ASICS GEL-Kayano 21

Name: ASICS GEL-Kayano 21
Brand: ASICS
Rating: 4.2 (10 reviews)

Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 11.4 oz · 10mm drop · 30/20mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The ASICS GEL-Kayano 22 replaced it

How it ranks

The ASICS GEL-Kayano 21 sits about average for daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and durability are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 10 runner reviews and 15 other rated shoes in the GEL-Kayano product line. Another 2 reviews would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.

Decent

77/100

Overall

Decent 77

Cushioning

Good 89

Durability

Decent 76

Comfort

Decent 76

Appearance

Below average 65

Value

Bottom-tier 50

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

85/100

High 85

What runners say

“Very comfortable ride, firm enough to support but flexible enough that I don't feel like I have boards strapped to my feet”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon

“Lasts close to 500 miles”

4/5 Full review 65 mpw training for middle distance came from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14

“384 miles on this pair and they are nearing end of life”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon

“Gives a lot of stability and cushioning for the hips”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw came from the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8

“I never am sore (calves, heels, etc.) after running in them”

4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Kinsei 4

“Withstands Utah heavy-duty winter weather very well”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw came from the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8

“Moderate stability and very good cushioning”

4/5 Full review 40 mpw came from the ASICS GT-2170

“This shoe fits me perfectly”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon

“A little loose in toe box”

4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Kinsei 4

“Shoe is super comfortable”

4/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Kinsei 4

Prefer this shoe over another

64% 9/14

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

Pros

Reviewers consistently find it comfortable for daily training miles.
One reviewer with both hips replaced says it gives him the stability and cushioning he needs.

Cons

Value draws the lowest ratings of any dimension, at 3.6 out of 5.
The GEL-Kayano 20 before it scores 91 on thirty-nine reviews against its 78.
At an average of 10.2 oz it sits in the heavy weight band.

GEL-Kayano 21 rates 77. This shoe has high certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the ASICS GEL-Kayano

Each dot is one version of the GEL-Kayano, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

50 2011 77 91 77 2014 71 86 88 2017 84 68 2019 71 78 2021 86 99 2023 94 87 2025 87

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

GEL-Kayano 33

2026 · 5 reviews

87 Good

72 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 32

2025 · 3 reviews

87 Good

74 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 31

2024 · 14 reviews

94 Excellent

89 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 30

2023 · 58 reviews

99 Exceptional

99 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 29

2022 · 20 reviews

86 Good

88 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 28

2021 · 4 reviews

78 Decent

68 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 27

2020 · 2 reviews

71 Decent

57 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 26

2019 · 20 reviews

68 Below average

88 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 25

2018 · 16 reviews

84 Good

90 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 24

2017 · 14 reviews

88 Good

91 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 23

2016 · 8 reviews

86 Good

85 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 22

2015 · 5 reviews

71 Decent

67 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 21 This shoe

2014 · 10 reviews

77 Decent

85 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 20

2013 · 39 reviews

91 Very good

94 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 19

2012 · 19 reviews

77 Decent

87 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 18

2011 · 13 reviews

50 Bottom-tier

90 Confidence

Reader Ratings

10 ratings

5/5 2

4/5 8

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 11.4 oz
Release: 2014
MSRP: $160
Stack Height: 30mm heel - 20mm toe
Drop Height: 10mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Reader review

4/5

Overall

I have had both hips replaced in the last 4 years - this shoe gives me a lot of stability and cushioning for my hips. It withstands Utah heavy duty winter weather very well. I currently rotate 6 pairs of Kayano 20's and 21's

British Girl · Dec 12, 2015

45 mpw came from the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8

Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 5/5

Reader review

4/5

Overall

I use it for everyday training.

[email protected] · Dec 2, 2015

25 mpw

Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 2/5

Reader review

4/5

Overall

Great shoe. Lasts close to 500 miles. Great for summer, XC, or track distance training

seanluzzi · May 30, 2015

65 mpw training for middle distance came from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14

Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 3/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Reader review

4/5

Overall

Its been by favorite road shoe feels great lasts good. I have had heel spurs removed and shoe is super comfortable I am 55 year old, 25 mile a week guy. recently tried Hoka One One Stenson ran a 1/2 Marathon ater wearing them on several longer runs. I had a black toe nail first time ever. I but both insoles in and have used them for a few more long runs. toenail may have been because speed laces were tight on top but a little loose in toe box. They are not as comforible as assics but I never am sore (calves heals etc after running in them) so maybe they are going to soon be my favorite

Anonymous runner · May 8, 2015

25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Kinsei 4

Comfort: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 4/5

Reader review

5/5

Overall

Very comfortable ride, firm enough to support but flexible enough that I don't feel like I have boards strapped to my feet. I feel more comfortable with a narrower toe box and this shoe fits me perfectly. I have 384 miles on this pair and they are nearing end of life.

Anonymous runner · Apr 14, 2015

35 mpw training for a marathon