ASICS Gel Venture 11 review

The ASICS Gel Venture 11 is a must-buy shoe for:

• Beginners looking for their first trail shoe and want something versatile.
• Trail runners looking for a shoe that can handle multiple surfaces and levels of technicality.
• Runners who want a budget shoe that works wonders during their winter runs.

We believe the Gel Venture 11 isn't the best option for runners who want a comfort-focused shoe with a more protective ride, as it offers low shock absorption. If you want a plushier shoe that provides more protection during your trail runs, consider the ASICS Trabuco 14.

We also think that the tighter fit is not for everyone and will limit the amount of runners that can fully enjoy this shoe. If you are worried that your feet are too wide for the Gel Venture 11, you can check the Nike ACG Pegasus Trail.

While the trend in midsoles has been toward a maximalist design, the Gel Venture 11 keeps a more classic structure, and it shows in our shock absorption test. While the forefoot got a slight bump from the previous version, the heel shock absorption is still a bit lackluster at 108 SA.

The ride of the Gel Venture 11 is not an energetic one, and we confirmed it after it recorded only 52.8% in our energy return test. We were not expecting anything different from a budget-friendly shoe!

The Gel Venture 11 keeps the same high-heel stack as the last version. With 35.1 mm, heel strikers will find this shoe to be suitable for their gravel runs.

We expected Asics to raise the forefoot stack in the Gel Venture 11, compared to the last version. However, they kept it on the lower side and, with 23.5 mm, heavier forefoot strikers might not enjoy this shoe.

Based on the two measurements, the drop of the Gel Venture 11 is 11.6 mm, which is not ideal for forefoot strikers.

However, it supports the idea that this shoe is very beginner-friendly, since most recent trail runners are natural heel strikers.

The new AMPLIFOAM PLUS foam has been added to this midsole and registered 44.0 AC, making this new version of the Gel Venture somewhat firmer.

This will cater to most trail runners, who usually prefer their shoes on the firmer side for added stability and confidence on uneven terrain.

The Gel Venture 11 doesn't have a pronounced rocker, which is usual in beginner-friendly designs.

Right after taking the Gel Venture 11 out of the box, we noticed it was on the tighter side. Putting the shoe on and putting it through our gel test later confirmed our suspicions.

With 93.8 mm in its widest part, it's an upgrade from the previous version, but still well below average.

An easy improvement to the Gel Venture 11 over the previous version would be to raise its toebox width. At 71.6 mm, it's still a 4 mm improvement over the Gel Venture 10. However, this toebox still runs on the smaller side and will suit mainly runners with narrow feet.

ASICS gave us more toebox width at the expense of toebox height. With a below-average 24.3 mm, the Gel Venture 11 doesn't allow for a lot of toe wiggling.

The ASICS Gel Venture 11 won't challenge the grippiest shoes in our database, but its 0.59 coefficient of friction is a very respectable result for such an affordable model. We think ASICS struck a fair balance here, delivering dependable traction that's on par with our expectations at this price point.

The lug depth of the Gel Venture 11 is very close to its category average, and that is far from a bad thing! At 3.3 mm, we found this lug size to be able to handle the occasional more technical sections while still acing on gravel paths,

The ASICS Gel Venture 11 keeps the same two-pieced outsole as the previous version, with a multi-directioned rugged layout. These arrow-shaped lugs grow larger from the heel to the forefoot and will help with braking while supporting push-off movements.

Our 30-degree bend test confirmed that the Gel Venture 11 offers good flexibility, mostly due to its lower stack. This makes it a good option not only for easy trails but also for hiking and walking.

We are always expecting ASICS to shed some weight on the Gel Venture line. However, the 11th version of this model didn't change in this regard and, at 11.3 oz (320g), still feels too heavy for what we would like.

With a test result of 72 BR, we learned that the Gel Venture 11 is about average when it comes to keeping skin dry.

This means it's far from perfect for very hot days, so moderate is key here. Moderate efforts, moderate temperatures, and you're good to go.

A shoe's drying potential indicates how much moisture evaporates from it. In the case of Gel Venture 11, it allowed 51% of the sweat to evaporate during our standardized 3-hour test. It's a solid result for a trail running shoe, telling us it will not disappoint you unless your runs include heavy rain.

If you're expecting the Gel Venture 11's stability to be significantly improved over the previous version, you'll be disappointed. It is still a fairly stable shoe, but the trade-off from the previous version, where a softer compound was added to the midsole, still stands.

The torsional rigidity test yielded 13.5 Nm, which is not surprising given this shoe's lower stack height and average outsole thickness.

After testing the heel counter, it received a 4 out of 5 on our stiffness scale. Runners will particularly benefit from the extra support during tight turns on gravel roads.

We measure the width of the forefoot at 116.1 mm at its widest point. The Gel Venture 11 will feel very stable, without being overly clunky!

The heel is definitely the area where ASICS improved the most from the previous version! The extra stiffness in the heel counter is paired with a wider heel midsole, and at 96.2 mm, we felt a more stable base that will cater especially to heel strikers!

We love when brands take "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" very seriously, and ASICS did not try to change the upper on the toebox. The 3 out of 5 result we recorded with our Dremel test did not disappoint us!

If for the toebox, ASICS didn't have to fix anything, they had to do even less for the heel padding durability. However, we were very disappointed to see a complete change in the mesh capabilities for the Gel Venture 11, earning only a 1 out of 5 in our Dremel test.

Outsole durability takes the crown in the durability trifecta, as our Dremel test left only a 0.5 mm dent when we lifted the tool. For a shoe priced below $100, this is a fantastic result!

At 2.2 mm thick, this outsole is designed to protect runners during off-road runs while providing a higher level of durability.

The ASICS Gel Venture 11 insole has an above-average insole thickness. At 5.2 mm it will help with comfort during your daily runs.

The Ortholite insole of the Gel Venture 11 is fully removable, making it easy to replace with your custom orthotic for a personalized fit.

We were very surprised to see that the midsole compound doesn't firm up in cold conditions like the previous version. With only 3% firmness increase after 20 minutes in the freezer, the Venture 11 is perfect for those cold winter runs!

Unfortunately, the new version of the Gel Venture 11 still doesn't include any reflective elements. If you are doing your trail runs in the evening, be sure to dress appropriately so you are visible!

Another major change from its predecessor is the tongue padding of the Gel Venture 11. At 2.6 mm (almost 6 mm thinner than the Venture 10), it will feel less comfortable, and you will have to be mindful when tightening the laces!

We think that a non-gusseted tongue, like the one on the Gel Venture 11, is a downside for trail use, as it makes it easier for small debris or sand to enter the shoe.

ASICS included a finger-loop heel tab, specifically for trail, that not only helps you put on your shoe but also adds some style flair to this model.

At this price, the Gel Venture is clearly an amazing option for those looking to dive into the trail world. Its price still stands as the cheapest trail option we've ever tested in our lab!