The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 keeps its place as the brand's flagship stability trainer while refreshing the formula with a slightly lower drop and a higher stack, especially at the forefoot, which creates a more balanced feel and a smoother roll-through. The tweaked FF Blast+ Eco midsole softens landings, so the ride feels more plush than the previous version without losing its trademark support features. In fact, the 4D Guidance System is still present, providing the same adaptive, non-intrusive support that makes it a reliable daily trainer for overpronators, heavier runners, or anyone who wants a cushioned, confidence-inspiring trainer.
Our Verdict
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 is an inadequate option for marathon racing. Its heavy weight and limited energy return drain efficiency over long distances, so holding race pace quickly becomes a grind despite the shoe's acceptable protection and great stability.
Underfoot protection is satisfactory overall.
Bad energy return.
Heavy weight.
Heel cushioning is limited.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 lacks the snap you want for 5K or 10K racing. A reasonably firm forefoot provides some turnover, but this isn't consistent with the overall geometry, low energy return, and weight, translating to a ride that feels dull rather than snappy. It works better for easier efforts than all-out racing.
Bad energy return.
Heavy weight.
Heel cushioning is limited.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 offers minimal bounce. Both heel and forefoot foam compress and soak up impact, but give back very little, so faster workouts rely heavily on your own power rather than help from the midsole.
Bad energy return.
Heel cushioning is limited.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 delivers satisfactory protection. Landings are comfortably dampened without feeling pillowy, which is fine for daily mileage and recovery jogs, though runners seeking plush luxury may find the ride a bit harsh, as there's still some road feel underfoot, which is common for traditional trainers.
Underfoot protection is satisfactory overall.
Heel cushioning is limited.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 has good stability. A wide platform, supportive sidewalls, and firm midsole foam keep the shoe planted in all scenarios, making it a reliable choice for overpronators or anyone who values a secure, confidence-inspiring ride.
Wide base is super stable.
The foam is quite firm all around.
Very supportive sidewalls.
Heel cushioning is limited.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Nov 20, 2025: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.9, which adds a Forefoot Long Run Cushioning test to our performance section. Read more in our 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.
- Updated Aug 07, 2025: Review published.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We bought and tested the ASICS GEL‑KAYANO 32 in men's US size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The pair we purchased is the Midnight/Black colorway. However, you can also buy this shoe in a wide range of colors depending on the region, including Black/White, Gravel/Citron, Flash Red/Beet Juice, Oatmeal/Meteor Grey, White/Pure Silver, Piedmont Grey/Gravel, Black/Graphite Grey, and Black/Jasper Green. Women's options include Black/White, Lichen Rock/Cream, Midnight/Stillwater, and White/Orange Glow. In addition to the standard edition, there's a Luxe version that comes in a special Luxe/Black/Green colorway.
The GEL‑KAYANO 32 can be purchased in a range of widths: men's sizes come in regular (D), wide (2E), and extra‑wide (4E) fits, while women's sizes are offered in B and D widths.
The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 is a support trainer built for runners who need structure, shock absorption, and consistent guidance over daily efforts. This version makes welcome updates such as a lower drop and slightly more protective midsole, making it more approachable without changing its core identity. It remains heavy and not especially responsive, but it offers excellent step-in comfort, durability, and stability for overpronators or heavier runners logging consistent miles. Alternatives in the same space include the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 and the HOKA Arahi 7. If you don't need dedicated support features and prefer more natural lateral stability, shoes like the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 or Altra Torin 7 will feel lighter and more nimble.
Within ASICS' lineup, the KAYANO sits at the top of the stability range, offering more protection and support than the lighter ASICS GT-2000 13. The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 is a softer, more modern daily trainer with better bounce and lower weight, while the ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 suits runners who want a firmer, uptempo feel. Overall, the KAYANO 32 moves the support trainer category in a better direction, but it's still a traditional pick, best for runners who prioritize security over performance and agility.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best long-distance running shoes and the best shoes for running a marathon.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 and the ASICS GT-2000 13 are both stability shoes, but they differ significantly in how they deliver support and cushioning. The GT-2000 13 is the lighter and lower-stacked of the two, making it feel more nimble but also firmer and less protective, especially on longer runs. Its 3D Guidance system provides mild to moderate stability through a flatter platform and structured midsole without the bulk of a full guidance wall. The KAYANO, on the other hand, uses a 4D Guidance system with more built-up sidewalls and torsional rigidity, offering more pronounced support and control, especially for heavier runners or those who overpronate significantly. It also rides softer and absorbs more shock thanks to its thicker midsole and higher stack, but feels heavier and less agile as a result.
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 GEL-KAYANO 32 and Nike Structure 26 are both stability shoes that use built-up sidewalls to keep runners' feet from under- or over-pronating. The GEL-KAYANO 32 has several extra features specifically targeting over-pronation, including a cut out in the bottom of the shoe meant to shift the weight of the shoe outward, and a pod of bouncier foam on the medial side designed to spring the foot back into neutral position faster. For the small percentage of runners who under-pronate, the Structure 26 would be a better choice, while over-pronators will get more support from the GEL-KAYANO 32.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 and the HOKA Arahi 7 are both support-oriented daily trainers, but they approach stability and comfort quite differently. The Arahi 7 is lighter and leans into natural guidance without added bulk, making it feel nimbler underfoot. However, its lower stack height and firmer foam make it noticeably harsher over longer distances, especially for heel strikers or heavier runners. In contrast, the ASICS offers a plusher, more cushioned ride with better impact absorption and a more traditional support feel thanks to its 4D Guidance system. It provides more underfoot protection and a smoother, more stable transition, but at the cost of added weight and a bulkier sensation overall.
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
This shoe tips the scales on the heavy side and is just a touch more than the previous ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31. You feel that heft when picking up the shoe, and it makes for an inefficient and cumbersome sensation underfoot.
This shoe carries a thicker forefoot than the previous ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31, which slightly lowers the overall drop. The extra foam up front makes landings feel more protective and helps the shoe accommodate a wider range of foot-strike patterns instead of catering only to heavy heel strikers.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 runs longer than average, a trait common to many ASICS models. Multiple measurements confirmed the extra length, yet the shoe's generous padding and upper take up some of that space, so most runners won't need to size down.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 offers very little rebound under the heel. The foam compresses but gives back almost no spring, so heel-first strides feel flat and rely heavily on your own effort to transition towards the forefoot.
This shoe also shows very bad energy return up front. The toe-off feels muted and won't add much snap or pop to your running.
This shoe offers satisfactory impact protection at the heel. Landings feel adequately damped for everyday mileage, though they fall short of the plush comfort offered by softer premium trainers such as the Mizuno Neo Vista 2 or the ASICS NOVABLAST 5.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 improves noticeably over its predecessor in the forefoot. While still far from pillowy, the extra foam upfront means that it no longer delivers the firm and grounded feel that stability shoes are usually known for.
The heel is reasonably firm at lower force levels, but heavier runners or those who apply significant forces upon each strike will find it relatively soft in comparison.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 remains a very firm shoe up front, though it's slightly more forgiving than the previous iteration. This promotes a controlled, stable toe-off, but runners who prefer a softer feel may still find it too rigid for their taste.