Asics Gel-Excite 10 vs Asics Gel-Excite 11:
Which to Choose

These two are close cousins, so the differences are evolutionary rather than dramatic. The biggest change is cushioning: the 11 steps up to a taller, higher-volume platform (a 38mm/27mm Amplifoam+ EVA stack) versus the 10's more moderate AmpliFoam midsole, so there's simply more foam and more under-heel protection in the newer shoe (cushioning rated 4/6 versus 3/6). That extra stack pairs with a measurably more stable, wider, planted feel underfoot (stability 4/6 versus 3/6), which is the 11's clearest practical gain for heavier or newer runners who want to feel locked down on easy miles. Geometry shifted too: the 10 runs an 8mm drop, while the 11 measures closer to 11mm in practice (Asics still lists it as 8mm), giving the successor a more pronounced heel-to-toe ramp that leans even further toward heel strikers. The trade-offs are real, though — the 11 is the heavier shoe at 290g (men's US 9), and the taller, denser build makes it stiffer and less flexible than the lower-profile 10, so the older model actually feels a touch nimbler and more natural underfoot at a jog. Crucially, nothing changed where speed is concerned: both sit at pace 2/6 and responsiveness 2/6, both are neutral with no plate, and both feel flat and low-energy the moment you try to push — the foam in either shoe damps impact rather than returning it. Where they diverge is range: the 10 is happiest on casual 5K and 10K jogs with its sweet spot around an easy 5K, whereas the deeper cushioning of the 11 extends its comfort zone out to the 10K and half marathon, with the half being its best slow-and-steady use case.