Customer Reviews ASICS Gel-Venture® 5

I have run for decades, and have been wearing Asics for years, and these are probably the worst shoes - for running - that I have ever purchased. That was not surprising, given the price. There is no cushioning or give or padding. The felt more worn out than the pair that I was retiring when I purchased these. They may be fine for walking around (although they make a loud squeaking sound with every step, and still do after a couple of weeks of wear), but they are not adequate for running.

I purchased this same shoe a year ago, and they were comfortable from the moment I put them on. The label says they were made in China. When I've tried to purchase them this year, they are not nearly as cushioned, and the right shoe feels different from the left. The label says they are made in Vietnam now. Different materials? Disappointing.

Disappointing. I so wanted to like them as I admired the styling especially at such an affordable price. However...the fit was a torturous and inhumane experience that should make the purchase and wearing of this shoe prevented by the Geneva Convention. Save yourself brothers & sisters! Run, do not walk past this one.

I have been wearing Asics for over 20 years and this shoe is the worst I have encountered! They are very stiff and rub my ankles/top of my feet raw. There is no appreciable cushion for running. The footbed is very thin, stiff and not supportive at all. The soles are very hard and my feet hurt after only a couple of hours on the trail. I am going to have to try gel inserts to see if I can actually use these shoes as I don't think after wearing them I can return them dirty from the trail.

Boy, the other reviewers were not kidding when they said these ran small. I got the 9W, which in other brands borders on too big and these were extremely tight. Back they go. They are prettier than they look, though.

I was very disappointed in the fit of these sneakers. It did not feel like there was any gel cushioning at all. I had bought a similar pair, same brand last year and they were so comfortable. These seemed to run on the small size as well!

I was excited to try this shoe based on the reviews, and I really liked the style and color! However, the fit was not good for me. I wear an 11 W normally, and that is what I ordered because the 11.5 and 12 were not available. The shoes felt small, narrow, and quite inflexible - I had to loosen them considerably to even get them on my foot. These are being returned in favor of a pair of Rykas which were a pleasant surprise of a winner :)

These were - hands down - THE WORST SHOES I HAVE EVER OWNED. I do not mean that in any metaphorical sense. Payless shoes are better. I paid $53 for these sorry excuses for footwear. The first pair that came to me had a defect in the left heel which dug into my heel. Zappos kindly sent me a new pair which seemed to be fine. After wearing them for three months I could hardly walk. My right foot hurt so bad that I couldn't remain standing on it. I tried heat, ice, elevation, chiropractic. Nothing was helping. I finally had to go purchase a pair of Brooks Ghosts from R.E.I. because I couldn't take the pain anymore. Three days of wearing the Brooks and my foot was almost entirely pain-free. Shame on Asics for making such substandard footwear. I will NEVER purchase Asics again for myself or my family. Also, I've been telling all my customers about what a debilitating experience this was. And thanks for adding to the landfill since I would not even donate such an inferior pair of shoes. What a waste! Sorry Zappos, guess it's back to Amazon for me. :/

These have to be the worst sneakers I have ever purchased. If I could give them no stars I would. After reading the rave reviews and seeing the price I decided to order. I work in a restaurant and am on my feet 35+ hours a week. I wore them for about two weeks trying to "break them in." I have never had such pain from shoes. Never will buy asics again.

This is my second pair of this ASICS style. Same size. Same width. Wore the first pair every day for 6 months or so of 5 miles of daily brisk walking. They were supportive and comfy. So when the sole padding started to feel a little thin in one shoe, I thought, "Time to buy another pair." So I did, from Zappos (I'd bought the initial pair at Nordstrom). After a month of trying to wear the new pair, I've come to the conclusion they're DIFFERENT. First, I got a big blister between toes 3 and 4. Stopped power-walking for a couple days to let it start to heal, then wore a bandaid. The blister recurred even through the bandaid, and worse, broke open. I had a bloody sock. I ordered gel "toe sleeves" from Footsmart catalog and wore them on these toes (plus bandaids). Uncomfortable but I figured I could life with it. THEN I got a quarter-coin-size blister on my big toe and my bunion began aching. ENOUGH!! I'm back to wearing my old pair until I can get to a specialty running-show store to be properly fit. Is the toe box bigger on these so my feet slip around? That's just a guess. I wish I could send them back but I've worn them. BEWARE!! You only have one pair of feet and when they get blistered and cut it impacts your life. These shoes are a cheaper version.

You get what you pay for. I have bought ASCIS in the past and paid over $130 for a great shoe. This shoe is so uncomfortable I cant wear them so I wasted my money. I wore them a day and they are so stiff they hurt everywhere around my ankles. When I first put them on (on the carpet) I walked around and was satisfied with the over all fit. BUT....the comfort or I should say NON COMFORT is what ruins the shoe. Its like you are wearing hard cardboard. If I am just sitting in a chair they hurt. Would NOT RECOMMEND.

Recibi vuestra reposicion en cuanto la anterior no era 12 y esta que recibi como cambio es la misma es 11,5 aunque dice 12. Siempre compre zapatillas con Uds. porque tienen un gran servicio. Por lo tanto les agradecere traten de enviarme otra 12 y miren en la lengueta ya que en esa aparece cm y euro en la recibida los cm son 28,5 y euro 44,5 y en la verdadera 12 las medidas son cm 29,5 y euro 46,5. Si no puede ser agradecere se me acredite el importe. Gracias

ASICS are not making their shoes as well as they used to. The GEL-KAHANA 7 style was excellent. Since they stopped this shoe I have bought 3 pairs of GEL ASICS - Venture 5 (twice) and another later version of GEL Kahana 7 - all of which I could not wear.

These shoes Kill my feet. The arch support is very high and feels like a ROCK. Will try to return

These aren't true to size at all so my toes were painfully squeezed and blistered by the middle of my first run in them. Since I've used them, I can't exchange them for a different size so these have been a huge waste for me. These feel quite sturdy but I would only recommend these a full size up.

I have used ASICS for years and not have had any problems with the fit. These shoes were so narrow that I had to check the box to make sure that they were a m-width. My first ASICS return, I think that I will have to try on first now before I buy this brand again.

This athletic shoe will be returned. The Wide felt like a Medium

I wish Asics would at least offer some non-descript colorways for their shoes. This bright turquoise turned me off.

I have worn ASICS for years and usually buy a few in different colors when I buy them. these were NOT comfortable at all. they were 'hard' - very unlike past ASICS Gels. Sadly returned the 3 pairs I had not worn. they did fit true to size though. Not giving up on ASICS, just THIS particular style.

Liked the style of these shoes. Comfort was horrible. I needed some good heel support but these did not fit the bill. I'm returning them.

I loved these shoes when I first got them. They were very comfortable and looked nice but they didn't last long at all. After only wearing a couple of months for short periods of running/walking, they had holes in the mesh on the top and sides and the sole was coming apart. I have other shoes with mesh that don't have holes in them so I don't think I caused it.

I expected to love these shoes. I've worn Asics happily for several years, and ordered in my usual size, 9M. The fit is all wrong - my big toe has no room, the instep is too tight, and it's just generally too narrow. I feel uncomfortable lumps under both balls of the foot. Returning.