Arthur Tong, ASICS athlete and Founder of Elevate Performance Coaching, shares his insights into ASICS’ upcoming release the Gel-Kayano 30, part of a series long known for its stability and protection.
"Sole Mates" is a series made by runners created for runners, and a SportPlus.sg initiative to help you find the right running footwear for you and your runs. As part of this series, SportPlus.sg has teamed up with local running content creators, Key Opinion Leaders and athletes to have them share their thoughts on the latest running footwear.
Long known for its protective qualities, the Kayano series from ASICS is generally embraced by the running community as a stability shoe and the latest iteration is no different.
Due to be launched on 1 July 2023, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 is designed to provide advanced stability and softer cushioning for runners, led by a new 4D Guidance System. The leading running brand has shared that this pair is likely to be best suited for over-pronators and can be used for a variety of runs, from 5km to even full-marathon distance runs.
Weighing approximately 303g for the men’s version, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 has added stack compared to its predecessors and measures 40mm in the rearfoot with a forefoot height of 30mm for an overall 10mm heel-to-toe drop. The women’s version comes in at approximately 40g lighter.
In this episode of "Sole Mates", we sit down with Arthur Tong, ASICS athlete and founder of Elevate Performance Coaching, to examine three key features of the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 that can potentially help you decide whether this pair is the right fit for you.
Having tried out other ASICS shoes such as the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 as well, Arthur shares useful insights and comparisons between the two. Let’s find out what those features are and how you as a runner can benefit from them.
The three main features include the new 4D Guidance System, PureGEL technology and the lightweight FF Blast Plus ECO cushioning. These new features have been incorporated into different aspects of the shoe to serve different purposes.
Just how exactly do these improvements benefit runners, and who are they best suited for? Also, do Arthur and John feel that the $269 price point for this pair is justified? Read on to find out.
New 4D Guidance System
The latest edition of the ASICS Gel-Kayano series features one of the biggest updates - a foam unit that supports runners' feet by adjusting to pronation changes throughout their entire run.
What exactly is pronation and why does it matter? Basically, Pronation refers to the natural movement of the foot that occurs during foot landing while running. The 4D Guidance System achieves advanced stabilisation based on biomechanical research which is already incorporated into the shoe. The sculpted midsole of the shoe provides more lateral compression while the medial foam guides your foot to the best position after every landing.
Said Arthur: "I can already tell how stable it felt when I slipped on the shoe. Having tried on previous editions of the Kayano series, I noticed that the old designs are gone as there is no longer a plastic-like piece in the midfoot which feels too stiff. This helps you experience a more supportive and balanced stride during your runs."
"This is how the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 guides my foot and adapts to my running form even after I start to fatigue and my running form changes over longer distances."
Maximising Comfort and Performance with PureGEL
Arthur added, “From the heel counter all the way down to the gusseted tongue, the shoe is more robust, and it really locks my foot down to ensure minimal shifting around in the shoe.”
With an emphasis on comfort and performance, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 has not disappointed thus far. The new PureGEL technology is incorporated into the heel of the shoe which is used for enhanced shock absorption, softer landings and smoother transitions.
ASICS shared that this feature is 65% softer than conventional GEL technology that can be found in other iterations of ASICS running shoes. The PureGEL technology is also strategically positioned below the heel for a smoother ride. These are great features that you can benefit from during your runs.
The engineered stretch knit in the upper of the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 is also made out of supportive material that reduces the reliance on traditional overlays. This contributes to the flexibility and comfort of the shoe, while giving a breathable feel for the user.
FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO Technology
The midsole foam of the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 offers almost a cloud-like feel, enhancing overall comfort and makes it a soft and energising experience. The midsole is revamped with FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO technology in its cushioning complemented by a 4mm stack height increase.
“I feel that it has given me a lot of protection across a variety of runs, and the plushness of it is just right,” added Arthur in reference to the foam of the shoe.
Arthur's Experience Running In the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30
"So far, I have been on a quick 30-minute break run and on a trail run in these shoes. As a triathlete, I was cycling for 6 hours before running in the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30. A break run means that I'm carrying fatigue from cycling prior to my run. I also did another run which was an 11km trail run around Macritchie Reservoir."
"What I found interesting is that I found my runs comfortable despite my runs being of two very different natures. Experiencing running the shoe across different terrains helps me properly test out different features of the shoe as well. For example, the sole of the shoe gave me a lot more grip than I expected."
“I thought that I would be slipping around a bit!” shared Arthur when talking about using the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 for his trail run.
There was also no sign of wear and tear of the shoe after my runs which proves the durability of the shoe. I also personally benefited from the 4D Guidance System. As I have flat feet, I tend to pronate more the longer I run, causing my ankles to roll in. However, this feature helps to keep my ankle in place and slows down over-pronation.
Who should use the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30?
The ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 definitely caters to a wide range of runners. This pair especially suits runners who intend to use the shoes for a light recovery run. However, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 serves runners well for long slow distance runs as well. The wide base also caters to those with wider feet and enhances the stability of the shoe.
What would he have changed about the shoe if he was part of the design team?
"For future reiterations of the Kayano series, I would carry over the thin tongue design found in the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 to further improve the shoe," said Arthur.
Final Thoughts And Ratings
All in all, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 is a pair that lasts for very good reasons. This is the pair to use for plenty of miles. The shoe has developed advanced features that can benefit a wide range of runners which justifies its $259 price point.
As someone who has used previous versions of the Kayano series, Arthur personally feels that he has benefited from the shoe’s features in a short duration of time as well. With that, here are Arthur Tong’s final ratings for the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30:
Sole Mates Overall Shoe Rating
Comfort: 5/5
Stability: 5/5
Responsiveness: 4/5
Grippiness: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4.5/5
This gives us an overall rating of 4.6 Soles out of 5 for the ASICS Gel-Kayano 30.
The ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 is going for S$259 and can be purchased from any ASICS official retail stores and ASICS.com from Monday, 3 July 2023 onwards.
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