Reader review
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Apr 4, 2015
50 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
ASICS GEL-Kayano 21
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
77
Cushioning
89
Durability
76
Comfort
76
Appearance
65
Value
50
Confidence
85
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.
Confidence
85/100
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”
“Lasts close to 500 miles”
“384 miles on this pair and they are nearing end of life”
“Gives a lot of stability and cushioning for the hips”
“I never am sore (calves, heels, etc.) after running in them”
“Withstands Utah heavy-duty winter weather very well”
“Moderate stability and very good cushioning”
“This shoe fits me perfectly”
“A little loose in toe box”
“Shoe is super comfortable”
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.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Confidence
50
60
70
80
90
100
25
50
75
100
Better Shoes Rating
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
-
2026 · 5 reviews
87 Good
72 Confidence
-
2025 · 3 reviews
87 Good
74 Confidence
-
2024 · 14 reviews
94 Excellent
89 Confidence
-
2023 · 58 reviews
99 Exceptional
99 Confidence
-
2022 · 20 reviews
86 Good
88 Confidence
-
2021 · 4 reviews
78 Decent
68 Confidence
-
2020 · 2 reviews
71 Decent
57 Confidence
-
2019 · 20 reviews
68 Below average
88 Confidence
-
2018 · 16 reviews
84 Good
90 Confidence
-
2017 · 14 reviews
88 Good
91 Confidence
-
2016 · 8 reviews
86 Good
85 Confidence
-
2015 · 5 reviews
71 Decent
67 Confidence
-
GEL-Kayano 21 This shoe
2014 · 10 reviews
77 Decent
85 Confidence
-
2013 · 39 reviews
91 Very good
94 Confidence
-
2012 · 19 reviews
77 Decent
87 Confidence
-
2011 · 13 reviews
50 Bottom-tier
90 Confidence
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
Reader review
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Apr 4, 2015
45 mpw training for ultramarathons came from the Saucony Hurricane 16
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Reader review
4/5
Overall
runningsmarter · Apr 4, 2015
24 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 29
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Reader review
4/5
Overall
Moderate stability and very good cushioning.
Anonymous runner · Mar 23, 2015
40 mpw came from the ASICS GT-2170
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 2/5
Reader review
4/5
Overall
Mainly use Gel Keyanos most models good the keyano 20 was worst and 21 the best inmy opinion
Anonymous runner · Mar 22, 2015
35 mpw 304 miles in this shoe
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 3/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from ASICS
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
Choose a model
Reference shoe
Newest
Lightest
/
Lowest price
/
Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Stability
Neutral
Weight
11.4 oz M
—
8.5 oz M
Lightest
Stack
30/20mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
1mm
—
5mm
Release
2014
2026
Newest
2023 Q1
MSRP
$160
$169.95
$145
Best price
—
$169.95
$149.99
Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Decent (77)
Good (87)
Exceptional (99)
Best overall
Comfort
Decent (76)
Very good (90)
Exceptional (99)
Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (89)
Excellent (95)
Exceptional (99)
Best cushioning
Durability
Decent (76)
Good (82)
Very good (92)
Best durability
Appearance
Below average (65)
Decent (71)
Very good (91)
Best appearance
Value
Bottom-tier (50)
Bottom-tier (56)
Good (88)
Best value
ASICS GEL-Kayano 21 In Context
More on the ASICS GEL-Kayano
- ASICS GEL-Kayano 33
- ASICS GEL-Kayano 32
- ASICS GEL-Kayano 31
- ASICS GEL-Kayano 30
- ASICS GEL-Kayano 29
- ASICS GEL-Kayano 14
- ASICS GEL-Kayano 22 next version
- ASICS GEL-Kayano 20 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14 1 runner
- ASICS GT-2170 1 runner
- Saucony Hurricane 16 1 runner