The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 is one of the longest-running (pun intended) models in the ASICS lineup, having undergone many transformations since the early '90s. This 31st iteration is a premium stability shoe intended for daily training. Like its predecessor, it uses ASICS' relatively new 4D Guidance System, which promises adaptive stability as you run, making use of support elements that include a soft foam-based midfoot block for pronation support and a wider overall platform. This is a large, heavy shoe with a high stack height, but it's a good fit for heavier runners or runners needing a supportive daily trainer.
Our Verdict
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 isn't meant for marathon racing. As a supportive daily trainer, it's not great for picking up the pace. It has poor overall energy return and a heavy weight that you'll feel in the longer distances of a marathon.
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Feels well-cushioned underfoot.
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Poor energy return.
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Heavy.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 isn't the best choice for 5K/10K racing. Its heavy weight and bulk aren't designed for faster speeds over shorter distances.
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Poor energy return.
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Heavy.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 delivers poor energy return. The midsole foam isn't soft or responsive enough to prevent excessive energy loss, and the shoe doesn't provide the bouncy, responsive ride needed for faster paces.
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Poor energy return.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 offers sub-par cushioning overall, but that's mostly due to its limited impact absorption at the forefoot. Its heel, fitted with a PureGEL insert, provides great cushioning and protection underfoot, especially for heavier runners.
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Great protection under the heel at higher forces.
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Forefoot cushioning is more limited.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 has impressive lateral stability. Its remarkably wide outsole creates a very stable platform that helps maintain lateral stability. Though its high stack height lifts you farther off the ground, the overall firmness of the foam, especially in the forefoot, makes for a very controlled ride. This shoe also uses support elements like a softer foam block in the midfoot that helps with overpronation by bouncing your arch into alignment.
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Wide outsole provides a stable platform.
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4D Guidance System includes support elements like a softer foam block in the midfoot.
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Foam is very firm overall.
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High stack.
- 3.4 Marathon Racing
- 5.2 5K/10K Racing
Performance Usages
- 1.0 Energy Return
- 5.4 Cushioning
- 8.4 Lateral Stability
Changelog
- Updated Apr 02, 2025: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
- Updated Apr 02, 2025: Review published.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label. The pair we tested is the Digital Aqua/Bright Cyan colorway, but you can also buy the shoe in a wide range of colors, depending on the region. The men's variant ranges from Black/White and Black/Black to Blue Expanse/Digital Aqua and Indigo Blue/Gunmetal, while the women's variant includes colors like Cool Matcha/Light Celadon and Black/Bold Magenta, among others.
There's also a LITE-SHOW variant with reflective glow-in-the-dark elements to increase visibility at night and a PLATINUM variant with metallic accents based on Shibori dyeing techniques.
You can buy this shoe in narrow, regular, wide, or extra wide widths. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Compared To Other Running Shoes
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 is a premium support shoe. Like the Saucony Tempus, it's part of a slew of modern stability shoes that use less intrusive support elements than stability shoes of the past, including a wide platform and a soft foam block for arch support rather than a stiff medial post. It has higher-stack cushioning than the Tempus or models like the Brooks Glycerin GTS 21. However, this isn't the shoe to get if you're looking for a lighter option for speedwork. If you don't need support for pronation issues, the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 is the GEL-KAYANO's neutral cousin, offering similarly high-stack cushioning but without the 4D Guidance System.
See our recommendations for the best running shoes for other options.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 are both popular and long-standing models in ASICS' lineup, but they suit different needs. The GEL-KAYANO 31 is aimed at runners who need more stability, with dedicated support elements and a slightly wider outsole. The GEL-NIMBUS 26, on the other hand, is a more neutral daily trainer designed for maximum comfort, with a slightly higher stack height and more balanced cushioning in the heel and forefoot.
The ASICS NOVABLAST 4 is a more well-rounded shoe than the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31. It's significantly lighter and uses more responsive foam, making it better for faster paces. It isn't as stable as the GEL-KAYANO 31, which is a better fit for heavier runners or those who need support elements.
For most runners, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 has some advantages over the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31. It's a significantly lighter shoe that feels well-cushioned despite having a much lower stack height than the GEL-KAYANO. Thanks to its more responsive foam, it's a bit more efficient and better at picking up the pace. The GEL-KAYANO is still a better fit for runners who prefer higher stacks or need a stability shoe.
The Altra Torin 7 and the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 are both daily trainers emphasizing stability, catering to runners seeking support during their runs. The GEL-KAYANO 31 offers even higher stability, featuring a wider base at the arch. However, this comes with added weight, making the GEL-KAYANO 31 heavier than the Torin 7. Another key difference is the heel-to-toe drop: the ASICS features a high drop, whereas the Altra offers a zero-drop platform.
Test Results
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 is a very heavy shoe, making it inefficient for speedwork and racing.
The shoe's PureGEL midsole insert was displaced when cutting it, but we've included a picture of the PureGEL beneath the shoe so you can see what it looks like.
Like most ASICS shoes, this one runs quite long, so keep this in mind when selecting your size.
The heel doesn't return a lot of energy. The shoe's firmer foam absorbs a lot of impact, resulting in high energy loss, meaning that the GEL-KAYANO 31 lacks the propulsive feel of high-performance racers.
The forefoot has similarly poor energy return. Ultimately, this shoe doesn't provide a very bouncy experience due to the firmness of its foam.
The heel offers decent cushioning overall, but it's especially good at absorbing energy at higher forces, providing plenty of underfoot protection for heel strikers and heavier runners.
Unlike the heel, the forefoot doesn't provide the same level of cushioning, so the experience isn't as soft and protected under the forefoot.
The heel is fairly firm. Lighter runners and forefoot strikers are more likely to feel that firmness, providing some stability. However, there's more give at higher forces, making for a softer landing in the heel if you're on the heavier side.
The forefoot, meanwhile, is incredibly firm. That makes for a very stable ride, creating a rigid platform for toe-offs. However, runners who prefer a soft, forgiving landing might find the forefoot too rigid.
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