The Asics GEL-KAYANO 30: A classic for years to come

Asics has been a go-to brand for runners and walkers alike for many years now. They are reliable, they are of great quality, and they continue to improve over the many years we’ve been wearing them. There was a time where most of us only wore Asics (before we became bloggers and got to test multiple brands) and they are super consistent. The new GEL-KAYANO 30 shoe is another on the list of favorites.

Looks

The GEL-KAYANO’s showed up at our door in the black/glow yellow combo. We love the blue highlights (in the Women’s pair) that blend with the yellow and you can’t ever go wrong with a black shoe. The men’s version foregoes the blue and keeps the glow yellow consistent across the shoe.  We get compliments from friends whenever we take these for a run. Nikki receives “what shoes are THOSE?” questions from her clients at the gym who love seeing all the new shoes she gets to test. Everyone likes these, and they are as comfortable as they are attractive.

Function

These shoes are designed for overpronation, so if you tend to land on the outside of your heel and roll inward, these shoes will address that. This model is also an excellent choice for those who have low arches or flat feet and can address issues such as shin splints, plantar fasciitis, or heel spurs.

Construction

This model has a new 4D GUIDANCE SYSTEM which really helps with stability and support for those long slow runs. The midsole has FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning and a 4mm stack height increase. There’s also something called the “AHARPLUS heel plug” which has improved the outsole durability of the shoe.

In the rearfoot, Asics has introduced “PureGEL technology” below the heel which makes the shoe 65% softer that the typical GEL technology. This coupled with the OrthoLite X-55 sockliner will ensure a more comfortable, smooth ride and a softer landing.

Asics is committed to providing a shoe that’s more Earth-friendly. The FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning is made with about 20% bio-based content, and at least 75% of the shoe’s upper material is made with recycled materials to reduce waste and carbon emissions. The dyeing process for the sockliner reduces water usage by about 33% and carbon emissions by approximately 45% compared to the conventional dyeing technology. These shoes are also Vegan friendly.

Fit

As mentioned in the Construction part of the review above, the GEL technology on those shoe has been updated which is definitely felt the moment you slip this shoe on.

We can’t really describe what it is about the softness in this shoe that feels so great, but think for a moment about the most comfortably “worn-in” shoes you’ve owned – but without the breakdown of structure or stability. There’s only one other brand that’s mastered this well in recent years, and I won’t mention them here because this review is all about the the GEL-KAYANO 30 and they deserve the spotlight. Rest assured, these shoes will feel amazing on your feet.

The upper is pretty thick – which means this may not be a full-on racing shoe – but hot dang if they don’t hug nicely to your foot and ankle as a result.

These fit standard on both testers, so ordering your standard size should do just fine. This may be the Goldilocks of shoes right now – not too much room in the toebox, no sliding around, not too narrow or too wide. And if it’s a cushioned ride you want, it’s just right. This shoe feels like a cloud.

Overall

These shoes are definitely one of the softest, comfiest running shoe we’ve tried in awhile, and we try a lot of shoes. We find ourselves reaching for these from the growing stack quite a bit, for work, walking, and running.

Recommended!