They are so different from my last pair of Asics I wasn't sure I had just bought them. All of my reactions are compared to my last pair of running shoes. The heel drop is noticeable and seems to help me a lot with my stride. The cushioning is fantastic, takes a little getting used to, but after my first run I was hooked. Possibly the best pair of running shoes I've ever owned. It really looks like a leap in technology. Running requires less effort and the wear and tear on my body is noticeably different from all that cushioning. I have never used soft running shoes, now I wish I had found them sooner.