ASICS Gel Kayano 32: análisis y review

In our view, the ASICS Gel Kayano 32 is a reliable pick for:

• Runners who liked version 30 or 31 and just want more of the same. The Kayano 32 delivers that but comes with small improvements from heel to toe.
• Anyone seeking great shock absorption and stability at slower paces without relying on a plush midsole.
• Midfoot and forefoot strikers who avoided the Kayano due to its high drop. Now it's reduced to suit these footstrikes better.
• Heavier runners with light-to-severe pronation looking for a supportive, comfort-driven shoe that also works for casual use.

We found in the lab that the Kayano 32 lacks energy return, especially for its premium price. From our perspective, runners seeking a lively ride should look at the Adidas Supernova Solution instead. It’s a stability-driven alternative with a bounce-filled midsole.

We also believe the Kayano 32 feels bottom-heavy due to its ultra-thick midsole and overall weight. In our experience, runners who prefer a more agile-feeling trainer would be better served by the ASICS GT 2000 13. It’s another top stability-focused shoe from this brand but in a more lightweight and compact package.

One of the most important features of the Kayano 32 is shock absorption, especially since this shoe has been a go-to for heavier runners dealing with stability concerns for more than three decades. We tested it using the ASTM F1976 method and got solid results: 133 SA in the heel and 116 SA in the forefoot.

Because ASICS keeps using FF Blast+ ECO, the energy return remains underwhelming. Its low 47.8% score doesn’t cut it for anyone chasing even a hint of speed. However, if your focus is easy, laid-back runs, this won’t be a dealbreaker, as shock absorption matters more here and it's quite good.

The Kayano has gradually evolved into a full-on maximalist running shoe, and it keeps getting bigger. We measured the heel at 39.9 mm, just 0.1 mm below the World Athletics limit. Of course, this hardly matters as no one’s breaking marathon records in a Kayano.

Of course, with such a sky-high stack, this shoe offers zero ground feel and serious protection, no matter how much force you land with.

We measured the forefoot at 30.6 mm, which is a big leap forward.

Therefore, midfoot and forefoot strikers now get a cushioning upgrade, as this version finally crosses the 30 mm mark—firmly placing it in the maximalist category. 

One of the biggest changes from last year's version is the drop, which officially shifts from 10 mm to 8 mm according to ASICS. Now it's a better shoe for forefoot and midfoot strikers.

We measured 9.3 mm (down from 11.5 mm in v31) so the 2 mm reduction is real. We think it's a smart move, especially with most brands trending away from over-10-mm drops in the coming years.

The Gel Kayano 32 brings back FF Blast+ ECO, this time with a slightly firmer setup aimed at boosting stability. Some runners may appreciate this change, but anyone who loves ultra-plush rides likely won’t enjoy the feel.

We measured the foam at 22.0 HA, which we believe is a suitable softness for a stability-focused trainer like the Kayano. Still, with the market shifting toward soft-and-squishy midsoles, this firmer ride might not suit everyone. If you’re a heel striker, though, the PureGEL pad adds some extra softness in that area, take that into account.

We found during our runs and lab tests that this shoe stays true to its traditional non-rockered layout. Its profile remains nearly flat even at the heel, a rare sight in today’s market but ideal for runners craving the signature classic-feel ride from the Kayano.

ASICS swapped its decades-old GEL tech for PureGEL a few years back, and we think it’s a smart move. It gives the Kayano 32 a premium, comfort-first vibe while ditching the outdated look of visible GEL pods. This version is tucked inside the midsole, but we exposed it by cutting the shoe in half.

We found that this shoe aims to fit a broad range of runners, so we weren’t surprised when our gel mold came out measuring 96.6 mm. That’s slightly wider than the average toebox across all shoes we’ve tested so far.

This shape fits the Kayano’s mission perfectly, especially since it’s available in several widths in most countries. In other words, unless your feet are extremely narrow or wide, you should get a solid fit.

The toebox takes a safe approach, offering enough room for most runners without pushing into ultra-wide territory. It’s not as spacious as the Altra Provision 8 (go for that if you have wide feet) but it should work for the majority.

And of course, the toebox height also lands right around average at 27.5 mm.

This brings low pressure on the toes and just enough wiggle room, which is great for daily runs, errands, or long city walks.

We tested the Kayano 32 on wet concrete using the strict SATRA TM144 method and recorded a 0.54 score. This is a grippy-enough result that ensures reliable traction in both dry and rainy conditions.

The outsole features ASICS Hybrid ASICSGRIP rubber, which has been very common in recent years on some daily trainers from the Kobe brand. We found thick, extra-durable segments under the heel and forefoot (especially along the medial edge) clearly built to absorb pronation-heavy wear.

Compared to its predecessor, the outsole sticks with the same protection-first mindset, featuring only slight tweaks likely meant to justify the version number update.

With its towering stack, chunky outsole, and ultra-wide base, it was no surprise to us that the Kayano 32 turned out stiff—we measured 16.9N in our 30-degree bend test.

That’s actually a plus for a stability-focused shoe, since a stiffer platform helps keep the foot aligned during transitions. Just don’t expect it to flex like the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5!

The Kayano 32 weighed exactly the same as the previous version in our lab: 10.4 oz or 295g.

That’s a decent result for a high-stack stability shoe built for long-lasting comfort. Still, we can’t ignore the feeling that a lighter, more advanced foam could cut some weight...

One of the standout traits of the Kayano line has always been its premium-feel upper, fully aligned with its price in the stability category. We found that ASICS delivered once again.

During testing, we discovered that it ventilates well, making it a reliable pick even on scorching summer days. Still, since we rated it a 4 out of 5, there's a touch of extra protection that works well in colder weather too.

What amazed us most is how ASICS balanced structure and breathability. Despite being a comfort-driven upper, it’s not one of those ultra-thin mesh designs that rip apart after a few hundred miles. Not at all.

To confirm our impressions, we brought it under the microscope. It became clear that ASICS strategically used small ventilation channels surrounded by strong, durable fabric that covers the rest of the upper.

The heel padding is outrageously thick, easily one of the most cushion-heavy builds we’ve ever seen. We also noted how thoughtfully-placed vent holes show up in other areas like the tongue.

The ASICS Gel Kayano 32 is a stability shoe that sticks with the design approach from the last two versions, avoiding old-school elements like a medial post. Instead, it relies on a super-wide base, built-in sidewalls, and a smart midsole design to guide your stride... and it works beautifully.

In the midfoot, ASICS added the "4D Guidance System" that supports the arch as it rolls in and out of pronation. We found this system smooth and highly effective, and it's clearly becoming the go-to method for ASICS as they move away from outdated stability tools.

Twisting the Kayano takes serious force, and it reacts like a carbon-plated shoe when it comes to torsional stiffness. But with this being a full-stability model, hitting a 5/5 score was completely expected.

Same with the heel counter, which scored another 5/5. We pushed hard, but it didn’t flex at all.

Runners prone to lower Achilles pain—like those with Haglund’s deformity—might worry, but the ultra-plush padding from ASICS makes it feel surprisingly comfortable.

The new trend in stability shoes leans toward an all-wide-everything approach, with designs that now resemble a rectangle instead of the older midfoot-tapered look.

While the forefoot is definitely broader than average, it’s not overdone as it tops out at 119.8 mm. That makes sense, since most Kayano users are heel strikers and don’t need extra width up front.

We measured the heel width at 97.2 mm, which matches the design cues we mentioned earlier.

Naturally, this makes the shoe feel bulky underfoot, but there’s no hiding that. It’s like driving a massive SUV—great on straight roads, less ideal elsewhere.

The upper stands out by checking all the key boxes: breathable, comfortable, and long-lasting.

We confirmed its durability in our Dremel test, where it scored a solid 4/5—outperforming most rivals in this category.

And the same goes on with the heel padding. Despite being super-thick and cloud-soft, the lining held up impressively well, earning a 4 out of 5 in our durability test.

It's clear that the upper is one of the standout strengths of the Kayano 32.

We revved up the Dremel to 10K RPM and found that the outsole has significantly improved in durability compared to previous versions. It lost just 0.7 mm, making the Kayano 32 a standout among stability shoes.

It’s clear that ASICS doesn’t mind taking a slight weight hit in exchange for legendary outsole durability, bumping the thickness from an already generous 4.0 mm in v31 to a massive 4.5 mm in version 32.

The insole adds to the overall comfort of the shoe by providing 4.9 mm of extra foam, slightly more than what we usually measure in the lab.

The Kayano 32 only got 17% firmer after 20 minutes in the freezer. That's a strong result for an EVA-based foam like FF Blast+ ECO.

You can easily remove the insole to use your own orthotics if needed, and doing so also reveals its carbon footprint.

The heel tab of the Kayano 32 keeps the same concept as the Kayano 31, but ASICS redesigned it. Now it bounces back light from four small pieces instead of a large panel with the ASICS logo.

ASICS is arguably the brand pushing hardest to move away from bulky tongues packed with thick foam. It’s a bold choice because step-in comfort takes a slight hit, but the weight savings are real.

We found just 2.5 mm of padding in the center of the tongue, which is well below average for a comfort-first shoe. However, it does include small foam pads on the sides and a tongue tab that adds a few extra millimeters.

While many models still reach 10 mm or more in this area, this streamlined tongue shows that ASICS is fully committed to its minimal-padding approach—even in max-comfort models like this one or the Nimbus 27.

The tongue features a semi-gusseted design that does a great job staying in place without adding noticeable weight or taking up extra space.

We believe that the Kayano 32 offers fair pricing in the US and Japan, but in Europe, it becomes noticeably overpriced due to ASICS's unfavorable exchange rate—making it too expensive compared to other stability shoes available on this continent.

We discovered a nicely-stitched heel tab that makes slipping into the Kayano 32 easier, and it adds a premium detail we really appreciated.