Ask runners what they don't like about carbon-plated shoes and you'll hear the same thing: they can feel harsh, jolting or unstable, especially when your legs are tired. Yonex built the Carbon Cruise Aerus GT to avoid exactly that. Here's where its comfort comes from.
Cushioning that's been proven on court
Yonex has spent decades building cushioning for badminton and tennis, two of the hardest sports on the feet. The Aerus GT uses the newest version, Power Cushion REV, as the top layer of its midsole. Yonex reports it absorbs around 14% more shock and returns around 16% more energy than the previous Power Cushion+, while weighing about 27% less.
In practice that means landings are softened without the shoe feeling mushy, which matters when you're holding a quicker pace.
A plate designed to be forgiving
The 3D Power Carbon plate is stiffer than the one in the original Carbon Cruise Aerus, but Yonex has given it a moderate flex designed to ease strain on the leg muscles. Raised edges at the forefoot and midfoot also reduce side-to-side wobble when you land, so your foot feels held rather than perched on top of a plate.
Early reviews from Japan back this up: testers describe a smooth, rolling ride that avoids the harsh, jolting feel some carbon shoes have.
A seamless upper
The upper uses Durable Skin Light, a thin and strong synthetic built without the usual seams. Fewer seams means fewer pressure points and fewer places to rub, which you notice most on longer sessions. Yonex also fine-tuned the last (the foot shape the shoe is built around), and reviewers found the fit more comfortable than the original Aerus.
Light shoes are comfortable shoes
Weight is part of comfort too. At around 215g per shoe (26.0cm), the Aerus GT is easy to carry through the back half of a session, when heavier shoes start to feel like hard work. More on the weight here.
Who will find it most comfortable?
- Runners who want a plated shoe but have found others too aggressive.
- Runners stepping up from everyday trainers to faster sessions.
- Anyone who values a stable, planted feel over a big bouncy one.
If you're new to choosing running shoes, our beginner's guide to choosing running shoes is a good place to start.
Shop the Carbon Cruise Aerus GT
Available in three unisex colourways: Sky Blue, Cool White and Lemon Yellow.
