ASICS Gel-SlowCush Review | A Plush Ride For Easy Miles

This ASICS Gel-SlowCush is a great option for those looking for maximum cushioning and comfort for easy runs of all distances.

I’ll admit I felt some kind of way when a pair of shoes with the name “SlowCush” showed up at my door. “Who are you calling slow?!” might have been my initial thought. But certainly, my aging and (in one case) partially fake joints appreciated the “cush” idea.

I was once an ASICS devotee, regularly rotating through the GT-1000 and GT-2000 series shoes. But that was a very long time ago, and I’ve been hesitant to give them another shot since I remembered the shoes as being a little TOO soft and not very durable.

But! I’m always up for second chances and was intrigued by the fact that these were a brand-new model, specifically designed for easy and recovery runs (the bread and butter of my running life these days).

Will these make a regular appearance in my running shoe rotation? Let’s see.

ASICS Gel-SlowCush Overview

The SlowCush certainly looks the part with a very high stack and unassuming appearance. It’s not the most exciting shoe to look at, at least in the single colorway currently available (soft oat/simply taupe), but it might fit the bill for those looking for a shoe that works just as well for running errands as it does for running miles.

With no shortage of high-stack, maximum-cushioning shoes on the market these days, what sets the SlowCush apart is its intentional design for easy running.

It doesn’t try to straddle the line between cushioning and performance. These are all about promoting a “smooth and mellow cushioning experience” according to ASICS, and they deliver on that with their PureGEL ® PLUS and FFLUXE™  PLUS cushioning technologies.

ASICS Gel-SlowCush Fit

Length: True to size
Width: Roomy
Toe Box: Roomy
Arch: Standard
Volume: Generous

The SlowCush has a very supportive and plush fit.

The engineered mesh upper is breathable and hugs the foot well without pinching or constriction.

The stretch-knit gusseted tongue was thinner than some but still felt comfortable on the top of the foot. Asics don’t typically have the widest toe boxes, but thanks to the unisex sizing of the SlowCush, my toes had plenty of room.

The heel collar is very soft and fits snugly around my narrow heels without rubbing. A generous heel loop also made it easy to slide the shoes on and off.

The laces have a little bit of stretch, helping to promote a dialed-in yet flexible fit, and are plenty long enough for heel-lock lacing.

ASICS Gel-SlowCush Feel

Asics hit the nail on the head when they described the SlowCush cushioning experience as “smooth and mellow.” These are extremely comfortable right out of the box, with a very soft, plush underfoot feel.

I was a little concerned they might feel too squishy while running, but ASICS thought of that too and developed their PureGEL ® PLUS technology specifically to avoid that.

The structure of the GEL is formed into hexagonal prisms with space in between them, which allows for the material to compress softly and stabilize under the footstrike to prevent bottoming out.

That being said, it’s pretty clear the SlowCush is not going to be your fastest shoe.

It transitions well thanks to the FFLUXE™  PLUS cushioning, which provides a little more bounce and resilience than the FFLUXE™  cushioning, but you can feel that these shoes just want you to settle in for a nice, easy ride instead of trying to pick up the pace.

The ASICSGRIP™ rubber and AHARPLUS™ outsole provided great traction and grip on a variety of running surfaces, both dry and wet.

The wide base of support also helped keep the SlowCush from feeling unstable while cornering despite the high stack height.

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