ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 review
ASICS’ flagship stability trainer: soft, plush and quietly guiding. Built for easy and long miles when you want your foot held without feeling pushed around.
- Drop
- 10 mm
- Heel stack
- 40 mm
- Forefoot
- 30 mm
- Weight
- 305 g
- Support
- Stability
- Plate
- None
Our verdict
Guidance you feel, then forget.
The Gel-Kayano 31 is a heavily cushioned stability trainer whose support is gentle enough that most reviewers barely notice it after a few minutes. It suits heel landers whose foot rolls inward a little to moderately, who run mostly at easy pace and want comfort and a roomy fit that also comes in wide.
Strong points
- Guidance that steadies the roll without blocking it
- Soft, tall heel that takes heel landings well
- Wide and extra wide versions, roomy standard fit
- Comfortable for long, easy miles and marathon training
- Excellent wet grip: 0.83 in RunRepeat’s traction test
Weak points
- Low responsiveness, laborious at faster paces
- Stability and cushion sit at the back, not for forefoot strikers
- Upper holds heat and moisture
Who it fits
- Feet that roll in a little to moderately
- Heel landers
- Long, easy miles and marathon training
- Wide feet
Who should skip it
- Runners who want a fast or light shoe
- Forefoot strikers
- Hot climates
- Neutral strides that want no added guidance
Shoe profile
Where the Gel-Kayano 31 sits among the 395 shoes in our catalogue.
| Axis | Gel-Kayano 31 |
|---|---|
| Cushioning | 64 |
| Lightness | 10 |
| Stability | 85 |
| Drop | 84 |
| Response | 6 |
Fig. 1 · How to read it. Each axis runs from 0 at the centre to 100 at the edge. Cushioning, lightness and drop are the shoe’s rank in the catalogue from listed figures; stability and response are scored from the support type, the plate, the rocker and the intended use. The dotted grey line is the catalogue median. Source: Strideprint catalogue (cat).
Where it sits in the catalogue
Weight305 g, heavier than 90% of shoes
Drop10 mm, higher than 84% of shoes
Heel stack40 mm, higher than 64% of shoes
Forefoot stack30 mm, lower than 56% of shoes
How it feels
Written from 3 published tests. We quote measurements, not impressions we did not have.
Plush from heel to toe. Plush from heel to toe on a 40 mm heel, with FF Blast Plus Eco and PureGEL; RunRepeat measured average firmness.
Guiding, not blocking. No hard post: a wide base, tall sidewalls and firmer midfoot foam steady the roll without blocking it.
Smooth, not snappy. A rockered forefoot rolls you through toe-off, but at 295 g with low responsiveness it suits easy runs, not fast ones.
Plush from heel to toe. Listed with a stack height of 40 mm at the heel and 30 mm at the forefoot for men, with FF Blast Plus Eco foam and a PureGEL insert in the rearfoot.
Doctors of Running describe it as soft and highly cushioned through the whole length. RunRepeat measured a midsole of average firmness, so expect comfort rather than sink. A Believe in the Run tester called the ride smooth and plush.
Guiding, not blocking. There is no hard post. The base is wide, especially at the midfoot, with tall sidewalls on the inner heel and midfoot and on the outer heel. The 4D Guidance System adds a firmer, more resilient foam in the midfoot to steady the shift from the heel to toe-off.
Doctors of Running say this approach supports a controlled roll rather than trying to stop it. Believe in the Run testers felt the stability was there without dominating the run. That makes it a good first stability shoe for runners who disliked rigid models in the past.
Smooth, not snappy. A rockered forefoot and a stiff sole roll you through toe-off. The heel can feel a little clunky at first, per Doctors of Running, though it is better than in earlier versions.
RunRepeat measured a weight of 295 g and note low responsiveness. This shoe makes easy runs comfortable; it does not make fast runs easier.
Read more
Plush from heel to toe. Listed with a stack height of 40 mm at the heel and 30 mm at the forefoot for men, with FF Blast Plus Eco foam and a PureGEL insert in the rearfoot.
Doctors of Running describe it as soft and highly cushioned through the whole length. RunRepeat measured a midsole of average firmness, so expect comfort rather than sink. A Believe in the Run tester called the ride smooth and plush.
Guiding, not blocking. There is no hard post. The base is wide, especially at the midfoot, with tall sidewalls on the inner heel and midfoot and on the outer heel. The 4D Guidance System adds a firmer, more resilient foam in the midfoot to steady the shift from the heel to toe-off.
Doctors of Running say this approach supports a controlled roll rather than trying to stop it. Believe in the Run testers felt the stability was there without dominating the run. That makes it a good first stability shoe for runners who disliked rigid models in the past.
Smooth, not snappy. A rockered forefoot and a stiff sole roll you through toe-off. The heel can feel a little clunky at first, per Doctors of Running, though it is better than in earlier versions.
RunRepeat measured a weight of 295 g and note low responsiveness. This shoe makes easy runs comfortable; it does not make fast runs easier.
Which runs it’s for
| Run | Fit | Why | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy runs | Made for it | Smooth, plush and stable at relaxed pace, which is where reviewers kept it. | RunRepeat, Believe in the Run |
| Long runs | Made for it | Doctors of Running single out easier and longer runs as its best use. | Doctors of Running |
| Walking | Made for it | Doctors of Running also recommend it for all-day wear. | Doctors of Running |
| Tempo | Not for it | A Believe in the Run tester found the weight made faster miles feel laborious. | Believe in the Run |
| Intervals | Not for it | Low responsiveness, per RunRepeat. Pair it with a lighter shoe for speed work. | RunRepeat |
Source: RunRepeat, Believe in the Run, Doctors of Running
What the tests say
Reviewers agree the Gel-Kayano 31 is a comfortable, cushioned stability shoe whose support stays in the background, and that it is made for easy miles rather than speed.
| Test | Type | Our reading | In one sentence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RunRepeat | Lab | Positive | RunRepeat scores it 86 out of 100: excellent stability and plush comfort, ideal for heel strikers, with low responsiveness the main drawback. | Read |
| Doctors of Running | Review | Positive | Doctors of Running give mostly A grades, call it excellent execution, and name weight and heel bevel as the remaining improvements. | Read |
| Believe in the Run | Review | Positive | Believe in the Run puts it in its A tier with design at B: reliable and grippier, though both testers found it hot. | Read |
They agree
- Guidance you barely noticeDoctors of Running describe support that controls the roll rather than blocking it, and Believe in the Run testers felt the stability without it taking over the run.
- Comfort for long, easy milesRunRepeat, Doctors of Running and Believe in the Run all point to easy runs, long runs and marathon training.
- Slow when you pushRunRepeat notes low responsiveness, and a Believe in the Run tester found faster miles laborious.
They split
- Toe box roomDoctors of Running find the standard width slightly wide with extra height up front, while one Believe in the Run tester found the toe box a little tight.
- How soft it isDoctors of Running and Believe in the Run describe a soft, plush ride, while RunRepeat measured a midsole of average firmness.
How it’s built
A maximal stability build: FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam with a PureGEL insert at the rear, a firmer, bouncier 4D Guidance System foam under the inner midfoot, and thick ASICSGRIP and AHAR Plus rubber.
A maximal stability build: FF Blast Plus Eco foam with PureGEL at the rear, a firmer 4D Guidance foam under the inner midfoot, a plush 8.3 mm tongue and a 4.0 mm ASICSGRIP outsole.
| # | Part | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UpperEngineered mesh | Breathability 4 / 5 |
| 2 | Tongue | 8.3 mm |
| 3 | Heel | Stiffness 4 / 5 |
| 4 | MidsoleFF BLAST PLUS ECO, PureGEL and 4D Guidance System | Hardness 35.3 AC |
| 5 | InsoleOrthoLite X-55 | 4.7 mm |
| 6 | OutsoleASICSGRIP and AHAR Plus | 4.0 mm |
Fig. 3 · Side profile. Stack heights to scale (listed: 40 mm heel, 30 mm forefoot; measured: 4 mm outsole); the split between the two foams is not measured and is drawn at mid-height. Dashed: insole, hidden. Sources: Fleet Feet, RunRepeat, Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run.
Upper. A new engineered mesh, plush and slightly thin. RunRepeat found many vent holes over the toe box but a second layer beneath them, scoring breathability 4 out of 5; both Believe in the Run testers still found it hot and wet in muggy weather.
Tongue. Very padded at 8.3 mm and semi-gusseted, in RunRepeat’s measurement: comfort first, and a help against lace bite.
Heel. A rigid heel counter, 4 out of 5 for RunRepeat and a little softer than some rival stability shoes, inside a new knit collar with a finger-loop pull tab.
Midsole. FF BLAST PLUS ECO makes up most of the midsole, measured at 35.3 AC by RunRepeat, with PureGEL embedded at the rear. The 4D Guidance System is a more resilient foam under the inner midfoot that Doctors of Running describe as bouncing the foot through its roll rather than blocking it; RunRepeat found it sits slightly higher than on the Kayano 30.
Insole. An OrthoLite X-55 sockliner, according to Believe in the Run, removable and 4.7 mm thick in RunRepeat’s measurement.
Outsole. ASICSGRIP rubber with an AHAR Plus toe cap, in segmented pods with extra coverage on the medial side for runners who roll in. It is a thick 4.0 mm layer, and scored 0.83 in RunRepeat’s wet traction test, among the highest the lab has recorded.
Read more
A maximal stability build: FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam with a PureGEL insert at the rear, a firmer, bouncier 4D Guidance System foam under the inner midfoot, and thick ASICSGRIP and AHAR Plus rubber.
1. Upper. A new engineered mesh, plush and slightly thin. RunRepeat found many vent holes over the toe box but a second layer beneath them, scoring breathability 4 out of 5; both Believe in the Run testers still found it hot and wet in muggy weather.
2. Tongue. Very padded at 8.3 mm and semi-gusseted, in RunRepeat’s measurement: comfort first, and a help against lace bite.
3. Heel. A rigid heel counter, 4 out of 5 for RunRepeat and a little softer than some rival stability shoes, inside a new knit collar with a finger-loop pull tab.
4. Midsole. FF BLAST PLUS ECO makes up most of the midsole, measured at 35.3 AC by RunRepeat, with PureGEL embedded at the rear. The 4D Guidance System is a more resilient foam under the inner midfoot that Doctors of Running describe as bouncing the foot through its roll rather than blocking it; RunRepeat found it sits slightly higher than on the Kayano 30.
5. Insole. An OrthoLite X-55 sockliner, according to Believe in the Run, removable and 4.7 mm thick in RunRepeat’s measurement.
6. Outsole. ASICSGRIP rubber with an AHAR Plus toe cap, in segmented pods with extra coverage on the medial side for runners who roll in. It is a thick 4.0 mm layer, and scored 0.83 in RunRepeat’s wet traction test, among the highest the lab has recorded.
Durability. Durability is a strength. The heel lining, a weak spot on the Kayano 30 at 1 out of 5, now scores 4 out of 5 in RunRepeat’s abrasion test, as does the toe box. The softer ASICSGRIP lost 1.1 mm, an average result offset by the thick layer, and Doctors of Running saw almost no outsole wear after 40 miles.
Durability. Durability is a strength. The heel lining, a weak spot on the Kayano 30 at 1 out of 5, now scores 4 out of 5 in RunRepeat’s abrasion test, as does the toe box. The softer ASICSGRIP lost 1.1 mm, an average result offset by the thick layer, and Doctors of Running saw almost no outsole wear after 40 miles.
Specs, listed and measured
Every figure carries its source.
Drop, mm
Heel stack, mm
Forefoot stack, mm
Weight (men’s), g
| Spec | Listed | Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Drop |
|
|
| Heel stack |
|
|
| Forefoot stack |
|
|
| Weight, US M9 |
|
|
| Support |
| – |
| Plate |
| – |
| Surface |
| – |
| Release year |
| – |
Fig. 4 · Listed vs measured. Bars start at zero. Sources: Fleet Feet, RunRepeat, Doctors of Running.
Lab measurements
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Midsole hardness |
|
| Torsional rigidity |
|
| Heel counter stiffness |
|
| Traction coefficient |
|
| Breathability |
|
| Toe box width |
|
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Toe box height |
|
| Outsole thickness |
|
| Insole thickness |
|
| Tongue thickness |
|
| Flex force |
|
Sizing and fit
True to size for most, with a roomy forefoot and wide options.
Length
True to size
Widths
standard, wide, and extra wide
Toe room
Room is generous in most reviews. RunRepeat measured a 74.8 mm toe box at the big toe and 27.2 mm of height, and Doctors of Running add extra height at the forefoot. One Believe in the Run tester found it a little tight.
RunRepeat, Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run
Full sizing notes from testers
Doctors of Running and RunRepeat’s user poll both report a true to size fit. Doctors of Running describe the standard width as slightly wide throughout, with extra room in height at the forefoot and a plush, slightly thin upper.
One Believe in the Run tester found the toe box a little tight and suggests half a size up if you like extra room. If you sit between sizes or often feel your toes, try both.
Wide (2E) and extra wide versions are available.
RunRepeat, Doctors of Running, Fleet Feet, Believe in the Run
Vs Gel-Kayano 30
A refinement of the Kayano 30 rather than a new shoe: same stability concept, lighter, with a new upper, outsole and heel.
Believe in the Run call the changes mostly cosmetic. If a Kayano 30 already works for you, there is no rush to switch.
Version history: Gel-Kayano 30 to Gel-Kayano 31
Slightly lighter. RunRepeat measured 295 g against about 303 g for the Kayano 30. (RunRepeat)
New upper and heel collar. An engineered mesh upper with a knit collar and a new pull tab. RunRepeat found the heel padding much more durable than on the 30. (RunRepeat, Fleet Feet, Believe in the Run)
New outsole rubber. A mix of ASICSGRIP and AHAR Plus rubber replaces the previous outsole. (Fleet Feet, Believe in the Run)
Tweaked guidance. RunRepeat note the 4D Guidance System sits slightly higher, and Doctors of Running found a little more midfoot bounce. (RunRepeat, Doctors of Running)
Alternatives compared
Each one fixes one thing the Gel-Kayano 31 does not do.
| ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 |  ASICS GT-2000 13 |  Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 |  Saucony Guide 18 |  ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick it for | This page | Lighter | Higher drop | Lower drop | Less stable |
| Drop | 10 mm | 8 mm | 12 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm |
| Heel stack | 40 mm | 36.5 mm | 39 mm | 35 mm | 43.5 mm |
| Weight | 305 g | 275 g | 284 g | 272 g | 306 g |
| Support | Stability | Stability | Stability | Stability | Neutral |
Questions runners ask
Is the ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 good for flat feet?
The Gel-Kayano 31 has a wide base, tall inner sidewalls and a midfoot guidance system, and RunRepeat list runners with flat feet among those it suits. Arch shape alone does not tell you which shoe you need: how your foot moves while running matters more. A gait analysis is the reliable way to know.
Does the Kayano 31 help with overpronation?
The Gel-Kayano 31 is designed for runners whose foot rolls inward. Its 4D Guidance System and sidewalls guide the movement rather than block it, which Doctors of Running describe as controlled pronation. It is a comfort and stability shoe, not a treatment, so persistent pain is a matter for a health professional.
Does the Gel-Kayano 31 run true to size?
Mostly, yes. Doctors of Running and RunRepeat’s user poll report true to size, with a standard width that runs slightly wide. One Believe in the Run tester found the toe box tight and suggests half a size up for extra room. Wide (2E) and extra wide versions exist.
What is the drop of the Gel-Kayano 31?
The listed drop is 10 mm, from 40 mm at the heel to 30 mm at the forefoot for men. RunRepeat measured 39.3 mm and 27.8 mm on their pair, a drop of about 11.5 mm, so it may feel closer to a high-drop shoe.
What changed from the Kayano 30 to the Kayano 31?
The Gel-Kayano 31 is slightly lighter, with a new engineered mesh upper and knit collar, a new pull tab, ASICSGRIP and AHAR Plus rubber, and a more durable heel lining. The stability concept, the 4D Guidance System, stays the same.
How much does the Gel-Kayano 31 weigh?
About 305 g (10.7 oz) in a men’s US 9 and 266 g (9.3 oz) in a women’s US 8, according to Doctors of Running. RunRepeat weighed their men’s pair at 295 g. It is on the heavier side, which reviewers feel at faster paces.
Sources
- RunRepeat, Cut in half: ASICS Gel Kayano 31 review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Doctors of Running, ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 Review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Fleet Feet, Men's ASICS Gel-Kayano 31. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Believe in the Run, ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 Review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- cat: Strideprint catalogue, 395 shoes
How we review. We read published tests, brand and retailer pages and lab measurements, cross-check the figures and flag where they disagree. We did not test this shoe ourselves. Last updated October 13, 2026.