Never before have I been one to turn heads when I run. In the Gel Contend 7, I found myself doing so for the wrong reasons. The full rubber outsole is incredibly noisy on anything but the roughest tarmac.

I have been a runner for the past 15 years and this lower-end shoe has opened my eyes to adding the not so “fancy” running shoes into my weekly mileage.In addition to this, Asics also has put GUIDANCE LINE technology in the Gel-Contend 7. This helps the runner to develop a more natural and consistent stride. There’s also minimal arch support in the midsole which some might find uncomfortable. “Excuse me, you’re shoe’s squeaking” The Gel-Contend 7 provides a great choice for runners who are looking for cushioning and support. It’s a budget-friendly shoe that does a lot for its price. The shoe is designed for neutral runners and those who supinate. Another added benefit of the simplified design of the Contend 7 is that it’s a great all-rounder, so it could be perfect for:

The upper is an engineered mesh. It is a multi-directional mesh material that improves ventilation and stability. There are 3 overlays on the shoe that has synthetic stitching. This shoe offers a lot of great features for a steal. I would recommend this shoe for any introductory runner who doesn’t want to get near the triple digits at price. The Gel-Contend 7 is a solid choice that won’t let you down.I have run in the Hoka One One Elevon’s for a while and they have some similarities to the Gel-Contend 7’s. Both have the all-over mesh on the upper and a very cushiony midsole.

One over the heel, one on either side of the middle of the shoe, and one up at the toe box. The overlay in the middle of the shoe holds the shoelaces in place and helps to offer more support when tying the shoes. While this is quite a big limitation for a shoe (in a perfect world you can buy one pair of shoes that will do everything), it comes at such a low cost that it’s still a perfect shoe for those starting out, or short recovery runs.The Amplifoam Midsole is engineered to maintain durability at softer densities which will provide you with better flexibility, comfort, and platform adaptability ideal for natural running. I took these shoes out in the rain a few times and did end up getting wet. They didn’t seem to hold on to water and dried out almost completely by the next day.