Products
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27
Tested using Methodology v0.8.2
Updated Oct 20, 2025 07:44 PM
SEE PRICE
Asics.com
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Oct 27, 2025 06:23 PM
SEE PRICE
Asics.com
Weight
308.4 g (10.88 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.9 mm
Plate
None
Weight
301.7 g (10.64 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
9.8 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27
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.
Variants
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Birch/Energy Aqua - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Black - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Bold Magenta - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Cool Matcha - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Black/Rainy Lake - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Blue Expanse/Champagne - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Blue Expanse/Rose Gold - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Bold Magenta/Purple Spectrum - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Breeze/White - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Carbon/Taupe Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Coffee/Nova Orange - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Cool Grey/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Cool Matcha/Celadon - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Cool Matcha/Light Celadon - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Cream/Steel Blue - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Deep Mars/Black - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Desert Red/White - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Digital Aqua/Bright Cyan - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Illuminate Mint/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Indigo Blue/Gunmetal - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Indigo Blue/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Light Celadon/Safety Yellow - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Light Celadon/Safety Yellow - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Lite-show/Digital Aqua - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Oatmeal/Pearl Pink - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Piedmont Grey/Digital Aqua - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Piedmont Grey/Fiery Red - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Piedmont Grey/Papaya - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Pure Aqua/Pure Silver - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Pure Aqua/Pure Silver - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Rich Navy/Spice Latte - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Sheet Rock/White - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Smog Green/Black - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (Steel Grey/Piedmont Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White Sage/Birch - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Breeze - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Bright Cyan - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Concrete - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Dolphin Grey - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Faded Orange - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/Piedmont Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-KAYANO 31 (White/White - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Amber/Neutral Pink - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Birch/Cold Moss - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Birch/Indigo Blue - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Breeze - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Graphite Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Graphite Grey - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Lake Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Lake Grey - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Carbon/Mojave - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Cream/Mineral Beige - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Grand Shark/Pure Aqua - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Illusion Blue/Indigo Blue - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Indigo Fog/Denim Blue - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Light Ube/Dark Ube - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Lite-show/Light Orange - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Nature Bathing/Guava - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Nature Bathing/Lime Green - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Pure Aqua/White - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Pure Aqua/White - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Wave Teal/Illuminate Mint - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Wave Teal/Saxon Green - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Glacier Grey - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Glacier Grey - (Women - US 7))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Huddle Yellow - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Light Ube - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
5.2
5.6
Forefoot Energy Return
1.3
2.8
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.0
4.3
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Weight
308.4 g (10.88 oz)
301.7 g (10.64 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Heel Stack Height
42.2 mm
45.0 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
31.3 mm
35.2 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.9 mm
9.8 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Outsole Heel Width
95 mm (3.7")
94 mm (3.7")
Outsole Arch Width
84 mm (3.3")
84 mm (3.3")
Outsole Forefoot Width
117 mm (4.6")
116 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.25
2.09
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.73
3.30
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Internal Length
279 mm (11.0")
278 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
66 mm (2.6")
66 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
96 mm (3.8")
95 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Energy Return
1.6
2.1
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
66.8%
68.0%
Forefoot Energy Return
1.3
2.8
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
65.7%
69.2%
Heel Cushioning
7.6
7.8
Heel Cushioning Picture
Heel Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.20 J
3.38 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.25 J
9.45 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.85 J
16.82 J
Forefoot Cushioning
6.6
8.6
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Forefoot Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 800N
3.74 J
5.22 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
7.11 J
9.40 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
11.05 J
14.18 J
Heel Firmness
5.1
5.3
Heel Firmness
Firmness At 550N
53.0 N/mm
53.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
103.6 N/mm
105.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
198.1 N/mm
210.4 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.0
7.0
Forefoot Firmness
Firmness At 800N
113.7 N/mm
87.9 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
209.5 N/mm
175.1 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
392.1 N/mm
323.4 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.84 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.65 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.54 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.51 J
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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27
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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 vs ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27: Main Discussion
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