoes to meet the needs of different runners. Some of their most popular models include the Gel-Kayano, the Gel-Nimbus, and the GT-2000.

In addition, Asics make shoes for other sports, such as tennis, wrestling, volleyball, golf, pickleball, soccer, etc.

There’s a good line about this footwear brand: Once you start wearing Asics, you don’t go back.

Brooks

Brooks is a famous American sportswear brand founded by John Brooks Goldenberg in 1914.

They are also best known for their running shoes, which are popular for their comfort, responsiveness, and smooth transitions.

Brooks offers a wide variety of running shoes to meet the criteria of different runners. Some of their most popular models include the Ghost, the Adrenaline, and the Glycerin.

Also, they produce shoes for walking, trailing, hiking, and gym.

Brooks has a motto: Run Happy, and they are continuously marching towards the target with every revolutionary model.

Both Asics and Brooks are great brands for running shoes. Ultimately, the best brand for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Therefore, it is recommended to compare the shoes from both brands to see which suits you best.

Head-to-Head Feature Comparison Between Asics & Brooks

Asics and Brooks share the same path, but their purpose and targets are totally different. They have a slightly diverse audience and make shoes to fulfill their needs.

That’s why choosing a brand over others differs greatly from choosing a specific model.

However, if you look at their characteristics, everything will be crystal clear and help you to choose the best suitable brand efficiently.

Here are the feature comparisons between Asics and Brooks:

Product Offering

Asics and Brooks offer a lot of varieties in their product lineup. Some categories are common in both brands, but both companies have several unique collections.

Let’s learn more about the products Asics and Brooks are offering:

Asics

It offers a wide range of products for running, walking, and sports. The collection is so huge that if you have a demand, you will obviously find it in Asics.

Here are the Asics’s shoe category and their usage:

Asics covers almost all human needs for regular activities and fitness categories.

Brooks

Brooks mainly focuses on making running shoes rather than spending time on designated sports shoes.

Design & Color Variants

Both Asics and Brooks come in a modern appearance. They follow the current trend to match any casual or training outfit.

Asics offers eye-catching designs with vibrant colorways.

The logo usually covers the entire midfoot and forefoot of the medial and lateral sides. It gives a unique look, and different swoosh colors provide an aesthetic appearance.

Every shoe comes with multiple color options. Some running shoes have an artistic touch to stand out from others.

On the other hand, Brooks offers a clean and minimalistic design.

The logo generally sits just under the eyestay and covers the midfoot area. It looks very simple and easily blends with the overall design.

The shoes offer regular color options and plain design. Brooks prioritizes function over flashy looks, and the muted tone matches the aesthetic very smoothly.

Material Quality

Materials differ for different types of shoes. Asics and Brooks also follow the same method to make separate shoe lineups.

I will give you a generalized idea about the products or materials they use in different portions of their shoes.

Upper

Brooks uses engineered mesh for the upper construction. The materials are very stretchy and breathable. It provides a snug fit and bites my feet pretty well.

For the performance category and top-quality shoes, Brooks uses StealthFit upper for a tight and more comfy experience.

In contrast, Asics uses a superelastic mesh to make the upper material. It’s very lightweight and provides excellent air ventilation.

Asics recently introduced Chameleoid Mesh technology to give a proper fit and sufficient support to hold the structure in one place.

Midsole

Asics offers various types of midsoles for constructing different shoes. They have named their midsole FLYTEFOAM.

It has separate forms, and they are designed to serve distinct purposes.

FLYTEFOAM Lyte: It’s lighter and offers shock absorption capabilities.

FLYTEFOAM Propel: It returns a great amount of energy using the high-energy elastomer.

FLYTEFOAM Blast: It offers the most advanced midsole for shock absorption and provides bouncy feedback.

Apart from these, Asics use GEL and DUOMAX technology to provide support on the rearfoot and arch.

Asics has outstanding midsole technology, but Brooks catches the spotlight in these sections.

Brooks uses an advanced cushioning system to provide a soft and pillowy midsole along with performance on track and road.

DNA LOFT: It uses a combination of air, rubber, and EVA. This is the softest midsole produced by Brooks.

DNA AMP: It offers springy feedback and gives a great energy return.

BioMoGo DNA: The material sits between soft and stiff to provide a cushiony feel and performance.

DNA Flash: It’s the lightest midsole offered by Brooks. This midsole is used for high-performance running shoes for track and race.

Outsole

Asics uses its own rubber technology for the outsole. It’s known as Asics High Abrasion Rubber (AHAR).

The outsole is very durable and provides maximum traction.

On the other hand, Brooks uses traditional durable rubber in the entire outsole. Additionally, they provide dual arch pods to increase stability and performance.

Size & Weight Comparison

Both Asics and Brooks offer true to size fit.

Brooks offers more half-size models than Asics, so it will be easier for everyone to find their perfect fit.

Now, in terms of weight, both brands have lightweight and heavy shoes for users.

Performance-oriented shoes are generally made with less cushioning and firmer material to provide a lightweight structure.

In contrast, soft and pillowy shoes have sufficient cushioning and bulky structures, increasing the shoe’s weight.

Fit & Comfort

The fit and comfort vary from shoe to shoe.

For example, long-running shoes offer a cushioned and comfortable fit. Meanwhile, the track shoes have a snug fit, and comfort isn’t the primary focus.

Asics and Brooks follow the same ideal for their performance and daily running shoes.

But in general, the toe box area in Asics is a bit narrower than the regular size. Whereas, Brooks offers a wider toe box.

Therefore, I suggest sizing up half a size in Asics shoes compared to your original size. For the Brooks shoe, you can pick the regular model or go a half size down to get a snug fit.

From my personal experience, I’ve found Brooks more comfortable than Asics.

The main secret lies in the upper and midsole of Brooks.

They have good space inside, so I have no issue sliding my feet into the shoe. The upper is very stretchy and breathable.

Frankly speaking, the Brooks midsole is outstanding. It offers the perfect combination of comfort and performance, which is what I was looking for.

But Asics isn’t very far behind.

The narrow fit helps many users to get a good fit and support. There’s no question about the cushioning and outsole.

The upper and midsole have impressive technology that absorbs the shock in every stride.

In total, the fit and comfort entirely depend on categories, so it’s challenging to pick a brand over others.

Support & Stability

Stability is a very important part of running shoes. Asics and Brooks offer different technologies to provide support and stability during running.

Asics uses dual-density Duomax midsoles to provide stability in the shoes.

The heel clutch system allows the runner to continue the natural foot movement in running and walking. Therefore, it feels very normal and comfortable to wear the shoes.

In contrast, Brooks uses GuideRails technology to provide flexible movement for the hips, knees, and ankles.

It gives stability on your feet and allows you to run naturally, rather than fixing the over or under pronation.

Durability & Performance

Brooks running shoes are very durable, and their performance is superb.

I have been using the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 since last year and have run around 300 miles. The cushioning, upper, and midsole are still in good condition.

Brooks easily goes for 300-400 miles on regular usage and even more if you take good care of the shoe.

On the other hand, I have been using the Asics GEL-NIMBUS 24 for around two years.

I got around 500 miles on the shoe. It’s still in usable condition, but the performance has dropped significantly from the beginning, which is very normal in this range.

Asics shoes usually run well for 400-500 miles. The shoe can last more than the average Brooks lifespan with good care.

Price Range

The price range of Asics and Brooks are very similar.

The lowest running shoes have around a $10 difference in both brands, while the highest performance-oriented running shoe costs the same.

Pros & Cons: Asics Vs. Brooks

All the brands have some advantages and disadvantages, and Asics or Brooks aren’t different from that.

Here are the pros and cons of Asics and Brooks:

Asics

Brooks

Asics vs Brooks: Which Brand Should You Choose?

When choosing a similar type of brand, the name and appearance affect the most in decision-making.

Asics and Brooks are both popular footwear brands and make top-quality shoes. So, there should not be a case with the brand name or performance.

What influences the decision is the overall appearance and user experience.

If you prefer a narrow, bold design, durable, and wide range of sports and running footwear, Asics will be the best choice.

However, if you like wider, minimalistic design, plush, and comfortable shoes and are only looking for running shoes, Brooks will be the champion.

Most importantly, the choice depends on your personal preference and the model that perfectly matches your feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do podiatrists recommend ASICS?

Yes, podiatrists recommend Asics shoes that have a very good protection system. The Asics WALKRIDE FF and GT-2000 SX are high-performance walking shoes popular among podiatrists.

Is ASICS high-quality?

Yes, Asics is a high-quality and top brand for footwear. It has been producing top-quality, durable, and comfortable shoes for many decades.

Are Brooks shoes durable?

Yes, Brooks has a very good reputation for making quality and durable shoes for over a century. They easily last more than 300+ miles with good care and maintenance.