ASICS Women's Gel-Kayano 31 Running Shoes

All I can say is, “Wow!” After years of buying and trying name-brand shoes that made my feet hurt from standing or even walking around the mall, I knew it was time for an upgrade. These shoes did NOT disappoint!Pros:-Extremely supportive: I often experience heel pain when standing for a prolonged period of time, but these shoes provide great support and just enough cushion. I am able to stand on my feet comfortably!-Great walking shoe: When I take a step, the shoes have a bouncy, “gliding” effect that makes taking a stride forward super comfortable. As a result, I don’t feel pain or pressure when I take a step. I have also gone for 3+ mile walks in the shoes with little to no discomfort. I can’t wait to try running in these!-Fit: These shoes are true to size. They fit securely around my foot without feeling too tight or narrow. I also love the heel tab that allows me to slip the shoes on quickly and with ease.Cons:-Expensive. Though I think they’re absolutely worth the price, these shoes are pricy.-Socks slide down: I wear ankle socks, and my socks often slide down my feet when I walk. I’ve never had this issue with other tennis shoes before, and I don’t think it’s a dealbreaker, but I do need to buy some new socks!

These work so well for my daughter. She has over pronation due to flat feet and other shoes were hurting her feet. I looked on the basics website for which shoes to get for her type of pronation and these were listed. The website is good for looking up types of shoes for if you have plantar fasciitis or which type of pronation you have. I bought some Asics years ago for my plantar fasciitis and they were perfect and helped my feet feel so much better when walking or running.These shoes I got for my daughter were the right color, they are made well. I did have to go a half size up to an 8 and they fit perfect for her 7.5 feet. They're just really good shoes. She's had no complaints of her feet hurting even on long walks like through the zoo or standing awhile.

Best shoe for me, sturdy and so much needed for recovering from ankle break. I love these shoes. Designed to uphold the wearer's foot, so comfortable.

It's been helping with my pronation during walking and running and I don't even have to think about it. They are taller than the usual Flyknit and Flyknit type shoes I wear, but with my alignment issues, I needed more support. These were a good $30 cheaper than Brooks shoes with the same type of support and purpose while still being from a well known brand that's been around for a while. This is not the issue I would be looking for steep discounts or knock off shoes, so I'm glad I found these. Love the color, too.I run 2.25 miles 5 or 6 days a week while upping my speed and ability, so I'm not a long distance or high skill runner, but with the 10 miles I've run in them so far, I like them a lot. They still look brand new and appear to be durable and supportive.

I purchased the ASICS Women's Gel-Kayano 31 D Running Shoes (Size 9, Black/Bold Magenta) about a month ago to support my running and walking routine, as I’ve been staying active with gardening, home workouts, and chasing my 10- and 11-year-old nephew and son around our backyard trampoline. As someone who overpronates and uses a body measuring tape to track fitness progress, I needed a stable, cushioned shoe for 3-5 mile road runs and occasional walks. After logging about 50 miles, here’s my detailed take on their performance, including pros, cons, and tips for other runners.How I Used ItThe Gel-Kayano 31 is a premium stability shoe with a 10mm heel-to-toe drop, 40mm heel stack, and 30mm forefoot stack, featuring ASICS’ 4D Guidance System, PureGEL heel cushioning, and FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam. I wore them in size 9 (D width, wide) for my slightly wider feet, running 3-5 miles 3 times weekly on pavement at an 8:30-9:00 min/mile pace and walking 2 miles daily. I tested them in dry and wet conditions, cleaned them with a damp cloth, and paired them with my men’s active T-shirts (used by my husband) for a cohesive workout setup. The Black/Bold Magenta colorway is vibrant yet practical, hiding dirt well.ProsExceptional Stability: The 4D Guidance System (wide base, medial foam, beveled heel) corrects my overpronation without feeling intrusive, as noted in Runner’s World. My ankles stayed aligned during long runs, reducing fatigue, unlike my old Nike Reacts, which lacked support.Plush Cushioning: The FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam and PureGEL heel deliver a cloud-like feel, with a 15.6 HA softness (per RunRepeat’s durometer test), ideal for heel strikers like me. My joints felt protected after 5-mile runs, and they’re comfy for all-day standing, as some users reported for work shifts.Breathable Upper: The engineered mesh upper and knit collar are more breathable than my previous ASICS GT-2000, keeping my feet cool during humid 75°F runs, as praised in Running Shoes Guru. The wide 98.9mm forefoot (D width) fits my 2E-ish feet perfectly, with no pinching.Durable Outsole: The Hybrid ASICSGRIP outsole provides excellent traction on wet and dry pavement, showing minimal wear after 50 miles, aligning with reviews noting 500+ mile durability. It’s grippy for light gravel paths too, per OutdoorGearLab.Easy On/Off: The knit collar and pull-tab make slipping them on a breeze, a small but appreciated upgrade from the Gel-Kayano 30, as mentioned in Fleet Feet’s review. The Ortholite X-55 sockliner feels plush and secure, molding to my feet.ConsHeavy Weight: At 266 grams (9.4 oz), they feel noticeably heavier than lighter stability shoes like the Hoka Arahi 7, as RunRepeat noted. This slows me down on faster runs (under 8:00 min/mile), making them better for easy paces, per RTINGS.Snug Toe Box: Despite the wide D width, the toe box feels slightly snug after 4 miles when my feet swell, echoing a reviewer’s gripe on Running Shoes Guru. A 2E option might suit wider feet better, though size 9 was true to length.Poor Energy Return: The PureGEL and soft foam prioritize comfort over responsiveness, offering low energy return, as RTINGS and RunRepeat confirmed. They’re not ideal for speedwork or 5K races, unlike the Saucony Tempus, which has a lower drop for forefoot strikers.Pricey Investment: At $125-$165, they’re a premium purchase, as noted by a reviewer on RunToTheFinish. While durable, the cost stings compared to budget options like the ASICS GT-1000 ($100), especially for casual runners.ComparisonsCompared to the ASICS GT-2000 12, the Kayano 31 is cushier and more stable but heavier, per RunRepeat’s lab tests. The Hoka Gaviota 5 offers similar stability with a lower drop, better for forefoot runners, but lacks the Kayano’s plush heel, per RunRepeat. My husband’s Under Armour HOVR shoes are lighter but less supportive for overpronators. The Gel-Kayano 30 (my friend’s pair) is slightly less breathable and stable, making the 31 a worthy upgrade, as Runner’s World noted. For speed, the Saucony Tempus is snappier but less cushioned, per RunRepeat. The Kayano 31’s maximalist 40mm stack suits my long, easy runs best, per OutdoorGearLab’s recovery shoe focus.Tips for BuyersCheck Width Needs: If you have wide feet (2E+), the D width (98.9mm forefoot) is accommodating, but try the 2E version for extra toe splay, as RunRepeat suggests. Size 9 fits true to length for medium arches.Break Them In: Run 10-15 miles to mold the foam and loosen the toe box, as they feel stiff initially, per my experience and Running Shoes Guru’s feedback.Use for Easy Runs: Stick to slower paces (8:30+ min/mile) or recovery walks, as their weight and low energy return hinder speedwork, per RTINGS. They’re great for marathon training or standing, per Marathon Sports.Clean Regularly: Wipe the mesh with a damp cloth to maintain breathability and remove dirt, especially in the Black/Bold Magenta colorway, which hides stains well. Avoid machine washing to preserve the PureGEL, per ASICS care tips.Who Should Buy This?The ASICS Gel-Kayano 31 D is ideal for overpronators or runners needing max cushioning and stability for long-distance training (5K to marathons) at easy paces, as well as for walking or standing all day, per Fleet Feet’s review. It’s perfect for heel strikers and those with wider feet, but not for speed-focused runners or forefoot strikers, who might prefer the Saucony Tempus, per RunRepeat. The Black/Bold Magenta color pops for style-conscious runners.Overall, these shoes have been a game-changer for my long runs, offering unmatched stability and comfort for my overpronating feet. They’re plush and durable, though their weight and price make them a commitment. I’m thrilled with the fit and bold color, and they’ve earned a spot in my rotation alongside my fitness gear. If you’ve tried these or have stability shoe tips, share in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

These are the most comfortable walking shoe I have ever owned. I have a myriad of foot problems. I have spent hundreds of dollars on orthotics which did not help at all, whereas, these shoes were comfortable right out of the box. They have required no additional inserts. I have walked for miles in them with zero discomfort. The arch support is wonderful, they look good and cost less than other highly recommended brands. If in doubt, you should give these shoes a try.

Immediately laced up and hit the road. Fantastic fit for my foot shape. My collapsed arches felt supported for 7 miles. I will buy another pair immediately. I don’t know why I bother trying other companies. Never straying away from this brand again.

great gym shoes. comfortable. lightweight and good arch support. and most importantly perfect for over-pronators. a bit over priced. durable for my agressive animal like work outs.