ASICS GEL-Kayano 20

Name: ASICS GEL-Kayano 20
Brand: ASICS
Rating: 4.5 (39 reviews)

Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 10.3 oz · 32/20mm stack · 12mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The ASICS GEL-Kayano 21 replaced it

How it ranks

The ASICS GEL-Kayano 20 ranks among the stronger daily trainers in our data. Durability and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 39 runner reviews and 15 other rated shoes in the GEL-Kayano product line.

Good

Overall

Good 81

Durability

Excellent 95

Comfort

Good 88

Cushioning

Good 87

Appearance

Below average 69

Value

Bottom-tier 56

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 is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

97 Very high

Very high 97

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

Our ratings
Product line track record
External ratings

What runners say

“I get a full 600 miles out of them before I feel the need to replace them”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw came from the Mizuno Wave Inspire 9

“Helped fix my knee and hip pain just by switching to them”

5/5 Full review 15 mpw training for a half marathon

“Kayanos are clunky and make me feel like I'm wearing moon-shoes during faster efforts”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon

“The price keeps going up (to a now ridiculous number) and they seem to last fewer miles each time”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw training for ultramarathons

“Every time I try to switch, I get injured”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw training for ultramarathons

“Nothing compares to this ride”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon

“I need a pretty substantial shoe thanks to achilles/plantar fascia/over-pronation woes”

4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a marathon

“I'm amazed I've been ok in the kayano (so far...6 weeks in!) and have just ran a marathon in them”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw training for a marathon

“I require cushioning and high heel as I have had both hips replaced and need to protect them”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw came from the Mizuno Wave Inspire 9

“It has met my training needs while offering me sublime support and cushioning”

5/5 Full review 30 mpw training for middle distance came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 17

“I chose this particular shoe for stability issues with my ankles”

5/5 Full review 10 mpw training for a half marathon

“The price point of the kayano is annoying as it is far more expensive than my old standard”

4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a marathon

“It has good support for my flatish feet and is a nice ride”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon

“The shoes have gotten a substantially looser fit”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for middle distance came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 17

“I do have a hard time digesting its price”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon

“I wish it was lighter for fast training runs”

5/5 Full review 13 mpw training for middle distance

“A very comfortable motion-control shoe”

4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS GEL-Forte

“It's better than getting hurt”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon

Prefer this shoe over another

64% 14/22

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Reviewers consistently praise the comfort and cushioning for daily easy miles.
Reviewers rate durability highly, one getting a full 600 miles per pair.
It rates well above the GEL-Kayano 19 it replaced.

Cons

At 11.3 oz in men's sizing, two reviewers find it clunky for faster running.
It lists at $160, above the $150 median for daily trainers for sale, and several reviewers call the price hard to justify.
Seven of thirty-nine reviewers report an injury while running in it.