The AG Boot for All

ASICS’ DS Light Pro series has long sat in the shadow of its siblings, the X Fly Pro 3 and the X Fly 6. However, one of the things that the DS Light Pro lineup has offered that is not found elsewhere is ASICS’ lineup is an AG outsole option. Many Japanese brands have long not put much work into AG outsoles, as HG outsoles are already so popular in Japan and tend to work well on AG surfaces.

The DS Light Pro series has consistently had an AG outsole option for around ten years and has increased in popularity during that time. The newest ASICS DS Light AG improves on the already solid foundations the series has set forth. This is done in part by the improvement in the quality of the upper, but also by the continued use of the excellent AG outsole. This means that the newest model has become one of the easiest AG boots for me to recommend.

Fit and Feel

While brands like Nike and its TechLeather uppers have somewhat stolen the limelight away from ASICS’ own Silkywrap uppers, it is still impressive how nice the Silkywrap material is out of the box. One of the things about the previous models in the DS Light series is that even though they had a kangaroo leather upper, the quality of the leather was not as good as the high-end models in ASICS’ lineup. Obviously, this was partially to keep the price low, but it also meant that the boots were not often picked up by players above the lower levels of the game.

With the newest model of the DS Light Pro, ASICS is now using the same quality of Silkywrap as their high-end X Fly 6, and they have made a concerted effort to even get pro players in the boots, such as Taichi Hara of FC St. Pauli. And because Silkywrap is developed and produced in-house by ASICS, they save money on materials.

This means the price of the boots has only risen by 220 yen (approx. $1.40), meaning the retail price is still only 16,500 yen (around $104, €89, £77), meaning the DS Light Pro AG is still excellent value for money. Again, this is impressive considering the quality of the forefoot is now the same as the elite models.

The one difference between the Silkywrap uppers is that the DS Light Pro actually has a slightly thinner upper than the X Fly 6, 4mm upper versus the X Fly 6’s 5mm upper. However, I do not personally notice much of a difference between the two when playing in the boots.

As is expected of an ASICS boot with a Silkywrap upper, the break-in period is short, and in around twenty to thirty minutes, the boots feel ready for matches. Again, it is still striking how quickly the material softens up. It is genuinely one of my favourite synthetic leather materials on the market.

From the soft Silkywrap forefoot, the upper transitions to a more stable midfoot material that is thicker than what is found on the elite-level models from ASICS. While this could be seen as a downside for some, given that the nature of the DS Light Pro is designed more for comfort and support, many will appreciate the stability on offer here.

During play, I do not feel my feet rolling over the sides, and twisting and turning in different directions feels consistent and reassuring. Though as this part of the boot is a thicker material, it does not feel as dynamic as other boots in the ASICS lineup. Again, not the point of these boots, but something to keep in mind.

Interestingly, the lockdown is above average and better than I was expecting. Part of this is down to the deep central lacing system, as well as the floating U-throat tongue. Of course, being an ASICS boot, the DS Light Pro AG has an extra lace hole to do a runner’s knot, which helps provide extra lockdown, especially in the heel.

As usual for a boot with a floating tongue, this means that there is a lot of adjustability, and while this AG soleplate model does not have a wide variation like the FG models, there is still some nice width to the boot. So, even if you have a wider-than-average foot, you should still be able to fit into the boots with relative ease.

Of course, we have to talk about the heel. It is very comfortable, as one would expect from an ASICS heel. There is a similar amount of padding to the X Fly 6, but shape-wise the heel on the DS Light Pro AG is wider overall. This is partially down to the shape of the AG outsole, which has a more accommodating fit than the FG model. While I initially felt that the heel would cause an issue, as I prefer a tighter fit. However, this turned out to not be the case, and whenever I wear the boots, I feel locked in.

One of the main reasons that it is easy to feel locked in because of the insole, which has a super grippy top layer. When wearing grip socks, it takes a little bit of adjusting in order for the socks to not feel scrunched up. The material is somewhat reminiscent of Mizuno’s ZeroGlide material, though I would say this insole is slightly less grippy than that. It does mean that I do not feel the need for grip socks as much. As expected, the insole also has some nice cushioning, and I would say it is the best insole on offer at this midrange price point.

For sizing, I went with the usual size I do with ASICS, which is half a size down from my normal size, which means I got a 26cm/US 8/UK 7/EU 41.5. However, the ASICS DS Light Pro runs about a quarter size smaller than other ASICS boots, so while I am able to wear a half size down, it is a very snug fit, so I recommend that people order their normal size, rather than half a size down.

On the Ball

Unsurprisingly for a boot with a Silkywrap upper, the touch on the ball is excellent. It does feel somewhat like a leather upper, though as always, not necessarily better than high-quality kangaroo leather. That being said, I personally think that Silkywrap offers one of the most natural touches on the ball for a synthetic material.

It also needs to be mentioned that there is more Silkywrap on the forefoot than there was kangaroo leather on the previous DS Light Pro model. This means the softer material goes further towards the midfoot than previously, and it is noticeable when on the ball.

What also helps enhance the leather-like feeling on the ball is the fact that the stitch pattern on the forefoot is similar to what one would find on a natural leather boot. It does feel like this is a smart idea, as ASICS have previously gone with a stitchless forefoot before (see my Ultrezza 2 review), and their uppers felt far stiffer as a result. This naturally hurt the touch on the ball. So, again, smart on ASICS’ part to mimic the stitch pattern of a leather upper.

Of course, a more natural feeling upper does mean that hitting the ball with power gives similar feedback to a thin leather upper, maybe close to what one might experience in the Morelia Neo from Mizuno, though obviously not as premium. Still, this translates to there being just enough cushioning on the upper to take the sting out when hammering the ball.

A quick note on the thicker midfoot material when manipulating the ball. There is a minor roughness to the midfoot that I would say slightly helps with control. Though I would say that you really have to focus on it to notice it making a difference. It is not really a negative, though worth pointing out.

Naturally, it would be weird if I did not talk about how handy the multiple studs are when controlling the ball with the bottom of my feet. It’s nice. The only possible improvement I would want is for there to be proper texturing on the bottom of the studs. But still, I like it.

Grip

While ASICS has not necessarily changed much (or anything) with the AG outsole on the newest DS Light Pro versus the previous model, there really isn’t a need to do so. There is a good grip on different AG surfaces, while still providing enough coverage to properly support the foot.

Similar to the Sokito Scudetta AG, the outsole feels like it went through several rounds of testing to make it as close to perfect as possible. The studs are located in such a way that it is obvious that the high-pressure points of the foot have plenty of coverage to prevent discomfort. This is particularly obvious in the heel, where ASICS has placed studs around the outer edge of the soleplate so that the boot absorbs the pressure rather than the heel.

There is even a variation of stud heights, which is done in a way to provide extra stability, rather than trying to force the foot in an awkward direction during push off, or changes in direction. I also find that the studs are just tall enough to work on a harder grass surface, as well.

Some quick praise for ASICS still using rivets on the soleplate. It gives that extra-durable feeling.

The biggest thing that separates this outsole from other AG outsoles is ASICS’ GEL technology being in the midsole of the heel. Like a running shoe, this puts the foot in a slightly raised position to help reduce strain on the joints when starting or stopping a sprint. While a slight heel raise is prevalent on other ASICS boots, it is more pronounced here.

An added benefit of the GEL technology in the heel is that it helps reduce strain on the heels overall, and that is something I quickly notice when wearing the boots. It is something worth keeping in mind when choosing an AG boot, as I feel that this is something that could benefit a lot of players.

Conclusion

What they have given us with the new ASICS DS Light Pro AG is an excellent, fairly priced boot that has a great upper and a ton of support as well. The fact that the Silkywrap upper is now the same quality as their Elite models is a smart change on its own. However, when taking the cleverly designed soleplate into account, the DS Light Pro becomes something that compares favourably with AG boots that are priced far higher than it. It is also comforting (ha) to know that you can still get a boot with a nice touch on the ball without having to sacrifice comfort or support. It is something worth considering for anyone who plays on AG pitches.

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I split my time between wearing HAVO Grip Socks and PureGrip Socks for training and matches.

Use code LOCKHART15 to get 15% off your HAVO Grip Sock order or clink the link here: https://havosports.com/LOCKHART.

Use code lockhart for 10% off your entire PureGrip Socks order here: https://puregripsocks.com. Along with the socks, I also recommend the Pure laces and Pure Carbon 2.0 shin guards.

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