Today, I’m going to be giving you the Asics Gel Kayano 27 review for men and women.
The Asics Gel Kayano 27 has just been released and I’m going to take you through all the things you need to know about it including the tech that’s involved, what it’s like to run in, as well as what I think of this brand-new version of a heritage Asics shoe model.
Related: Are Asics Shoes True To Size?
Let’s dive straight in and look at these shoes…
Asics Gel Kayano 27 Review
What is The Asics Gel Kayano 27?
The Asics Gel Kayano line is a bit of a heritage model for Asics. In fact, it’s been around since 1993 with the very first Asics Gel Kayano trainer.
Asics have updated it and released new models ever since until we get to the Kayano 26 and now the Kayano 27.
If you don’t know the difference between the Asics Kayano and the Nimbus, make sure you read this nice comparison review.
The Kayano 28 is part of these great running shoes with a 10mm drop.
Midsole
Well, the Kayano 27 has got the Asics FlyteFoam technology through the midsole which is designed to give bounceback and a cushioned feel.
It’s also got the Gel technology in the heel. This is a pretty staple aspect to most Asics trainers that you’ll find.
Related: Best Max Cushion Shoes
Inside
The Kayano has a removable EVA sock liner too. The insole is cushioned and you can replace that with your own insoles if you want to.
Those three technologies are designed to make the Kayano a cushioned comfortable running shoe.
The shock absorbent qualities of the Gel in the rear means that this shoe really is a great all-rounder for any kind of length of run.
Men’s vs Women’s
Really interestingly for the Gel Kayano 27 is that there are some pretty significant differences between the men’s version and the women’s version.
Asics say there are three main differences between the two genders…
The first is the Trusstic System. What that means is that women get more support for the forward motion whereas for men, they have more support on the inside of the arch.
Also, women get three millimeters more foam underfoot than men do and that is to balance out the differences in biomechanics between men and women when they run.
The composition of the midsole is just slightly softer than that of the men’s.
Finally, the women’s heel-to-toe drop is 13mm (24mm in the heel and 11 in the forefoot) and the men’s drop is 10mm (22mm in the heel and 12mm in the forefoot).
Asics say that those three differences are all down to the fact that men and women run differently.
So, it’s going to be pretty hard to gauge exactly what those differences feel like, but it’s worth pointing out that those differences are there when it comes to the men’s and women’s shoes
Upper
According to Asics, the redesigned mesh upper will help keep your feet cool and the outsole is more flexible to promote a more natural roll through the whole gait cycle.
Actually, the tongue is really plush and the cushioning around the heel area is also really plush and just adds to that premium feeling.
The tongue itself is held in place by a traditional loop that the laces pass through to hold it in place.
Stability
As a stability or support shoe, the Kayano 27 uses the Asics Dynamic DuoMax System. This essentially means there are two different densities of foam in the midsole…
- a firm one on the inside and,
- a softer one on the outside.
The idea being that that helps prevent overpronation or too much rolling in.
Underneath the shoe, you can see this piece of plastic, which Asics call their Trusstic technology. This essentially aims to provide more support for less weight.
The Trusstic Support System is quite pronounced and it helps provide that extra support. It does feel slightly different to some other shoes.
The Kayano is definitely stiffer than your regular shoes. But, as a stability running shoe, that’s how it’s supposed to feel. It just feels like guiding your feet in a different way.
Overall, the Asics Gel Kayano 27 is aimed at all abilities of runner no matter what level.
What’s it like running in the Gel Kayano 27?
On putting on the Kayano 27, the very first thing that springs to mind is how solid it is. It just feels like a very well-engineered but also almost indestructible running shoe when you put it on.
With that solidity comes weight, but Asics have done a good job at keeping the weight down for a support shoe like the Kayano.
The Kayano is really plush and incredibly comfortable and you can certainly see yourself going out on some long runs in these and feeling like they’re going to give you a bit of support and just that cushioning from when your feet start getting a bit tired at the end of a long run.
Weight
Something else to know is that it is quite a heavy shoe. But that’s because it provides you with that extra layer of support without losing cushioning. So, do bear that in mind.
So, the women’s version is 8.7oz and the men’s is 11.11oz. But the great news is Asics has released a lighter version of the Gel Kayano 27 called the Asics Gel Kayano Lite.
The women’s Kayano Lite is 7.5oz and the men’s is 8.9oz.
Who is the Gel Kayano 27 for?
The Kayano 27 is definitely great for a runner whose feet tend to roll in too much. Its level of stability provides you with the guidance your feet need.
I do all of my running in neutral running shoes. But for a big proportion of my running career, I actually was wearing support shoes and I have also run in previous versions of the Kayano.
So, it’s worth making sure that you’re running in the right shoes for you because ultimately, neutral or supportive shoes either/or could give you problems if your gait doesn’t require one or the other.
So, make sure that you understand whether you need this level of support before you invest in what is an expensive flagship shoe.
The Kayano is not necessarily built for speedwork, so it’s definitely a shoe I would take out on long runs and on some like shorter recovery runs.
I would definitely choose a bit of a lighter weight shoe personally for any faster stuff or tempo runs, but the Gel Kayano 27 is a very comfortable shoe.
Price
The Kayano isn’t a cheap shoe, but it’s super comfy and would make a great shoe for a beginner.
As you know, prices keep changing all the time, so you can check today’s price on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
The upper feels very premium and the cushioning around the heel is actually really soft.
The Kayano 27 is comfy, it feels like you’re running with pillows on your feet with support, and it’s definitely a pair of shoes you would grab for long runs and not worry about that achy-tired-feet feeling at the end just because of how cushioned and uncomfortable it feels.
This shoe does what it sets out to do. It feels like a supportive shoe and it guides your foot in a slightly different way to a neutral shoe.
The Kayano feels like I could feel that throughout the gait cycle and it feels substantial and solid, which is what you want from a support shoe.
It feels like they’ve thrown a lot of technology at the shoe with the heel cup, the Trusstic System, the dual-density midsole, and the cushioning.
As I said already, the Kayano 27 is not the lightest shoe and it’s not the most responsive shoe, but it does feel pretty much bulletproof out there.
After running in it a few times, there’s almost no signs of wear at all, which is a great sign.
Verdict
My overall verdict would be if you’re familiar with the Kayano series and you’ve worn them before and you know that you need a support shoe, then you can’t go too far wrong.
If you’re a beginner and you’re new to running and you’re trying to work out what type of shoe you need, definitely head to your local specialty running store to find out what your gait is and what type of shoe would be right for you.
Support shoes can sometimes feel a little bit stiff when you run in them especially for a neutral runner. But that’s certainly not something that I experienced whilst running in these.
The Kayano 27 is definitely a shoe that I would take out, as I said, for a long run without worrying that my feet are going to end up being tired and achy by the end.
Overall, I’m pretty impressed with this one.
So, there you have it, this is the Asics Gel Kayano 27 review.
What do you think of this 27th iteration?
Or, maybe you’ve got your eye on a different new shoe that you’d like us to review? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll see you on the next one.
