Asics Gel Foundation 12

8.7
8.7 score
(WalkJogRun) score (8.7)/10

Our WalkJogRun score is based on 3 different factors: Editor's rating after in-depth testing. User ratings submitted on this page Overall score from the "reviewmeter" based on reviews across the web the weight of each factor is: 40% editor rating 15% user ratings 45% reviewmeter.
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Editor rating: 8.2 / 10
User's rating: based on 1 user ratings
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Asics Gel Foundation 12 Review Facts

The Asics Gel Foundation 12 was designed to provide wearers with increased performance and stability while the shoe is in use. The shoe incorporates a few of Asics’s leading technologies that work to give the wear of the shoe all these improvements; the shoe has a SPEVA midsole and Asics Duomax support system that allows the shoe to do this. The design of the shoe is also one that allows the shoe to provide the wearer with a sense of comfort while the shoe is on foot.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Supportive
  • Flexible
  • Snug fitting
Cons
  • Fit not true to size
See How
Reviews were analyzed here:
We read, analyze and sort reviews into positive & negative categories to give you the complete picture.
What are buyers saying?

We have spent 3.5 hours analyzing a total of 510 reviews.

These reviews are then categoried into "Positive" and "Negative" feedback.

Below you will read a summary of them:

Positive
  • These shoes are great for my wide feet. These are actually a pretty decent shoe. The support is also pretty good though not as much as the other shoe that I'm used to wearing.
  • My husband carries on about how comfortable these shoes are for his flat feet. He has bunions and bad knees and these shoes are great for that.
  • The person who recommended these shoes to me is fairly big, about 320 lbs and about 6'4" and he has flat feet. We work on concrete all day and easily put in about 15 miles. These are my second pair.
  • These shoes give major relief and comfort to my bad and flat feet. The design is growing on me. I suggest breaking them in before any major running is done or if you intend on standing for long periods of time.
  • My husband has really bad flat feet and has been searching for the perfect shoe for years. I think we finally found it. For an orthotic shoe, they're pretty lightweight. Recent knee surgery used to make running difficult but with these shoes, he feels much better when he runs. He runs both on a treadmill and outside and they feel great.
  • Asics Gel Foundation 12 is excellent for my flat feet. they support my daily walk of 7 miles. however the fabric at the heel wears out quickly but I put a piece of duct tape as a solution.
  • I usually wear the Beast and they do still feel better but I needed to save money and the Asics Gel Foundation 12 is doing fine. They fit fairly well and the toe box is great. A little narrow in the mid-foot and the sole is stable.
  • Great motion control but it seems like the insoles are not as good as before not as much cushion. I've been a wearer of Asics Gels for over 10 years. This is overall a good shoe.
  • These fit much better than my new balance running shoes. They're wider than the New Balance shoes also and have much more room in the toe box.
  • I wear these as my nursing shoes and they are holding up extremely well. They are still very comfortable and I rotate them about once or twice a week.
  • I wanted a nice wide toe box and these fit the bill.
  • I am severely flat-footed and I do about 12,000 steps in these on average a day. I wear these to work and they provide great arch support.
  • My Asics are extremely comfortable and I love the way they look. I wear these with my Birkobalance orthotics and my feet are happy. I can walk about 4 to 5 miles at work in these and stand at the computer most of the day.
  • I am very happy with my purchase and this is my first pair of Asics. My feet are very wide and these fit perfectly and they're very comfortable. I used the Amazon tool and it worked great.
  • Good shoe, fits well and my feet don't hurt at the end of the day. I like that my feet can breathe because of the mesh.
  • I'm a woman who has big feet and they are flat. I usually wear the women's version of these but they broke down rather quickly so I'm hoping that these will hold up much better. I work on my feet for 12-hour shifts so it's very important that I have a supportive shoe. These are very comfortable and they have great arch support.
  • I like this version much better. I bought the same model number about 6 or 7 months ago and these feel better, have better support and the tread is different. I feel it's a big win.
  • Asics always have good shoes and that's why I buy them.
  • The sizing is perfect for these and they are more comfortable than I expected. I like the look and I am pleased overall. I have plantar fasciitis and that makes a difference in this shoe in terms of the level of pain when walking.
  • The Asics Gel Foundation 12 is by far my favorite sneaker. They have great arch support and are very comfortable. My feet don't hurt after wearing them all day.
Negative
  • My toes are through the mesh while the rest of the shoe is in good condition.
  • It's only been 2 months and the toe box already has a hole in it. The quality is not the best in my opinion.
  • I really like these shoes but they run small
  • Not enough cushion for me I prefer the Asics Gel Foundation 8 better.
Reviewmeter
The Reviewmeter shows you an overall score that you can easily refer to. The highest rating is 10 (100% positive feedback)
Of the 510 reviews we found in total, 14% were negative, and 86% were positive.
8.6
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Outsole

The outsole of the Gel Foundation 12 has a design that incorporates the use of AHAR material; this material allows the shoe to provide the wearer with a high level of grip while the shoe is on foot. Most of the outsole is designed from Asics Durasponge material; the grip provided by this material is only enhanced by the shoe's use of the AHAR material. Also, the outsole of the shoe uses Asics’s DuoMax Support system which allows the shoe to provide a decent level of support for those runners who suffer from overpronation during their runs.

Midsole

The midsole of the Gel Foundation 12 is designed primarily from SPEVA foam. This material allows the shoe to provide the wearer with a decent level of support and comfort while the shoe is in use. The midsole also incorporates the use of Asics’s gel material; the gel is placed on both the forefoot and the heel of the shoe; this allows the shoe to be impact resistant and gives the wearer a higher level of cushioning while the shoe is in use. The material also provides the wearer with a natural feel while the shoe is on foot; the cushioning improves the transitions that the wearer has while the shoe is on foot.

Upper

The upper of the shoe is designed from a mesh material. Mesh is known for being relatively porous and enabling the wearer to have an improved experience while the shoe is on foot; it provides the wearer with a high level of comfort. One thing that cannot be forgotten is the fact that the upper is seamless; the lack of seams enables the shoe to provide the wearer with a decent level of comfort and reduces the possibility of irritation while the shoe is on foot.

Weight

The Gel Foundation 12 isn’t the lightest shoe on the market. The entirety of the shoe weighs an astonishing 12.2 oz; this is primarily because of the ample amount of cushioning that was placed throughout the shoe’s design. The sole unit of the Gel Foundation 12 features a combination of SPEVA foam and gel cushioning; this combination of material in the sole unit is one of the reasons why the shoe weighs so much. In addition to this, the upper of the shoe has a variety of cushioning and is layered to give the shoe a more secure feel. The layering of the upper and the stability features present causes the upper of the shoe to act in much of the same way as the sole unit.

Breathability

The upper of the shoe is designed from a mesh combination. This allows the shoe to have a decent level of air circulation while the shoe is on the wearer’s foot. In addition to this, the upper of the shoe has an ortholite sock-liner present in it’s design; this works in tandem with the mesh of the upper of the shoe and protects the wearer from the effects that constant use of the shoe may have on user experience. The breathability of the shoe improves the overall comfort levels provided by the shoe and allows for enhanced comfort levels for the wearer of the shoe.

Comfort

The design of the Gel Foundation 12 is one that allows for a decent level of comfort to be achieved by the wearer during their time using the shoe. The upper of the shoe is designed primarily from a mesh material; the mesh on the upper allows the shoe to provide a snug fit to the wearer of the shoe and allows a decent level of air flow to be present in the shoe’s design. The sole unit, much like the upper has several comfort-adding features such as the foam and gel unit that are placed in various parts throughout the design; the gel pockets in the heel and forefoot of the shoe conform to the shape of the wearer's foot and provides comfort for those areas.

Style

The Foundation 12 with it’s muted colors and sleek design, is a relatively stylish. The upper of the shoe has a relatively sleek cut, as is the norm for most running shoes nowadays; the sleek cut blends in with the style of shoes nowadays and allows the shoe to be worn with a variety of outfits outside of the normal athletic gear. Also, to that effect, Asics fitted this she with a variety of overlays that give the shoe a bit more in terms of attractiveness and style. The shoe comes in a variety of colorway that only adds to the shoes aesthetic appeal and gives the wearer a bit more to choose from in terms of their wardrobe. The design of the shoe is also color-blocked which also somewhat adds to the aesthetic appeal of the overall shoe.

Durability

In terms of longevity the design of the Foundation 12 gets the job done. The upper of the shoe has various overlays that allow the shoe to have a bit more in terms of durability; the overlays protect the shoe from ripping and tearing during their time in use. The design of the sole unit also aids the shoe in terms of overall longevity; the sole unit is designed from Asics DuraSponge material; this material allows the shoe to have a bit more in terms of durability due to it’s ability to handle a wide variety of activity and the cushioning that it provides to the wearer of the shoe.

Protection

The overlays on the upper of the shoe allow it to provide the wearer with a decent level of protection during the time that the shoe is on foot. The overlay allows the upper to have a level of stopping power above that provided by the usual running shoe. The shoe’s use of Gel in the sole unit allows it to provide the wearer with a decent level of protection; this is because the gel conforms to the shape of the wearer’s curves and aids in providing the wearer with a shock absorbing experience during use.

Responsiveness

The sole unit of the shoe also aids the shoe in providing a comfortable and cushioned ride during their time wearing the shoe. The sole unit is designed from a combination of SPEVA foam and gel material; the combination of these materials allow the shoe to provide the wearer with a decent level of responsiveness due to their shock absorbent and impact resistant qualities. Also, to this effect, the shock absorbing nature of the material allows for a decent level of energy to be returned to the wearer during use; this results in an improved transition for the wearer of the shoe. The snug fit provided by the upper of the shoe also allows for a decent level of responsiveness to be provided by the upper of the shoe.

Support

The sole unit of the shoe provides the wearer of the shoe with a decent level of support during their time wearing the shoe; the use of the SPEVA foam and the gel cushioning that is present in the upper and lower regions of the sole allow for a decent level of cushioning to be provided to the portions of the wearer’s foot. The cushioning provided by the shoe allows it to conform to the shape and curves of the various curves on the wearer’s foot. In addition to this, the upper of the shoe and the layering’s present allow the shoe to provide the wearer with a decent level of support during the wearer’s time in the shoe. To top all these things off, the sole unit of the Gel Foundation 12 features Asics’s DuoMax support system.

Terrain

The Gel Foundation 12 is mostly a road running shoe. The fact that the shoe is designed for use on terrains such as roads doesn’t limit the shoe to being used on those surfaces; the flat patterning on the outsole of the shoe allows it to be worn on various developed surfaces and means that it can be used on indoor surfaces as well. The shoe’s guidance system allows it to experience above average transitions and provides the shoe with an overall comfortable ride during use on terrains such as those. These shoes also make great parkour shoes as their similar model ASICS GEL Venture 6.

Price

Despite all the technology present in the Gel Foundation 12’s design and the functionality provided, the shoe is relatively inexpensive. The shoe features various materials in its design that allows it to provide the wearer with a high level of value; the gel in the sole unit and the various layers present throughout the upper of the shoe improve the overall functionality of the shoe and improve the overall functionality provided to the wearer of the shoe. The shoe is also relatively versatile in it’s design; the shoe can be worn during several activities outside of the typical athletic one. All these things should be thought about when one is considering the purchase of this shoe.

Traction

The sole unit of the Gel Foundation 12 provides the wearer of the shoe with a decent level of grip during use. The sole unit features Asics’s AHAR and Durasponge materials throughout its design; the use of these materials allows the shoe to grip the ground with ferocity and provides the wearer with a level of grip above that provided by other shoes. The shoe also has various grooves that run the length of the sole unit and allows it to flex to the point that it allows the wearer to get a grip on the hard to reach places on trail surfaces.

Flexibility

The design of the Gel Foundation 12 is one that allows the wearer to achieve a decent level of flex during their time in the shoe. The sole unit of the shoe moves relatively easily and responds well to pressure placed on it by the wearer of the shoe; the use of flex grooves in the design of the sole unit only enhances this effect of the shoe and improves it's ability to move relatively easily on various surfaces. The upper of the shoe and its mesh make allows it to bend to the will of the wearer and improves the shoe’s overall ability to achieve a decent level of flex on various surfaces.

Stability

The design of the Foundation 12 is one that has various stability features placed throughout. The upper of the shoe has a layered effect and provides the wearer of the shoe with a sense of security in their movements. The blend of materials in the sole unit such as the SPEVA and the gel cushioning also works in this way; the SPEVA foam is rather firm and reduces the amount of rollover experienced by the wearer of the shoe.

Drop

The drop on this shoe is not the most significant thing in the world. The heel-to-toe ratio on the Gel Foundation 12 is about 10 mm; a drop such as this allows the shoe to have relatively smooth transitions and improves the feel of the shoe overall while in use.

Key features

• Gel cushioning in forefoot and heel
• SPEVA foam in midsole
• AHAR material on sole
• Engineered mesh in upper
• DuoMax guidance system
• ComforDry sock liner
• Durasponge outsole

Verdict

Overall, the layout of the Gel Foundation 12 is quite amazing. The shoe features several materials throughout that enables it to have a relatively high level of functionality and comfort during use. On top of this, the shoe features a rather stylish design and can be worn in various placed without worry. The one thing that would give the wearer a remote sense of worry is the heavy-duty aspect of the shoe’s design; even this is made up by the complementary technology in the shoe such as the gel and the mesh in the upper.