Asics Gel-Excite 10 vs Nike Downshifter 14:
Which to Choose

On paper these shoes are close: both are neutral, plate-less daily trainers rated 2/6 for pace, 3/6 for cushioning, and 2/6 for responsiveness, and both are happiest on easy 5K and 10K jogs with a flat, low-rebound ride that gives little back if you push the pace. The real separators are weight and feel. The Gel-Excite 10 comes in around 268g against the Downshifter 14's 315g — a roughly 47g gap that's clearly noticeable on foot and makes the Asics the lighter, slightly more willing of the two. Their stacks and drops are close but not identical: the Gel-Excite measures about 35.2mm at the heel and 23.4mm at the forefoot (8mm drop), while the Downshifter sits at 31mm heel and 24mm forefoot (7mm drop), giving the Asics a touch more heel cushioning and the Nike a lower, flatter, more grounded heel. The ride characters differ too — the Gel-Excite's AmpliFoam with a rearfoot Gel unit skews soft-to-moderate and absorbs impact in a calm, quiet way, whereas the Downshifter's single firm foam feels harder and more planted. That firmness is why the Downshifter edges it on stability (4/6 vs 3/6): despite being heavier, its firm, low platform stays very level and steady. Both ride out of steam quickly when you accelerate, but their comfortable easy zones sit at slightly different speeds — the Downshifter's is around 5:30–6:30 min/km while the Gel-Excite's is a more relaxed 6:15–7:15 min/km.