For a while now, I’ve talked about making a Mount ShoeMoore, a short list of my all time favorite running shoes. On that list would be the original ASICS GlideRide.
In my opinion, it took what other brands, especially those in the big blue boxes, were doing and made it better. Lists like this are always subjective, and revisionist history can creep in, but the original GlideRide is one of the few shoes I bought multiple times because I genuinely loved it. I rarely repeat shoes. I’m always trying something new. This one pulled me back again and again.
There were a few things I loved about the original. It was sneaky firm. It had excellent lateral support. And it was incredibly versatile. I went back and looked at my notes from my first run in it and realized just how much I gushed. That run was supposed to be my standard five mile new shoe test with a negative split. Instead, I added two more miles, finishing faster than my normal last mile. Over time, the GlideRide worked its way into everything. Short runs. Long runs. Easy days. Faster days. Even my IT band felt better after running in it. It was glorious.
Since then, ASICS has morphed the GlideRide into something different, and probably something more universally approachable. Adding “Max” to the name signals the shift. It is now billed as a high cushion cruiser. The smoothness I loved from the original is still there, but the edge is gone. It is not as fast. It is much easier to settle into on easy days. The cushioning is noticeably softer, and the ride feels more natural overall. I would not have used the original as a daily walking shoe because the geometry was so exaggerated, but the Max version fits that role easily.
The GlideRide Max 2 keeps some of the same DNA in place. A 6mm drop. Smooth transitions. A fun, rolling feel. While it is not an everyday shoe for me, it has a clear place in my rotation. If I had to define its sweet spot, it would be easy distance days, junk miles, and casual wear around town. The fit and upper are also better. It runs truer to size, and the upper is comfortable, stretchy, and breathable. I even wore it to a running convention with limited suitcase space and used it as my all day shoe.
One note worth mentioning. I have been dealing with an Achilles issue for about a year. It is mostly under control, and I am training in pretty much whatever I want again. Of all the shoes I have worn recently, this was the only one that bugged my heel. I have run and walked in plenty of shoes with similar geometry and drop, so I cannot quite explain it, but it felt worth noting.
It will be interesting to look back at the end of 2026 and see where this model lands for ASICS. They crushed 2025 with their Blast lineup, and the GlideRide Max sits slightly outside of that family. It is the brand’s semi oddball shoe with a loyal following. The question will be whether that audience is still holding out for something closer to the original, or if this softer, more gradual version is bringing an entirely new customer into the GlideRide fold.
