ASICS enjoys a strong, consistent reputation across r/BuyItForLife as one of the most durable and comfortable running and walking shoe brands available, frequently ranked alongside Brooks at the top of the category. The Gel-Kayano and Gel-Nimbus lines drive the bulk of community discussion and both earn confident recommendations — the Kayano for stability and overpronation support, the Nimbus for premium cushioning — though neither is considered a true forever shoe given midsole degradation after 400–600 miles. Sentiment is broadly unified across product lines, with the main caveat being universal: all ASICS shoes are consumable products, not BIFL items in the strict sense, and some users note that newer model generations (post-2015 broadly, Nimbus 25+ specifically) feel less refined than their predecessors.
Across all lines — with the high-volume Gel-Kayano and brand-generic discussions carrying the most weight — ASICS earns a confident recommendation as the most durable, well-supported option in the running shoe category, but the universal caveat is non-negotiable: these are consumable products with a finite lifespan of 400–600 miles, and newer generations have modestly eroded the brand's reputation for consistency.
ASICS is praised across every product line for exceptional cushioning, above-average durability relative to competitors, and wide accessibility for different foot types. Professional endorsement from podiatrists and biomechanists adds credibility that resonates strongly in the community.
The single most consistent criticism across every line is that no ASICS shoe is a true BIFL item — cushioning degrades after roughly 400–600 miles regardless of model. A secondary thread of concern across lines is that newer generations have shifted in feel or construction in ways that disappoint longtime fans.
ASICS and Brooks are consistently ranked the most durable running shoes by biomechanists — no other brands come close for longevity in daily use.
I've been a Gel-Nimbus buyer for over eight years; it's the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn, though the newer versions feel like they're trying to be a Hoka.
They're not BIFL in the truest sense — no running shoe is — but ASICS outlast everything else I've tried before the cushioning gives out.
As a nurse doing 20,000 steps a shift, the Gel-Kayano is the only shoe that's kept my feet and back intact, even if I go through a pair every eight months.