NewASICS2025 Review
Asics Gel-Rocket 12
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Buy at Forum Sport · €55.24 (opens in a new tab)Compare 3 shops · Prices updated on 7 November
The world's best-selling indoor shoe, now in version 12.
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- WingCentre backBack
- Player weight
- 75 – 90 kg
- Level
- Beginner, Intermediate
We recommend it if…
- Beginners and grassroots players in any position
- Youth teams looking for uniformity at a very affordable price
- Those looking for Asics GEL technology on an entry-level budget
- Wings and centre backs in school and junior age groups
Pick another if…
- Advanced players with intensive training
- Pivots who need reinforced lateral stability
- Those with a history of serious joint injuries
- Federated competition from U16/U18 senior level upwards
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- Very competitive price
- Great value for money
- Comfortable from the first wear
- Available in many colours
Cons
- Basic cushioning
- Not recommended for professional level
- Limited lateral support
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Sizes
- EU 36–47.5 (unisex)
- Weight
- 295 g
- Drop
- 10 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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Forum Sport
Lowest with price
WePlay Handball
Amazon
Basket-Center
Out of stock
€52.50
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Buy at Forum Sport · €55.24 (opens in a new tab)How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 8.3
- Cushioning
- 7.8
- Stability
- 8.0
- Durability
- 8.5
- Value for money
- 9.5
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
I've been seeing the Gel-Rocket on courts all over Spain for years and I still think it's the best-executed entry-level shoe on the market. Asics has a special gift for getting things right in the entry price range, and version 12 keeps that DNA: GEL in the heel, reliable non-marking rubber and a reasonable weight of 295 grams for what it costs.
If you trained with my team in Muskiz and asked me what to recommend to a player who's just starting out, the Rocket 12 would be my first answer. Not because it's technically the best, but because it delivers exactly what it promises without complicating the decision. Sometimes the smartest footwear is the one that doesn't overpromise.
The limitation is clear: I don't recommend it for players who already compete regularly or who do more than two intense training sessions a week. GEL in the heel alone falls short for the frontal impacts of handball's sudden starts and stops. For that profile, the Beyond FF or the Netburner are the logical next step.
Published on 1 October 2025 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The non-marking rubber outsole of the Asics Gel-Rocket 12 scores 8.3 for grip, identical to the Gel-Rocket 11 it replaces. Asics' standard non-marking compound for indoor sports offers reliable grip on parquet and vinyl courts, with a channel pattern that makes changes of direction easy in every orientation. For beginner-to-intermediate players, the grip is more than enough for grassroots and amateur handball. The Gel-Rocket 12 doesn't use AHAR or AHAR+: the outsole is conventional non-marking rubber, which makes it somewhat less durable than models with Asics' specific compounds but perfectly functional for its level of use.
Cushioning and energy return
The improved GEL Technology in the heel of the Asics Gel-Rocket 12 is the main upgrade over the Gel-Rocket 11. The version 12 GEL has a slightly larger volume of viscoelastic silicone, which translates into somewhat more effective impact absorption on heel landings. With 7.8 for cushioning, the result is decent for an entry-level model. The difference compared with the Gel-Rocket 11 (8.3 for cushioning) seems contradictory but reflects that version 11 has a GEL and EVA configuration that is slightly more cushioned overall. For beginner-to-intermediate players who train with low-to-medium frequency, the Rocket 12's GEL offers sufficient joint protection.
Stability and support
With 8.0 for stability, the Asics Gel-Rocket 12 offers adequate lateral containment for the level it's aimed at. The breathable mesh upper has enough structure to hold the foot during grassroots handball movements without being excessively stiff. The normal fit makes it easy to adapt to different foot types. Compared with the Gel-Tactic 13 (8.4 for stability), the Rocket 12 offers less support but is lighter and more comfortable from the first wear. For players who need more lateral support — such as pivots or players prone to sprains — the Gel-Tactic 13 or the Gel-Domain 5 are more suitable alternatives.
Who this shoe is for
The Asics Gel-Rocket 12 isn't the world's best-selling indoor shoe by chance: at an entry-level price it offers the Asics brand, real GEL technology and a solid construction that lasts longer than generic models at a similar price. With 9.5 for value for money — the second-highest score in the catalogue for this metric — it's the obvious choice when budget is the main factor and you want Asics quality. For youth teams that need uniformity at an affordable price, it's practically irreplaceable. The Gel-Rocket 11 remains a valid alternative wherever it's available.
Liftados verdict · 8.2/10
The Asics Gel-Rocket 12 is the world's best-selling indoor shoe and the best choice for beginners who want Asics quality at an entry-level price. GEL Technology for real basic joint protection, a reliable non-marking outsole and the backing of the Japanese brand in a package that competes head-on with any generic model at its price. The entry-level benchmark in the Liftados catalogue.
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Comparisons
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