Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 10.7 oz · 10mm drop · 40/30mm stack
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The ASICS GEL-Kayano 31 replaced it
How it ranks
The ASICS GEL-Kayano 30 is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Comfort and durability are its strongest sub-ratings. The rating rests on 58 runner reviews and 15 other rated shoes in the GEL-Kayano product line.
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
99/100
“The cushioning is the best ever experienced in a marathon training shoe.”
“For comfort and cushioning they are fantastic—easily the best shoe ever run in.”
“Can get 400–500 miles out of each pair.”
“Prior shoe gave all sorts of issues; everything resolved with the Kayano.”
“The upper toe box needs improvement—splitting on both sides.”
“For a stable, cushioned trainer to stay injury-free, the Kayano has always been a sure bet.”
“The toe room is smaller, and the arch support isn't as robust as expected.”
“This shoe looks way better than it did in the past and is extremely comfortable.”
“Cushioning doesn't absorb shock as effectively as other Asics shoes worn in the past.”
“Got through marathon pain-free.”
75% 15/20
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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.
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Better Shoes Rating
Each dot is one version of the GEL-Kayano, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
2026 · 5 reviews
87 Good
72 Confidence
2025 · 3 reviews
87 Good
74 Confidence
2024 · 14 reviews
94 Excellent
89 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 30 This shoe
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
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
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
4/5
Overall
I've bounced between various shoe makes and models over the years, and the Gel-Kayanos remain the best training shoe. While they're marketed as a "stability" shoe, they can still work well for neutral runners.
malebcorehart · Jun 8, 2023
15 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Newton Gravity 11
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