ASICS - GEL-VENTURE 9

I've owned Gel-Venture 7 for 6-7 years and although I'm not trail running in them I've used them to travel to many many different places (Swedish forests, South African bush, Roman streets, commuting in the Netherlands etc) and put some serious miles on them and they've held up until now and "finally" age is starting to show. I've got the 9s above as well in another colour (these shoes just work for my feet) and since my old ones need replacing I'll probably get another pair. Not that I only wear these shoes but it is my "main daily" shoe. Make of that what you will. I know it's an oldish thread but I must immortalise how happy I am with it.

Waterproof: I find the Asics Gel Trabuco GoreTex are among the comfiest waterproof shoes I have ever had. They are trail running shows. Older versions were more low-key, the new ones have a horrible "goretex" writing on them. TropicFeel AT Hdry are also pretty good. Non-waterproof: Asics Gel Venture 9. There is now a version 10 Columbia Drainmaker XTR The Columbia are more ventilated than the Venture 9. I use the Columbia in the summer (I can also wear them without socks) and the Asics Venture in the winter, when I don't need waterproof shoes. Depending on where you're going, would something like waterproof show covers / gaiters be an option? There are people who wear GoreTex in the Florida summer - I'd die. But if you are going somewhere when it can rain a lot one day and get very sunny and hot the next, waterproof show covers might be an option. Functional but ugly... The RunRepeat website has excellent reviews

ASICS gel venture in 4E width. They’re cheap and very wide. New Balance also makes extra wide shoes but I haven’t worn them.

Me too. They’re cheap so I don’t feel guilty getting new ones after 400 miles or so. Only drawback is the grip isn’t the best for wet trails.

Hot take. But I have those and I love them.

Asics Gel-Venture 9 Trail running shoe. Truly waterproof. Gotta look for waterproof Asics and it should pop right up, if you're interested. On my 2nd pair. 1st pair still going with new inserts after a year. Pretty sure they have a men's version on Amazon. I walk on pavement and trails in the woods. My fave so far.

The GEL-Venture is sort of the low-end of the ASICS trail shoe lineup. They're relatively heavy, firm and stiff and don't feel great. Much better option is the Fuji Speed 2: much lighter, much tackier grip, and better cushioning (and I think currently on sale for under $100)

I have Merrell Trail Glove 7s. I think they are usually $120 but I got a sale color at right around $100 at the outlet a few months ago. It looks like right now they only have one women’s color on sale and no men’s colors, but if you keep checking back they may have something. That said my go to hiking shoe is the ASICS Gel Venture. Since it’s a trail runner, it doesn’t last all that long but they are cheap and I’ve gone through so many pairs.

I just wear inexpensive Gel Ventures and they work fine for me. I did a hike today and was struggling over what shoes to wear for it because I knew it would probably be wet and gross and I just wore them and had no real issues. Yeah they got wet, but otherwise no complaints. I’ve run through so many pairs over the years. FWIW I am a heavy supinator so I do better in thinner soles.

I wear 15 4e and I find the ASICS gel-venture affordable and pretty serviceable.