Customer Reviews ASICS GEL-Kayano® 18

Love this shoe! When I first began running, I wore Brooks and had 2 hip injuries that year. I switched to Asics Kayano six years ago and have not had any hip injuries since. I would not even consider buying another shoe! As a distance runner I feel this shoe has great fit, comfort and support. I love the fun color choices. You will definitely get your money's worth out of this shoe!

These shoes are amazingly comfortable. If you like cushion, these are the shoes for you.

I got these but wasn't sure - waited a few weeks to get the Kayano 19 because these shoes are very expensive to purchase two at a time. I am glad I waited because these two are a little different in terms of the style and fit. Even though these were a bit more padded than the 19 the heel area was basically touching the ground while I walked - I knew it would be a problem so I ended up returning these shoes.

Three family members who are regular runners/walkers/exercisers have used this Asics model and love them, so I decided to give a try. I wear a 6.5 W with very little variance. Received these in Asics size 6.5 D and found them too short and tight/narrow across the toe box. Sent for a 7 D, and these fit better. The shoe is beautiful -- love this color! They feel lightweight, well ventilated. I look forward to putting a few walking miles on them when our wintery weather clears in a couple days. Won't know until then whether I'll leave my beloved Natural Balance brand for Asics, but I will add that I really, really don't like the new color combos for the Gel Kayano 19 model! Boo, Asics!

Wish I had read the others reviews a little closer. I love the Kayano 17, but these are at least a half size smaller.

I like these shoes now. In my opinion they had very little if any arch support. I had to go get custom arch supports put in and they work fantastic now that I have those.

Very happy with how good these shoes look in black. Toe box is a little less roomy than my other Asics but still very comfy.

This shoe was recommended to me by my foot doctor after foot surgery. I have always bought the white version so was delighted to find the black one available. The order process was easy and delivery fast. The shoe itself feels a little bigger than the white model. It is not uncomfortable and I have gotten used to it. I will go back to the white one for summer.

Very odd - I purchased a pair of Gel Kayano 18s in white and loved them - so I bought a pair in pink. Had to return the pink pair due to severe pain in my right big toe. I tried everything...loosen the laces, wear them for a few days, etc. Nothing worked. The pain is completely gone now that I am not wearing these any longer. The white pair continues to serve me well. Zappos accepted my return and fully credited me, even though I was up front that I had worn the sneakers for more than a week. Now, of course, I am ordering a replacement pair of sneakers from Zappos. Wouldn't go anywhere else. Love Zappos!

These shoes are extremely cushioned. After running a few miles, my knees and ankles did not feel the normal tiredness that I have ran into with other shoes. I did have a problem with the width of the shoe. I felt that the length of the shoe was actually a bit longer than the sizes I am used to, but I am glad that I kept with the bigger size because the toes are narrow. By the 3rd mile, my toes are numb. I have played around with sock widths and tightness of the laces. I guess I just need to break them in some more. Overall, a great, cushioned shoe.

Nice shoe, seemed a bit small and narrow. I would go up at least a 1/2 size.

I do not advise getting Asics running shoes. I was a loyal Asics wearer until I noticed that each pair, after a month of running about 20 miles a week, got a hole in the mesh of the toe. When I called to ask them to use stronger fabric, the representative actually told me that peoples' toenails rub against that part of the shoe, creating friction that causes a hole. I said that it sounded like it was my fault the shoes developed holes so quickly, that if only I did not have toenails the shoes would be fine. He said, "no, it isn't your fault, and this isn't you, but some other people, I just cannot believe how long their toenails are." I assured him my feet were beautifully pedicured but he continued to sputter that some people have really long toenails that wear holes in the toe of the shoe really quickly. Obviously, in addition to using better fabric for their shoes, Asics needs to retrain their customer service representatives!

I'm a lifelong Asics customer and usually wear a shoe from the 21xx series, but decided to look at some different options, since it was time to replace my shoes. These days, I generally run only short distances (3-4 miles) about 3 times/week. I've noticed recently that my pronation issues have increased along with my age and I wanted to see if the Kayano provided any additional support over the 2150/2160/2170 that I've worn forever. I really liked the shoe and felt the sizing was the same as the other Asics I tried (1/2 size larger than my street size) but for me, I felt there was too much of a good thing. This shoe made my feet feel enormous and clumsy, though I did feel the support was there. I decided to stick with my sure thing -- and purchased a pair of 2170 (which I love!).

These GEL-Kayanos look good -- not "clumsy" looking at all. The darker color with the purple/green/white trim is fun. Not as comfortable as my GEL-Nimbus Asics, though.

I usually wear a 8.5 M but this shoe is narrow. I got the wide and it's much better.

These are very nice shoes and very comfortable right out of the box, even without your own insoles. I walk in them but they do a good job handling the shock of running as well. The heel rubs me alittle after a month of wearing them, but it may be my socks. They are true to size. Be sure you are actually an over-pronator if you buy them though.

Nice shoe, but runs smaller than normal. If you like Merrills, and Merrill fits you fine, then Asics will run 1/2 size smaller.

These shoes are certainly not worth the price that I paid for them. I used to love Asics and they fit so well, but something has changed in the quality and I am very disappointed in them! If I could send them back, I would, but I could not tell how they were at first. They make my legs, hips and back ache, but they do have good arch support. I keep trying to wear them, but suffer through my walk, so why bother?

These shoes were pretty good at first, but I developed plantar faciitis while training in them so probably won't buy this brand again. They didn't have much arch support. If you need arch support, try Brooks.

I lve the look of these shoes but that is not enough reason to keep them. I have worn these shoes running, at boot camp, and just everyday errands. Overall they feel a bit narrow, less cushion than the Nimbus and my feet go numb sometimes - not due to tight laces. I have really tried to like these shoes but I am not sold on them I am an exclusive Asics user. I am going back to the Nimbus.

I am surprised about all the great reviews as I did not have the same experience. I currently have a pair of Kayano 17 and love them. Nice room in the toe box, fits like a dream. Pretty much the best pair of running shoes I have ever had. When I tried on the 18's upon their arrival I was so disappointed. But the fussed with the sizing. The width and toe box is way smaller and I ordered the same size. Pretty sure my feet haven't grown. My frustration is not with quality. Asics is second to none here. What bothers me is when companies dramatically change the sizing putting people like me that love the newer version having to find different Asics shoes to now try. I can't find any 17's on the site so I am assuming they are discontinued. For people with more narrow, smaller feet this may be great news but for folks like me with a small foot but large toe box area, I am sad.

My last pair was the GT 2170 Trail, and these shoes didn't come close to their comfort. The toe bed was a bit tight but loosened up after a while with use. After running a few miles on pavement my soles started to ache. Simply not enough cushion for me in front. It is a stable shoe, though, and looks great. But I have been spoiled by the 2170, where it fit perfectly out of the box and felt like I was walking on air every time.

My podiatrist recommended these shoes for ball of the foot issues. These were fair, a little too narrow in the toe box.

I've been wearing ASCIS for 8 years and I usually go with the GT21-- series but ordered these in a 9.5 to give them a shot. The laces appeared to be cut off center and they just felt too narrow on the outside part of the foot when laced up. I wore them around the house for a few hours to see if they would loosen up but they didn't. I sent them back and am trying a pair of Brooks instead. Will also go back to the GT 21-- series which I've never had an issue with!

I am a fan of Asics but sad to say that these shoes disappoint me. I wore the Asics Gel Nimbus 12 before I got these. I love my old Nimbus a lot more. The Kayano 18 looks awesome but it is narrower and not as comfortable as I thought it would be. After running over 3 miles my feet start hurting.