What are differences? Asics DS Racer, Gel Speedstar, Gel Hyper speed

daymobrew

I am going to buy some new racing flats. I do road races between 5k and half marathon.
I currently have Asics Gel Speedstar (from early 2007! :eek:) and have really liked them.

I am unsure what are the differences between the DS Racer, Gel Speedstar and Gel Hyperspeed (couldn't find a men's version on the site).

The sole grip mentioned in the Hyperspeed sounds good. I see the DS Racers everywhere. And I liked my Speedstars.

Anyone have any opinions or experience of these shoes?

--amadeus--

I haven't used the others but I wear the HyperSpeed on short races (well, I've worn them twice ).

Great shoe, very, very light. As you would expect there is little to no cushioning in them so recovery time after a race tends to be a bit longer (but if you wear flats already that shouldn't be an issue). I personally find them fitting a little on the snug side - they felt fine in the shop but are a tiny fraction tight around teh toes when racing in them. Not enough to lose toenails but I am aware of it a bit when I race. I've raced up to 10 miles in them without any problem and would probably go up to a half distance as I think they may be a little more supportive than a true racing flat (up for correction on that).

And how can you go wrong wearing a pair of shoes called "Hyperspeed"? It's like you've been inducted into the X-Men!

Why are you switching though - age of the trainers isn't as important as the miles in them.

Racing Flat

I initially got the ds racers.First time I had flats. First time I wore them they felt awful, but after that they were great, so probably just getting used to them. But then when I wore them on a wet dat, they were poor, no grip, so I got a pair of speedstar 3s (these have a kind of black webbing on the sole or 'wet weather sole' - the ds racers may also have this now (mine are 2005 I think :eek:).

So comparing the 2...just weighed them:
ds racer 246g
spedstar 3 257g

The heel on the speedstar 3 is marginally higher, about 2mm I'd say, but there is a big difference at the front, under the ball of the foot, the sole on the speedstar 3 is probably 5mm higher.

What I find is that the ds racer really feels light, fast and flat, while the speedstar 3 feels light and fast but less flat, more like my normal trainers.

So I have to wear the speedstar 3s if it's wet. If it's dry I have a choice and because they have a little extra padding at the front I tend to wear the speedstar 3s for 10mile races and above and the ds racers for shorter than that

Stupid_Private

I'm open to correction here but as far as I know the DS Racer has been discontinued. What is in most shops as DS Racer is the DS Trainer (287g).

TFBubendorfer

Stupid_Private wrote: »

I'm open to correction here but as far as I know the DS Racer has been discontinued. What is in most shops as DS Racer is the DS Trainer (287g).

Just to point out the obvious, the DS Racer and DS Trainer are two different types of shoe. The first one is a racing flat, the other one a lightweight trainer.

But I think you're right, the Racer has been discontinued. You can still pick it up online from several places, though.

daymobrew

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Why are you switching though - age of the trainers isn't as important as the miles in them.

They are wearing. I seem to be a heel striker and that part is wearing as is the outside toe area. I'll take photos on Monday when back home.

Racing Flat wrote: »

So comparing the 2...just weighed them:
ds racer 246g
spedstar 3 257g

The heel on the speedstar 3 is marginally higher, about 2mm I'd say, but there is a big difference at the front, under the ball of the foot, the sole on the speedstar 3 is probably 5mm higher.

Thanks for the weights - this info is missing for the speedstar 3s on asics.co.uk.

I like the sound of the extra cushioning under the ball of the foot as I seem to put that area under a lot of pressure.

Stupid_Private wrote: »

I'm open to correction here but as far as I know the DS Racer has been discontinued. What is in most shops as DS Racer is the DS Trainer (287g).

I do research on Road Runner Sports and that is what seemed to have happened.

aburke

Was just about to post the same query as the OP.

What did you go for in the end, and any feedback?

I've had a pair of DS racers for while now, and it's time for a new pair.
I've used them in everything from 1500m to the marathon, but mainly road 5km to half marathon, and have been pretty happy.

Very few retailers [where I am] stock all 3 - Ideally I would love to see all 3 'in the flesh' before buying!

Alan

thirstywork

Elverys do the hyperspeed and the ds trainer.The main difference as one other poster said is the ds trainer is a lightweight performance shoe which can be used for shorter runs and tempos but it also has a slight posting for soem extra suppost.The hyperspeed is a very lightweight racing shoe and although it can be used up to half marathon it isn't for everyone.

daymobrew

aburke wrote: »

What did you go for in the end, and any feedback

A lack of time and lack of retailers has prevented me from buying any shoe. I am thinking that my Speedstars have some miles in them (I know I haven't posted a photo to be corrected on this - it's that lack of time thing again).