By Kieran Alger
The ASICS Gel Kayano is a long-time stability stalwart and while a few generations back we saw sweeping changes that ushered in a more dynamic stability ride, updates from the Kayano 30 to the Kayano 31 were subtle and the same can be said for the tweaks to the Kayano 32. Though the smallish changes to this latest reliable-platform workhorse – with a bigger stack of foam under the forefoot and a switched up heel construction – do add up to quite a shift in the ride.
So is the Kayano 32 better than the Kayano 31? Will it suit your daily mileage better? I’ve done the testing. Read on to find out in my ASICS Gel Kayano 32 vs ASICS Gel Kayano 31 review.
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Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price
First up the key details. The change to the Gel Kayano 32 stack height is one of the biggest updates here. You get the same 40mm in the heel but there’s 2mm added to the forefoot to reduce the drop from 10mm to 8mm.
When it comes to weight, in our US test size 9.5, the Kayano 32 tips the scales at 10.8oz or 304g. That’s down slightly on the Kayano 31 at 11.0oz or 312g. But the Kayano 32 is still a comparatively heavy shoe.
On price, the ASICS Gel Kayano 32 sticks at the same $165 as the Kayano 31. So no bump in price and they’re now on par with the ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 also $165.
Stats
ASICS | Kayano 32 | Kayano 31 |
|---|---|---|
Best for | Easy miles | Easy miles |
Support | Stability | Stability |
Cushion | Max cushioning | Max cushioning |
Stack Height | 40mm heel | 40mm heel |
Drop | 8mm | 10mm |
Weight | 10.8oz / 304g | 11oz / 312g |
Suggested Retail Price | $165 | $165 |
Fit | True to size | True to size |
Rating | 8.3/ 10 | 8.2/ 10 |
Design
From afar, the ASICS Gel Kayano 32 looks almost identical to the Kayano 31. There’s the unmistakable stability DNA and comfort cues that scream Kayano. It’s still a high volume, plush, premium, easy-mile daily shoe that’s built for comfort, cushion, protection and reliability underfoot.
But there are some really important differences that alter the ride. The Kayano 32 midsoles use a tweaked Flytefoam Blast+ foam with 2mm more cushion under the forefoot. That reduces the drop by 2mm. There’s also a new heel geometry with more compression to make for smoother transitions.
The Kayano 32 still features ASICS’ 4D Guidance System, a combination of elements designed to adapt to, and support the foot each time it hits the ground for better stability. This includes a smaller heel bevel, a sculpted midsole, and additional medial foam that guides your foot on landing.
Up top, there are new single-layer engineered mesh uppers and a new tongue setup. Though in practice these feel quite similar on the foot. The heel collars retain their ample, plush padding that helps with comfort and locked in security. The tongues now have some extra internal wrapping on the medial side to boost the support.
The outsole sticks with the same Hybrid ASICSGrip that we saw on the Kayano 31 with a liberal covering. So if you got on well with the levels of stiffness/flex, grip and durability of the Kayano 31, there’s no change here.
ASICS Kayano 32
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ASICS Kayano 31
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Fit
I ran in my regular running ASICS shoe size in both shoes and I’d recommend going true to size. There’s not a huge amount to choose between the shoes on fit.
In testing I ran in a US 9.5 – my regular size in ASICS. And I’d recommend going true to size. There’s very little between the shoes on fit.
Both shoes offer just enough room in the toe box, the breathable mesh uppers provide a flexible but secure hold and it’s easy to get the midfoot locked down. The well-padded heel collars boost that no-slip lockdown.
As bigger stability shoes go, comfort-wise, both disappear on foot” true to size.
Performance
In testing, I’ve logged 25 miles plus in the Kayano 32 and north of 30 miles in the Kayano 31. Most of my testing was at the easier, low and slow end. But I logged some faster segments, to see how they felt when you moved up through the gears (spoiler alert: they didn’t feel great moving fast).
As usual, my test miles were mainly on road with some light off-road park and river paths – a good extra test for that stability. I also did a side-by-side mile, where I ran with one shoe on each foot, to get a better sense of the differences.
The Kayano 32 and the Kayano 31 feel very similar on the foot in terms of the overall comfort, the way they hold and the way the uppers flex. You're getting a very, very similar package. It feels like ASICS didn’t meddle with that.
The key difference comes underfoot. There’s a notable change to the midsole sensation with a slightly firmer edge to the Kayano 32 in the forefoot, despite that extra 2mm of foam.
It’s still cushioned but when you run with one shoe on each foot, you notice the Kayano 31’s touch of extra softness. It’s not something that revolutionizes the ride but I think that more immediate feedback in the Kayano 32 makes it feel slightly snappier. The changes to the heel, where there’s more compression, also make the Kayano 32 smoother in the transition.
My Verdict
In terms of the types of miles you’d use them for, the Kayano 32 and the Kayano 31 offer the same: a capable, cushioned, protective ride designed to soak up slower daily miles, manage long runs in comfort and cater for your easy-day recovery runs.
The differences between the Kayano 32 and the Kayano 31 are subtle on the surface but they make quite an important difference to the ride with more natural transitions and some extra snap to the toe offs.
The changes to the drop might also take some time to get used to for long-time Kayano users.
So which is best? If you already own a Kayano 31, there’s not really much here to warrant an early upgrade. On the whole you’re getting a comparable performance.
But if you’re after a cushioned, protective ride that’s designed to soak up slower daily miles, manage long runs in comfort and cater for your easy-day recovery runs, the Kayano 32 is an even more capable option.
For good stability alternatives to the Kayano 32 and the Kayano 31, lots of runners swear by the Saucony Guide 18, the Saucony Tempus 2 and the HOKA Arahi 8. The Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 are also a good option.
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