The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 is one of the longest-running (pun intended) models in the ASICS lineup, having undergone many transformations since the early '90s. This 31st iteration is a premium stability shoe intended for daily training. Like its predecessor, it uses ASICS' relatively new 4D Guidance System, which promises adaptive stability as you run, making use of support elements that include a foam-based midfoot block for arch support and a wider overall platform. This is a large, heavy shoe with a high stack height, but it's a good fit for heavier runners or runners needing a supportive daily trainer.
Our Verdict
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 isn't meant for marathon racing. As a supportive daily trainer, it's not great for picking up the pace. It has bad overall energy return and a heavy weight that you'll feel in the longer distances of a marathon.
Feels well-cushioned underfoot.
Bad energy return.
Heavy.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 isn't the best choice for 5K/10K racing. Its heavy weight and bulk aren't designed for faster speeds over shorter distances.
Bad energy return.
Heavy.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 delivers terrible energy return. The midsole foam isn't soft or responsive enough to prevent excessive energy loss, and the shoe doesn't provide the bouncy, responsive ride needed for faster paces.
Bad energy return.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 offers decent cushioning overall, but that obscures differences between the front and rear of the midsole. Impact absorption is more limited in the forefoot, while the heel, fitted with a PureGEL insert, provides good cushioning and protection underfoot, especially for heavier runners.
Good protection under the heel at higher forces.
Forefoot cushioning is more limited.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 has good lateral stability. The remarkably wide outsole creates a stable platform, and this shoe uses support elements like a harder foam block in the midfoot for arch support. Though its high stack height lifts you farther off the ground, the firmness of the foam, especially in the forefoot, makes for a very controlled ride.
Wide outsole provides a stable platform.
4D Guidance System includes elements like a stiff block of foam in the midfoot.
Foam is very firm overall.
High stack.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated Oct 20, 2025:
We've adjusted this review's writing to align with the new test bench, including updates to all usage scores, and test boxes for Cushioning, Firmness, and Energy Return.
- Updated Oct 20, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.8.2, which updates our methodology for the impact force range used in our compression tests to improve their accuracy. This also affects all usage and performance usage boxes using those compression tests as score components.
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Updated Aug 11, 2025:
We updated the Compared to Other Running Shoes box to mention the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27.
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Updated Jul 30, 2025:
We revised the phrasing in the Heel Cushioning box to better align with the latest test bench scores and clarify the shoe's purpose and context within the market.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label. The pair we purchased is the Digital Aqua/Bright Cyan colorway, but you can also buy the shoe in a wide range of colors, depending on the region. The men's variant ranges from Black/White and Black/Black to Blue Expanse/Digital Aqua and Indigo Blue/Gunmetal, while the women's variant includes colors like Cool Matcha/Light Celadon and Black/Bold Magenta, among others.
There's also a LITE-SHOW variant with reflective glow-in-the-dark elements to increase visibility at night and a PLATINUM variant with metallic accents based on Shibori dyeing techniques.
You can buy this shoe in narrow, regular, wide, or extra wide widths.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 is a premium stability shoe. It's a great daily trainer for overpronators, with non-intrusive support elements and high-stack cushioning. However, this isn't the shoe to get if you're looking for a lightweight option for speedwork. The brand also offers the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27, a premium daily trainer that focuses on impact protection and cushioning.
See our recommendations for the best running shoes to find the perfect model for your needs.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 are both daily trainers offering high cushioning and comfort, but they serve slightly different runner profiles. The GEL-NIMBUS 27 is a neutral max-cushion trainer focused on plushness and impact absorption, delivering a very soft underfoot experience that excels on easy runs and recovery days. Its smooth, pillowy ride makes it ideal for runners who prioritize comfort and don't mind a bit of extra weight for the sake of protection. The GEL-KAYANO 31, on the other hand, is ASICS' flagship stability model, designed for runners who need extra lateral support. Thanks to its new 4D Guidance System, it provides stability without harsh posting or stiff medial foam. The ride is firmer than the Nimbus, especially at the forefoot, and it lacks some protection for longer runs.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 are both popular and long-standing models in ASICS' lineup, but they suit different needs. The GEL-KAYANO 31 is aimed at runners who need more stability, with dedicated support elements and a slightly wider outsole. The GEL-NIMBUS 26, on the other hand, is a more neutral daily trainer designed for maximum comfort, with a slightly higher stack height and more balanced cushioning in the heel and forefoot.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 and the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 are both support trainers designed for runners who need guidance and protection, but the updates in the 32 make it a noticeably more approachable shoe. The 31 is slightly lighter on foot, but it feels firmer and harsher under load. The new geometry in the KAYANO 32, featuring a higher forefoot stack and a lower drop, creates a more balanced and protective ride that accommodates more stride types (rather than only pure heel strikers) without sacrificing the shoe's core support function. That said, both versions remain heavy, bottom-loaded shoes that feel more tank-like than nimble, and runners seeking a livelier or more responsive ride may still find it too sluggish for anything beyond easy or recovery efforts.
The ASICS NOVABLAST 4 is a more well-rounded shoe than the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31. It's significantly lighter and uses more responsive foam, making it better for faster paces. It isn't as stable as the GEL-KAYANO 31, which is a better fit for heavier runners or those who need support elements.
We've recently started buying and testing running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes for team members to be able to log in miles. This real-world testing is done at various paces and conditions, and with different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 is a very heavy shoe, making it inefficient for speedwork and racing.
The shoe's PureGEL midsole insert was displaced when cutting it, but we've included a picture of the PureGEL beneath the shoe so you can see what it looks like.
Like most ASICS shoes, this one runs quite long, so keep this in mind when selecting your size.
The heel doesn't return a lot of energy. The shoe's firmer foam absorbs a lot of impact, resulting in high energy loss, meaning that the GEL-KAYANO 31 lacks the propulsive feel of high-performance racers.
The forefoot has similarly bad energy return. Ultimately, this shoe doesn't provide a very bouncy experience due to the firmness of its foam.
The heel offers good cushioning overall. It can provide underfoot protection for heel strikers and heavier runners, but if you're looking for a very plush and pillowy experience, look towards true max-cushioned shoes like the Mizuno Neo Vista 2.
Unlike the heel, the forefoot doesn't provide the same level of cushioning, so the experience isn't as soft and protected under the forefoot.
The heel is fairly firm. Lighter runners and forefoot strikers are more likely to feel that firmness, providing some stability. However, there's more give at higher forces, making for a softer landing in the heel if you're on the heavier side.
The forefoot, meanwhile, is incredibly firm. That makes for a very stable ride, creating a rigid platform for toe-offs. However, runners who prefer a soft, forgiving landing might find the forefoot too rigid.