shoes men:ASICS Gecko XT | First Look

If you’ve ever watched a gecko climbing a wall as if it’s walking on a horizontal surface, you’ll understand why the ASICS team decided to name its new trail shoe the Gecko XT. Designed as the lightest shoe in ASICS’ trail line, the Gecko XT features sticky underfoot tread that should deliver optimal grip on a variety of trail surfaces.

The midsole of the Gecko XT is constructed with FlyteFoam to give the shoe a responsive ride and enough cushioning for comfort on the trail. As additional protection against rocks and other hazards, a forefoot rock plate is sandwiched between the midsole and outsole.

To give the Gecko XT the sticky grip befitting its namesake, designers created the GeckoTrac outsole. While the number of lugs and their lengths are minimal compared to most highly technical trail shoes, the new Gecko rubber compound is ASICS’ stickiest to date and should help the shoe perform on technical terrain as well as in wet conditions.

The upper of the Gecko XT features seamless construction to minimize friction and a thin air mesh for breathability and protection from trail hazards. To keep the laces out of the way, the tongue of the Gecko XT incorporates a lace garage for quick storage.