Excite 11

The Excite 10 was our channel's all-time favourite beginner shoe under ₹3,000. The Excite 11 keeps the same AmpliFoam Plus but makes it denser, with more stack. It feels plush and soft, like a mini Nimbus. I could not feel the ground at all, so it absorbs shock very well. There is no energy return, but you do not need it at 6 to 10 min/km. You need stability, protection and comfort, and it gives all three. Sizing runs small. My usual UK 8 had no thumb's width of space in the forefoot, so I went half a size up. The jacquard mesh upper is softer and more snug, and the higher toe box stops my toes hitting the top. The tongue is non-gusseted but well padded. The heel counter and thick heel collar hold my ankle really well, which matters for my plantar fasciitis. The laces stayed tied. The extra foam adds weight. It feels about 290 g in UK 8, around 30 to 40 g more than the Excite 10, but for a beginner shoe I can forgive that. The outsole is ASICS High Abrasion Rubber and is much grippier on wet surfaces than last year. My only durability doubt is the softer upper, which may tear if you buy too small and your toes rub. For men between 70 and 85 kg, it is a perfect beginner shoe for walking, standing all day, office wear and up to a half marathon. It should last 600 to 800 km over a year. It sells for ₹5,000 now and should drop to ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 within a few months. At ₹5,000, the Nimbus 27 at ₹6,500 gives far more value.