ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 vs. New Balance WR1123 review
ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 provides good stability and shock absorption for the severe over pronator as well as a smooth ride. New Balance WR1123 is a high mileage trainer, which offers maximum motion control, stability and cushioning to runners or walkers with flat feet. Learn how these two running shoes differ and in which areas they are similar.
In two previous articles I wrote about the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 (the latest version of which is the ASICS GEL-Evolution 6) and the New Balance WR1123 motion control running shoes for women.
The ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 is the flagship motion control running shoe from ASICS and comparable to the New Balance 1012, so one would expect it to be superior to the New Balance WR1123. Let's compare these two motion control running shoes and take a look at where they are similar and how they are different.
Looking at the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 and the New Balance WR1123 side-by-side gives a good comparison of the two motion control running shoes.
Right away it is clearly visible that the outsoles of these two running shoes are very different. The outsole of the New Balance WR1123 is pretty straight which is indicative of being suitable for people who have flat feet or are very heavy. The contour of the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 on the other hand follows the natural shape of a normal foot.
From comparing the outsoles, one would expect the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 to be more suitable as a running shoe than the New Balance WR1123, which could be used as a walking or gym shoe.
Continuing on looking at the outsoles, we can see that the New Balance WR1123 has durable rubber almost over the entire outsole except for the inner forefoot area, while the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 has durable rubber mostly on the outsides of the forefoot and inside of the heel.
In addition, the outsole of the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 is more segmented all over meaning that it should provide you with more flexibility than the New Balance WR1123, although the New Balance WR1123 has more flex grooves at the tip of the forefoot meaning that if you do use this running shoe to run in, you might get very good flexibility during the toe-off phase.
Looking at the heel, we can see that there are crash pads on the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5, where there aren't any on the New Balance WR1123. These crash pads will help absorb shock and prevent it from transitioning to the forefoot. So the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 is expected to give you a smoother ride when you transition from heel strike to toe-off.
Both the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 and the New Balance WR1123 have a plate or reinforced EVA in the midsole to control pronation. The difference between the two might be more in the technology used rather than in the controlling of overpronation.
The uppers of the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 and the New Balance WR1123 also differ quite a bit. The New Balance WR1123 consists of more overlays than mesh, meaning that it will give you a tighter and more secure fit than the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5. However, the synthetic overlays on the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 are located on all the right places to keep your foot securely on the platform.
The New Balance WR1123 weighs approximately 11.6 oz (329 grams), while the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 weighs approximately 11.0 oz (312 grams), so is 0.6 oz (17 grams) lighter than the New Balance WR1123 when you compare motion control running shoes by weight.
If you're looking for a Medicare diabetic shoe that is flexible in the toe-off phase and provides pronation control in addition to a secure fit, then the New Balance WR1123 would be the motion control shoe to go with.
If you are looking for a lighter motion control running shoe, which provides good shock absorption, is more suitable as a running shoe, and provides you with a smooth ride, then the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5 might be right for you.
The suggested retail motion control running shoe price of the New Balance WR1123 is US $147.99, which is almost US $28 more expensive than the ASICS GEL-Evolution 5, which costs around US $120.
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Disclaimer: This running shoe review on www.motioncontrolrunningshoe.org is based on personal research and analysis, and is not claimed to be accurate and/or complete. While the information presented in this review is intended to help you better understand the differences between running shoes, we shall not be held liable for any purchasing decisions you make based on this information. Please use your own good judgment before making a purchase. The owner of this website receives a small compensation whenever you buy a product after clicking a product link on this website; that's how we keep this site online. Read our full disclaimer.