ASICS GT-1000 11 GS Review: stable kids’ sneaker for running and playground abuse

I bought the ASICS Unisex Kid's GT-1000 11 GS in 6 UK, Island Blue/Black, for my kid to use for school, running club, and general playground chaos. So this is not a lab test, it’s what happens when a real kid wears them every day for a few weeks. We’re talking running, football on concrete, scooter rides, and the usual dragging of feet on the ground for no good reason.

From day one, the main thing that stood out to me was the cushioning and stability. These are clearly made more like real running shoes than cheap fashion trainers. My kid usually complains about knee or shin pain with very flat shoes; with these, zero complaints after PE or running sessions, which for me is the key point. They look like real ASICS runners, just shrunk down for kids.

In daily use, they’ve been easy enough to live with: standard laces, breathable mesh, not too heavy, and they dry reasonably fast if they get a bit wet (they’re not waterproof though, more on that later). The color Island Blue/Black is bright enough to be fun for a kid but not so flashy that it looks silly with school clothes. They pass as normal trainers, not just sports-only shoes.

They’re not perfect: the upper marks a bit quickly, and if your kid hates laces and only wants Velcro, these will be a fight at first. But overall, after a few weeks of pretty rough use, I’d say they’re pretty solid everyday runners for active kids, especially if you care more about support than about fashion trends.

On value, I’d say the ASICS GT-1000 11 GS sits in the mid-range for kids’ trainers. You can definitely find cheaper shoes from supermarket brands or fashion labels, but you’ll usually sacrifice cushioning, support, and durability. You can also find more expensive running shoes with fancy foams and extra tech, but for a kid who’s still growing fast, that can feel a bit pointless. This model hits a reasonable zone where you get real running shoe tech without going crazy on price.

What you’re paying for here is mainly cushioning, stability, and a known running brand. If your kid just walks a bit and occasionally kicks a ball around, this might be more shoe than they really need. In that case, a cheaper, simpler trainer might be enough. But if your kid does regular sports (running, PE, after-school clubs) or has any kind of mild pronation or flat-foot issues, the extra support and gel cushioning are worth the extra money in my opinion. Fewer complaints about sore feet or knees is already a win.

Compared to generic kids’ trainers we’ve bought before, these have lasted better and kept their shape. So even if the upfront cost is higher, I’m not replacing them as quickly due to them falling apart. The only real drawback on value is that they’re not water resistant at all, so if you live somewhere very rainy and need a single all-weather shoe, you might have to either rotate with a more weatherproof pair or accept some wet socks.

Overall, I’d call the value good but not mind-blowing. You’re getting what you pay for: a proper kids’ running shoe with solid support and cushioning, built by a brand that knows running. If that’s what you’re after, the price is justified. If you just want something cheap that looks sporty, you can definitely spend less elsewhere.

Design-wise, the GT-1000 11 GS is very much in line with adult ASICS running shoes. The Island Blue/Black colorway is a solid mix: bright blue mesh with black overlays and the ASICS logo, plus some white on the midsole. It’s sporty without being over the top. My kid liked the color straight away, and it’s neutral enough that it goes with jeans, shorts, and even school uniform in our case.

The shape is slightly pointed at the toe but not narrow. The toe box has enough height and width for normal feet; if your kid has very wide feet, you might find it a bit snug, but for my kid (average width), it was fine. There’s a bit of structure around the heel with an integrated support piece, so the heel doesn’t squish or fold easily when they’re putting the shoe on in a hurry. That helps keep the shape over time, which I appreciate because kids love to just crush the heel and slide in.

One thing I liked is that there are no weird gimmicks: no light-up soles, no bulky fake air bubbles, no random plastic bits that break off. It’s a straight-up running shoe design. Reflective details are minimal, so don’t expect miracles in the dark, but there is enough to catch a bit of light from car headlights. The laces are standard flat laces, not elastic. That’s good for proper lockdown but less convenient for kids who still struggle with tying knots.

If I compare it to cheaper kids’ trainers we’ve had from supermarket brands or fashion brands, this one just looks more serious and better thought out. The lines are clean, the overlays are placed where they actually add stability, and the sole pattern is clearly designed for grip rather than just looks. It’s not a style statement, but if you like the look of classic running shoes, you’ll be fine with this.

Comfort is where this shoe does well. My kid tends to complain quickly if a shoe rubs or feels too hard, and with the GT-1000 11 GS, I heard no complaints after the first day, which is rare. There was basically no break-in period: they wore them straight to school for a full day including PE, and came back saying they were “soft” and “bouncy” under the heel. That matches what ASICS is selling here: gel cushioning in the heel plus a FlyteFoam midsole.

The arch and midfoot support are noticeable. This is not a completely flat shoe. The Duomax support on the inner side gives a slightly guided feeling, especially when walking. For kids with very neutral feet, that might feel like extra structure; for kids who roll inwards (overpronate) or have flat feet, this is probably a plus. My kid has a bit of inward roll, and these shoes seem to calm that down: less ankle wobbling when running, and they looked more stable when cutting side to side during football at school.

Inside, the padding around the heel and tongue is decent without being huge. The foam insole with gel adds a bit more comfort, and because it’s removable, you can swap it if needed. No hotspots or blisters showed up, even though they wore them with fairly thin socks. The toe box felt comfortable, no crushed toes, and the round toe shape gives enough space for natural movement. The platform height is around 2 cm, so there is a bit of lift but nothing exaggerated.

If I’m picky, I’d say the forefoot could be a touch softer for longer runs, but for a kid’s shoe that’s used for mixed activities (running, walking, playground), it’s comfortably cushioned without feeling like a squishy pillow. For day-to-day use plus sports, it hits a good balance between softness and support.

The upper is mainly mesh with synthetic overlays, which is pretty standard for a running shoe. The mesh is not super thin; it has a slightly thicker, jersey-like feel, which matches the description. That makes it feel a bit more durable than very airy mesh, but still breathable enough that my kid didn’t come home with totally soaked feet from sweat. In warmer weather, the feet stayed reasonably cool, and in cooler weather it wasn’t too drafty, so it’s fine for spring and summer and probably okay with good socks into autumn.

The midsole uses FlyteFoam plus gel in the heel, and you can feel the gel insert when you press with your fingers. Underfoot, there is a clear squish in the heel area and a more standard foam feel under the forefoot. The insole is foam with gel cushioning and is removable, which is handy if you use custom insoles or just want to dry them properly after a very wet day. The outsole is rubber with a proper tread, not just foam exposed to the ground, so grip and durability are better than many cheap trainers where the midsole touches the floor directly.

On the downside, the upper is not water resistant at all. The water resistance level is explicitly listed as "Not Water Resistant", and that’s accurate. A quick walk through wet grass and the toes get damp. For us, that’s acceptable for a running shoe, but don’t expect these to be good for very rainy days or muddy hikes. Also, the synthetic overlays can scuff a bit, especially at the front if your kid drags their toes when braking on a scooter. After a couple of weeks, we had some cosmetic marks but nothing tearing or peeling away.

Overall, the materials feel appropriate for the price and usage: not luxury, but solid and purposeful. If you want a tank-like leather shoe, this is not it. If you want a breathable, supportive running-style trainer that can handle daily use, the mesh and synthetic combo here does the job without feeling flimsy.

Durability is always the real test with kids’ shoes. After a few weeks of daily wear (school days plus weekends), the ASICS GT-1000 11 GS is holding up better than cheaper trainers we’ve had. The rubber outsole shows some light wear at the heel and toe, which is normal, but there are no bald spots or chunks missing. The tread is still clearly visible and grippy. My kid drags their heels a bit when tired, and these have handled that better than some budget trainers that flatten out in a month.

The upper mesh has a couple of cosmetic scuffs and a bit of dirt staining, especially at the front and sides, but nothing serious. No tears, no seams coming loose, and the overlays are still firmly attached. We followed the care instructions and machine washed them once on a gentle cycle. They came out looking cleaner, dried in about a day at room temperature, and the shape didn’t collapse. I wouldn’t wash them every week, but an occasional wash seems fine.

The heel area, which often collapses when kids crush it while putting the shoe on, is still in good shape. The internal padding hasn’t flattened too much, and the heel counter remains firm. The laces are still intact, no fraying yet. Inside, the insole is slightly compressed under the heel, which is expected, but still comfortable. No bad smells either, which is nice given the lack of water resistance and the amount of sweat a kid can produce.

Realistically, I expect these to last at least one full school term of heavy use, probably more, as long as your kid doesn’t outgrow them first. There are stronger, leather-based shoes if you want pure toughness, but for a running-style trainer, the durability here is pretty solid for the price and materials. I don’t feel like I’ll need to replace them in a couple of months unless it’s for size, not wear.

In terms of performance, I looked at three things: running comfort, grip, and stability. For running, we tested them during school running club (short intervals and laps around a track) and general jogging in the park. The heel cushioning does its job: landings feel controlled, and there’s no harsh impact. My kid said they felt "easy to run in" and didn’t feel heavy. Compared to cheaper flat trainers they used before, these clearly help with smoother strides, especially on longer runs over 15–20 minutes.

Grip-wise, the rubber sole with its tread pattern handles tarmac, playground surfaces, and light gravel without slipping. On wet pavement, they were still okay; no sliding when turning corners at normal speed. On very wet grass, they will still slip a bit, but that’s normal for a road-style running shoe. The important part is that on standard school surfaces and pavements, they feel secure. No incidents of slipping during PE, even when they were doing quick direction changes.

Stability is one of the main strengths. The Duomax support and firm midfoot keep the foot from rolling too much. Watching my kid run and cut sideways, the ankle stayed more upright than in their older, softer trainers. For kids with pronation issues or slightly flat feet, this is useful. At the same time, the shoe is not brick-stiff: the forefoot still flexes enough so they can sprint and climb without feeling restricted. For everyday walking, the shoe feels stable but not clunky.

Overall, for performance, I’d say this: if your kid just needs a casual shoe to walk to school and look cool, this is probably overkill. But if they actually run, do sports, or have mild stability needs, the GT-1000 11 GS performs well. It behaves like a real running shoe scaled for kids, not just a fashion trainer with a sports label slapped on.

Out of the box, the ASICS GT-1000 11 GS looks and feels like a scaled-down adult running shoe, not a toy trainer. You get a synthetic/mesh upper, rubber sole, lace-up closure, and that familiar ASICS look with the side stripes. The model I tested is Island Blue/Black in a UK size 6, but the comments here apply mostly to the model in general, not just that size. The profile is low-top, so no bulky ankle padding, which helps for freedom of movement and fitting under school trousers.

The shoe is marketed as a kids’ running and racing shoe, but in practice, we used it for everything: running club, school PE, walking to and from school, weekend bike rides, and general outdoor play. It has a FlyteFoam midsole with gel in the heel, plus the Duomax support on the inner side, which is meant to reduce the foot rolling inward. You don’t see all that tech from the outside, but you do feel that it’s more structured than a random supermarket trainer.

On the foot, the first impression from my kid was: “soft under the heel, a bit firm in the middle.” I’d agree from trying them on myself (my foot is roughly the same size): the forefoot has some flex but the midfoot is more controlled. It gives a stable, slightly guided feel, which is good if your kid tends to collapse inward or has flat-ish feet. This is not a floppy, super-bendy shoe; it feels more serious.

In real life, the shoe fits into that one-pair-does-everything role: you can run in it, but it also looks fine for daily wear. It’s not fashion-forward, but it doesn’t scream “PE shoe only” either. If you’re looking for something that can handle both sports and daily walking without swapping pairs all the time, this one fits that use pretty well.