Asics Glideride Max Review: Maxin’ and Relaxin’

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Asics Glideride Max

THOMAS: Previous versions of the Glideride have had an interesting story arc. From the beginning, the shoe seemed experimental. I always liked the rigid rocker that gave the Glideride its personality, but something about the shoe kept it in its own category — it didn’t quite feel like other shoes. This unique personality made the Glideride a fan favorite for its devotees. However, it also kept the shoe from being a mainstream hit.

When running retailers looked at their walls and tried to find a spot for the Glideride, they didn’t know where to put it. The orders for the shoe weren’t justifying the shoe’s existence. We thought the shoe was done. Then, two years after the Glideride 3, we received the Glideride Max. I won’t spoil everything, but the Asics team has figured out the recipe, and we’re glad to have an evolution of the Glideride that brings the features we liked about the previous three versions into a package that will make retailers and runners excited to get their feet into a pair.

At a glance, the Glideride Max looks like a standard trainer — look fast enough, and it could be mistaken for a Nimbus. The upper is a soft engineered mesh with a thin gusseted tongue, and in it sits a premium Ortholite X-55 sock liner. But that stuff isn’t all that exciting.

The real upgrades are under the foot. The Glideride Max is the first Asics shoe to roll out its new FF Blast Max foam. We haven’t gotten a straightforward answer to what’s unique about the foam’s makeup, but Asics’ marketing says, “One of our most energetic midsole foam is complemented with cloud-like softness and a responsive energy return in each step.” Between the FF Blast Max and the lower layer of FF Blast Plus Eco, Asics slotted in a hard-pressed EVA plate. Everything works together to create Asics’ Guidesole, which is a fancy way to say a wide-based rocker-shaped midsole that encourages a smooth stride to comfortably go long distances. Finishing off the outsole, Asics has a new Hybrid AsicsGrip, a combination of AsicsGrip and AHARPlus.

There are also different stacks for the men’s and women’s shoes, with the fellas picking up 44 mm in the heel and 38 mm in the forefoot for a 6 mm drop. The ladies get one millimeter less at 43 mm and 37 mm, respectively. Also, the weight is pretty reasonable, with a US M9 at 287 g (10.1 oz) and a US W7 at 271 (9.6 oz.)

MEAGHAN: I was pretty happy with the last iteration of the Glideride (version 3, back in 2022). No, it was never my favorite model from the Asics lineup — I’d typically pick up the Novablast or Superblast before lacing up the Glideride… but add a “Max” to it? Now we’re talking…

RYAN: Oh, how I love being a guy with nearly Robbe-sized feet. As you might’ve guessed, our resident raccoon is rather busy these days, what with digging in dumpsters and whatever else. So, when the Glideride Max arrived, and it was a little big for his feet, it came right on over to my slightly larger feet. Or, at least, I assume that’s how it worked since I walked into the office one day, and Thomas was like, “Hey, try this shoe on.”

Anyway, I’ll happily say that the Glideride Max arrived at just the right time. I’ve been rotating heavily between the New Balance Fresh Foam Balos and the Mizuno Neo Vista, and I wanted something with a little more of a straightforward rocker to it. That’s the Glideride Max in a nutshell. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was really going to be the shoe for me — Thomas compared it to the Nimbus, which I’ve notoriously found to be too soft for my liking, but he also mentioned a plate, which gave me a little bit of hop while adding to my summer rotation.

And hey, even if I didn’t turn out to like the shoe, it’s hard to argue with a white and pale green colorway when you wanna lace something up for smooth miles.

I might not have quite as many miles in the shoe as Thomas and Meg do, but I think it’s enough to give you my impressions. I’m certainly in on the fact that Asics has yet another flavor of FlyteFoam to add to its lineup, and mixing its two outsole rubbers together to create one grippy, durable one seems like a no-brainer. But, as you’ll hear in a minute, the Glideride Max sits in a confusing place within an all-star lineup. Let’s get on with it.

What we like about the Asics Glideride Max

THOMAS: My regular US M10.5 fits like a glove without rubbing or hot spots. I don’t know how to say it other than it just works — the lacing system makes it easy to get the proper fit. But really, the good stuff is down below, as the cushioning takes the Glideride Max in a different direction from the previous Glideride line.

What I mean is that the earlier models felt blocky, and the rigid Guidesole geometry was more intrusive. It worked, but could be a bit stiff. Now, the Glideride Max is softer but maintains the smooth transition that won hearts. The cushioning and geometry work together to make this a shoe that can confidently and comfortably take on double-digit runs. Oh, and even though there’s a plate in this shoe, it’s more for structure than propulsion. I can feel it under my foot, but it’s nowhere near as harsh as a carbon fiber alternative.

MEAGHAN: Aesthetically, the Glideride Max resembles the Nimbus. It’s a nice-looking shoe, and I enjoy the Birch/Black colorway I received (don’t let the color naming deceive you; the black details are minimal). The step-in feel is really comfortable, and I found it fit true to size. Asics certainly brought over some Nimbus-esque padding around the collar, and the tongue is plush, but the rigid heel counter creates a nice balance of support and comfort.

Moving down, the new Ortholite sockliner and FF Blast Max foam that sits directly beneath the foot are very soft, balanced out with a hardpressed EVA plate and regular FF Blast Eco beneath it. I really enjoyed the ride of this shoe; perfect for cruising miles of any distance. I laced this one up for a few 10-milers, and it felt great the whole time. I can see this being a good option for those long, slow runs, especially for someone who enjoys a softer ride.

The outsole is now a mix of AsicsGrip (that real good grippy stuff) and AHARPlus (very durable), so not only is this a solid option for rainy days, but I think it’s going to last quite a while.

Lastly, the Glideride Max is fairly light. My US W7.5 came in at 8.4 oz or 239 g.

RYAN: Despite its fancy name and all-max-everything attitude, the Glideride Max is an incredibly simple shoe. Well, it’s not, but it feels like it is. You lace it up, and you run. One pace, any number of miles. It’s great.

Alright, so I’ve wildly oversimplified this shoe, but it’s pretty much the truth. Everything in the Glideride Max, from the Guidesole to the new FF Blast Max midsole foam, is set up to drive you forward and feel good. It’s soft but not too soft, bouncy but not too bouncy, and the rocker is just right to keep up with a consistent run. No, it might not work for speedy days, but it’s not supposed to. It can definitely take on rainy days, though, thanks to the Hybrid AsicsGrip outsole. I love that Asics decided to combine two already good rubber compounds into one that should hold its grip and not break down. Of course, now we just need some rain here in Baltimore.

Also, for as much as the Glideride Max looks like an Asics Nimbus, I’m so glad that it isn’t one. I’ve only run in the true Nimbus a handful of times, and it’s always been too soft for my liking. I just always felt like I was sinking in rather than springing off. This time, however, the Glideride Max sits just right. It takes the comfort and plushness of the Nimbus and combines it with a way more sensible midsole that actually feels like it wants to move forward. Of course, I don’t think this would be a shoe for standing all day in unless you like the idea of rocking back and forth like a nervous wreck.

Heck, even the simple white and green colorway that Thomas and I got is pretty good. It’s got just enough green in it to give the shoe a personality, yet not so much so that it feels like you’re being slapped in the face, a la the Noosa Tri 16.

What we don’t like about the Asics Glideride Max

THOMAS: There isn’t anything to dislike about the Glideride Max. Asics played it safe with a standard upper, and the foams feel good, and the outsole traction works. Even the weight is moderate for a daily trainer.

MEAGHAN: While the Glideride got a nice update and a fancy “Max” surname, I still don’t know where it fits in the Asics lineup. For long runs? I’ll take the Superblast. For easy days? I’ll go with Novablast. And if I want a plated trainer, I’ll lace up the Magic Speed. It’s nothing against the design or build of the shoe really, I’m just not sure what to do with this one.

RYAN: I’ll agree with Meg on this part. There’s nothing I out-and-out don’t like about the Glideride Max, but it’s also a tough shoe to know when to reach for. On the one hand, it has a buttery smooth rocker, but on the other, I feel like it sits perilously close to the Superblast and the Nimbus. You could wear the Superblast for literally anything or go extra soft with the Nimbus. Add in the fact that the Glideride Max is plated for stability rather than speed, and you probably won’t want it for a workout, either.

Honestly, the plate in this shoe has me torn anyway. I get that it’s there to keep the foam rolling you forward, but I also actively try to get a chunk of my miles each week in non-plated shoes to keep my feet feeling good.

Final thoughts on the Asics Glideride Max

THOMAS: The Glideride Max delivers on the design brief. While many consumers will ask why Asics needs this shoe in the lineup, it fits into a unique niche. It is built for smooth, well-cushioned miles. This specificity makes it a good choice for those runs, but you will likely need more trainers to fill in the gaps. The Superblast can handle all your running needs, and its baby brother, the Novablast, can handle a wide range of running needs, too.

Overall, I am a big fan of this shoe. It makes me think that it could have been the next Nimbus. Inevitably, runners will want us to compare it to other plated daily trainers. The closest would be the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 and Mizuno Neo Vista. The Glideride Max is softer and offers more comfort than the Puma, but the Deviate Nitro 3 is more suited to quicker paces. The Neo Vista is even softer than the Glideride Max. For long, easy miles, I would have a tough choice between the Neo Vista and the Glideride Max.

MEAGHAN: The Glideride Max is a solid daily trainer. It’s light, comfortable, and provides a nice, smooth ride. If you loved previous versions of the Glideride, or you’ve been a fan of the Nimbus, this will be a welcomed addition to your rotation.

RYAN: Man, I don’t like to call a $170 plated shoe a daily trainer, but that’s what this is. For what it’s worth, though, it’s damn good at being that. The Glideride Max is the definition of a set-it-and-forget-it shoe, pretty much rolling you along at a comfortable pace that feels exactly the same no matter how long you go. Whether I took it for an easy six or a longer 12, I knew exactly what to expect — which is kinda great, actually.

You can pick up the Asics Glideride Max for $170 in September 2024 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.