First impressions

When you like a shoe as much as we did with the original DynaFlyte, you treat any update with a great deal of trepidation. Will it be as good as the previous model? Will the updates be benefits or just tweaks for tweaks sake? Well, the good news is that we also love the new model. Phew!

The basic trainer is still the same. Designed as a lightweight trainer for any distance, the new model still runs really well thanks to its flytefoam midsole and gel heel cushioning. Not too soft but not too firm. The men’s model rides with a 20mm heel dropping to a 12mm forefoot, the women’s have the same drop but from 19mm to 11mm. The v2 model feels even bouncier now due to that new fytefoam but to top it all, they are even lighter in this new model. Weighing in at 8.9oz. for the men’s version (from 9.2oz.) and 7.2oz. for the women’s (from 8.0oz), this represents a really good weight saving and given that there seems to be an additional spring in our stride, we are really excited about the DynaFlyte v2.

The shoe also features an Ortholite® X-40 sock liner which offers higher rebound properties, felt comfortable, was breathable and worked well, but…

The shoe just feels stiffer than before. At first, I thought it might be a shoe that needed a little extra breaking in, unusual for a lighter-weight asics, but it wasn’t that. They just feel stiffer and slightly less responsive because of it. Still very good, but I noticed it and I wasn’t alone.

The new look is subtlety different and we guess looks are a matter of personal opinion. There are a number of different colour options as normal today, but I suspect the two-tone uppers have been designed for those wanting a comfortable shoe for running and/or walking around town in, i.e. with style in mind. All colourways are cleaner, less fussy than before.

The lighter, one-piece seamless ‘Adapt’ mesh upper was certainly comfortable and breathable. It’s been designed to be highly breathable so that you can wear these shoes on a very long run offering a secure and unrestricted fit. The top mesh overlay on the upper almost hides the asics logo which is curious, but it helps hold your foot snugly. I suspect, those with very wide feet might find the fit of these shoes a little too snug for them.

Discrete lace eyelets feature in a welded material around them, which will add the strength required in this area of the shoe without adding any weight. Flat laces felt comfortable across the top of the foot and while the heel area isn’t loaded with sponge, it was nicely finished and gripped the heal well.

I really enjoyed the feel of the shoe. As with the original shoe, it would be perfect for moving the pace along and you’re certainly tempted to do just that in them. If you’re looking for a one-shoe-fits-all and like a lightweight shoe, then certainly consider the Dynaflyte 2. If you want a shoe for faster days and just like having a lighter weight shoe in the closet, then they could be for you. If you’re looking for a shoe to run a marathon in, then these would be great. But here’s my rub with them; while I loved them, I might well want a ‘bigger’ and more cushioned shoe for longer training runs (Asics Nimbus, Nike LunarGlide, Brooks Ghost...), or maybe for just general training. I might want to save the DynaFlyte’s for pacier runs and races and get a ‘safer’, bulkier and more protective shoe for general running. That said, I’m getting older, slower, and there’s a few miles in the bank! Back in the day, when i was younger, faster and better looking, these would have been the daily shoe for me.