ASICS Gel Kayano 32 Review
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.5 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.0 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 40 mm (Heel), 32 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Stability |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
The ASICS Gel Kayano 32 is for you if...
You are looking for a reliable stability shoe for daily training
You want cushioning and support on long, easy runs
You are an overpronator who wants a versatile and comfortable shoe
What is the ASICS Gel Kayano 32 made for?
The Gel Kayano has been a flagship stability shoe for years, providing support for overpronators without sacrificing comfort. Different versions of the shoe have incorporated different stability features, ranging from an exoskeleton to a medial post, until the Gel Kayano 30 introduced ASICS' game-changing 4D Guidance System. Ditching the rigid medial post, the Gel Kayano 30 used a layer of higher-density foam to provide a guided bounce out of pronation, giving runners a more supportive and balanced ride with noticeably more comfort and ease. Feedback on this new technology was extremely positive, and so the 4D Guidance System has been here to stay.
ASICS has fine-tuned the Kayano over time for the most stable and premium comfort experience, with the Gel Kayano 32 taking the features that we loved from the more recent iterations and refining them even further. The FF BLAST+ ECO midsole foam with PureGEL in the rearfoot provides a plush underfoot experience, with some resculpting done to make the shoe feel a bit lighter and softer. Including the comfortably functional 4D Guidance System and finished off with a durable rubber outsole, these shoes are built to last, giving you luxurious comfort and efficient stability for miles to come.
Comfort
Right out of the box, we found these shoes to be very comfortable. Kayano 32 had gel-like comfort underfoot as soon as we hit the road. The mesh upper felt plush and breathable, and had a nice stretchy quality to it. We also loved the padding on the tongue and around the heel. The heel-to-toe drop went down to 8mm from the previous version’s 10mm drop, which means that the angle of incline from the toe to the heel is a little lower. We liked that this gave the shoe a more even weight distribution and slightly more cushion under the forefoot. The midsole dampens the impact of the roads very well, and our feet didn’t feel fatigued after our runs, or walking and standing in them.
Performance
The Kayano 32 does what it’s intended for—it’s a reliable, comfortable, and stable daily trainer. We liked these best on our easy runs, and a tester recovering from an injury also enjoyed these shoes for all-day comfort when walking or standing. The midsole dampens impact on the roads very well, and we noticed some energy return from the foam with each step. It’s a great balance between soft and responsive, meaning it’s cushioned but not so overly soft that you sink into your steps. It disappears when you put it on, which let us focus on the road, and the 4D Guidance System is subtle yet supportive and comfortably effective. It feels very stable without any ankle wobbles. Since the stability system is made of a higher-density foam instead of a rigid plate, it doesn't feel as harsh and gently bounces you out of overpronation. We also love the big stretchy heel tab loops that make it super easy to quickly pull on these shoes.
Fit
The generous heel padding secured our heels in place, and we also got a good locked-in feel around the midfoot. We did not experience hotspots or irritation, thanks to the soft and adaptable upper. The toe box gave our toes some wiggling room for an overall very comfortable fit that was easy to forget we were wearing shoes. If you liked the fit of the last few versions of the Kayano, you’ll feel right at home in version 32.
The fit of the shoe is true to size, and will work best for most foot widths, especially standard to narrow widths. If you are a true wide, we recommend ordering a wide width in your usual size—however, we did notice in the wide sizing that the laces run short, which may be an issue for some shoe-tying methods.
Individual Thoughts
The ASICS Gel Kayano 32 is exactly what it’s intended to be, a premium stability daily trainer. While I am slowly coming back from a posterior tibial tendonitis overuse injury, this shoe was one I was really excited to get to test. It felt great on all the runs I was able to do, which are easy, timed efforts. I also loved wearing this shoe for long walks, doing my PT exercises, and for all day on my feet at work. The cushioning feels incredible all around. ASICS knows how to make a good upper, I love the plush pillowed heel cup and stretchy pull tab. The fit was perfect with a good hold on my heel and midfoot, with room in the toe box so my toes could spread out.
The midsole is very adaptable—since the huge update from version 30 and 31 where ASICS got rid of the stiff, traditional medial post and replaced it with a foam that’s made to bounce you out of pronation, the Kayano has become a versatile option that will work for both neutral runners and those that want a little extra support. I would highly recommend the Kayano 32 for anyone who prioritises comfort and is looking for a reliable, go-to daily trainer.
The Gel Kayano 32 is a great all-around stability cruiser. The underfoot cushioning was soft and gel-like, yet I still felt connected to the road, and it was very stable on pavement and some occasional gravel. While it’s not intended to be a fast shoe, it even kept up with some of my light intervals when I wanted to pick up the pace. I didn’t prefer it as much for walking or standing, but really enjoyed it on my training runs.
The laces on the wide width size I tested are short, so I wasn’t able to tie double knots like I normally do. That said, once the shoes were tied on my feet, they felt comfortable and locked in place without feeling too restrictive. If you are an overpronator looking for a reliable daily trainer, or even if you have a neutral gait and want a solid and structured feel, the Gel Kayano 32 is a great pick!
