Customer Reviews ASICS GEL-Kayano® 21

Today is my first day with the Kayano 21. I have all sorts of issues with my feet. I had to take back the first pair I ordered, as these run narrow. I was able to find a wide, and went up a size from my regular shoe. I find this shoe an perfect fit! It's a little snuggy, even though a wide, but I need that support. You can always adjust your shoe laces for comfort! I was told I walk on heels from my new gym trainer and I learned it was the shoes I was wearing!! These shoes allow me to walk as I should. I am going to the gym in these shoes today! Again, laces do not need to be so tight in these shoes. Another thing I learned is arch support inserts cause my feet to turn out! These shoes keep my feet where they need to be...support and the right amount of cush.

My sister purchased these shoes first and she loves them so I decided to give them a try. Unfortunately for me I did not love them like she did. I bought them before a 5K race and I was in pain within minutes of starting. They were just as painful to run in as the Nike s I was trying to replace. The shoe itself is comfortable to wear to the gym as a workout shoe and has a lot of cushion and I would say is true to size. I ordered the 5.5 and it fit perfect. If you are looking for a good gym shoe then this is good in my opinion just not for running.

Whyyyyy? Asics, why did you change from the Gel Kayano 20's? I just returned these, unfortunately! I've been wearing the 20's for two years now, and they've been the best shoes EVER for my plantar fasciitis and overpronation...the most comfortable shoes I've ever had (3 miles a day, 7 days a week for two years, now the fabric has developed some holes, so they look pretty bad). Based on reviews, I thought these would be the same, but they're not even close. The bottoms feel a lot harder, not cushioned like the 20's, and my feet hurt instantly. I didn't have to walk more than from one room to the next to know they were going back. I'm so disappointed, because the 20's are hard to find now! Zappos, can you get some?

Quality control? A lump under left ball of foot made these unbearable. Overall, support is good but I can't comment on usage. At this price I would expect inspection! Runs short.

First about me, I am a chubby chick who works in healthcare, 12 hour night shifts, and travel all over our level 1 trauma center which is quite a trek for the whole 12 hours. I am a true Asics lover and have been gradually upgrading every couple of years to the next model. I started with the Cumulus about five years ago and have not worn any other brand of shoes for work except Asics. I then bought the Nimbus and thought I struck gold, not believing how comfortable these shoes were! Thinking the Kayano must be even better I started with the 19 had a couple of pairs of 20s and 3 pairs of 21s. The first pair of 21s were decent (definitely not as good as the 19 or 20), I then saw a more limited style, Swarm, which are my everyday shoes and I love them. I usually get about six months of wear from a pair of Asics before I can feel the support waning and have to reinvest. The third pair of 21s were an even more limited style that are black with a bubblegum pink sole and cartoonish designs along the edge of the sole. I loved the style and ordered them (not from Zappos unfortunately), I have had them barely two months and my feet are killing me in places that I never hurt before. I only wear one particular pair of shoes to work, I do not bring them in the house (who knows what I tread through nightly) so in total I have only worn these shoes 24 days, 12 hours at a time! I am so disappointed! Just bought the Kayano 22s, if these do not last then I will try the Nimbus again. Until this particular pair of Asics I have had no issues, I recommend them always when folks are complaining of foot pain especially plantar fasciitis. I am hoping that the 22s do not let me down!

I bought these to replace a worn out pair of Kayanos. These are my fourth pair of Kayanos and this update is far too cushioned for me. At first they felt great, but during my first run all the toes on both my feet fell asleep and hurt a lot There is a large pod of cushioning right where the ball of my foot is and I think this is the problem - it's so big that when I run it presses on my foot and affects the circulation or pushes on a nerve or something. The heel cushioning felt good and the fit was much like my other Kayanos, I ordered my usual half size up and they fit fine.

Fits in the front, but slips in the back. When i tried to use the extra hole that is suppose to let you snug up the heel, there was not enough shoelace left to tie. Good cushioning and looks stylish in blue with pink laces.

I have only ever worn Asics Kayano. But this one just didn't work for me. I was skeptical about getting it based on the larger number of poor reviews. But I didn't know what else to get. I've tried to like them. I never actually ran in them because I wanted to be able to return them but just standing in the house in them they were uncomfortable. The top fit was great but no matter what sole insert I tried one of the shoes felt just okay and the other one would make my foot hurt and fall asleep. Maybe it was just a random bad shoe but I'm very disappointed to say the least. Hope the 22s are better!

Colors are bright and I get many compliments. The heel cup feels extra big and my foots slides around in the shoe. Almost feels better to wear without socks! Cushioning is great, but my feet do ache at the end of an 8 hour nursing shift. I usually love Asics but I would not purchase this model again.

I love Asics and have has several pair. Wasn't crazy about the color choices this year but that's not the most important thing for a running shoe. I am disappointed in this one, however. I have pain at bottom/balls of by feet, right more than left. I have tried gel inserts and different socks to no avail. Really wanted to love these.

Not immediately pleased, but giving a little more time to see if they will become a good fit. I wear an orthotic and the shoestrings can feel too tight without accurate adjusting.

I have purchased Asics Kayano for the past 5 years and therefore the past 5 corresponding Kayano generations; 20, 19, 18, 17 and 16. I am overall disappointed in this 21 model, for the reason that is runs much narrower throughout the entire shoe. The other disappointing facet of this generation is the toe box of shoe is smaller than the previous Kayano's. I ordered my normal size as well as a larger size to try and compensate for the differeces and also purchased the Wide-D option and still saw no improvement. I really hope Asics gets there sh*t together so I can get some tennis shoes soon. This is the only brand and style I wear due to feet/arch problems.

I buy the new version every year for running, but I cannot run in these shoes. They gave me hip pain and a toe blister and generally feel bulky. I still use them for hiking and walking the dog but I found and bought another pair of the 20s online to use for running.

I've been wearing Gel Kayano's for years, very comfortable. I'm an ER doc, on my feet all day, and the Kayano's were a huge help. So when the 21's came out, I ordered a pair. I usually wear 11.5, but found the 20's a tad snug (seemed to vary with color - have multiple pairs) so I ordered size 12. Well, I barely wear them they hurt so much. Really tight across the top of my foot, arch and toes. I even did the wear them in the rain to stretch them, didn't work. Just tried a pair of Saucony Omni's and the difference in the comfort (same size) is unbelievable. Sorry to say bye-bye Asics.

I have been wearing the Kayanos since the Kayano 17. Now, I am sorry to say, I have to look for a new running/walking shoe. While the Kayanos have tended to take a few long walks to break in in the past, these new ones are just plain ol' uncomfortable, even painful! Part of the reason I've always enjoyed the Kayano is because I tend to pronate a bit. In the past these have helped correct that. The 21's, however, have so much cushioning at the outsides of the feet that they actually force a slight pronation and make them painful to the outsides of my feet and to the outsides of my ankles. The good news is that Zappos is letting me exchange them. This is why I will never stop shopping at Zappos!

I wanted to love these shoes. My Gel Kayano 19's needed replacing, so I ordered the 21's thinking they would fit the same-not so. The toe box is claustrophobic! Buying a half size larger just resulted in a too-long shoe. Asics should make each style fit the same through each incarnation.

My favorite shoe has always been the Asics Kayano 19, 20, but the Kayano 21 did not fit. It seemed to be a full size smaller. Luckily I was able too order the Kayano 20.

I am desperately trying to replace my beloved Gel Kayano 20's. I tried both an 8.5 medium and a wide in the 21. They both pinch, each in different ways. Neither has that easy-out-of-the-box fabulous, good-fitting, well-supported cushioned feel that I experienced with my Gel Kayano 20's. I have arthritis in one foot and my Gel Kayano 20's were heaven from the first time I put them on. The 8.5 21 medium is too tight in the toes. The 8.5 wide pinches the entire side of my left foot. (Arthritis is in right foot!). Bummer. I don't know what to do. While I am at it, I have to wear these to teach professional workshops. (Otherwise I can't stand all day.) Please please come out with some comfortable gel Asics with lots of support that are pure black!

Bought these because I wanted a neutral color to go with regular clothing (lots of walking during a trip). They are wearable, but not nearly as supportive nor comfortable as Brooks glycerin that I usually wear for fitness. Wish Brooks would offer a calm color or two. Just can't beat Brooks on my feet!

These are beautiful and well made but too narrow. I wanted to exchange, but no D width is available for this size (11) and color. I have both the Kayano 19 and 20 models which fit me perfectly. I am very disappointed.

Not a great shoe. Almost a completely different fit from The Gel Kayano 20. I run 5 miles a day and cannot get used to the shoe. Constantly getting blisters and having problems with my feet. My next running shoe is going to be the Saucony Omni 12.

I typically wear Brooks in a 7.5 Wide and they fit like a glove. Decided to give Asics another shot because they are comfortable and my Brooks have been wearing out really quickly. Unfortunately these were tight both in width and actual size. Order up at least a half size and if you need a true wide shoe, these may not be the best option.

Limping today. Ran in my new Gel-Kayano 21s this weekend. I have put down 100s of miles wearing many pairs of the 20s, wonderful shoe. What did they do with the 21s? Toes developed blisters under nails and on the sides of my feet at widest point, feet are sore and ankles are twinging in places I did not know I had places. Pinky toenail on right foot is now gone. What a difference a "one" can make. Will be sending my 21s back and scouring the web for left-over 20s in my size. Incredibly distressing. Be aware, this is not your Gel Kayano 20.

I've worn ASICS Gel-Kayano's since #15. 21 has an issue with the left foot. This is my second pair that I am sending back. :( The foot bed is raised on the left foot and feels like you are stepping on a hump.

Very different from Gel Kayano 20s. I have Gel Kayano 20s and they are perfect for my painful feet. The 21s are very firm in the sole and the under-toe area is presses into my neuromas. Hunting for some fresh Kayano 20s.