REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Stable
Versatile
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks running tech
Asics Gel-Contend 9 - Women's Review
Designed for simplicity and comfort, this shoe features a stable build that is good for beginner runners and those needing an affordable option
The Contend is one of the most effortlessly wearable shoes, suitable for repeated use day after day.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
The Asics Gel Contend 9 is a lower-profile offering from Asics, one that makes a great road running shoe for beginner runners seeking a reliable and affordable road shoe. Outfitted with a 30 mm stack and a measured 9 mm drop, the AMPLIFOAM+ midsole adds a bit of bounce while the rest of the shoe remains stable and fluid. This is not a high-tech shoe. Rather, the Gel Contend is the type of shoe that you can put on in the morning and wear comfortably throughout runs, walks, fitness classes, and work ventures. Perhaps its most enticing attribute is its affordable price, so runners seeking simplicity on a budget should try the updated Gel Contend.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Asics Gel-Contend 9 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Running Shoe |  Best Bang for your Buck | |||
| Price | $70 List $54.95 at Amazon | $140 List | $120.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $70 List $69.99 at Amazon | $75 List $56.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This affordable, low-profile running shoe is a good choice for beginners, offering a moderate stack, traditional drop, and a touch of bounce | Even with a few minor updates, this shoe shines as one for runners seeking a do-it-all road running companion | Affordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situations | While not suited for specified running, this shoe offers versatility and reliability for daily activities and moderate workouts | With its firm cushioning and 8 mm drop, this shoe is best suited as a dependable option for road runs and gym sessions |
| Rating Categories | Asics Gel-Contend 9... | Asics Novablast 5 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | New Balance Fresh F... | Under Armour Charge... |
| Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Traction (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Asics Gel-Contend 9... | Asics Novablast 5 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | New Balance Fresh F... | Under Armour Charge... |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 12 US regular, wide |
5 - 12 US, regular |
5 - 12 US, regular & wide | 5 - 12 US |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily trainer |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 30 mm | 40 mm | 27 mm | 26 mm | 30 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 9 mm | 9 mm | 3 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 28.0 deg | 26.5 deg | 25.0 deg | 26.5 deg | 25.0 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 58.7% | 61.9% | 64.7% | 54.5% | 62.4% |
| Measured Weight | 7.26 oz | 7.30 oz | 5.44 oz | 6.90 oz | 8.14 oz |
| Upper | Jacquard mesh | Jacquard mesh | Mesh | Mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | AMPLIFOAM+ | FF BLAST MAX | PWRRUN | Fresh Foam | Charged Cushioning |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR LO | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Finger loop | None | None | Finger loop |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
When it comes to finding a simple shoe at an affordable price, the Asics Gel Contend 9 hits the mark. With enough cushion for comfort and a low-profile design, this standard-shaped running shoe is perfect for beginners who want to keep things simple.
Performance Comparison
The Contend 9 is an easy shoe to throw on for short, easy runs. Its unintrusive fit and feel make it functional, although it is a bit lackluster.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
Landing Comfort
The rear stack of the Gel Contend 9 stands at 30 mm and has a heel-to-toe drop of 9 mm. The forefoot is adequately cushioned, but not abundantly so, standing at 21 mm off of the ground. The midsole of comprised of AMPLIFOAM+, which is resilient and comfortable but not particularly creamy or pillowy. While it provides a comfortable and reliable underfoot feel, it lacks the soft, pillowy quality of more premium midsoles, focusing instead on delivering a consistent and supportive experience for everyday outings.
The landing comfort of the Gel Contend is basic, though it provides enough cushion to prevent pain after running.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Responsiveness
The updated Contend features a midsole compound that is both cushy and resilient, delivering a reliable level of comfort for everyday runs. However, it falls short when it comes to energy return, making it less suitable for those seeking a performance-oriented shoe to hit PRs in. The midsole offers shock absorption, effectively softening the repetitive impact of running, but lacks the springy responsiveness needed for speed work or quicker-paced training sessions.
The Contend is not especially responsive, but its midsole offers impact protection that provides mild bouncy comfort.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
The Gel Contend 9 is a dependable choice for runners prioritizing stability. While there are more robust stability options available, few match this shoe's budget-friendly appeal. Asics has taken the classic stability shoe design and enhanced it with comfort features, resulting in a well-rounded and reliable ride. The heel cup offers a slightly rigid structure, ensuring a secure fit and minimizing lateral slippage. Although the sidewalls aren't highly reinforced, they provide noticeable support for fatigued feet and ankles. Paired with the midfoot's secure fit, these features deliver stable and confidence-inspiring excursions.
The Contend 9 is a pretty stable shoe, all things considered. It isn't a top choice for stability, but it offers enough structure to prevent mid-stride wobbles.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Upper Comfort
The upper comfort of the Contend 9 is classic. Its durable textiles offer a smooth casing for weary feet, wrapping them in simplistic jacquard mesh. The upper is breathable while maintaining its integrity. The tongue is on the thinner side with just enough plushness included for comfort. Adding to the Contend's simplistic design is its basic tongue. The tongue is ungusseted, though it does a remarkable job of staying in place during runs. The heel collar takes the same approach as the tongue in that it is substantial enough for comfort without overburdening the ride.
The traditional fit and design make this lower-profile offering a seamlessly comfortable choice.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
Weight
At 7.26 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe, the weight of the Contend is smack-dab in the middle of the pack. Its mid-range weight is nearly unremarkable in how predictable it is. This shoe has a slightly lower profile than most of Asic's traditional models, which would lead us to assume it would be lighter. However, each element includes just enough structure to weigh the shoe down a bit. Predictable and average, the weight of this shoe doesn't sway my recommendation one bit if you are seeking an everyday runner.
Predictable through and through, the mid-range weight of the Contend is exactly what we'd expect from this no-frills workhorse.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
For the price, the traction pattern helps make the Gel Contend 9 a suitable value. It isn't the most well-tractioned road shoe on the market, but it is texturized enough to provide a secure ride. The simple rubber outsole has a wavy pattern that grips most road-related surfaces well. The outsole is simply designed and works well considering the price, though I expect pricier shoes to come adorned with stickier outsole rubbers.
The outsole provides adequate security, though it falls short of the durability and grip found in trail shoes.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Asics Gel Contend 9?
If you are on a strict budget and want a shoe that will get you where you need to be, I don't hesitate to recommend the Contend. It doesn't shine in any single metric but performs decently across the board and is available for less than half of some of the leading road shoes. Runners who want to push paces, dive into the world of running tech, or experience cloud-like cushion will find the basic outfitting of the Contend to be bland. Runners who want to pinch pennies yet still acquire a shoe that is suitable for running will find success here.
Those seeking cutting-edge tech, plush cushioning, or speed may find this shoe underwhelming, but budget-conscious runners will appreciate its affordability and reliability.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?
Our recent lineup is loaded with shoes on the budget-friendly side of things. This includes the likes of the Saucony Kinvara 15. The Kinvara is known for its ultralightweight body and energetic ride. The Under Armour Charged Assert 10 and the New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi are both similarly priced, but neither one offers a serious wow factor. The Arishi is a low-riding lifestyle shoe that underperforms but is more aesthetically appealing than the Contend. The Charged Assert is a clunky, reliable, and stable option that offers confident traction. If you have a slightly bigger budget and want versatility, I recommend the Hoka Mach 6 for its user-friendly fit, approachable responsiveness, and wear-anywhere countenance.
—Ally Arcuri
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