ASICS or Nike: Which Running Shoes Are Better? Adidas and Hoka Compared in Singapore

For runners in Singapore, neither ASICS nor Nike makes better running shoes across the board: both have daily trainers, cushioned shoes and racing shoes, and the better pair is the one that suits your foot and your runs. The same goes for adidas and HOKA, so get your gait checked, compare shoes made for the same job, then go through ShopBack and pay.

New to ShopBack? ShopBack Singapore is a free app and website that returns cash on eligible orders when you start your shopping from ShopBack before you pay. Running Lab, Nike, adidas and ZALORA are all stores you can shop this way. Join ShopBack Singapore for free, then open the Running Lab page on ShopBack before your next pair.

The running shoe brands at a glance

ASICS, Nike, adidas and HOKA all make serious running shoes, but each started from a different place. A few facts, from Wikipedia unless noted:

• ASICS is a Japanese company headquartered in Kobe, founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka, and is particularly known for its running shoes. Running Lab lists ASICS models such as the Gel-Kayano, Gel-Nimbus, GT-2000, Novablast, Superblast and Metaspeed.
• Nike is an American company based near Beaverton, Oregon. Its Singapore site groups its running shoes into lines such as Pegasus, Vomero, Vaporfly and Alphafly, and has a Running Shoe Finder.
• adidas is a German company from Herzogenaurach. Adizero is its competitive running line.
• HOKA was founded in 2009 in Annecy, France, and has been owned by Deckers Brands since 2013. Running Lab describes it as known for its signature cushioning and bold design, with models such as the Clifton, Bondi, Mach and Speedgoat.

ASICS or Nike: which running shoes are better?

ASICS and Nike are both strong running brands, so the better choice depends on your foot, your running style and what the shoe is for. How to decide:

1. Name the job. Daily easy runs, long runs and races need different shoes. ASICS has the Gel-Nimbus and Novablast for daily miles, and Nike has the Pegasus and Vomero. For racing, ASICS has the Metaspeed and Nike has the Vaporfly and Alphafly.
2. Check your gait. Running Lab offers in-store gait analysis on a treadmill to match you to a shoe that suits your foot type and running style. ASICS also makes models such as the Gel-Kayano and GT-2000 that runners often try when they want more support.
3. Try both on. Fit and feel differ between brands and between models in the same brand. A shoe that fits well is the better shoe for you.
4. Compare the price after ShopBack. Buy ASICS through Running Lab on ShopBack and Nike through the Nike page on ShopBack, and compare each pair's effective price.

ASICS vs Nike: best deals in Singapore in 2026

The best ASICS and Nike deals in Singapore usually come from comparing the same model at two or three stores, looking at last season's colourways and timing your buy for big sales. Things to check:

• Last season's version. When a new version of a running shoe comes out, the older one often gets cheaper while stock lasts.
• Brand membership. According to Nike's Singapore site, Nike Membership gives members free shipping and receipt-free returns or exchanges through the Nike App.
• Sale periods. Big sale periods such as 11.11, 12.12 and Black Friday are when many Singapore stores cut running shoe prices. During those sales, go through ShopBack before you buy, because the sale price and the money back both apply.

If you are weighing up one ASICS model in particular, see is the ASICS Novablast worth it.

ASICS or Adidas: which running shoes are better value?

ASICS and adidas both give good value when you match the shoe to the run: ASICS has a wide range of daily trainers, and adidas has its Adizero line for faster running. A few points to weigh:

• For everyday running. ASICS's Novablast, GT-2000 and Gel-Nimbus cover different levels of cushioning and support for daily miles.
• For speed. adidas's Adizero line is built for racing and faster sessions, and ASICS has the Metaspeed and Superblast for similar runs.
• Value over time. A shoe you can run in comfortably for many kilometres is better value than a cheaper pair that does not suit you.
• Where to buy. ASICS is at Running Lab, and adidas runs its own Singapore store, which is on ShopBack as the adidas page on ShopBack. ZALORA is another place to compare sportswear brands in one order.

Hoka or Nike: which is better for running?

HOKA and Nike suit different runners: HOKA is known for its signature cushioning, while Nike's running range covers everything from daily trainers to racing shoes. Both are good choices, and the right one depends on how you like a shoe to feel.

• If you want a soft, cushioned ride. HOKA's Clifton and Bondi are cushioned daily shoes, and the Mach is a lighter option.
• If you want one brand for training and racing. Nike's Pegasus and Vomero cover daily runs, and the Vaporfly and Alphafly are its racing shoes.
• If you run trails. HOKA's Speedgoat is a trail shoe that Running Lab carries.
• Where to buy. HOKA is at Running Lab, and Nike sells through its own Singapore store, on ShopBack as the Nike page on ShopBack.

Where to buy running shoes in Singapore

For ASICS and HOKA, Running Lab is the main store on ShopBack Singapore to buy from; for Nike and adidas, use each brand's own Singapore store or a multi-brand store such as ZALORA.

Where	Good for
Running Lab	ASICS and HOKA, in-store gait analysis on a treadmill, specialist fitting
Nike Singapore	Full Nike running range, Running Shoe Finder, Nike Membership perks
adidas Singapore	Full adidas running range, including Adizero
ZALORA	Comparing several sportswear brands in one order

All four are on ShopBack Singapore, so open the store's page on ShopBack first and finish the order in the same session.

Why ShopBack is a step before you pay

Before you pay for an online order, go through ShopBack first. Open ShopBack Singapore, tap the store (for running shoes, that might be Running Lab, Nike, adidas or ZALORA), and finish the order in the same session. ShopBack is a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.

When comparing brands or stores, the better value is the one with the lowest effective price: the checkout price minus what comes back through ShopBack, not just the sticker price.

Codes and ShopBack. Codes from the store itself usually work when you go through ShopBack, but codes from outside sites can stop the order from tracking. Each store's page on ShopBack lists its terms, so read them before you apply a code.

FAQ

ASICS or Nike: which running shoes are better?

Neither brand is better for every runner. ASICS and Nike both make daily trainers, cushioned shoes and racing shoes, so the better one is the shoe that suits your foot, your running style and the runs you do. In Singapore, a gait analysis at a running store such as Running Lab helps you choose before you buy.

ASICS or Adidas: which running shoes are better value?

Both offer good value when you match the shoe to the job. ASICS has daily trainers such as the Novablast, GT-2000 and Gel-Nimbus, and adidas has its Adizero line for faster running. Compare shoes made for the same kind of run, then compare their price after ShopBack.

Hoka or Nike: which is better for running?

HOKA is known for its signature cushioning, with models such as the Clifton, Bondi and Mach, while Nike's running range runs from the Pegasus and Vomero for daily miles to the Vaporfly and Alphafly for racing. If you want a soft, cushioned feel, try a HOKA; if you want one brand for both training and racing, Nike covers both.

Where can I buy ASICS and HOKA running shoes in Singapore?

Running Lab, a Singapore running specialist on ShopBack, carries ASICS and HOKA online and in its stores, and offers in-store gait analysis on a treadmill. Go through the Running Lab page on ShopBack Singapore before you pay for an online order.

How do I choose running shoes in Singapore?

Decide what the shoe is for (daily runs, long runs or races), get your gait checked at a running store, try two or three brands in the same category, and compare the price after ShopBack before you pay.

How do I pay less for running shoes in Singapore?

Compare the same model at the brand store, Running Lab and ZALORA, look at last season's colourways, time bigger buys for sale periods such as 11.11 and 12.12, and go through ShopBack Singapore before you pay. ShopBack is a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops.

Disclaimer

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author.

Product ranges, models, prices, membership benefits, delivery and return terms, Cashback rates and exclusions change over time and may vary by store, product or account. Check the current terms on each brand's or store's own site and on the matching store page on ShopBack Singapore before you pay.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice. Brand names are used for editorial reference only and do not imply endorsement by those companies.