ASICS offers 4 stability trainers in their lineup, the 1000, 2000, 4000 (motion control option) and the Kayano. Thanks. It’s support is more noticed than the combination of the Dynamic Duo Max and the Space Trusstic plate. I tried the Asics on side-by-side with the Transcend 7 and was really impressed by what Asics had to offer. Michael: ASICS GlideRide is a fun, kinetic, propulsive shoe with a very strong midfoot rocker. The Forefoot has a different lighter personality.
By giving your consent below, you agree that we place and read cookies on all our websites (see this overview) and combine these collected data. And that effect, in conglomeration with the rest of the upper, is a really impressive one. We tested it and were frankly surprised in mostly pleasant ways by this highly refined shoe. At $160, I don’t know that it’s a shoe too many new runners will seek out - but those who keep coming back to the Kayano line will be impressed by what is surely the best, most svelte Kayano yet.
Here we are 27 years later and the Kayano is still one of Asics best selling trainers. To collect and analyze statistics to improve the experience on our websites and the effectiveness of advertisements. The shoe begins and ends with Gel technology, designed to help runners move naturally and reduce the shock of landing. The women’s shoe is lighter than the 26, while simultaneously more cushioned, which comes from the additional 3 mm of extra heel height. This said it is somehow also not as polished and smooth running as the more flexible, if heavier, Kayano at slower paces, where I would use such a shoe. Cut them down in length and I would have a clear preference for the Infinity React.
It is attached below the outsole at its front and back but not glued in the middle so it is more dynamic to foot motion. For stability, ASICS has gone to its classic - the Dynamic Duo Max approach - which brings a firmer medial sidewall foam to activate pronation support. All that durability, protection, and strong visual cues of same (such as the exoskeleton and the Trusstic) come at a cost not so much in dollars but I think weight, my only knock on the Kayano and one that despite the fine ride keeps it out of daily training class for me. These aspects can cause the back portion of the trainers to be inflexible, stiff and heavy. The tread on the men’s shoe is different from the women’s model. The Miler upper has a good rear hold but not the super stable clutch of the Kayano. Unless you need a do-everything shoe (including workouts), I would take the Kayano and pick up something lighter and faster than the Ravenna for workout days. Pairing both - the Kayano for recovery and long runs, the GlideRide for faster runs and workouts - would make for a great combination. Sure, especially when finishing the run at an up-tempo pace, but not unrunnable by any means. Michael: Jacquard mesh seems to be a neat hybrid between a true knit upper (ala ASICS’s Gel-DS Trainer) and the older mesh materials on, for example, the Kayano 26. And while I still think the Kayano is more shoe than most runners are going to need - consider, this is in the same technical class as the Nike Infinity React - I think ASICS has taken its traditional Kayano DNA and honed it for the 27th generation. Sam has been running for over 45 years and has a 2:28 marathon PR. ASICS seemed to agree that the future may see a lightening of the exoskeleton while retaining its purposes. Sam: While the Infinity React is lighter and relies on an inherently broad platform for much of its stability component, its long rails on either side and especially the lateral side are really noticed, Less focused on pronation control than knee stability and as with all rails of the firmer variety I found them obtrusive and for me unnecessary. Looks like you could fit a mob chieftain to in them and skip the concrete overshoes. FREE 2 Day Shipping EASY No Sweat Returns, Join VIP Family, Get Free Shipping and 15% in VIP, All Reviews: Road & Trail Run Shoes, Gear & Tech By Brand. The upper has also been reengineered to hug the foot where needed (mid and rear foot) and let it move naturally with more give provided at the front of the shoe. He is 63 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. The Flytefoam Propel and Gel cushioning, stars of the midsole, work together to provide a springy feeling on every stride. Michael: ASICS has a myriad of cushioning options baked in to the midsole here, matching the novel FlyteFoam Propel closest to the foot with “regular” FlyteFoam below. In the Kayano 26 they added more Gel cushioning in areas of the midsole to improve shock absorption. The newly designed engineered mesh is both stylish and a performance upgrade.
I tend to appreciate a shoe with some stability through the midfoot, especially for easier runs with sloppier footstrikes - I found the Skechers Forza 4 to be impressive in its ability to “hide” the stability until it’s really needed (once the shoe had been broken in, that is), and the Kayano does it perhaps even better.
Combined with the softer foam in the women’s, I wonder if I might not prefer its approach better although I am fine with the men’s. Is it perfect?
I pondered how they pulled off such an unobtrusive support system,, assuming initially that there was a bigger post in the mix, then leaned that Dynamic Duo Max is a 3mm thick somewhat firmer medial sidewall foam designed to activate pronation support when needed and otherwise stay out of the way. You slip your foot into these with a resounding solid clunk, Locked in, locked down! and is ASICS best selling shoe at running stores, something must be up. Michael: Sam has it right; this shoe isn’t a NovaBlast or GlideRide (or even MetaRide!) While the Infinity React is lighter and relies on an inherently broad platform for much of its stability component, its long rails on either side and especially the lateral side are really noticed, Less focused on pronation control than knee stability and as with all rails of the firmer variety I found them obtrusive and for me unnecessary.
To build personal profiles of you so that we can show you targeted content and advertisements that match your interests. Here, it works extremely well in providing a comfortable and secure fit, not only in the forefoot but also in the heel where, coupled with the plastic exo-skeleton, ASICS has ensured a locked-in fit. The ASICS Kayano is a support shoe, and it excels at preventing excess pronation. Michael: Sam about covered our backstory, but unlike the guru himself, I have run in the Kayano once, many years ago (I believe it was the Kayano 15 or 16), simply due to the fact that my preferred trainers at the time - the ASICS GT-2000 and DS-Trainer - were sold out at my local running store. Where many neutral running shoes use consistent foam densities across the entire midsole, ASICS built the Kayano with two different densities of …
While many aspects of what I wrote would still apply to the 27s, excellent amount of stability, my feelings have changed. Article by Michael Ellenberger and Sam Winebaum, Official Weight: men’s 11.1 oz / 315g women’s 8.8 oz / 249g, Samples: 308 grams / 10.86 oz US men’s 8.5, Women: Heel: 24mm Forefoot: 11mm, 13mm drop, Men: Heel: 22mm Forefoot: 12mm, 10mm drop, Available now including Running Warehouse here. I’m confident the cushioning can hold up to 26.2. Cleverly ASICS offered to give us and the history and answer questions after we tested. No, it isn’t but it is smooth running despite its complexity and as part of the overall promise it delivers what it is supposed to and should for many miles.