Asics GlideRide Max 2 Review | Is it the Ultimate Heel Striker Daily Trainer?

Here is our review of the ASICS GlideRide Max 2, the second generation of a daily trainer designed with comfort and efficiency in mind.

Smooth, cushioned, lightweight, and supportive, the GlideRide Max 2 just may be the right shoe for your easy training runs.

What is the ASICS GlideRide Max 2 known for? 

These shoes are recognized for having a smooth ride, cushioned feel underfoot, a curved sole design with a hard-pressed EVA plate, comfortable fit, grippy outsole, and for being well suited to logging miles at an easy pace. 

I was excited to give these shoes a try, and feel like I can be considered a target audience member for the ASICS GlideRide Max 2. I am a neutral fit runner who loves logging a ton of miles in cozy shoes!

I am always looking for ways to be more efficient in my stride and for ways to make my training miles fly by with ease. I have a marathon coming up relatively soon, so I was really able to put these shoes to the test during many training runs of varying distances.

So… let’s get into it! What did I discover?

My major takeaway after using these shoes was that my legs and feet generally felt great afterward. No aches, no pains, no stiffness. And they are incredibly lightweight.

Asics GlideRide Max 2 Overview

The first impression the GlideRide Max 2 left on me was that they are lighter than other cushioned shoes I’ve trained in. I enjoyed feeling like my feet hadn’t gained 50 pounds after putting them on. The soft foam layers in the heel were particularly noticeable after simply stepping into them.

I used them for short, mid-distance, and long training runs, and they felt well-suited for easy runs across all three distances.

The GlideRide Max 2 pairs an ultra-soft FF BLAST MAX foam top layer with a responsive FF BLAST PLUS foam bottom layer for cushioned, springy comfort. Its GUIDESOLE curved sole and EVA plate create a smooth, forward-rolling stride. And the ASICSGRIP outsole adds traction and durability.

While running, I did enjoy the plush heel and the shock absorbency provided there. And the rocker design of the sole did help roll my foot forward.

But the pillow soft spring found below the heel didn’t translate strongly into the mid-foot section of the shoe. Because of this, I feel like the GlideRide Max 2 is better suited to heel strikers than midfoot or forefront runners.

If you’re hoping for a padded landing after initially landing on your midfoot, you may be left wanting more. I’m not a super heavy heel striker, so I don’t spend much time loading the heel when I run.

But a runner who favors a powerful heel strike may especially enjoy these shoes, and find that the rocker shaped sole will quickly transition them from landing heavily on their heel straight into a smooth toe spring motion.

While I probably wouldn’t do speed work in these shoes, they’re excellent for easy training runs. My legs and feet never felt sore wearing them.

If I used them on a race day, I might not expect a PR, since they aren’t as springy or nimble as a dedicated racing shoe. But the curved sole still promotes a smooth toe-off and helps propel you forward.

After many miles in the GlideRide Max 2, I was happy to find that I often forgot I was wearing them! I love a good shoe that doesn’t pull focus from the rest of my run. These shoes served as a nice running partner… helping me run smoothly and lose track of the miles.

Did I feel like I was running my fastest pace ever? No. But did I feel like I could bank a lot of miles and keep my soles pain-free? Yup! 

The ASICS GlideRide Max 2 might be a pair of shoes I would reach for on any day where I need some easy going miles. They are comfortable overall and I was able to concentrate more on my running form and mental running game rather than how my feet were feeling.

I could ‘almost’ say they would become a regular part of my long run shoe rotation. However, at the end of a double-digit run, the height at the back of the shoe could rub my skin raw and even cause small blisters (even with the protection of socks). For me, these shoes were best for single-digit miles, knowing I wouldn’t have time to develop hot spots.

These shoes also earn bonus points for looks. Every time I showed them to friends, I got comments on how good looking they were, and I agreed.

They’re genuinely attractive and stylish. I wore the Pearl Pink / Dusty Red version, and I would wholeheartedly give them two thumbs up in the visually appealing department.

Asics GlideRide Max 2 Fit

These shoes are lightweight, cushioned, and supportive. The recycled polyester upper mesh midsole wraps around the foot nicely and fits like a glove.

The heel has plush cushioning, and the rest of the sole was supportive without being stiff or overly structured. The sole of the shoe curves upward as it moves forward toward the front of the foot.

A roomy toebox paired with a secure, cozy fit made these instantly enjoyable. The flexible and slightly padded tongue stayed in place, and was perfectly positioned over the foot. Strong but soft laces made it easy to adjust to the desired feel.

Although this shoe has a pretty decent amount of cushioning underfoot, the fit never seemed insecure or off balance. Between the broad shoe base and EVA plate, there was a surprisingly high degree of stability for a neutral shoe.

My heel was nicely hugged and didn’t slip out of place. However, the back structure of the shoe is extremely high and stiff, lacking any backward or outward flare and without significant padding to offset its stark presence.

The height of the shoe behind the ankle is significantly higher than in the original GlideRide Max model.

Asics GlideRide Max 2 Feel

First of all, I love a roomy toebox, a soft, ‘don’t notice it’s there’ tongue, and a sculpted mesh upper. So my feet felt happy in these shoes. My feet are a standard width and a neutral fit, so the ASICS GlideRide Max 2 were well matched to my needs and felt great.

When I initially took a few steps wearing the GlideRide Max 2, walking felt a bit funny. The rounded sole rocked me forward with each step, which I ended up really liking when running! The toe spring felt smooth and gave me a kick as I moved onward. I discovered that I’m a fan of the curved sole.

The first thing I do before heading out for a run is to go through a dynamic warm up routine. My warm up always starts with simple ankle rolls and toe walks. And… ouch! Unfortunately, there was absolutely no way to perform these basic movements without feeling obstruction and pain at the back of my ankle, all the way up at the level above my ankle bone.

My range of motion was noticeably limited during these movements. I quickly discovered that the height of the back of the shoe was digging deeply into my skin each time I would rotate my ankle or point my foot. This translated into an unpleasant blister after one of my 12 mile training runs.I’ve run multiple marathons (in multiple styles of shoes) and am currently averaging 35–45 miles per week in my current training cycle, and I’ve never had a blister form in this spot.

I typically wear ankle socks with an extra tab at the back for added protection, yet these shoes still irritated me. I recommend pairing them with even higher crew socks on long runs and avoiding shorter styles.

Beyond the bizarre blister experience brought on by the back of the shoe, I loved the way these shoes felt. I never noticed the tongue of the shoe during my runs, which to me, means it was perfect. A good shoe tongue serves its purpose as a silent hero during a training session.

Most of the time I forgot I was even wearing the GlideRide Max 2. Just easy, comfortable miles.

Similar Shoes to the Asics GlideRide Max 2

We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:

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