ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 vs GEL-KAYANO 32

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Jan 26, 2026 03:50 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 08, 2025 08:23 PM

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Our Verdict

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32

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.

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Variants

  • GEL-KAYANO 31 (Birch/Energy Aqua - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-KAYANO 32 (Black/Dark Currant - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-KAYANO 32 (Black/Graphite Grey - (Men - US 9))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

0.0
0.0
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Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

N/A
N/A

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Right Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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Left Shoe Weight Photo  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Left Shoe Weight Photo Sample

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Weight 
 

Lock g (Lock oz)
Lock g (Lock oz)
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Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Stack Height Photo Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Stack Height Photo Sample

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Heel Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm
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External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 3D Model Full Shoe Sample

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Outsole Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

Lock
Lock

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 3D Model Internal Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 3D Model Internal Sample

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Internal Length 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Heel Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Locked
Locked
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Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Other Features Photo Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Other Features Photo Sample

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Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Plate 
 

Locked
Locked
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Compression Video  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Heel Compression Video Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Heel Compression Video Sample

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Heel Energy Return  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Heel Energy Return Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Heel Energy Return Sample

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Heel Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Compression Video  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Forefoot Compression Video Sample

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Forefoot Energy Return  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Forefoot Energy Return Sample

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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Cushioning Picture  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Heel Cushioning Picture Sample

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Heel Cushioning  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Heel Cushioning Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Heel Cushioning Sample

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Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
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Forefoot Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Forefoot Cushioning Picture Sample

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Forefoot Cushioning  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Forefoot Cushioning Sample

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Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

Lock J
Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

Lock J
Lock J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Heel Firmness  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Heel Firmness Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Heel Firmness Sample

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Firmness At 550N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Firmness  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Forefoot Firmness Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Forefoot Firmness Sample

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Firmness At 800N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

Lock N/mm
Lock N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

N/A
N/A

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning Sample

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Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

Lock J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

Lock J

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31

ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32

Comments

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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 vs ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32: Main Discussion

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