After a long time on the market, the pinnacle of ASICS’ comfort and support line reaches its 33rd iteration. Personally, I haven’t run in a support shoe since the ASICS GT-2020 which was rather a while ago. Such shoes are not usually in the forefront of my mind when making purchasing decisions. My tastes lie with poppy, propulsive shoes like the Novablast 5.
This is where the Kayano 33 grabbed my attention. They have the same foam, do they share some of the same fun? In this new era of modern stability shoes featuring superfoams, I was interested to see how ASICS made it work.
Upper and Fit of the ASICS Kayano 33
What works for me
First, it is important to note that the Kayano 33 is a very comfortable shoe. I loved the step in feel. Both the materials and the colourway make the shoe fine looking and premium feeling.
The mesh has a soft feel to it and leaves a good amount of wiggle room for the toes. There is even a level of toe protection at the front to stop any unwanted stubbing on the run. One of the highlights of the Kayano 33 is the tongue. It is gusseted and the perfect length. Added to this, there is just the right amount of padding to keep the laces at bay.
The padding around the ankle and the fabric covering it is lovely to the touch. Furthermore, this combination keeps the heel locked down in tandem with the firm heel counter. For running, walking or when I am on my feet for hours at work, the Kayano 33 upper performs perfectly.
What doesn’t work for me
Although I really like the overall fit, I found that my feet, especially in the forefoot, were not always securely held in place. Due to too much movement in the forefoot I got some rubbing and once this rubbing led to some small blisters.
Midsole and Ride of the ASICS Kayano 33
What works for me
The Kayano 33 wins me over with comfort. Most memorable is the dampening which the foam offers. Feeling neither too firm nor too soft, the stack of 40mm and an 8mm drop means my feet are well protected.
The new FLUIDSUPPORT™ technology doesn’t feel too restrictive when I land. This is a good demonstration of the way in which ASICS now tries to control overpronation. Instead of placing a denser material on the medial side, the FF BLAST PLUS foam is placed at the base of both lateral and medial sides. This creates a stabilising fork with a more energetic foam compound between the tines.
What doesn’t work for me
I am a mid to forefoot striker. Although I am obviously not the fastest on earth, this shoe sometimes made me feel even slower. It seems like the foam absorbs more energy than it gives back. To me, the FF BlastMAX in the forefoot does not work the same way as it does in the Novablast 5 which I think is very sad as it removes some of the dynamic ride and pop I was expecting.
If I would use the Gel Kayano 33 as a daily trainer, it should deliver comfort as well as some pace pick ups. Sadly, when I tried some strides at the end of my runs the shoe stuck to the ground like chewing gum.
Outsole of the ASICS Kayano 33
Grip and Traction
I tried a variety of surfaces such as slightly wet pavement, paths with fallen leaves and other debris as well as gravel during my testing. Thankfully, the grip never disappointed me. The AHARPLUS™ on the high wear areas at the heel and the ASICSGRIP™ rubber under the midfoot do their job efficiently.
Durability
After about 60k in the Kayano 33, there is absolutely no wear to be seen on my pair. From the chosen materials of the upper to the well designed outsole, I expect the Kayano 33 to hold on for at least 400-600km. For some runners, maybe even 800km. My only query is how well the new midsole combination will hold up over the miles for heavier runners. A softer compound may not last as long as previous versions.
Conclusion
Value for Money
The Gel Kayano has never been a cheap shoe. High quality materials in upper and foams have put it on the higher end pricewise. I appreciate that there is no increase from its predecessor but it is still a lot of money.
Around the €180 mark, competitors offer models such as the Saucony Tempus equipped with a premium midsole. Take the BROOKS Glycerine GTS or the HOKA Gaviota, both €20 cheaper and everyone of them a premium supportive running shoe.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
The ASICS Gel Kayano 33 can be your protective and stable daily trainer. It can handle most of your runs and there are for sure runners who can do the marathon distance in them.
Final Verdict
The ASICS Gel Kayano 33 is a solid training companion. It delivers smoothness for overpronators without being too restrictive. That said, I expected the FF BlastMAX to be more bouncy and fun to run in.
For my personal preference, it is not what I might look for in a daily trainer. Will I go on using it? I am not quite sure. For shorter runs I might enjoy the ride. Perhaps, if I could get rid of the rubbing, it will turn into a nice training buddy.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
ASICS Gel Kayano 33 vs. New Balance 860
The New Balance 860 is probably the only premium stability shoe offering a similar level of support to the Kayano 33, and it does so at a lower price point. However, it feels even heavier on foot, largely due to its very wide and rigid platform. Neither shoe could be described as light or nimble, but the Kayano actually remains the more agile option of the two. In terms of fit, the 860 delivers the classic roomy New Balance experience, while the Kayano 33’s more accommodating shape is likely to suit a broader range of foot types.
Other People’s Takes on the ASICS Kayano 33
Ivan’s Take on the ASICS Kayano 33
Like Silke, I usually run in neutral shoes. Recently, however, I’ve needed extra support due to stubborn shin splints and calf issues. The arrival of the Gel-Kayano therefore came at a perfect time, even though I generally don’t get along with stability shoes.
As always, the Kayano upper is almost a piece of art. I’m continually impressed by how much comfort ASICS packs into a shoe weighing around 300 grams. While I’m not a fan of the overall design language, I love almost everything else about the upper. The fit is excellent, with plenty of plushness, comfort, and support throughout. It feels secure and dependable regardless of the distance. Sizing is true to size, although I found the toe box slightly roomier than I personally prefer. At times, the shoe also runs a bit warm. Apart from that, there is not much to complain about.
As for the midsole and ride, I’m not convinced the move to FLUIDSUPPORT was the right choice. Perhaps other elements have also changed compared to the previous version, as the stability itself doesn’t feel more intrusive. Instead, the difference shows up more in the ride quality. The heel-to-toe transition feels less smooth this time around, and the ride is also notably firmer, which I don’t necessarily mind. However, it’s a bit ironic that something called FLUIDSUPPORT feels less fluid on foot. The overall feel is more traditional compared to version 32. Some runners may prefer that approach, but I suspect most would prefer a more dynamic ride. Version 32 at least offered more character, with a softer, smoother, and bouncier feel.
What I can’t criticize is the stability. As always, the Kayano delivers excellent support and guidance. For recovery runs and easy daily mileage, it performs its job extremely well. I just wish it did so in a smoother and slightly more lively way.
