ASICS Gel-Kayano 30: Not Your Typical Kayano
By Matthew Klein and Bach Pham
The Kayano is a legacy shoe in the ASICS lineup. Introduced as a crosstrainer in 1993, it evolved into the stability trainer that has been a staple of runners everywhere. For years, the Kayano employed the classic medial post that has long been a signature of stability footwear. It has also been a playground for ASICS technology, from gel to dual midsoles to advances in fit design and more. The 30th anniversary of the Kayano is the biggest leap yet in the series with a new stability mindset, new foam, and overall general philosophy shift. In this review, we go over the big changes to the Kayano series and discuss its implications for the future of stability footwear.
Asics Kayano 30Price: $159.95 at Running Warehouse (Releases 7/1)
Weight: 10.7 oz, 303 g (men's size 9), 9.3 oz, 263 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 40 mm / 30 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Classification: Stability Daily Trainer
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
Matt: The
ASICS Kayano 30 is a radically different take on this long-standing
series. Appearing to be highly inspired by the designs of the Kayano
Lite, the new version is a maximal stack height stability shoe that
integrates stability with current concepts on guidance. The wide
platform provides a large amount of inherent stability, while sidewalls,
internal geometry and a solid lockdown provide a centered ride that
comfortably guides you forward. The new plush upper holds you
comfortably without being overbearing while still having a high amount
of hidden structure. The midsole softens slightly and makes a green move
with the Eco version of Flytefoam Blast. While moving in a different
direction, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 is still a high level stability shoe
but moves into the maximal realm while a great focus on being centered.
Those who still need medial stability will do fine here but with the
goal being centered, this may work for a large range of runners due to
additional lateral stability as well.
Bach: The Kayano 30
is both a big radical change for the Kayano series and also a natural
progression in the direction that Asics has veered over the past three
years. Pulling design elements they've been testing in their Kayano Lite
models, you get a new stability design focused on geometry rather than
medial posting, pulling the massive width and sole flaring of the Kayano
Lite. A new upper design also adds a good deal of structure while still
keeping things relatively tidy. Finally, the midsole gets softer and
also sustainable with Flytefoam Blast Eco, which injects 24% bio-based
content into the midsole. Their new PureGel also makes it into the rear
of the shoe for added softness. Put together, the Kayano 30 is a
technology-packed stability trainer that sets its sights on a bigger
range of runners with its more universal design.
SIMILAR SHOES: Mizuno Wave Horizon 6, Asics Kayano Lite 3
PAST MODEL: Asics Kayano 29
FIT
Matt: The
ASICS Kayano 30 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The
width is normal throughout the length of the shoe with a fairly average
amount of volume. The upper is a full-length engineered stretch knit
material that provides some gentle mobility without losing security. The
forefoot has just enough room with a slight toe box taper. It has a
little more room than the previous version and the mesh stretches well
on the run. The midfoot is normal width with a moderately thick,
well-gusseted tongue. The gusseting and laces easily lock the foot down
and I did not have to lace lock the heel at all. The rearfoot fits
normal to slightly snug. There is a large amount of heel collar
cushioning that pads a stiff heel counter in the rearfoot. I did not
notice the counter due to the padding and those with heel sensitivities
should be fine (unless you are really sensitive). The inner liner is
extremely comfortable and has worked well for me while going sockless.
Those who want to do this should be fine but should be cautious of the
slightly thicker inner aspect of the flexible toe guard. Outside of
that, the upper is highly secure and keeps the foot locked down without
being in your face about it.
Bach: The model I tested was
a half size down. That said, the Asics Kayano 30 fit true to size for
me, as the shoe was just slightly snug, but otherwise fine. I'm actually
very surprised about some aspects of the Kayano 30's upper. The
forefoot has decent volume and also contains a soft, stretchy knit that
is very breathable. I never felt cramped on the run. The heel counter is
only rigid on the bottom half, which was also a surprise as stability
shoes tend to have full rigid heel counters. The padding is soft,
generous and comfortable. The rear and midfoot is otherwise traditional
Asics with a good lockdown and no frills. The classic Asics overlays
provide good structure that locks the shoe in well. There are tall
sidewalls on both sides that never irritated me in any way. You just
feel very centered in the shoe, which is important to the general
mechanics of the Kayano.
100 MILE UPDATE
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The
ASICS Kayano 30 is a different shoe than prior versions. It now sits as
a maximal, somewhat rockered stability shoe but continues its place as a
daily training shoe for those who need something stable. The stack
height is high at 40mm in the heel and 30 mm in the forefoot with a 10mm
heel drop. The Flytefoam Blast Eco is slightly firmer underfoot but the
sole compresses well to provide plenty of cushioning and protection.
The heel is rounded but has a decent amount of posterior flare. It has a
large crease that creates a lateral crash pad that compresses well upon
landing. This creates the feeling of a slightly prolonged landing that
gets better as the sole breaks in. The heel is wide and stable like the
rest of the shoe. This transitions into a stable midfoot and a slightly
stiff forefoot. The forefoot has a slightly late and large forefoot
rocker that takes a few miles to break in. The ride smoothens out but
there is only mild flexibility up front. This will work well for those
who have stiffer toe joints but do not do well with plated soles for
stiffness.
While the Kayano 30 supposedly gains a little weight
over version 29, my two versions in size 10 both weight the same. The
Kayano 30 feels lighter and smoother thanks to the better crash pad and
slightly firmer ride. It still functions best for easy miles and long
runs due to the cushioning, weight and size. I have tried to pick up the
pace in this shoe but there are far better options for that (Kayano
Lite, Evospeed, Metaspeed series). It has worked far better on the long
run and easy runs I used it for, continuing its place as a daily
training shoe.
The outsole has patches of AHAR+ and is full
ground contact. I have 30 miles on my pair and only see a little wear at
the posterior lateral heel. I am wearing through the rubber and mildly
exposed Flytefoam Blast Eco foam just a little bit. I do expect an
average to slightly above average number of miles out of these for a
daily training shoe. Surface-wise I would keep these to roads and mild
trails. The patches of rubber grip well on road surfaces and even on wet
pavement. On dirt the smoother outsole is not my top choice unless it
is flat dirt. This is expected given this is a road shoe and ASICS now
has several trail options if you want to go onto softer surfaces.
Bach: There
is a lot to breakdown about the Kayano 30, and also not a lot if you've
been running in Asics over the past 2 years. It features all of the
things we talk about at Doctors of Running: massive sole flaring, wide
width, and mild rockers (very mild here). The shoe runs fairly smoothly
and evenly. Once in rhythm, I felt very confident in the shoe and its
transitions. The Flytefoam Blast Eco is a bit firmer than normal
Flytefoam Blast, which isn't a bad thing as far as stability. The
midsole overall leans slightly firm, but cushioned throughout and with
no ground feel. It is also stiff throughout, with little forefoot
flexibility.
The Kayano is a bit on the heavier end, making it
best for easy day paces. This is a conundrum for me though, because the
midsole felt best when I engaged it a bit more and picked up the pace.
I'm a fairly light runner both in size and how I strike the ground. In
my experience - similar to some other shoes like the Wave Sky 6 from
Mizuno - I feel like this is a shoe that will perform well for anyone
who has a more heavy footstrike or a larger runner. Just running at my
normal paces felt slightly plodding, but when I pushed a little bit
harder I could feel the shoe come a bit more alive. I do feel it's just a
bit more shoe than my preferences. I think if the shoe was a little more rockered it would feel smoother. That said, it is still a capable,
comfortable ride that does daily miles fine and can definitely manage
long runs. Anyone who really prefers maximal, slightly firmer cushioning
will find this a solid ride.
The AHAR+ outsole grip is fine, with the wide width helping cover a good deal of ground as well. I took it through some slick, wet road and didn't have issues. It does not have the aggressive grip of a Nike waffle or PumaGrip, but does an adequate job of providing enough hold to keep you stable.
STABILITY
Matt: The
ASICS Kayano 30 takes everything we at Doctors of Running have been
talking about for the last several years in regards to guidance and
integrates it well. This new Kayano features large sidewalls on both
sides of the midfoot and heel, a wide stable sole (with appropriate sole
flare throughout the length of the shoe), a wide and non-tapered
midfoot and what feels like internal geometric stability. Despite the
advertisement and differently colored medial 3D Guidance system, it
feels similar to the Kayano Lite series. The medial heel midfoot and
forefoot provide resistance to motion and mild comfortable pressure
against that part of my foot. The interesting part is I do not feel
pushed laterally due to the lateral sole flare and sidewall. Instead, I
feel centered and guided throughout the entire length of the shoe. Those
who really like the feeling of a medial midfoot post may be
disappointed as that high arch pressure is not present. It does feel
highly stable but not in a biased way. At first I was concerned that the
stability had been reduced but it is still a highly stable shoe
deserving of the Kayano title. The way the stability is executed has
changed. It feels overall more stable than the prior Kayano, but does so
throughout the length of the shoe and not just in the medial heel like
version 29. Those that need stability at the heel, midfoot or forefoot,
especially medially will do well here.
Bach: Aside from
the sole flaring, width, and structured upper, the other piece I haven't
spoken much about is the decently large medial piece on the Kayano that
is visible. It doesn't feel particularly firmer than the rest of the
midsole itself. On the run, I honestly just never noticed it and felt
that the various components mentioned earlier does the majority of the
work to provide a geometric stability here.
I have a feeling a
lot of reviewers will indicate that the shoe feels both very stable
(especially so in comparison to neutral shoes) and much more "runnable"
than other Kayanos. It certainly is, but I do think anyone who has a
history of running in stability will find this a dramatic change from
the typical posted system of the past and in general a big difference
running in the 30. This is still a stability shoe, but in the vein of a
Mizuno Wave Horizon or even some stable neutral offerings that companies
like Nike have begun to transfer to with the Infinity React and
Structure models. If the sole was any softer or stack higher, I would
even say this was a stable neutral model. These changes are not
necessarily a bad thing; the Kayano will definitely be more adapted to a
broader number of runners. It just means if you are a long time Kayano
user, especially pre-version 28, this will be a big change that will
feel very different.
For me, I did feel the shoe was stable for
my needs. I have flat feet and typically prefer a stable neutral or
geometric base with less intrusive stability, and this model definitely
checked those marks.
Culture Corner: Blurred Lines
By Bach Pham
When I joined Doctors of Running in 2021, stability shoes were fairly defined as highly built, highly structured shoes with medial posts 9/10ths of the time. While looked down upon by much of the running community, there's no doubt they've also had their place for a long time. Matt discusses what posts have been known to do in our stability guide:
Posts usually involve sections of the midsole material being firmer than the rest of the shoe on the inner or medial side of the shoe. These are frequently referred to as duel-density foam. Since motion occurs through the path of least resistance, the post is designed to resist motion and facilitate it toward a different direction. Most of the time the posts are in the medial heel and midfoot. These particular designs are meant to assist the posterior tibalis, different muscles in the foot, ankle, and lower extremity that control overpronation during the landing or initial contact and mid stance phases of the gait cycle. While posts have long been the forefront of stability shoes, recent years have shown a sharp turn from posts for alternative forms of guidance.
At the time, I could count on one hand the number of non-posted stability trainers, with shoes like the Mizuno Wave Horizon and Hoka's Arahi being the few exceptions. Fast-forward two years later, posted stability shoes are now the increasingly rare with only the Saucony Guide, New Balance 860, Vongo, and a handful of others carrying on the legacy. This is not a bad thing; variety is welcome and having a range of stability shoes that help address a diverse array of needs is a very good thing. It does also mean things are becoming muddier on what shoes fit a runner's needs. Do I need guidance? Do I actually really benefit from a post? Do I just benefit from a stable neutral shoe? Stability has always been a challenging subject to discuss in the context of shoe buying, both for runners and running store employees trying to provide the best advice to runners. Even we at Doctors of Running are having a harder and harder time picking up a shoe that used to be defiantly one thing and working to figure out who benefits most from it as designs continue to blend together.
I think something that we have become concerned with as reviewers - people who share information about running shoes and can play a role in the decision a runner has in buying a shoe - is how we and others talk about stability. Stability shoes for a long time have been a narrow review lane due to posted shoes being the main option.
That door has been kicked wide open with shoes like the new Kayano 30 which blurs the line between stable neutral and stability. Yes, it is likely more runners may be able to comfortably tolerate a design like the Kayano. Some, however, might need more. That is where I hope reviewers take the time to really push the limits of their skills and experience to really consider all the factors of who might buy the shoe, and not just their own experience with the shoe. Is the arch an irritant or comfortable? Does it feel unstable at any part of the shoe? Is there conflicting points of the shoe when striking the ground? These are just some questions that both reviewers and runners can ask to really bring depth to their thoughts on the shoe.
We love seeing companies push the path forward on footwear design, but we also want to aim to be critical, highlight missteps, and really push to be critical about whether the shoe hits the intended goal, rather than just rely on the brand's notes to dictate our review. This is not at all to be critical about the Kayano 30 itself, but a call for reviewers specifically as more shoes like the Kayano reach the market to really think about the components of the shoe and think of who the shoe will and will not serve.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: I
am extremely proud of ASICS for taking the jump to give the Kayano
series an aggressive update. Bach and I have referenced several times
that the Kayano 30 integrates all the things we have been talking about
for years. It has a far smoother ride than the past, it does stability
better throughout the length of the shoe and not just in the heel AND
keeps the foot centered rather than biased. There are a few changes I
would make but these need to be done carefully. The first is the 4D
guidance system. If this is meant to be a medial post, the grayish
material actually feels softer than the rest of the foam. I don't feel
this while running, but if it is meant to be a post, it needs to be a
higher density. There may be additional components inside the sole that I
am not aware of and actually would keep it the way it is personally.
However, those who are expecting a post-like feeling will be
disappointed (I don't always like that feeling, so prefer this).
My
second suggestion is (as always) about the heel. I appreciate the large
crash pad that actually collapses quite well. I have reference research
in the past that suggests that as long as the foam collapses well a
mild posterior lateral flare is okay. I personally would rather have a
decent posterior lateral bevel as it feels smooth to me. The crash pads
do create a slightly early initial contact that you do get used to with
time but I would prefer more of a true rocker sensation for a shoe of
this stack height.
Bach: I appreciate the new direction
Asics took with the Kayano series. It is a big step for them to transfer
the technology of this model in a fairly different path. The change I
recommend would be in the ride. I feel it could be just a little more
rockered to help forward the ride and not only add to the guidance but
help move the tall stack of foam forward better. It just being a
stiffer, denser midsole, I think a little assistance moving the shoe
forward would help liven the ride further.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR
Matt: The
ASICS Kayano 30 is the current concept version of this classic
stability shoe. It is meant as an easy day or long run shoe for those
that need a highly stable platform both medially and laterally. Those
who have enjoyed the Kayano Lite series or other guidance-based shoes
like the Mizuno Wave Horizon or Saucony Tempus will definitely feel at
home in this shoe. It does not provide the traditional high medial arch
feeling that other shoes like New Balance 860 series but does provide
consistent high-level centeredness throughout the length of the shoe.
Those who have worn the Kayano previously should know that this will
feel different but familiar at the same time. The same concept is there
despite the execution being different. The improved forefoot stability
is a welcome change given that people often need stability in various
places throughout the foot rather than just the medial heel or midfoot.
The Kayano 30 is clearly a well-thought-out approach to stability that
executes many components well. Those trying these newer
guidance/stability shoes should ease into them but will find plenty to
keep you going over a variety of training distances.
Bach: The
Asics Kayano 30 is a new-age stability trainer that is meant for
logging tons of easy miles. It will suit a wider variety of runners than
past Kayano, both who run in stability and non-stability shoes. It
definitely takes much of the Kayano Lite's approach and transfers a
wealth of new technology in the main Asics line to create something that feels fresh. Fans of the Mizuno Wave Horizon, Adidas Adistar CS, or other
wider-based shoes will like this change a good deal. Runners used to
posts should ease into this model to see if it works for their needs.
This model is a bit softer than the others mentioned, which is its
standout characteristic.
Those who want a bit more guidance may
want to consider the Saucony Guide 16 or Mizuno Wave Inspire, both of
which do a good job of providing forward movement. Runners who still
want something a bit more traditional will want to check out the Brooks
Adrenaline GTS, which combines both guidance and medial support. For
someone who has less stability needs, but wants to get some of the
stable mechanics in the new Kayano, the Asics Cumulus 25 is a great
choice to check out.
Pairing-wise Kayano 30 is a great model to alternate with
the Saucony Tempus. The Tempus can provide those faster miles and
potential be a solid race day choice while the Kayano logs all of your
training mileage. Both carry similarities in how they enable stability
to make them an easy one-two punch.
GRADING
Matt
Fit: A- (Comfortable secure fit with premium upper and well-padded heel)
Performance: B/B+ (Highly cushioned daily trainer for mileage)
Stability: A [Moderate Stability] (Wider sole, wider midfoot, sidewalls and geometric stability make this a moderate guidance shoe)
DPT/Footwear Science: A- (Massive
changes to a fairly consistent line that moves things forward utilizing
all the concepts we have been discussing. Still could use a heel bevel
despite the decent crash pad)
Personal: B+/A- (Well-centered
shoe that works extremely well for my mechanics. Great as an easy
day/recovery shoe but a bit heavier than I would like for other things)
Overall: A-
Bach
Fit: A- (Good forefoot volume and heel hold. A very structured midfoot upper holds foot in well. There is room to shed a little bit more weight in the future though)
Performance: B (A well-cushioned trainer for logging tons of miles. Not an overtly exciting ride in any way or very versatile, just consistent)
Stability: A- (Good use of geometry, sole flare, sidewalls to center and keep runner stable without traditional elements)
DPT/Footwear Science: B+ (Not
a revolutionary shoe, but a solid and big change nonetheless. The
bio-based midsole is a big addition though and I look forward to seeing
that percentage continue to grow model to model)
Personal: B (Stable
and good mileage grinder, but I would like the ride to feel a bit more
lively or forward rolling for my tastes. Feels like I'm not engaging the
shoe enough with my normal stride)
Overall: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORAsics Kayano 30Price: $159.95 at Running Warehouse (Releases 7/1)
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FURTHER READING: More Stability Shoes
Asics GT-1000 11 - The most affordable stability shoe in the market
ASICS GT-2000 11 - The GT series elevates the midsole to bring it back to a more moderate cushion stability trainer
Brooks Hyperion GTS - All-new, lightweight stability offering using guidance
Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 - The redesign for the guidance-based stability trainer is an early 2023 favorite
Saucony Guide 16 - A much-improved upper and soft insole highlight this stability shoe update
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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