ASICS GEL-Kayano 32: Stability King
- FORDY RUNS
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
I’ve been testing out the ASICS GEL-Kayano 32, and I wanted to share my honest thoughts on whether this shoe still holds its crown as the king of stability shoes.
Initial Impressions
The Kayano 32 is designed as a max stability daily trainer—ideal if, like me, you need a bit of extra support due to overpronation. It reminds me of the stability version of the Nimbus: built up, super cushioned, and focused on comfort. But let’s not ignore the price—at £180 here in the UK, it’s definitely a premium shoe, so the question is: is it worth it?
What's New?
There aren’t many huge changes from the previous version, but one big difference is the 2mm increase in stack height. That brings the heel up to 40mm, with a drop of 8mm. I definitely noticed this made the ride softer and more forgiving than the previous model, which I found a bit on the firm side.
ASICS has also updated the FlyteFoam Blast+ midsole and added PureGEL. The big tech feature is the 4D Guidance System, which replaces the traditional stability posts with a much more fluid and responsive setup. It gives a stable platform to land on and gently guides your foot without that harsh, rigid feeling older stability shoes had.
Fit & Feel
The shoe fits true to size and has great lockdown through the upper. The engineered mesh is breathable and comfortable, and the heel counter and sidewalls do a brilliant job of keeping your foot secure. It’s a wide, stable platform that gives you confidence with every stride. The outsole uses ASICS Grip and AHAR+ rubber, which has held up well and offers solid traction even when I’ve taken it onto light trails.
Performance
I’ve mainly used the Kayano 32 for daily miles, recovery runs, and longer easy-paced sessions. It’s not a fast shoe, but it doesn’t need to be—it’s smooth, comfortable, and consistent. Honestly, it handles everything except speed work. I even took it out on a trail and it performed surprisingly well.
If I had to place it in a rotation, it’d sit right in the middle. For speed, I’d switch to something lighter like the Brooks Hyperion GTS, and for race day, I’d go for a carbon-plated option with some stability—maybe the New Balance SC Elite v4. But for general miles, this one handles the job perfectly.
What I Liked
The extra 2mm of foam makes a real difference to comfort.
The 4D Guidance System is smart—supportive but smooth.
The wide platform adds a ton of stability.
Great outsole grip and durability.
Comfortable fit and solid lockdown.
What I Didn’t Like
The price. £180 feels steep—this should really be £160 max.
The weight. It’s still too heavy for what it is.
Not a massive upgrade from the previous version, so it’s hard to justify the cost if you already own the 31.
