23 replies to this topic

[Running Science]

I jumped out of my usual Brooks glycerins into the current DS Trainers (which i just replaced my old pair with )and went around the bay only to get quite sore in the fore foot of both feet and anterior shin pain . This has happened twice now ....
Now I now it is a lighter midsole and the next model is changing but i have been running in the DS Trainer fo over 8 years without trouble , this model seems to be "hollow" in the forefoot. Just wondering if anyone is or has had the same trouble .

[Fish]

I have had exactly the some problems with DS trainers. I really like the older version but the new version I really dislike and feel like the have no cushioning in the forefoot. I still run in my older models as luckily I bought 2 pairs just as these were being superceded by the new model and the difference is huge!

[Stu Mac]

My son (17) and fairly fast is using his first pair of DS Trainers for the faster tempo sort of work on the road, still sticking with his Kayano for longer runs and off road. He has had them for a month now and only now has found he has settled into them, he also spoke of his fore foot, no probs with shin tho. He does like the overall feel of the shoe now and is now happy for a 45 min run, but anything longer he remains a Kayano fan (V9 & 10).

[drunner]

I bought a pair of DS trainers about 3 months ago, during the first month I started to get pains at the front and top of my left foot. My right knee also started hurting. I was pretty dissapointed as the DS trainers feel a nice shoe to wear. In relation to the fore foot cushioning, I found this OK. I very rarely wear the DS trainers now and have purchased a pair of NB900, which is the shoes that I was wearing prior to the DS trainers.

[Owain Lewes]

Hi Stu.I think the DS trainer is a fantastic shoe. It just feels so natural,it gives me the right blend of support and sufficent cushioning to do good mileage whilst maintaining it's lightness In fact I've experimented by doing a couple of solid 35k runs in them -they were great.
Stu,like your son I have been doing my long runs in Kayanos,but I'll give my DS trainers that job from now on ( I think the new kayanos feel too unnatural for my liking) or think about the new 2100s.

[silver fox]

I ran in DS Trainers until the 2nd last model. The newer version didnt provide enough cushioning as previous and were very 'stiff'.

Switched to the Brooks Burn which is about the same weight as the DS Trainer and would rate (for me) as the best running shoe I have worn. Couldnt reccomend more highly and a great alternative to the DS Trainer.

[vat]

I have a pair of series VIII and series IX DS Trainers in the armory - they have exactly the same sole, but the uppers are very different. I can't wear thick socks, like Thorlos, with the IXs - they seem to be a good half a size smaller even though both pairs are 10 1/2s..

I have done a half marathon race in the VIIIs, but probably wouldn't do long training runs in either pair. I had a bit of an episode of shin splints a fortnight ago which I think was a warning sign that I do need to run in a pronation support shoe for long training runs. Picked up a pair of XI Kayanos which relieved the problem immediately.

[Not born2run]

I have been using DS Trainers for racing and speed sessions for a couple of years. During the training runs for the Nike 10km, I tried the Nike Elite, and was really impressed - lighter than the DS Trainers and cushioning great :D - would go for it next time (my new DS Trainers now feel "flat"). Never thought I'd be a Nike convert! :)

[Mulcas]

I recently bought the DS trainers after advice from a podiatrist. I stupidly ran my first marathon in them on my second go in them. By the end of the race I felt as if someone had driven a nail into the base of my second toe on my left foot. It has been a month since that race and my second toe still feels numb to touch. I have only ran 3 times since the marathon for about an hour each go and after about the 30 minute mark I feel the second toe becoming very tingly/numb again. Not sure what the cause is but think it may be due to the lack of support for the fore foot.

[Craig the pod]

interesting thread!
I have noticed that quite a few people have come through my door who have had problems with the last couple of models of DS Trainer. It seems that there are a bit more flimsy than previously and break down quickly- they are less stiff torsionally almost like they have removed the shank from the shoe.
I have queried the asics people about this, but they deny any great change. Their suggestion is that the people who are wearing them and having problems are not suited to that style of shoe (duh)- the problem is that these are people who have been wearing them for years previously quite happily.
I actually don't rate them as highly as I used to , and don't recommend them to many people.
I have thought about asking the coolrunners if many others had noticed the change in the DS trainers and someone beat me to it!!
Any more?
Cheers!

[shane hayes]

Gee, i just had shin splints, never thought it could be from the shoes that i wear, maybe i should get rid of my DS trainers to. <_<

[southy]

I bought a pair of DS trainers earlier this year for road racing in. They felt so light and flexible in the forefoot that before long I was doing long runs in them too (after all they are named trainers), although I did notice a fair amount of shock in the forefoot area. After a few weeks I had a stress fracture in my third metatarsal. My son (16) running in his new DS Trainers also developed bone stress on his tibia. I'll keep the DS trainers for road racing in but will not use them for training in anymore. I had not had a stress fx before in many years so I really believe it was the shoes. I've gone back to my good ole stand by - Asics 20xx without any more problems.

[Speedy Girl]

The DS trainer was recommended to me by my sports podiatrist but ONLY to wear as an events-racing shoe. I bought them about 5 months ago so I don't know if they are the current or previous model. I have run about 5 races in them and love them however the only race I've run in them longer than 10km was at the city to surf. My shoes for training however are a control shoe and abit heavier. I had enormous problems with the Keyano a couple of years back and having the shoe examined by Asic and my podiatrist it was considered that the shoe may have contributed to a tibial stress fracture incurred after 2-3 weeks of wearing. I wouldn't trust wearing them again so I guess its the same for those who've had a bad experience with the DS.

[bear]

Ive worn ds trainers for year & never had a problem....never once have I had shin splint in my life, then last year I bought the latest ds trainers & bingo got shin splints & really bad knee pain.......so just hope the ds racer stays good

[Easy Tiger]

try ds verdict, the neutral equivalant of ds trainer. every shoe feels uncomfortable after wearing brooks glycerine. i use them as a training shoe and the verdicts as an option in between trainers and flats. great shoe, almost as comfortable as glycerine's and almost as fast as flats. good luck with the store, richard the podiatrist is a genius!

[Mulcas]

Does anyone recommend a shoe similar to the DS trainer (neutral) but with slightly more forefoot cushioning?

[Easy Tiger]

I'm pretty sure ds trainers are for pronators, might be worth checking with asics. the pair i was given certainly felt like they were designed for pronators. ds verdict a great neutral option or for a heavier training shoe i prefer brooks glycerine.

[Running Science]

OK seems there are a few people in the same boat, Have spoken to ASICS and the next model is changing which should bring back the DS to what it was and better which is great news .
Thanks for the replies , very usefull to know others are are finding the same problems.

[Pabags]

Thanks running science. I have been using the DS for a while now and get a red mark on the top of my foot but no pain from it. Saw the new version at the Busselton Ironman a couple of weeks ago at Asics expo tent and the guys there said the same as you, so all is looking good.
They are due out this month sometime.

Ian C :)

[Pabags]

Well, lucky me! Got a pair of the new DS Trainers for Xmas and although I havent worn them on a run have had a walk in them. A couple of things I did notice:
1.They seem to hug the heel a bit more.
2. Dont seem as tight on the top of the foot
3. More mesh for airflow on the shoe.

As I said I havent had a run in them yet so will report back later.

Ian C :)

[vat]

Interesting this thread came up again - I'm starting to warm to my Series IX DS Trainers, although as mentioned I doubt I'd do big training miles in them.

Noting Running Science's comments on the Bay Run, I reckon the surface around there is rock hard and is going to exacerbate any foot problems you might have. The couple of times I've had shin splints they've always been worse around there.

[Pabags]

Well, had my first run (10k) in the DS Trainers X and happy to report that they seem better than the previous versions. Noticed early in my run that the top of my left foot had pressure on it so loosened the lace around that area which fixed the problem.
Couple of things I noticed was the amount of ventilation in the shoe compared to the previous and they seem to fit snugly around the ankle. Cushioning seemed very good, but then most new shoes do!
For those who have been disappointed in the previous versions it might be worth having a look at these as Running Science has told us that Asics reckon they have fixed the problems.

Ian C :)

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Try the Nike Zoom Elite kiddies (as an alternative to DST)...brilliant. Rebel have them for $160 at the mo...Light, cushy, stable and Nike won't bugger with them for another 18 months or so.

It appears ASICS are trying to stuff more into their shoes with every model for the sake of additional coin on the price tag. Looking at the new models, the 2100 appears to have the features some of the earlier Kayanos had at a significantly lower cost than the Kayanos, and DS Trainer seems to be too much shoe (feature-wise)for what is supposed to be the benchmark in its category. A lot of people seem to buy the latest Asics for the sake of perceived credibility (NOT EVERYONE!!!).

It's a shame that people don't do their own research, but thinking for ourselves can be dangerous, can't it?

[jackal8]

hello mr running science,

i recently bought a pair of DS trainers IX from you, they are light which i love, im not sure if your the salesman that assisted me, but if you were i wouldnt have minded to buy the incoming X model.

not sure if by forefoot cushioning problems you mean a pain in the front of my feet, because that is what i get, perhaps due to them being only run in once so far =)