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ASICS

GEL-Kayano 26

GEL-Kayano 26
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Very good (83/100)

Shoe details

Weight
11.1 oz
Release
2019 Q2
MSRP
$160
Stack Height
22mm heel - 12mm toe
Drop Height
10mm

Ratings & Reviews

Very good (83/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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Scores better than 75% of all shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes Rating. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central rating range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Very good (83/100)

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (83/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 75% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Durability

Exceptional (95/100)

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (95/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Exceptional (96/100)

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (96/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Excellent (91/100)

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (91/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 89% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Very good (82/100)

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (82/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 67% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Value

Below average (59/100)

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Below average (59/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 10% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

33%

6/18

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 75% of 2,617 running shoes.

Very good

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 71% of 1,872 daily trainers.

71%

GEL-Kayano Family

Scores better than 53% of 10 gel-kayano family.

53%

ASICS

Scores better than 83% of 266 ASICS shoes.

83%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated above average on cushioning.
  • Rated above average on durability.

Cons

  • Reviewers rate this shoe worse than the GEL-Kayano 25.
  • Rated below average overall.
  • Rated below average on comfort.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

ASICS GEL-Kayano 26
ASICS GEL-Kayano 32
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
GEL-Kayano 26
GEL-Kayano 32
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Newest
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability (Maximum)
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
11.1 oz M
—
—
Stack
22/12mm
—
—
Drop
1mm
—
7mm
Release
2019 Q2
2025 Q2 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$160 Lower MSRP
—
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Good (75%)
Below average (33%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Very good (89%)
Average (45%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (95%)
Good (70%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Excellent (95%)
Very good (83%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Above average (67%)
Below average (22%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (10%)
Bottom tier (6%)
Very good (86%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

20 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 19 written reviews

K 25 was great. K 26 is a disaster.

Anonymous runner · Mar 9, 2020

1/5

Overall

Been w/ K's or +10 years. Bought extra 25's when 26's came out. Ran my first 50 mile week in 26's last week, and my forefeet are still hurting two days later due to lack of cushioning in forefeet and toe box being tighter. Had to stop & walk late in a 16 miler due to pain in the forefeet. Feels like a lot of cushioning in the 25 removed to lighten shoe. Felt like cardboard inserted instead of decent cushioning, and that's w/ using a Spenco insole. Very disappointing. Could do 20 miler in all previous K's. Not the 26's, not even 10M, w/o feeling foot pain. Will hope for better when the 27's come out.
Comfort
1/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
1/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
1/5

Truly Terrible Shoes

Anonymous runner · Jan 14, 2020

1/5

Overall

The Asics Kayano 26 are legitimately the worst shoes I have ever run in. The flytefoam is hard as a rock, providing no cushioning whatsoever.
Comfort
1/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
1/5

20+ years in Kayanos

Anonymous runner · Jan 6, 2020

5/5

Overall

Over 20 years ago I'd stopped running with knee and ankle pain from overpronating and probably other issues. Loving running as much as I did, I eventually went back to a running shoe store. They analyzed my gait, put me in different shoes on a videotaped treadmill, and sold me the most expensive shoes in the store. The spendy shoes got me back into running, usually injury free, and it's been a great run ever since. This particular model has a softer rubber in the forefoot that is wearing out too fast. Hopefully they fix it in the next edition.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Great Shoe

Anonymous runner · Dec 30, 2019

5/5

Overall

This is my third pair of Kayanos and I have loved every pair. ASICS makes a high quality shoe that provides excellent cushion and support for heavier runners. My only complaint is that the sole of the shoe wears quickly and some stitching in the toe box has come loose on mine.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

WORLDS BEST SHOE

Anonymous runner · Aug 13, 2019

5/5

Overall

SHOE HAS BEEN VERY COMFORTABLE AND PROVIDES GREAT SUPPORT AND THE APPEARANCE IS GREAT
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5