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Asics Gel-Kayano 31 Review

A comfort-focused stability shoe that is great for easy mileage
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Asics Gel-Kayano 31 Review
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Price:  $165 List
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Manufacturer:   Asics
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 3, 2024
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#17 of 30
  • Landing Comfort - 30% 7.4
  • Responsiveness - 20% 4.5
  • Stability - 15% 9.0
  • Upper Comfort - 15% 7.5
  • Weight - 15% 3.0
  • Traction - 5.0% 4.5
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

This year's Asics Gel-Kayano 31 brings some minor updates to the most comfortable stability shoe in our lineup. The foam is slightly updated, and we think it provides a bit more responsiveness than the last version. The upper is also a bit lighter, which aids in breathability. For runners who are looking for premium comfort and a stable option, this is a great choice. Runners who tend to wear neutral shoes will likely be able to enjoy this shoe, thanks to the 4D Guidance System that utilizes different foams and sidewalls to direct your foot rather than force it into a specific position. This still isn't a responsive shoe, and it still is pretty heavy. If you're looking for a fast shoe, look elsewhere. Still, we recommend this shoe to runners who want a trainer with a stable platform, comfortable fit, plush upper, and the ability to eat up lots of mileage.
REASONS TO BUY
Great stability
Comfortable ride
Durable build
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Lacks responsiveness

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asics gel-kayano 31
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Price $165.00 at REI
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Bottom Line Our choice for a comfortable stability shoe that can handle lots of milesAn all-around standout that can handle easy days as comfortably as hard workoutsA daily trainer that can handle most runs, the Novablast 4 is fun and extremely comfortableBouncy, responsive and well-cushioned, this shoe is performance-oriented but still versatileA daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price
Rating Categories Asics Gel-Kayano 31 Saucony Endorphin S... Asics Novablast 4 New Balance FuelCel... Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Landing Comfort (30%)
7.4
8.0
8.3
8.5
8.0
Responsiveness (20%)
4.5
8.0
7.0
7.5
7.0
Stability (15%)
9.0
5.7
7.0
4.0
6.0
Upper Comfort (15%)
7.5
7.5
8.0
6.0
7.0
Weight (15%)
3.0
6.8
5.8
8.4
5.3
Traction (5.0%)
4.5
5.0
4.0
6.2
9.0
Specs Asics Gel-Kayano 31 Saucony Endorphin S... Asics Novablast 4 New Balance FuelCel... Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Measured Weight 11.68 oz 9.03 oz 9.76 oz 7.98 oz 10.07 oz
Measured Heel Stack Height 42 mm 38 mm 43 mm 30 mm 38 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop 12 mm 11 mm 7 mm 7 mm 11 mm
Plate Type None Nylon None None None
Rocker Angle 21.5 deg 25.0 deg 22.5 deg 19.5 deg 18.0 deg
Rocker Apex Location 69.6% 67.7% 66.5% 62.2% 66.7%
Style Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer
Upper Engineered mesh Engineered mesh/knit Engineered woven/knit FantomFit Engineered knit
Midsole FF Blast + Eco PWRRUN PB FF Blast + Eco FuelCell NITROFOAM
Outsole Hybrid AsicsGrip Rubber AHAR Lo Rubber PumaGrip
Heel Tab Type Finger loop None Finger loop None None
Sizes Available 6-16 US, regular, wide & extra wide 7-15 US, regular 6 - 15 US, regular 7-16 US, regular & wide 7 - 14 US, regular

Our Analysis and Test Results

This version of the Gel-Kayano sees some improvements that we're fans of. The comfortable foam now has somewhat more responsiveness to it, and the upper is more breathable and a bit lighter. It's still the great, comfy, stability-centric shoe we know and love, just better.

Performance Comparison


asics gel-kayano 31 - the kayano 31 is a comfortable, max-cushioned option with excellent...
The Kayano 31 is a comfortable, max-cushioned option with excellent stability.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Landing Comfort


Let's talk stats first. We measured 42 mm under the heel, comprised mainly of FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam. Asics claims a 10 mm drop height, while we measured it at 12 mm following World Athletics stack height measurement guidelines. The shoe feels like a standard daily trainer while running. It's is comfortable underfoot, and the updated foam feels slightly softer and bouncier than in the previous iteration — the Gel-Kayano 30. In particular, we think the foam under the midfoot feels more resilient, providing better energy return and more comfort.

asics gel-kayano 31 - this is a high-cushion trainer, but it feels on par with most daily...
This is a high-cushion trainer, but it feels on par with most daily trainers.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The Kayano 31 retains its wide platform but refined the heel bevel to provide a slightly smoother transition for heel strikers. In keeping with the “adaptive stability” ethos of the shoe, the shoe does a good job of preventing inward collapse on footstrike without creating discomfort. Similarly, the sidewalls on both sides of the foot leave enough room for comfort while still providing stability. This is a comfy shoe with lots of foam. While the cushioning isn't as plush as some competitors, it's a very stable shoe, making it a good choice for runners who value comfort but need some extra stability.

asics gel-kayano 31 - the wide platform does a good job of providing inherent stability...
The wide platform does a good job of providing inherent stability without compromising comfort on landing.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Responsiveness


The Kayano 31 slightly improves on last year's model with a foam that feels a bit more resilient and a rocker that feels a bit more snappy off the forefoot. This still isn't a shoe we would grab for workouts — it likes easy mileage, and that is fine. We found the shoe to be comfortable up to a little slower than marathon pace. Any faster, and we felt the lack of responsiveness. Once we got to about threshold effort, we were wishing for a different pair of shoes. The shoe still has below-average responsiveness. For runners who value performance over comfort, there are other options that provide almost as much stability but in a faster overall package.

asics gel-kayano 31 - though this version is more responsive than the last, it still isn't...
Though this version is more responsive than the last, it still isn't the shoe we're grabbing for faster-paced running.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Upper Comfort


Simple and plush are the best descriptors for the Kayano upper. Not a lot has changed here — just a knit mesh upper that breathes slightly better than last year's version. We love the extra attention that Asics pays to runners who tend to have heel/Achilles rub issues. The extra padding around the heel collar protects those areas and also aids lockdown. Runners with normal to slightly wide feet should have no issues with fit — these run wide.

asics gel-kayano 31 - the upper is comfortable and works well.
The upper is comfortable and works well.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Stability


This shoe thrives at stability, ranking first overall in our list of recommendations for stability-centric trainers. That's thanks to the previously mentioned 4D Guidance System, which gives the shoe a comfortable level of support without feeling constricting or unnatural. The base of the shoe is wide, giving a confident landing platform. The foam under the midfoot uses a different resilience level to limit pronation, which is useful for runners who struggle with pronation-related injuries. Sidewalls help direct the foot without constricting splay on impact, which provides support that doesn't compromise comfort. All of that means runners who prefer a neutral shoe will likely still be able to appreciate this shoe.

asics gel-kayano 31 - thanks to the differing resilience levels, this shoe handles motion...
Thanks to the differing resilience levels, this shoe handles motion guidance well.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Weight


In keeping with the cushioned, easy day theme of this shoe, the Kayano is no lightweight. In fact, our US size 10.5 shoes weigh 11.68 ounces each, which is among the heaviest in our test. However, thanks to the overall design of the shoe, it doesn't feel excessively overbuilt at comfortable paces. We did notice the weight when we started to push the pace.

asics gel-kayano 31 - the kayano is a heavy trainer.
The Kayano is a heavy trainer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Traction


Similar to the 30, the traction of these is okay, but nothing to get excited about. The Kayano has a more aggressive outsole than many other Asics shoes in our lineup, which we appreciate. That does help in the wet and on loose surfaces, which is an area where we've found other Asics models we've tested struggle.

asics gel-kayano 31 - traction on the kayano is fine but not outstanding.
Traction on the Kayano is fine but not outstanding.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Asics Gel-Kayano 31?


This is a shoe for runners who need support and stability and also want to prioritize overall comfort. Runners who want some speed in a stable package should look elsewhere, as should runners who are looking for the most comfortable overall option. For the right runner, though, the Kayano is a great daily trainer.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?


The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is a stability shoe with slightly more responsiveness. If you're comfortable without the stability-focused design, the Hoka Clifton 9 provides a wide base and ample cushioning that makes it feel very stable. For runners who want an excellent all-around shoe that could even be used for long races, the Asics Superblast 2 is a phenomenal choice with above-average stability.

Nathaniel Bailey