Customer Reviews ASICS GEL-Kayano® 21

I bought these after 5 weeks of hell trying to buy shoes that would let me continue to run while healing plantar faciitis caused by neutral shoes. My first run in these i ran 2 miles, the second 19(I know you're not supposed to do this, but try talking sense into someone crazy enough to sign up for a marathon). Even though I had pain the whole way, probably caused by my feet adjusting to new shoes, I was able to finish with no foot pain and little knee pain. Even though they look ugly as hell (although their recent color choices are better than before) they are worth every single penny. Running shoes run from a lot anyways, and just one doctors visit is going to cost you more anyways. For the shoe itself, the inside will feel flat for most people, that is because this is a shoe designed for people overpronating because of misalignment in feet, flat feet etc. If the reason you're overpronating is muscle imbalances you might not like this shoe. It is also a little narrow, but if you like the feel, try the Brooks Adrenaline. One last thing, this is a running shoe, not a walking shoe. A running shoe is going to have harder foam than a walking shoe and therefore not correct your gait walking (because you need to strike your foot harder to the ground for the shoe to give and correct your foot) so be mindful of that when buying any shoe or reading other people's reviews.

I purchased this shoe in a Women's 12.5, 2AA size. In addition to a long narrow foot, I have a low volume foot - low arch and not much of an instep with a narrow heel. It fit like a glove. I have not had an athletic shoe fit this well for ages. And, it's very comfortable. I also wear it for everyday as well as light hiking. I have a pair of the Asics Gel-Kayano 20 also and I do not feel any difference between the two versions.

I am a fitness walker and had been wearing Brooks Adrenalines since 2009, but when Brooks overhauled the Adrenalines last year I had to shop around for new athletic shoes because I had intense heel pain that three podiatrists and an orthopedic surgeon could not diagnose or treat. Enter the Gel Kayano 20s. I decided to give them a try after all else failed and lo and behold they worked magic on my heel pain. Two pairs later, I decided to order the Gel Kayano 21s when my last pair of 20s began to deteriorate after five months of constant wear including hiking on the Yorkshire moors and trouncing around Cape Cod. When the new Gel Kayanos arrived, I eagerly tried them out hoping that they would be even better than last year's style. While the new colors are a bit less gaudy than the 20s, the fit is far worse. The 21s are looser shoes with a straight last and a deep toe box which should theoretically support my full orthotic more comfortably than the 20s did. That was not the case. The instep was lower than in the 20s and I began to experience upper foot pain in them. Even after two weeks of using the 21s on an elliptical trainer with and without orthotics and hoping that they would stretch out, the pain never improved. I sent them back and ordered another pair of the 20s. For someone with a lower instep they may be ideal. I am going to try the Adrenalines again.

These shoes are really really comfortable for me. First, I'm not a runner, so don't depend on this review if you are. I use these shoes for general training: weight lifting, core, all around aerobics with personal trainer, and for comfort walking. I have plantar fasciitis and I have orthotics, but these shoes are more comfortable than my orthotics. So I wear them w/out the orthotics and my feet are definitely improving. They have lots of cushion and enough support and stability for my needs. I would buy them again for the comfort.

I have read other reviews claiming that these shoes are not up to par with previous year's models. I must disagree. The ASIC Gel-Kayano 21s that I received are as great a shoe as last year's model was. I love them. They provide great arch support, cushion under the ball of the foot, width is true to size, no pinching, and comfortable right out of the box. I just do not like the bright - glow in the dark colors. I got the white with pink stripes and immediately replaced the bright pink shoe laces with white ones and that helped tone them down a bit.

I do not buy them for the style. I have been a runner for over a decade and these are the only running sneakers that I will wear. I have pretty high arches, and narrow heels with medium toes. These fit like a glove and are very supportive of my knees when I run distances. I find that I get a running season out of them and then retire them for walking/leisure, since I want to make sure the support does not wane for overuse. These are great for runners. They are simply superb.

The Kayano 21 does not disappoint! For someone with flat feet/weak arches, some pronation and past problems with my sesamoid bones the Kayanos are the only shows I can run long distance in without pain and without having to add orthotics. And, this is a gorgeous maroon color just in time for Aggie football season.

I am pushing 60 and I walk, not run. But even walking 3 miles a day requires a comfortable shoe that offers good support. So, I went on the hunt for a new sneaker when my older ones were no longer giving me good support. I have used Asics and the Gel-Kayano sneakers in the past, so when I saw that they came in all black (I didn't want all the crazy colors), plus that they came in wide, I decided to give them a try. I don't usually wear wide shoes, but for walking, I wanted a wide sneaker so that I wouldn't get rubbing on my outer toes. These shoes are the bomb! GREAT! I will now be walking in this sneaker until I wear it out, and then I will replace it with another of the same one! very, very comfortable!

Best shoes for long distance walking ever. I walk 6 to 8 miles daily. No break in period required. I have a wide foot and the W width accommodates.

If you do a lot of high impact workouts like Insanity or T25, these are the sneakers for you! The support and comfort are fantastic. Also has great stability when moving from side to side. The price is kind of high, but for all the benefits of having a great work out shoe that gives great support and comfort to your feet, ankles and knees, they are definitely worth the price.

Love them! I have worn Kayanos since 2007 and while these fit slightly different for me, they actually fit better! They are a little bit tighter and the heel grip is fuller but I haven't had any issues and wear the same size I always have in Asics. No break in period needed.

These Asics are like walking or running on air. I twisted my ankle falling from my landboard and got tendinitis. My foot Doc suggested getting Asics. He said I needed more support than my Nikes to help with my injury. What a difference. Great sneakers! And I am 63!

I have had at least 5 versions of the Gel-Kayano and this is the first I'm a bit disappointed in. I needed half a size larger than I have always worn before. The toe box is narrower than previous versions and my heel does not sit as deeply. I'm going to keep them because they are the most comfortable running shoe style I've found - I just hope they work out after I get to use them for a while. If I could find the 20 style still, I'd buy more of those.

I always liked wearing the Kayanos for its support and stability. The Kayano 20 did not work for me because the toe box was tighter. The Kayano 21 fits much better because the toe box seems roomier and the shoe is slightly longer. Not sure what ASCIS did with the 20 but it seems to be corrected with the 21.

I am really surprised at the fit of these shoes. I have the Kayano 20s in a size 11AA, the size that I have worn in all athletic shoes including Asics for years, so that is what I ordered. The Kayano 21s are really narrow - too narrow! And the toe box is shallow pushing down on my toes (no wiggle room). I subsequently tried on the 11B in a local store and found that those fit better than the 11AAs. I am not sure that they will fit anyone with normal-to-wide feet, especially if your feet are high volume and you need that toe wiggle room. I am going to try some other styles and brands. What a pain! I hate that shoe companies switch up their styles and fits so frequently. Honestly, the so-called technology does not change all that much year to year.

OH, Asics, Asics, Asics. What have you done?!? I really didn't want to believe the other reviewers here, but sadly, the negative reviews are warranted. I am a runner with slightly wide feet; not extraordinarily so. I prefer a wide shoe so that my toes don't go numb. Last year's Gel Kayano 20 size 7 Wide was perfect for me—even the colors the wide versions came in were tolerable, although they were difficult to find. But this year, just like nearly all the other reviewers said, the Gel-Kayano 21s pretty much suck. It's bad enough that the wide versions come in drab colors (silver or black, blah). I tried them first in the 7W, and couldn't get my feet into them. So I sent those back and ordered a 7.5W. I put them on and it was like someone put a ace bandage around my feet. So narrow that I didn't even want to try walking across the floor in them. They went right back in the box and are going back. I've been looking everywhere for last year's version, but they are all sold out. ARGH! Guess I'll be looking at Brooks and Saucony. :: sad face ::

These are true lemons. I've worn Asics for years. I consider them the best which is why I'm willing to pay for high end running shoes. This pair, however, are by far the worst things I've ever put on my feet. My heels slosh around until my socks slip down around my arches. I've tried adjusting the laces a number of different ways but nothing helps. In fact, it only created problems in the toe box. I cannot say with enough enthusiasm how disappointed I am with a purchase. I've only had them a few months and I'm resigned to purchasing a new shoe. Not giving up on Asics just wondering, where's the quality control?

I have to say that I was excited about these shoes. My Kayano 20 were so comfortable, but I wore out the back of the heel, so on to new shoes. My first pair of Kayano 21s were so tight that I could barely lace them up without seeing the side of the tongue. I am a true 9, B width, but have put supports in to help my tendons, so though maybe I would go wider and half a size larger. The second pair were still snug on my right foot, but the left foot was so tight in the ball of my foot and toes that after about a mile those areas were completely numb and tingling. I am sending them back in hopes that they are defective, but they do run much narrower if you need supports to slide in. I am giving them one last try, then I may have to look for different shoes.

Very comfortable....should purchase again. Zappos is exceptional...awesome customer service...best ever! Recommend them to everyone!

The great fall color first caught my eye! I've had this shoe before and knew it would be comfortable and fit well. Ordered them in an 8 and love them! Just got compliments on them this morning from friends who said they wanted a pair too! The color is just so perfect.

Great sneakers! I know they're running shoes, but I wear them for walking (4-5 mile brisk jaunts) and they work really well for me. The cushioning is fantastic and the plum color with gold accents is very stylish - especially when most sneakers are gaudy monstrosities!

I love this shoe! The toe box is wide enough and the arch support is excellent. It's a little pricey but you get what you pay for...and it's a nice-looking shoe!

This is my second pair of Gel Kayanos. I absolutely love them. I originally purchased them from a running store for work after being fitted and put on a treadmill. I'm an ultrasound tech and am on my feet all day. I have a floating arch and need the extra cushion and support. I don't have the color that Zappos sells but I am so pleased with the shoe I felt I needed to write a review. I actually just ordered the Gel Kayano 22 for my new running shoe. It's time to retire my old Nikes. I'm wearing them while writing this review and they are just as great as the 21's if not better. Thank you Zappos for not disappointing! And lastly thank you Asics for coming out with some vibrant and more up to date styles! Asics are looking much better than the last few years style-wise.

After ordering three different Brooks running shoes, I decided to stick with what I knew best! Asics! The Kayano has the cushion where I need it and makes me feel like I can run farther! I love it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great running shoe!

So nice to find a brand that has size 12.5! This shoe fits well, feels great, and I love it. True to size, no complaints there.