ASICS Gel Kayano 28 Shoe Review
October 25, 2021
The Kayano 28 Receives a Dose of Blast
Lighter, more flexible, and more responsive... but can the 28 surpass the 27?
Likes
- Durable
- Comfortable upper
- More flexible
Dislikes
- Firmer
- Less stable
- Lacking breathability
What's New
The most notable upgrade in the new Kayano 28 is the Flytefoam Blast foam midsole, which is the same high-performing compound found in the ASICS Novablast and ASICS Magic Speed. This lightweight foam provides runners with a responsive energy return in every stride, as well as soft, protective landings. The Kayano 28 also features an updated engineered mesh upper. While very similar to its predecessor, the new upper is slightly slimmed down and promises to deliver even more comfort.
The Bottom Line
The ASICS Gel Kayano 28 had some work done, but has this ASICS cornerstone improved? The answer to that question may depend on who you ask. In a nutshell, the Kayano 28 is more flexible, firmer, and more responsive than the previous version. It's also a smidge lighter, but not so light as to compete with the even lighter Kayano Lite. A little more on that later.
With an all-new Flytefoam Blast midsole, which has made noise on other ASICS models, the Kayano 28 has a smooth ride with a bit of bounce. It no longer offers a plush step-in feel, but it's still a relatively soft shoe. Runners familiar with the Kayano may find that this slimmed-down, more flexible model lacks some stability and offers less protection than previous iterations. Also, a heads-up for runners who tend to run hot: our testers found that the breathability was lacking in warmer weather.
Overall, the Gel Kayano is still a trustworthy stability shoe that is ideal for daily training runs. That said, with all of the other ASICS offerings on the market (such as the Novablast and Kayano Lite), it will be interesting to see what direction the Kayano will go moving forward.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to Low |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.8 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.3 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 33 mm (Heel), 23 mm (Forefoot) | 10 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Maximum Stability |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Greg: "I felt that the foam was soft, but I would not call it plush. The Kayano 28 provides a smooth and comfortable ride."
Liz: "The new Kayano 28 lacks the soft step-in feel of the previous version. The new Flytefoam Blast midsole has a slight bounce and 'squish' to it, but the shoe no longer offers the plush underfoot feel of past models. It's not uncomfortable, but it doesn't have the same pillowy landing of the Kayano 27. While I think this new foam will be more resilient over time, it isn't as comfortably soft as the previous midsole."
Ride/Energy Returni
Greg: "Given the performance of Flytefoam Blast in the Novablast and Magic Speed, I was expecting a springy pop from the Kayano 28's midsole, but I did not feel it. The energy return seemed similar to the Kayano 27, which is very solid, but I just expected more from the new foam."
Liz: "In my opinion, the Flytefoam Blast gives the Kayano 28 a more responsive feel than the previous version. It isn't an uptempo shoe by any means, but it isn't sluggish either. There's a slight bounciness to the midsole that helps you maintain your pace without extra effort."
Underfoot Protectioni
Greg: "There is enough cushioning in this shoe, and it offers a fair amount of protection. I enjoyed wearing the Kayano 28 for recovery and long runs, and I think other runners will as well, but only if they can handle the fit of the upper."
Liz: "This is where I noticed the biggest changes from the previous model. The Kayano 27 had a classic running shoe feel that was both protective and durable. The 27 was, admittedly, a bit heavy, but it was a workhorse that got the job done with reliable stability. In contrast, the new Kayano 28 has a lighter, more slimmed-down feel that doesn't seem as stable or as protective. This shoe is no longer my choice for recovery runs or long miles. However, the updates make the Kayano 28 more enjoyable for shorter runs and cross-training."
Flexibilityi
Greg: "Flexibility is probably the best feature of this updated shoe. I found the Kayano 28 to be moderately flexible, which made for a very smooth heel-to-toe transition that was fun to run in."
Liz: "Continuing with the theme of the Kayano 28 feeling less bulky than the previous model, the new design is more flexible than before, which gives the Kayano 28 a much smoother ride. While I can still feel the Trusstic support system correcting my footstrike, the Kayano 28 is very flexible in the forefoot and midfoot, making it less stable. I did not feel like version 28 was correcting my overpronation as much as the previous version."
Upper Supporti
Greg: "I found the upper to be too snug and much too warm. I got hot spots after going only a short distance. I also tested the shoe out on four different runs in what I would consider warm to hot conditions, and my feet overheated each time. Unfortunately, I experienced rubbing on my Achilles as well, so overall, it is safe to say I was not the biggest fan of the Kayano 28's upper, but this could be due to my specific foot shape."
Liz: "As always, ASICS kills it on the overall fit and comfort of the upper. The mesh felt slightly warm when running in hot and humid weather, but overall, the fit felt secure and perfectly accommodating. My one issue was that the heel collar easily folded in when trying to put on the shoe."
Men's ASICS Gel Kayano Running Shoes
The Gel Kayano is ASICS' flagship everyday stability running shoe. Featuring soft cushioning and maximum stability, the Kayano is designed to make every run comfortable.
Women's ASICS Gel Kayano Running Shoes
The Gel Kayano is ASICS' flagship everyday stability running shoe. Featuring soft cushioning and maximum stability, the Kayano is designed to make every run comfortable.
Individual Thoughts
Liz7/10
I think the Kayano 28 will be a great option for those who want a bit of stability for shorter runs, or for those who want a shoe that can do everything from CrossFit sessions at the gym to standard daily runs. However, I would no longer choose this Kayano for recovery runs. This shoe might last longer (and have a lower profile feel) than the Kayano Lite due to its more resilient foam. However, I feel that the Kayano Lite is now more protective for longer runs, more stable for overpronators, smoother through transitions, and softer and more comfortable than the Kayano 28. With that, I would choose the Kayano Lite over the Kayano 28. The Kayano 28 felt stiff when running longer than fives miles. While this improved as the shoe broke in, I had issues with blisters under my first metatarsals (which I never have problems with).
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Greg6.5/10
I enjoyed that the Kayano 28 did not feel like a maximum support shoe. It provided a smooth ride and didn't bother my arch too much. However, I couldn't get over the fact that the shoe ran quite hot. That being said, the Kayano may be a good option for runners with narrow feet living in a moderate to cold climate.
