Test: Asics Gel-Kayano 31 – Still superb support

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There are very few running shoes as iconic as ASICS Gel-Kayano . When it comes to stability shoes , none are as iconic. Kayano is king. With ASICS Gel-Kayano 31, ASICS maintains its position.

The 31st edition of Kayano sees several changes compared to the 30th. However, it's not a major overhaul. Instead, there are minor improvements spread throughout the shoe.

ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 - Balanced support and cushioning

I typically start with the midsole, as I believe it is the most relevant part for how the shoe performs. The midsole primarily consists of FF Blast+ Eco, a foam partly made from bio-based materials, performing as regular FF Blast+ foam. Additionally, there's Pure-Gel in the heel, aiding in cushioning heel impacts and ASICS ` latest method for providing stability support , 4D Guidance System.

	Kayano 30	Kayano 31
Stackheight (mm)	40-30	40-30
Weight M/F (g)*	293/263	304/256
Foam	FFBlast+ ECO	FFBlast+ ECO
Grip	Ahar+	Asics Hybridgrip
Upper	Engineered Stretch Knit	Engineered Mesh

*Measurements done on sample sizes in-house.

I find the combination of FF Blast+ Eco, Pure-Gel, and 4D Guidance System works really well. The shoes have the most modern feel underfoot I've experienced in a stability shoe. You can clearly feel the support on the inside of the heel, but it's gentle. It feels corrective and dampening, not stopping or harsh, unlike classic stability supports.

Moreover, the sole leans towards softness for comfort, yet it doesn't feel like a pure floater. It’s an all-round shoe, suitable for long, relaxed runs, but you can also pick up the pace slightly – it's neither a tempo nor a race shoe. The purpose is comfort and stability.

ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 – Soft and gripping

The upper strikes a good balance between soft and breathable. I find it comfortable and soft, and I don't get hot feet in the Kayano 31. It's always a balance between softness and breathability in training shoes, and I think ASICS has struck a sensible point with Kayano 31.

The outsole is an area where ASICS has historically been strong. However, the previous version of Kayano 31 received some critique for the outsole. Some felt it was a bit too hard and inflexible.

Therefore, ASICS changed the outsole design. They've introduced what they call Hybrid Asicsgrip. It's essentially a mix of two rubber compounds, one very durable and less flexible (on high-wear areas), and the other softer, stickier, and more flexible, on the main areas of the outsole, where typically there's less wear. I'm not concerned about the outsole wearing out – what ASICS has done seems solid.

Overall, ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 is still an excellent stability shoe for most of your running. It's for those who want inside support, without being too inflexible or rigid. If you're looking for a comfortable all-around running shoe with balanced stability support, ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 is a safe choice.