Gear
ASICS GEL-Kayano 32 Review: Smooth, Solid Support
The ASICS GEL-Kayano 32 feels solid and sure underfoot, which will be great for runners who want to feel confident in their stride.
All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.
The ASICS GEL-Kayano has been a staple in the running world for over two decades, earning a loyal following among runners who prioritize reliable support. A legacy like that doesn’t endure without evolution—and ASICS has continually pushed the boundaries of stability innovation.
With the launch of the GEL-Kayano 30, the shoe underwent a complete transformation. ASICS introduced the 4D Guidance System, a bold leap forward in the way support is delivered. While many runners embraced the softer, smoother ride, some longtime fans questioned whether the Kayano had strayed too far from its supportive roots.
Can the latest update honor the Kayano’s legacy while continuing to innovate? Let’s take a closer look.
ASICS GEL-Kayano 32
Tech Specs
| Weight |
9 oz (W), 10.5 oz (M)
|
|---|---|
| Stack height (heel/forefoot) |
39 mm/31 mm (W), 40 mm/32 mm (M)
|
| Heel-to-toe drop |
8 mm
|
| Experience |
Support
|
| Surface |
Road
|
| Price |
$165
|
| Comparable to... |
HOKA Arahi 8, Saucony Hurricane 25
|
| Ride | 3/5 on the Firm to Plush Scale |
| Cushioning | 4/5 on the Minimum to Maximum Scale |
| Energy | 2/5 on the Relaxed to Propulsive Scale |
Support that moves with you
The ASICS GEL-Kayano 32 is built on ASICS’ 4D Guidance System, which provides holistic support for runners with all gait patterns. A thick stack of FF BLAST™ PLUS cushioning absorbs impact and delivers a structured, balanced underfoot feel.
The Kayano feels quite a bit firmer and stiffer than its soft, plush counterpart, the GEL-Nimbus. Because of this, I didn’t experience the squishy, bouncy sensation that I’ve come to crave from high-cushioned running shoes. However, the shoe has enough flexibility in the forefoot to provide smooth transitions. My first test run was a 5-miler on the treadmill. It was the type of run where I set my pace, press “play” on the latest Dateline episode, and forget about everything–except shoe testing, of course. The Kayano felt firm and solid underfoot, and I found myself engrossed with the true-crime drama rather than the feel of my shoes.
My second test run was a 10-mile long run with a good friend. It was disgustingly hot and humid, and I was pretty focused on feeling sorry for myself. Again, thoughts of my shoes fell by the wayside as I continued trekking through the miles, until the last mile when my friend asked what shoes I was wearing. My attention was brought back to my feet, and I realized that my feet and lower legs felt quite comfortable despite being at the tail end of my longest run in a month.
To deliver premium support, the Kayano uses a flared midsole that extends slightly beyond the upper, creating a wider surface area for landings and toe-offs. This creates an ultra-stable feel as you progress through your gait cycle. After all, who wants to round tight corners or tackle uneven pavement in a narrow, wobbly-feeling shoe? The Kayano also featured a rounded heel bevel, which helps to control and evenly disperse impact as you land.
“The Kayano seemed to disappear on my foot while I enjoyed some easy Saturday morning miles with my husband, which is a great thing,” says Heather. “It felt nice and natural, which is exactly the goal of the 4D Guidance system in the shoe. I didn’t feel like the shoe was trying to force my foot into any unnatural positions as I ran, but rather, the support complemented the way I naturally move.”
The Kayano 32 also uses a more resilient foam right underneath the arch, with “4D Guidance System” printed on it. This bit of foam does two things–it provides a slightly more energetic feel during takeoffs, and it adds extra reinforcement to the shoe’s structure.
Some runners place more pressure on the insides of their feet as they land and that’s okay, but it can create an uneven wear pattern in the shoe’s midsole and outsole. And just like you wouldn’t want to sleep on a lumpy mattress, you don’t want to run in a pair of shoes that are more worn down on the medial side. While the extra reinforcement won’t change the way you move, it will ensure a consistent wear pattern.
Back to knit
The upper of the Kayano may be having an identity crisis. The GEL-Kayano 30 used a knit upper, the 31 used a mesh upper, and now the 32 is back to an engineered stretch knit material. The latest change may be for the best, though, as several reviewers noticed the 31’s upper felt warm and heavy.
I didn’t notice any breathability issues in the 32, however I’m constantly running in soupy weather so my shoes and socks are typically always soaked through and I don’t even notice it anymore. Max noted the upper lacked breathability, but Heather and I didn’t have any complaints.
My only complaint is about the knit heel pull tab in the back. It’s just too large. It juts over the top of the heel collar, and I could feel it rubbing on the back of my leg as I walked and ran. If the size was reduced or placed more on the outside of the heel rather than on the top, I wouldn’t have any issues.
Max and Heather didn’t have any complaints about the heel tab, and we all found the Kayano to fit true to size despite all three of us having different foot shapes.
“I really have no complaints about the upper,” Heather says, who has high volume feet (feet that take up a lot of space within the shoe). “It fit really well on my foot, accommodated my higher instep and left plenty of room to wiggle my toes. ASICS uses 3D Space Construction technology in the women’s model to improve the overall step-in comfort, and it definitely delivers on that. The step in feel was great for me, and it’s nice to know that ASICS is considering that women and men have different footwear needs.”
ASICS’ 3D Space Construction technology allows the midsole to compress differently in the men’s and women’s models. The women’s Kayano 32 helps the wearer engage the midsole foam in the forefoot upon landings, delivering a softer-feeling experience.
Man or woman, high-volume or low-volume feet, your local Fleet Feet can help you find your perfect fit. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there.
ASICS GEL-Kayano 32 versus GEL-Kayano 31
Tech Specs | ASICS GEL-Kayano 32 | ASICS GEL-Kayano 31 |
Weight | 9 oz (W), 10.5 oz (M) | 9.3 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) |
Stack height | 39 mm/31 mm (W), 40 mm/32 mm (M) | 39 mm/29 mm (W), 40 mm/30 mm (M) |
Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 10 mm |
Price | $165 | $165 |
The main differences between the Kayano 32 and the Kayano 31 are the slightly decreased heel-to-toe drop (the difference in height between your heel and toes), thanks to an extra two millimeters of foam under the forefoot. Reviewers found this to create a smoother ride.
The switch back to a knit upper from the previous version’s mesh was a welcome change, as several reviewers complained about the lack of breathability in last year’s model.
“I put quite a few miles on my Kayano 31, and the 32 gave me a familiar, yet upgraded feeling,” says Heather. “Nothing about the Kayano 32 made me miss the previous version, it just made me excited to rack up some miles on this new shoe.”
How does the ASICS GEL-Kayano 32 compare?
We took a look at some comparable models to see how the Kayano 32 stacks up. Here’s what we found.
Tech Specs | ASICS GEL-Kayano 32 | HOKA Arahi 8 | Saucony Hurricane 25 |
Weight | 9 oz (W), 10.5 oz (M) | 7.7 oz (W), 9.8 oz (M) | 8.8 oz (W), 10 oz (M) |
Stack height | 39 mm/31 mm (W), 40 mm/32 mm (M) | 37 mm/29 mm (W), 39 mm/31 mm (M) | 38 mm/32 mm |
Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm |
Experience | Support | Support | Support |
Price | $165 | $150 | $170 |
The ASICS GEL-Kayano 32, HOKA Arahi 8 and Saucony Hurricane 25 all deliver a thick stack of cushioning and holistic support technologies.
While the Kayano 32 uses ASICS’ 4D Guidance System, the Saucony Hurricane uses Center Path Technology, which is remarkably similar. Both shoes use a wide platform for stable landings, a heel bevel for smooth transitions and asymmetrical foam profiles to ensure an even wear pattern.
The Arahi 8 uses HOKA’s H-frame technology, which uses a denser foam along the medial and lateral sides of the shoe to create holistic support. This shoe also uses high sidewalls so your foot sits inside the cushioning rather than on top of it.
While all three shoes deliver best-in-class support, the fit and feel of each model varies. I recommend trying them on at your local Fleet Feet to determine which pair is right for you.
Who is the ASICS GEL-Kayano 32 best for?
I recommend the Kayano 32 for runners who crave a supportive, structured feel in their running shoes. The Kayano feels solid and sure underfoot, which will be great for runners who want to feel confident in their stride.
“The Kayano 32 is best for anyone seeking some extra support and comfort as they run or walk,” says Heather. “It could also be great for someone who is on their feet all day for work.”
If you’re looking for a plusher, softer feel, try the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 instead. And if you want more pep in your step, check out the ASICS Novablast 5.
