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Here’s the TL;DR on this shoe…
Everyday runners will love the Asics Gel-Kayano 31. It features a sturdy comfort and stability that should appeal to people who love to get out there frequently and run any distance.
But let’s get into the nitty gritty details of this stability running shoe…
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the Asics Gel-Kayano 31 a good fit for? I’ll break down some key categories so it’s easy to decide if this is the shoe for you!
- Neutral/Overpronated Strike: The 4D Guidance System keeps your feet in line for a stable, balanced stride
- Everyday Runners: A 10mm drop gives any runner a very reliable feel, while the fit and cushion has broad appeal
- Any Distance: Whether you’re running a 5k or a marathon, this shoe should handle any distance with ease
- Middle Of The Pack: It’s not built for speed, but that’s kind of the point
Asics Gel-Kayano 31 Specs
- Heel toe drop: 10mm
- Weight: 9.3 oz women’s, 11 oz men’s
- Stack Height: 39mm women’s, 40mm men’s
- Usage: Stability daily trainer (not a speed shoe)
- Available in wide
- Available in 9 colors
- Available at Asics.com and Zappos.com for $165
Who Tried It
Hi, I’m Justin Gardner, one of those “5k a day” runners you’ll find in the middle of the pack at your local Turkey Trot. I began my running journey over a decade ago when some coworkers wanted to enter a 5K race for charity, and I thought it’d be fun to join. Little did I know that my competitive side would kick in and I’d finish 11th in a 500 person race with a 5k time of 19:55.
After that, I was hooked, and my journey has lead me to a lifelong love of getting out on the roads and trails of Missouri and Kansas.
Asics Gel-Kayano 31 Review
I’ve known about the Asics brand forever, but had no experience with any of their shoes before trying the Gel-Kayano. Still, my impression of the brand was very “no frills.” Basically, what you see is what you get.
Wouldn’t you know it… that same impression definitely sums up my feelings about the Gel-Kayano.
But that’s not a bad thing.
What I first noticed when I got out there was the stability of the PureGEL foam and 4D Guidance System.
I generally like a bouncier, cushier foam, but I really enjoyed the Gel-Kayano’s sturdier feel because it seems like it could last 500+ miles. As a heavier runner (185-190lbs), my shoes generally last about 300 miles, so just the cost savings alone would make me keep these in my roster year after year.
Basically, everything about this shoe screams durability, with a more comfy feeling kicking in after you break them in for a bit. And for good reason. The Gel-Kayano 31 is an absolute workhorse. It’s like that buddy you can call who loves to do yard work, and you know they’ll stay until the job is done. The more I ran in these shoes, the more I appreciated how they’re built and stand up to whatever I threw at them.
Contrast that with another shoe I love, the Brooks Glycerin 20 and its nitrogen-infused foam. Those give me cushy comfort right off the bat, but they broke down more easily and lasted roughly 300 miles. Call me cheap, but I don’t like buying shoes every 3 months… or less!
If you want a detailed comparison we’ve done that!
Checkout Brooks Ghost vs Brooks Glycerin >>
The Good
The Asics Gel-Kayano 31 are very reliable. It’s the shoe you want to take home to your parents, not take out of the clubs. You can lace them up and you know they’ll get you through thick and thin.
Also, as a runner that overpronates, the Gel-Kayano’s 4D Guidance System keeps my gait very steady and true, and I could feel it pushing back against my foot. Could that result in fewer injuries as I continue to run in them for a longer period of time? I hope so! Because with a broken foot and peroneal tendinitis in my past, stability is very important to me so I can keep getting out there day after day.
The Bad
There’s no getting around it: this is a boring shoe.
Very few frills, but I wasn’t looking for flash. I just need something I can depend on to get me through my everyday 5k.
Also, I won’t be setting any PRs in this one. It’s very bulky in appearance and that translates into a heavier 11 oz weight, which I could definitely feel when I tried to pick up the pace.
The Bottom Line
If you run every day and want to buy two pairs of shoes a year instead of three… you might want to hop on the Asics Kayano 31 bandwagon.
Its stability, reliability and durability gives you the support you need to keep running further and longer.
There you have it our Asics Gel Kayano 31 review. We know we were late to the party on this one with information, but we absolutely had to talk about this super popular shoe. And of course, now we’ll have even more to share when the 32 is released in 2025.
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