Asics Wmns Gel Venture 9 Wide 'Blackberry'
Colorway: Blackberry/Black · Style code: 1012B314-500 · Release date: December 2, 2023 · Price: $2682 · Availability: Available now
More colorways: Asics Wmns Gel Venture 9 Wide 'Sheet Rock Summer Dune' (1012B314-021) · Asics Wmns Gel Venture 9 Wide 'Piedmont Grey Fuchsia' (1012B314-024) · Asics Wmns Gel Venture 9 Wide 'Indigo Blue Papaya' (1012B314-400) · Asics Wmns Gel Venture 6 NS 'White' (1202A465-100) · Asics Wmns Gel Venture 6 'Cream Silver' (1202A431-101)
Blackberry over black is nearly a stealth colourway, a deep purple that only separates from the base in direct light. It sits on the wide version of the Venture 9, the cheapest tier of the ASICS trail range and one of the brand's highest-volume shoes anywhere. The ninth version was more than a recolour of the eighth: an AmpliFoam midsole of lower density to keep weight down, GEL retained at the heel, a taller rear stack for a smoother transition, and an outsole redesigned with bigger lugs. Testers rated the fit and traction improved enough to justify the higher price, while noting that energy return at this level is modest by definition. It is the shoe someone buys for trails, gravel paths and standing on their feet all day, in whichever of those roles comes up first.