It’s that simple, and it’s an intriguing changeup to the running shoe landscape. It’s not uncommon for me to reach down to retie my kicks during sprint workouts, even if it’s only to make sure they’re fitting tighter before a move that requires more agility, or my fastest run of the day. That’s a refreshing non-problem with the Dynamis—and even if I do need a more snug fit, it’s a quick dial-turn that gets me there.
Asics uses this little lacing innovation in a pair of high-quality running sneakers. The Dynamis ($160, Buy It Here) are light and comfortable, offering a nice, stable run. The FlyteFoam sole is light and durable, offering the slightest bit of bounce with each step, whether you’re on a track or treadmill. I’ve used the Dynamis for more than a month now, and the bottoms still showcase very little wear.
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Comfort is high, too. Asics’ material feels soft on your foot, perhaps a little extra-cushiony on the inside. That’s to the benefit of the BOA lacing setup, as well: The thin laces, on a thinner-skinned shoe, might dig into your skin if they were tightened to excess. Here, they just dig into the pillow-soft outer shell, and my foot never felt a thing, no matter how tight I made the BOA.
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This all makes the Dynamis incredibly versatile as a general sneaker. Tighten up if you’re going for a run. If you want to take a walk, or you're going on a quick trip to the grocery store, slip into the Dynamis and don’t touch the BOA at all, for the same fit as a loosely tied (or untied) pair of Air Jordans. If you want a Swiss Army knife pair of running kicks that can double for casual weekend use, these should be in the conversation.
The lone issue with the Dynamis winds up being more about perception than reality. You look at the wire-thin laces and that plastic dial, and you can’t help wondering about durability. And unlike your trusty pair of sneakers, if that BOA goes, you can’t exactly run into a store and grab another one, then lace it up again in a matter of seconds.
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So what happens if you sit crosslegged on these kicks, crushing that plastic dial? What happens if you want to wear them to the weight room? What happens if you’re in a pinch at a soccer pickup game and want in? Do you need to worry about how and how aggressively you kick the ball?
The Dynamis aren’t meant for any of those things, but they do survive those tests, too; the BOA is plenty durable, as long as you’re not taking it into a Muay Thai ring against the Wolverine.
So if you’re looking for a different pair of running shoes that can survive a long mile, a hard sprint, or a casual walk around the mall, give these Asics a try.