ASICS Gel-Kayano 28 Review
By Chief Editor Matt Klein and Guest Reviewer Ryan Flugaur
The ASICS Gel-Kayano 28 is one of the longest running shoe series to date. A premium, highly cushioned, high stability shoe, the Kayano been a staple for many people throughout their whole lives. Shoes with this much history have a loyal following. This can make things challenging for the newly progressive ASICS to change things. The previous versions had minor tweaks that seemed to keep people happy over the years. The newest version, however, has some major changes that fit along with current evidence and research regarding stability. Their trusstic system remains but with a full ground contact outsole. An extensive external heel counter / plastic side walls have been added. The duomax post feels better integrated and less biased. These are noticable changes to a classic shoe that may bring in newcomers to the Kayano series while still maintaining the Kayano identity which will keep loyal wearers happy.
Specifications (per ASICS)
Weight: 10.9 oz / 308 g (men's size 9) 9.3 oz / 258 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 33 mm / 23 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Classification: Premium High Stability Daily Trainer
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
Matt: The ASICS Gel Kayano 28 returns with large updates, especially to the sole to create a balanced, soft but stable ride. An engineered mesh continues to lock the foot down on the platform well with a normal width fit through most of the shoe. The sole features a total redesign including: a full ground contact outsole, an embedded trusstic in the midfoot, a balanced ride from a less biased Duomax post, super soft Flytefoam BLAST concentrated in the forefoot, high flexibility up front, and a large, extended external heel counter. It features a stable, but stiff ride in the rear and midfoot transition to a soft and smooth forefoot. The Kayano 28 carries the spirit of previous iterations, but shows up with some new age updates that line up with some of the current thoughts on stability.
Ryan: The ASICS Kayano 28 is a fun and bouncy shoe thanks to the FLYTEFOAM BLAST midsole foam, the same foam used in the Novablast. Despite the softer ride, the Kayano 28 continues to offer the guidance needed through ASICS’s trusstic system, full ground contact outsole, and duomax post. The heel feels very stable while the transition to the forefoot is more soft. Weighing in at 10.9 oz, it is not a light shoe. I wore this shoe mainly on my longer recovery runs where I benefited from the guidance without being hindered by the heavier weight.
FIT (LENGTH / WIDTH / COMFORT)
Matt: The ASICS Gel Kayano 28 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The width is fairly normal throughout the length of the shoe. The heel feels more snug thanks to the combination of both a solid, but cushioned heel counter and an external heel counter. There is a solid, slightly flexible but cushioned heel counter that wraps around the heel and into the posterior midfoot. This is well cushioned so I did not have any issues on my sensitive calcanei (heel bones). There is also an external heel counter that wraps around both sides of the foot and elevates in a sidewall fashion. This further stabilizes and locks the heel in very well (almost too well).
The upper is an engineered mesh with the ASICS logos on each side of the midfoot as overlays. The midfoot has plenty of room, but is secure with how well the laces interact with the overlays and the lock from the logo overlays themselves. This transitions into a forefoot that fits fairly normal in width but with plenty of stretch. This provides a little more room than traditional ASICS shoes in the forefoot (not as much as the Kayano Lite but close). There is a light toe guard up front that is not noticeable at all. This upper has the potential to be worn sockless given how comfortable the inner liner is, but I chose to keep my socks on due to the stiffness from the rearfoot. The tongue is free floating, but is locked in with the laces. I did not experience any abnormal movement here. The upper is thick in the rearfoot, which makes it toasty back there. A tiny bit more breathability exists in the forefoot. This upper is meant to lock the foot down in the rearfoot while providing some wiggle rooms at the toes without being sloppy.
Ryan: The ASICS Kayano 28 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 9. The width was fairly normal throughout the length of the shoe with the toebox giving the toes adequate room. I felt the forefoot was a tad wider than normal which I found to be nice. The heel gets its more secure and stiff feeling from both an internal and external heel counter. The internal heel counter is cushioned nicely so it was not noticeable during my runs. On occasion, I did feel the hard plastic of the external heel counter on the medial side of the shoe but it was mild. The upper is made of an engineered mesh which is fairly thick and gets warm during longer summer runs. My foot felt held in place, but still with a good amount of space in the forefoot for the toes. The tongue is nicely padded and I did not notice any movement of it during my runs thanks to the lacing system that holds it down.
PERFORMANCE (RIDE / SPEED)
Matt: The ASICS Gel Kayano 28 is a high mileage, highly cushioned daily training shoe. Weighing in at 10.9 oz for a men's size 10, this shoe has some weight to it. This is a daily training shoe and is best for mileage and easy runs. There are others that are good for uptempo work (DS Trainer, Kayano Lite) but this is for mileage exclusively. There is a high amount of cushion underneath with the BLAST foam that provides a soft ride particularly in the forefoot. The heel and midfoot are slightly less soft due to the trusstic system and duomax post. The large exposed Gel in the rearfoot provides a bit more cushioning on the lateral aspect on landing. There is a heel bevel in the rearfoot, although this is slightly offset by the posterior flare from the midsole. This causes a bit of an early initial contact with significant heel strikes. This smooths out as the shoe breaks in though. The anterior heel and midfoot are stiff as you transition over the trusstic system. Now that the outsole is full ground contact, the transition is smoother than it was previously.
The forefoot is noticeably soft and smooth given the BLAST mentioned earlier and the deep flex grooves. Toe off feels very natural and forefoot strikers will likely enjoy this shoe. I have close to 50 miles on my pair and the durability is good. The high abrasion rubber shoes minimal wear, so I expect an average to above average number of miles out of a shoe like this. Overall this is a soft shoe with a smooth forefoot transition and some stiffness in the heel and midfoot.
Ryan: The ASICS Kayano 28 performs best during longer recovery pace runs. I enjoyed how bouncy the shoe was thanks to the FLYTEFOAM BLAST. This was more noticeable in the forefoot as the heel and midfoot are more stiff. There is a small pocket of gel on the lateral aspect of the heel which may offer some cushioning upon initial contact. I can honestly say I didn't notice the gel pad during any of my runs.
Thanks to the full contact outsole, the transition from the mid to forefoot feels smooth and natural. The forefoot is much softer than the rear and midfoot and flexes nicely to allow for a neutral toe off. I have run in the shoe for over 60 miles and it displays very good durability with little wear. I anticipate this shoe to have no problem reaching average to above average mileage.
STABILITY
Matt: The Kayano 28 is a high stability shoe as it has always been. There are multiple methods that create stability. There is obviously the DuoMax post on the medial side that is quite smooth. It does not feel very obtrusive to me and may be offset by the softer sole. There is an internal heel counter that wraps around both sides of the heel all the way into the posterior midfoot. There is also an external heel counter that wraps around both sides and goes even farther into the midfoot. The full ground contact outsole creates a guideline from the heel to posterior forefoot, providing a much more stable sole. The trusstic system also spans the full length of the sole in the midfoot, creating quite a bit of rigidity. The forefoot is fairly broad, but the deep flex grooves facilitate forward motion quickly. This is a shoe for those who need rigidity and stability in the heel and midfoot. Those who do not may find this shoe too stiff at those points. The softer ride does make this shoe a little less stable than previous versions, but this is offset by the addition of the sidewalls/external heel counter that wraps so far around. The stability is less biased than the past and should work well for those who need guidance in either direction.
I would not normally suggest an increase in softness for a stability shoe, as softer soles are inherently more unstable. The softness seems to hide the duomax post, but as mentioned previously is offset by the more forward heel counter and the side walls. The stability is integrated well and the ride feels guided while running. While standing I didn't really feel the post as much, but continued to feel that same guided feeling while running. So those that need stability, are sensitive to excessive stability and are okay with a heavier shoe may enjoy this.
Ryan: ASICS does a great job making the Kayano 28 a moderately stable shoe. I say moderately stable because the different sections of the shoe have very different levels of stability. The heel to midfoot is very structured and provides a high level of guidance while the forefoot is soft and very flexible. So depending on where you need guidance, this shoe may be a good option. ASICS provides this stability through a variety of measures. These include: the internal and external heel counter, the DUOMAX posting, the full contact outsole, and the trusstic system.
By combining these guidance systems, not one feels overpowering and they work well together to provide the support needed. The DUOMAX post is barely noticeable while the trusstic system is a bit more stiff providing more rigidity in the midfoot. Being a heel striker, I definitely noticed landing on the stiffer heel as I transitioned to the softer midfoot. This is due to stability from the external and internal heel counters. This led the heel to feel too secure for my foot and I was able to feel the medial side of the external heel counter on occasion. For runners needing rear to midfoot stability, this is a good option, where those who need some guidance through the forefoot may need to look elsewhere.
THOUGHTS AS A DPT / FOOTWEAR SCIENCE
I am interested in the changes ASICS made to this shoe. As mentioned, one has to be cautious changing a shoe with this much history for so many people. This is one of the more common shoes I see out in the wild besides the Pegasus, GT 2000 series and the Adrenaline. The ride is soft, which will offset any post. A softer sole is inherently less stable, but this is offset by additional methods in the upper, including the external and internal heel counter that both lock the heel and part of the midfoot down well. These methods are far less biased in one direction, which follows the concept of the preferred movement pathway much better than previous (Nigg et al., 2017). The goal is to help guide people toward the midline regardless of direction to a level that is comfortable to them without overcorrecting. This can be challenging given the variability in how people move and in what direction. The heel counter and external heel counter do a great job of acting as "guides" given that they run fairly far forward on both sides. Additionally, the softness of the sole is offset also by the trusstic system. I initially questioned the use of this, but it does a great job of stiffening the sole up to create stability. I personally do not need this level of stability, but for those that do, this creates a nice balance of stiffness, softness, and stability. I am very happy to see a full ground contact outsole now, so some modifications may be able to be made to the trusstic system to smooth out the ride in the midfoot a tad.
One of the most noticeable things is how soft the insole is. There is some interesting research on trying to measure perceived footwear comfort that found that people perceive most of the midsole comfort through the insole (Mundermann et al., 2002). That makes sense given that the insole is the only thing besides the upper that is direct contact with the foot. The Flytefoam BLAST is certainly soft, but it is interesting how much softer it feels with the insole in. This feeling may change as the insole compresses, especially given how thin they usually are. Just a random thought based on some of the literature I am reading....
References
Mündermann, A., Nigg, B. M., Stefanyshyn, D. J., & Humble, R. N. (2002). Development of a reliable method to assess footwear comfort during running. Gait & posture, 16(1), 38-45.
Nigg, B. M., Vienneau, J., Smith, A. C., Trudeau, M. B., Mohr, M., & Nigg, S. R. (2017). The preferred movement path paradigm: Influence of running shoes on joint movement. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 49(8), 1641-1648.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Kayano 28 is meant to be a high stability shoe, providing rigidity in the heel and midfoot. For those that want that, this is the perfect shoe. For those that do not, the Kayano Lite may be a better option for stability. I cannot recommend that change since that stiffness creates stability that people are looking for when they choose this shoe. The only change I would like to see is either reducing the posterior flare just slightly to smooth out more pronounced heel strikes or increase the bevel just a little. I think this may help smooth the transition out for those with a higher inclination angle at initial contact.
Ryan: With the combination of both the internal and external heel counters the heel felt a bit too stiff for me. Given what I said about the heel counter above, I feel that the external heel counter could be slightly lowered on the medial side or the hard plastic material currently used could be softened.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR (Conclusion)
Matt: The ASICS Gel Kayano 28 is a solid, heavy but soft high mileage stability shoe. Retaining its spirit as a stability shoe, the Kayano 28 brings a bit more balance due to a softer ride and more guidance from medial and lateral heel counters both internal and external rather than the post. The posting is not as aggressive as before due to the softer ride, but the rigidity of the trusstic system and the new fully ground contact outsole provide more than enough stability. Featuring a little more room through the forefoot, compared to other ASICS shoes, this will be comfortable up front but secure in the heel and midfoot. The ride is a bit softer but stiff in the rearfoot and midfoot and transitions into a pillowy soft and flexible forefoot. Previous Kayano wearers will still have their Kayano, while people trying this shoe for the first time will find a stable, stiff but soft ride that will fit the needs of a wider group of individuals.
Ryan: The Asics Gel Kayano 28 is a stability shoe that offers the guidance needed for both neutral runners as well as those runners that need some support. Most of the Kayano’s support is localized to the heel and midfoot so runners that may need more support in those areas will benefit the most. The weight of the shoe makes this shoe best suited for longer recovery pace runs and it performs very well under those conditions. However, thanks to the pop from the FLYTEFOAM BLAST midsole, the Kayano 28 can be used for moderately faster paces effectively.
GRADING (SHOE CATEGORY)
Matt
Fit: B+ (Solid lockdown with a little more room in the forefoot. Upper is very thick, a bit heavy and can get a little warm)
Performance: B (A very soft ride with rigidity in the rearfoot and forefoot. Feels better the more forward you land. Heel is a bit clunky and the shoe is a bit heavy for anything but mileage)
Stability: A- (Great balanced stability despite soft ride. Softness offsets post while heel counter and external heel counter/guide rails provide guidance on both sides of the foot. Stiffness is high from trusstic system but should work for people who need stability in any direction)
DPT/Footwear Science: A- (Solid updates moving in the right direction. Less emphasis on the post with more emphasis on guided stability rather than forced via the post. Will work for a larger number of people. )
Personal: B (Love this shoe for casual use and very easy miles. Too heavy for anything else. Probably why I keep grabbing the Kayano Lite. I prefer lightweight trainers, so those who want more cushioning and weight will love this)
Overall: B+ (A great evolution of the Kayano series. More balanced ride with plenty of cushioning and rigidity in the right places for those who want it.)
Ryan
Fit: A- (This shoe fits me very well. I enjoyed the extra width in the forefoot and found the padding of the shoe to be very comfortable. I knocked it one grade since the upper is very thick and may get hot during summer runs.)
Performance: B (Being a heel striker I noticed the stiff heel and the transition to the midfoot. A mid or forefoot striker will likely do very well with this shoe as the foam is softer there. )
Stability: A- (The kayano 28 does a great job of providing guidance though the trussic system and heel counters yet still provides a soft and bouncy ride. )
DPT/Footwear Science: B+ (The lack of a more lateral heel bevel may add to some of the clunkness in the heel. )
Personal: B (This shoe works best for those recovery pace days when the heavier weight is not a factor. I felt f that the heel felt a bit too secure)
Overall: B+ (Overall a really great shoe that offers adequate stability with a softer ride. The Kayano 28 is a significant improvement in the Kayano line from the last time I ran in them.)
SHOP | SUPPORT DOR
Interested in purchasing the Asics Gel-Kayano 28? Visit Running Warehouse here to purchase. Using this link to purchase the Kayano 28 helps support Doctors of Running. We greatly appreciate it!
Shop Gear We Love
Mizuno Wave Rider 25: New full length Enerzy is a simple joy. Soft, flexible forefoot is unique
Hoka Arahi 5: One of the best stability shoes of the year, and the best walking shoe as well. Versatile.
Rabbit Running Clothes: Incredibly soft, high quality clothing for your next run
Feetures Socks: Massively grippy socks that will make you feel more one with the shoe
Spring Energy Gel: Smooth and goes down easy. Great flavors
UltraAspire Fitted Race Belt: Fantastic fitting belt that's durable, quick-drying, and comfortable
Trigger Point Foam Roller: Help get those knots out post-run and feel better for tomorrow
Coros Pace 2 Watch: Excellent watch for various running goals and a massive battery life
Theragun Massager: This small version is great on the go for working tired legs
FURTHER READING
Compare Max Stability Trainers
Saucony Omni 20 - The latest premium Saucony trainer featuring PWRRUN foam
Saucony Hurricane 23 - Combining PWRRUN+ with a smooth ride, the Hurricane takes a big leap forward in comfort and stability in the long running line
New Balance 860v11 - Fresh foam fans will enjoy the ride of the 860 which rolls along nicely. For those who want a heavily posted shoe that can run high mileage
Mizuno Wave Horizon 5 - Those looking for a very stable, non-posted shoe may want to seek the Horizon 5, with it's unique wave design to help guide runners
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 - The long running stability favorite of many continues to develop it's Guide Rail technology which helps propel runners forward
Hoka Arahi 5 - The J-frame system wraps around the runner to help guide them forward in Hoka's unique stability design, and provides some firmness to help cut the traditionally soft Hoka ride
Recently at Doctors of Running
Sauocny Endorphin Pro 2 Review - The Pro returns with a new reinforced upper that will help runners get the perfect lockdown for raceday
Hoka One One Zinal, First Impressions Run - Join David Salas on the Western States Trail for a run in the Zinal, Hoka's new performance trail runner
Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 Review - Version 2 comes in with a new upper and refined heel. Our editor Matt Klein's top three of 2021
Nike Pegasus 38 Review - The classic returns with a refined upper that addresses last year's lockdown issues
Thanks for reading!
TESTER PROFILES:
Dr. Matthew Klein is a 150 lb male with notable PRs of 14:45 for 5k and 2:32:44 for the full marathon. He typically runs 70-100 miles per week and trains at a variety of paces from 8min per mile recovery runs to 4:40 per mile 1k repeats. He prefers firmer and responsive shoes with snug heels and medium to wide toe boxes. The stability guy of the group, he also prefers a little stability in his footwear. However, as a researcher, clinician and running shoe aficionado, he will run in anything. IG handle @kleinrunsdpt
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Bach Pham MS
Marketing and Social Media Manager
