REASONS TO BUY
Very affordable
Familiar fit and shape
Stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Basic
Not the most rugged
Asics Gel-Venture 9 - Women's Review
Ideal for moderate trails, this super-budget shoe provides trail-curious runners and heel strikers with predictable comfort and a simple, wallet-friendly design
Runners on a strict budget will find that the Gel Venture offers better support than road shoes for tackling more organic terrain.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
Runners seeking a super-budget buy will appreciate the approachability of the simple Asics Gel Venture 9. In a world of high-tech textiles, mind-boggling data points, and complex taglines, Asics keeps things relatively simple. While not an overtly impressive shoe, the Gel Venture offers enough to keep moderate trail runners happy without forcing them to overspend on “too much shoe.” Trail-curious runners or those seeking a traditional shoe with a grippy traction pattern will appreciate the predictability and easy comfort of the updated Gel Venture 9. The traditional drop and stacked heel will spell harmony for heel strikers when they venture onto the trails.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Asics Gel-Venture 9 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Top Pick for Rugged Terrain | Best for Comfortable Zero Drop Performance |  Best Bang for Your Buck | ||
| Price | $80 List $59.95 at Amazon | $145.00 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $98.93 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $130.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $109.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods Compare at 4 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Combining simplicity, comfort, and a traditional drop, this shoe delivers reliable performance for trail-curious runners, though it is far from our top recommendation | If a well-tractioned powerhouse of a shoe is what you're after, this 7mm-drop, stacked-with-tech shoe is the one for you | Featuring an upgraded upper and a stable zero-drop design, this shoe is a dependable and comfortable trail running option, ensuring comfort even during extended runs | This trail shoe delivers dependable performance with a revamped lug pattern and sturdier midsole, all for an approachable price | Perfect for new trail runners, this shoe balances affordability and functionality, delivering a smooth ride and underfoot grip for moderately varied terrain without sacrificing quality |
| Rating Categories | Asics Gel-Venture 9... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Hoka Torrent 4 - Wo... | Brooks Divide 5 - W... |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Asics Gel-Venture 9... | La Sportiva Bushido... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Hoka Torrent 4 - Wo... | Brooks Divide 5 - W... |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US | 5.5 - 11 US regular, wide | 5.5 - 12 US regular and wide |
5 - 11 US | 5 - 12 US |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 35 mm | 28 mm | 20 mm | 29 mm | 36mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 11 mm | 7 mm | 0 mm | 4 mm | 11 mm |
| Rock Plate | No | 1.5 mm Dual-Density compressed EVA Rock-Guard in forefoot | TPU | No | No |
| Measured Lug Depth | 3.6 mm | 3.8 mm | 3.2 mm | 5.0 mm | 2.9 mm |
| Measured Weight | 8.99 oz | 9.11 oz | 8.14 oz | 7.36 oz | 7.85 oz |
| Upper | Mesh | Air Mesh / Thermal Adhesive Microfiber / High Frequency Welded Ripstop Overlays | Ripstop Mesh | Mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | AMPLIFOAM | 4mm LaSpEVA / Compression Molded MEMlex | Altra EGO | Unspecified compound | DNA Loft V2 |
| Outsole | Rubber | Bi-Compound FriXion XT 2.0 V-Groove3 | MaxTrac | High-abrasion rubber | TrailTack rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Finger loop | Finger loop | Finger loop | None |
| Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 10 mm | 6 mm | 0 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Weighing in at 9 ounces for a women's size 6.5, this 11 mm drop trail runner feels as close to a traditional road shoe as a trail shoe can get. While it's not the most rugged option, the updated Asics Gel Venture 9 is a great pick for budget-conscious or trail-curious runners. We love that this shoe isn't trying to be something it's not; what you see is what you get… And what you get is pretty bitchin' when you consider the cost.
Some online reviews mention durability concerns about the Gel Venture 9. While we didn't notice the quality of the shoe degrading throughout the course of our 60+ miles of testing, this is worth keeping in mind if you typically put your shoes through the wringer.
Performance Comparision
Mellow terrain and the Gel Venture work together well to create a traditional, no-nonsense running experience.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot Protection
I'll start by saying that the upper of the Asics Gel Venture 9 is more breathable than I really could have imagined. It does a poor job of deflecting water but is woven tightly enough to deflect sand and dry trail particulates well. The tongue isn't gusseted, which creates a potential weak spot for small pebbles to sneak in. This wasn't a significant issue during our testing runs, but the coastal bluffs where we conduct most of our runs aren't exactly teeming with tiny pebbles. Despite lacking a rock plate, the 35 mm stack height provides solid underfoot protection without compromising stability. I appreciated the midsole's rigidity, noting how secure and protective it felt on the trails.
Despite being the most affordable shoe in our lineup, the Gel Venture didn't score the lowest in the foot protection metric.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
At 3.6 mm, the lugs of the moderately rugged Gel Venture 9 are not the smallest in our lineup. This is notable because the rest of the shoe feels like a road shoe equipped for trails, not the other way around. The almost average height of the lugs is the lone element that makes the Gel Venture seem like a trail shoe. The rubber outsole is incredibly well-textured, with lug corners pointing out in all different directions. The lugs bite down into semi-soft trail well but lack the teeth and grip necessary for super rugged terrain. The rubber isn't as grippy as most trail shoes, which leaves us wanting a bit more in terms of confidence-inspiring traction.
The Gel Venture resembles a typical road shoe with moderate trail-ready traction adorning its outsole.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Sensitivity
The Gel Venture 9 sacrifices sensitivity for stability, offering a firm, protective undercarriage that doesn't deliver much trail feedback. Unlike more flexible trail runners, its stiff outsole dampens most ground features, making it harder to feel the nuances of the terrain. While the moderate stack height provides a stable and secure ride, the lack of flexibility and trail responsiveness might leave runners craving a more connected experience on technical paths.
Not a sensitive shoe by any means, the Gel Venture is better suited for runners who care not about an intimate trail feel.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
The low sensitivity of the Gel Venture 9 has a silver lining: it delivers excellent stability, thanks to its torsional rigidity and flat, rocker-free design. While it lacks any additional lateral support features, the shoe's thick and rigid construction provides a solid foundation for tackling technical terrain. Even with an 11mm drop, as measured by our in-house testing team, the Venture 9 felt secure and dependable on uneven surfaces, provided the traction demands weren't too extreme. This focus on stability makes it a reliable choice for runners prioritizing confidence over a connected trail feel.
Asics clearly took time to develop a stable shoe that can handle the demands of moderate trails.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
The first thing I noticed about the Gel Venture was its low-volume fit. It's not particularly narrow or short — it just provides less overall space compared to most trail shoes. After adjusting the laces and tongue to suit my average feet, I found the fit to be comfortable and supportive. While this shoe isn't ideal for ultra runners tackling long distances from dawn to dusk, it's more than suitable for runners who want to motor around their local trails. The plush heel collar and well-cushioned tongue add an element of comfort that did not go unnoticed by our testing team.
Overall, this shoe is quite comfortable, but it seems best suited for smaller feet due to its limited interior capacity.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Weight
For a low-volume shoe, nearly 9 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe is pretty heavy. The weight distribution is solid and rather unremarkable, allowing the Gel Venture to feel a bit lighter than it is during runs. Even still, for a shoe that rides more like a road shoe that can occasionally crossover to trails, we'd expect it to be lighter.
For a shoe that doesn't offer most of our favorite trail features, we aren't impressed by its heavier-than-average weight.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Asics Gel Venture 9?
Runners seeking energy return, an agility-focused shoe, or a high-end feel will not be satisfied with the Gel Venture. It is a subtle shoe that does the bare minimum - protects your feet and provides traction outdoors. The Gel Venture is an excellent entry point for new trail runners, offering great value for the price. For those willing to spend a bit more, there are plenty of options available, ranging from high-tech, performance-focused shoes to models with aggressive traction and enhanced midsole bounce.
Newer trail runners will appreciate the simplicity of the Gel Venture, though veteran runners will find that this shoe lacks the tech they've grown accustomed to.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If a reliable, road-like trail shoe is what you are after, the Brooks Divide 5 comes with our highest praise. A bit pricer than the Gel Venture, the Divide offers a bit more stability and comfort. If you are seeking a traditionally-shaped shoe that can handle the demands of more intense trail running, the Saucony Peregrine 14 is a high-octane shoe to consider. With beefier lugs and no-nonsense protection, the Peregrine is an easy choice for runners who want the function of a trail runner in the configuration of a trail shoe.
—Ally Arcuri
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