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Asics Gel-Kayano 31 - Women's Review

A great recovery day shoe, this stable and cushion-stuffed shoe is a dream come true for mellow mileage
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Asics Gel-Kayano 31 - Women's Review
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Price:  $165 List
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Manufacturer:   Asics
By Ally Arcuri ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 3, 2024
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#15 of 29
  • Landing Comfort - 30% 9.0
  • Responsiveness - 20% 4.0
  • Stability - 15% 9.0
  • Upper Comfort - 15% 8.0
  • Weight - 15% 3.3
  • Traction - 5% 9.5
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

With a 4D Guidance System for stability, a bed of FF Blast Plus Eco cushioning, and reconfigured upper mesh and outsole rubber, the new Asics-Gel Kayano is a serious contender for runners who are craving the ultimate underfoot pillow. Lacking responsiveness due to its weight and cushion, the Gel-Kayano 31 offers ample landing comfort for runners who want comfort above all else. The stability and plush heel comfort make the Kayano a great choice for runners with their sights set on mellow mileage or rehabbing an injury. The Kayano has much to offer in the league of plush recovery shoes.
REASONS TO BUY
Great underfoot cushion
Well-tractioned
Perfect for mellow mileage
Ultra-stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Lacks versatility
We also loved the previous version of the Kayano, which is equally as cushioned, more responsive, and weighs slightly less, but is also less stable and with a less comfortable upper. Still, it's a great shoe and may be found at last-season prices.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Running Shoe for Women
Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Women's Road Running Shoe
Top Pick Award
Best Balance of Comfort and Responsiveness
Top Pick Award
Most Versatile Road Running Shoe
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Built for cushion-seeking runners, the updates to this shoe helped cement it as one we recommend to those needing comfort, stability, and durabilityThis running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goalsAffordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situationsThough it lacks the lightweight tech of super shoes, the balance between its responsive midsole and lateral stability makes this a powerful everyday trainerFor epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstar
Rating Categories Asics Gel-Kayano 31... Asics Novablast 4 -... Saucony Kinvara 15... Brooks Hyperion Max... Hoka Mach 6 - Women's
Landing Comfort (30%)
9.0
9.0
7.5
7.5
8.0
Responsiveness (20%)
4.0
7.5
7.5
8.0
7.0
Stability (15%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Upper Comfort (15%)
8.0
8.0
6.5
8.0
7.5
Weight (15%)
3.3
5.4
9.1
5.8
7.5
Traction (5%)
9.5
6.0
7.0
5.0
4.0
Specs Asics Gel-Kayano 31... Asics Novablast 4 -... Saucony Kinvara 15... Brooks Hyperion Max... Hoka Mach 6 - Women's
Measured Weight 8.43 oz 7.36 oz 5.44 oz 7.17 oz 6.27 oz
Measured Heel Stack Height 38 mm 38 mm 27 mm 35 mm 33 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop 13 mm 8 mm 3 mm 8 mm 7 mm
Plate Type None None None Full length plastic None
Rocker Angle 23.0 deg 22.0 deg 25.0 deg 24.5 deg 24.5 deg
Rocker Apex Location 72.7% 69.5% 64.7% 65.0% 65.4%
Style Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer
Upper Engineered mesh Engineered knit mesh Mesh Mesh Creel jaqquard
Midsole FF BLAST PLUS ECO FF Blast Plus Eco PWRRUN DNA Flash v2 Supercritical EVA
Outsole Hybrid AsicsGrip AHAR outsole Rubber Rubber Rubber
Heel Tab Type Finger loop Finger loop None Extended heel pull Extended heel pull
Sizes Available 5 - 13 US,
regular
5 - 12 US, regular 5 - 12 US,
regular
5 - 12 US,
regular
5 - 11 US, regular & wide

Our Analysis and Test Results

At 8.43 ounces for a women's size 6.5, this 13 mm drop shoe might not help you hit your fastest pace, but it excels in other areas. The redesigned outsole offers enhanced traction for technical running, and the improved breathability of the upper ensures better airflow during your runs.

Performance Comparision


asics gel-kayano 31 for women - this stacked shoe is made for comfortable, easy running.
This stacked shoe is made for comfortable, easy running.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Landing Comfort


The Asics Gel-Kayano 31 is the crème de la crème when it comes to landing comfort and cushioning. As measured by our in-house testing team, the rear side of this shoe sits at a comfortable 38 mm and the forefoot at 25 mm. The midsole is comprised of bouncy, almost squishy FF Blast Plus Eco foam, which rebounds well and offers a generous crashpad for repetitive landings. The heel contour feels a bit more comfortable than the Kayano 30, leading us to believe that the stability components have undergone a slight upgrade. Overall, the Kayano has an incredible bouncy midsole. It isn't the most over-stuffed shoe we've tested, but for combined landing comfort, cushioning, and stability, this shoe rocks.

asics gel-kayano 31 for women - with 38 mm of cushion in the heel and an ff blast plus eco midsole...
With 38 mm of cushion in the heel and an FF Blast Plus Eco midsole, the Gel-Kayano is comfortably bouncy in its joint protection.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Responsiveness


We never expected the Kayano 31 to be responsive. If we had, our expectations would have been dashed. This shoe is made for easy mileage. While the midfoot bounce is plentiful, that sensation doesn't quite translate into energy return or propulsion. Runners who are seeking comfort and stability will like the feel of running in the Kayano, but its technical prowess isn't quite up to par.

asics gel-kayano 31 for women - the gel-kayano has never been made for speed, and this iteration is...
The Gel-Kayano has never been made for speed, and this iteration is no expectation. Though its low rank in this metric took it down a few notches overall, we recommend it for recovery and walking comfort purposes.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Stability


The landing pad of the Gel-Kayano is wide, providing a comfortably stable launch pad during leg turnover. Asics included a 4D Guidance System to promote stability, making it one of the most stable shoes we tested this season. This structure is unintrusive and doesn't add rigidity to the side walls of the shoe, allowing the sensation to feel seamless as you run. The upgraded midsole foam rebounds well instead of packing out to accommodate overpronation, further securing the Kayano's standing as a shoe built for runners who need extra stability and support.

asics gel-kayano 31 for women - led by a 4d guidance system, the gel-kayano is stable without added...
Led by a 4D Guidance System, the Gel-Kayano is stable without added architecture weighing down the shoe's lateral edges.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Upper Comfort


The upper of the Gel-Kayano is a bit stretchy, creamy, and just plain comfortable. It's not a complicated design, really. The upper is made up of a single layer of engineered mesh. The tongue is standard in its shape and design and offers just enough comfortable cushion. The heel collar is about as plump as the tongue, providing 360-degree comfort and security. The Gel-Kayano runs a bit wider than other road shoes, making it a suitable option for runners who want some wiggle room. The upper comfort is primed and ready to tackle your recovery runs with you.

asics gel-kayano 31 for women - smooth, soft, and uncomplicated is how we would describe the upper...
Smooth, soft, and uncomplicated is how we would describe the upper of the Gel-Kayano.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Weight


Well, of course, the Kayano 31 is heavy. After all, it offers a built-in stability system, a chunky underfoot stack, and plenty of trampoline cushioning. A women's size 6.5 weighs 8.43 ounces, a noticeable amount of weight when you start picking up your pace. If you are looking for a comfortable stability shoe, toting around this extra weight is worth it. It might be too heavy to be your next track day shoe, but runners who want the features the Kayano offers won't mind the weight since it feels well-balanced while running.

Traction


Like its stable and well-padded brethren, the Kayano offers a more well-tractioned outsole than most road shoes. With textured, round, square shapes stacked atop the base Hybrid AsicsGrip outsole, the Kayano is ready to tackle loose, tight, and slippery corners. The traction of this road shoe isn't foolproof, but it is significantly better than most of the road shoes we have tested recently.

asics gel-kayano 31 for women - the texturized shapes that adorn the outsole of the gel-kayano make...
The texturized shapes that adorn the outsole of the Gel-Kayano make it grippier than most of the popular road running shoes we tested this season.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the Asics Gel-Kayano 31?


The Gel-Kayano 31 is not the most versatile shoe in our lineup, taking it out of the equation for some runners. If you know that comfort and stability are your top priorities, then the Kayano is a logical running shoe choice for you. The speed element is missing when it comes to the Kayano, but the rest of the shoe comes together beautifully for runners seeking a reliable recovery day shoe.

asics gel-kayano 31 for women - while the gel-kayano is not the most versatile road shoe on the...
While the Gel-Kayano is not the most versatile road shoe on the market, the recovery niche it fulfills may very well make it worth adding to your arsenal.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?


The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 is our top-scoring stability shoe. It offers a completely different fit than the Kayano. The Adrenaline provides a bit more ground feel and less cushiony comfort but slightly stronger lateral stability. The Asics Novablast 4 isn't a stability shoe exactly, but it offers a more svelte take on comfort with an added boost of responsiveness.

Ally Arcuri