ASICS Women’s GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe

Last updated: October 13, 2023


The ASICS Women's GEL-Venture 5 Running Shoe offers a high-abrasion rubber sole with a strong grip. It also has a lightweight cushioning system that keeps the runner comfortable. These were surprisingly lightweight yet sturdy during our testing.

We looked at the top Women's Trail Running Shoes and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Women's Trail Running Shoe you should buy.

Product Details

Key Takeaway: The ASICS Women's GEL-Venture 5 has a durable rubber sole with strong gripping lugs.

In our analysis of 46 expert reviews, the ASICS Women's GEL-Venture 5 placed 7th when we looked at the top 14 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

The GEL-Venture 5 provides great fit and everyday comfort, with Rearfoot GEL Cushioning System and a rugged outsole ideal for a variety of terrains. In 1949, Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka began his athletic footwear company (Onitsuka Co., Ltd.) by manufacturing basketball shoes out of his living room in Kobe, Japan. He chose the name ASICS for his company in 1977, based on a famous Latin phrase “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano,” which, when translated, expresses the ancient ideal of “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.” Taking the acronym of this phrase, ASICS was founded on the belief that the best way to create a healthy and happy lifestyle is to promote total health and fitness. Today, ASICS offers a full line of performance-driven athletic shoes and technical active sports apparel and accessories dedicated to bringing harmony to the body and soul.

Our Expert Consultant

Stephanie Mansour   
Certified Personal Trainer, Health and Wellness Expert

Stephanie Mansour, host of “Step It Up with Steph” on public broadcasting, has been coaching women for over a decade on how to lose weight and make it last. She has a Bachelor of Arts in communications with an emphasis on women’s studies and psychology from the University of Michigan. She holds certifications in life coaching, personal training, yoga and Pilates.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

The midsole of the Venture 5 is industry standard EVA, which is lightweight and resposive cushioning system. Comfortable and shock-absorbent, EVA is a durable material that retains its cushioning ability long into a shoe's life
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The rubber sole is designed from a high abrasion rubber, designed to be durable and to take a beating.
They also come with a removable foam sock liner and have a highly absorbent rubber outer sole. In other words, your feet should be more than able to take a pounding in these and they do look as if they truly were built to be able to run a marathon in.
The outsole unit of the Asics Gel Venture 5 was created to function specifically and optimally on the trails. It features gripping lugs that face multiple directions. These outsole lugs hold onto the surfaces well, making each uphill climb and descent more controlled and supported.
These running shoes are great for supporting your foot because of the specially engineered foam insole and gel cushioning system.
Super traction – The outsole and the Trail Specific pattern of this footwear provide excellent traction that allows good grip onto the surface. Asics GEL-Venture is designed for some weathers, therefore, suitable to use on snow or muddy grounds without slipping.
This trail running shoe is perfect for the neutral to underpronator. It’s really lightweight and nice and flexible for a trail running shoe.

What reviewers didn't like

Difficult to wash and clean the dust and dirt of the mesh fabric
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They do tend to slip on flat, wet rocks and this can be dangerous when it is not expected.
They aren’t waterproof, but should be able to withstand a brief, very light shower.
The outsole rubber separated from the platform, and it placed a lot of concern for a number of runners.
Tightness – There have been some complaints about its tightness despite its medium fit. Most users are not happy with its narrow inside that limits flexing of the feet.
Other runners complain the tread pattern on the outsole is tightly spaced and pebbles get easily trapped. This makes walking on tile pretty uncomfortable.
View our Women's Trail Running Shoe buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.

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