Running Shoe Reviews

2012 Winter Running Shoe Guide

Runner's World wear-tests the latest shoes and solicits feedback from 350 real runners to help you find the perfect pair for indoor or outdoor workouts this winter

By Sean Downey, Warren Greene, & Martyn Shorten, PhD

2 of 13

2012 Winter Running Shoe Guide // Asics Gel-1170 review c David Clugston

Image: David Clugston

Asics Gel-1170 ($90)

BEST BUY
Type Stability
Widths Standard-4E (M) 2A-D (W)
Weight 11.1 oz (M) 9.4 oz (W)
Buy 800-678-9435; asics.com

We Say This standout trainer delivers a terrific combination of value and comfort. In this update, Asics tinkered with the outsole a bit, reshaping the shank and adding a wedge of firm foam in the midsole to buttress the arch and help rein in overpronation--but otherwise left it alone. And why mess with success? RW Shoe Lab tests, and most of our testers, agree that it's a well-balanced shoe—sufficiently soft for heel-and midfoot-strikers but not mushy—and a great choice for long training runs and marathons.

Run off 10, 20, 30 pounds or more—beginners welcome!

Wear-Testers Say
"The shoe was comfortable and had an excellent fit."
—Bob Thear, 34, Allentown

"From the weight to the cushioning to the lacing system, I liked everything."
—Donald Richmond, 25, East Lansing

Pronation, Explained

Back to Start

2 of 13

Keywords:

More From

	Related Program
	Half-Marathon Jumpstart Challenge yourself mentally and physically with a half-marathon. This 2-week training jumpstart will help you build your base before you embark on a 10-week training regimen.

2012 Winter Running Shoe Guide

sites/default/files/winter-shoe-guide-th.jpg

%5B%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F21%5C%2Ffriday-fitspiration-be-patient%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Friday+Fitspiration%3A+Be+Patient%5C%22%3EFriday+Fitspiration%3A+Be+Patient%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F21%5C%2Ffriday-fitspiration-be-patient%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Ffitspiration_35.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F20%5C%2Frunners-weve-found-your-dream-job%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Runners%3A+We%26%23039%3Bve+Found+Your+Dream+Job%5C%22%3ERunners%3A+We%26%23039%3Bve+Found+Your+Dream+Job%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F20%5C%2Frunners-weve-found-your-dream-job%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fwestin-juicebar_1.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F20%5C%2Fhealthy-road-trip-snacks%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Healthy+Road+Trip+Snacks%5C%22%3EHealthy+Road+Trip+Snacks%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F20%5C%2Fhealthy-road-trip-snacks%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Froad-trip-snacking-juicebar_1.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F20%5C%2Fyoga-tips%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Get+More+from+Yoga%5C%22%3EGet+More+from+Yoga%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F20%5C%2Fyoga-tips%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fget-the-most-out-of-your-yoga-practice-juicebar_1.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Flow-squats-women%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Low+Squats%5C%22%3ELow+Squats%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Flow-squats-women%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Flow-squats-th.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Flow-lateral-band-walk-women%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Low+Lateral+Band+Walk%5C%22%3ELow+Lateral+Band+Walk%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Flow-lateral-band-walk-women%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Flow-lateral-band-walk-th.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Falternating-superman-women%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Alternating+Superman%5C%22%3EAlternating+Superman%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Falternating-superman-women%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Falternating-superman-th.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Fsingle-leg-glute-bridge-women%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Single-Leg+Glute+Bridge%5C%22%3ESingle-Leg+Glute+Bridge%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Fsingle-leg-glute-bridge-women%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fsingle-leg-glute-bridge-th.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Fstep-lunge-women%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Step+Lunge%5C%22%3EStep+Lunge%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fexercise%5C%2Fstep-lunge-women%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fstep-lunge-th.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fworkout%5C%2Factress-elsa-pataky-butt-workout%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22The+Elsa+Pataky+Workout%5C%22%3EThe+Elsa+Pataky+Workout%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fworkout%5C%2Factress-elsa-pataky-butt-workout%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Felsa-pataky-workout-th.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F19%5C%2Fpeanut-butter-recipes%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Peanuts+and+Peanut+Butter%3A+Your+New+Breakfast+Staples%5C%22%3EPeanuts+and+Peanut+Butter%3A+Your+New...%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F19%5C%2Fpeanut-butter-recipes%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fbenefits-of-peanuts-juicebar_0.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F19%5C%2Fwatermelon-benefits%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22The+Summer+Superfruit+You+Should+Be+Eating%5C%22%3EThe+Summer+Superfruit+You+Should+Be...%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F19%5C%2Fwatermelon-benefits%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fnutrition-twins-watermelon-benefits-juicebar_1.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%2C%7B%22link%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F19%5C%2Fcommunity-garden%5C%22+title%3D%5C%22Why+You+Should+Join+a+Community+Garden%5C%22%3EWhy+You+Should+Join+a+Community+Garden%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%22image%22%3A%22%3Ca+href%3D%5C%22%5C%2F2013%5C%2F06%5C%2F19%5C%2Fcommunity-garden%5C%22%3E%3Cimg+src%3D%5C%22%5C%2Fsites%5C%2Fdefault%5C%2Ffiles%5C%2Fcommunity-gardening-juicebar_1.jpg%5C%22+%5C%2F%3E%3C%5C%2Fa%3E%22%7D%5D

My Favorites (0)

See all Favorites

Click "Add to Favorites" on a story to save it to your profile.
My Plan

See all Plans

Try a diet or fitness plan today!
Recently Viewed

Find the stories you've recently viewed here.
You Might Like

Find the stories you might
like here.

See all Favorites
Click "Add to Favorites" on a story to save it to your profile.


Find the stories you've recently viewed here.


Find the stories you might like here.

The Worst Winter Workout Mistakes

New Ways to Lose Weight

You Losing Weight

10 Sneaky Names for Sugar

The Carb Sensitivity Program

5 Weight Lifting Myths

Running Shoe Reviews

2012 Winter Running Shoe Guide

Asics Gel-1170 ($90)

More From

Half-Marathon Jumpstart

Related Content

NEWSLETTER