Image approved
Forefoot midsole tech
FF Blast foam (inside rubber cupsole)
Heel midsole tech
FF Blast foam + Rearfoot GEL + Forefoot GEL
Outsole tech
Rubber cupsole with Kayano-designed radial/waffle pattern
Upper tech
Layered leather + synthetic panels
Cushioning feel
firm-balanced, muted by cupsole
Court feel
N/A - lifestyle/retro
Bounce
limited-moderate
Stability
good (structured cupsole)
Traction
excellent (wet and dry)
Fit
true to size, roomy toe box, stiff at first
Analysis
Performance profile
Cushioning Feel
53DecentCourt Feel
72GoodBounce
50DecentStability
74GoodTraction
97EliteFit
82Very GoodContext
Story & provenance
A Forgotten 1989 Icon Reborn
The EX89 is a modern rework of the 1989 Asics Gel-Extreme 鈥 designer Toshikazu Kayano's first project with the brand before he went on to create the legendary Gel-Kayano running line. The shoe's distinctive outsole pattern, inspired by Kayano's aerial view of an American city on his first US trip, is the signature detail carried over from the OG. For the 2023 reissue Asics updated the cushioning with FF Blast foam and repositioned the silhouette as a lifestyle/sportstyle sneaker rather than a performance hoop shoe. At $110-130 retail, it's been widely compared to the New Balance 550 as a Dunk alternative. Reviewers love the traction and retro styling but note the cupsole construction mutes the FF Blast, so it rides firmer than Asics running shoes using the same foam.