ASICS GEL-Kayano 21

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

Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 10.2 oz · 30/20mm stack · 10mm drop

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

How it ranks

The ASICS GEL-Kayano 21 ranks below most daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and durability are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 10 runner reviews and 15 other rated shoes in the GEL-Kayano product line.

Decent

Overall

Decent 72

Cushioning

Good 85

Durability

Decent 76

Comfort

Decent 74

Appearance

Below average 67

Value

Bottom-tier 53

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

90 High

High 90

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.

Product line track record
Our ratings
External ratings

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

“Feels great, lasts good”

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 Oct 22.

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 72. This shoe has high confidence. 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

53 2011 72 81 72 2014 67 74 78 2017 78 70 2019 78 78 2021 82 98 2023 88 81 2025 84

Release year

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

GEL-Kayano 33

2026 · 5 reviews

84 Good

77 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 32

2025 · 3 reviews

81 Good

80 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 31

2024 · 14 reviews

88 Good

87 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 30

2023 · 58 reviews

98 Exceptional

97 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 29

2022 · 20 reviews

82 Good

91 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 28

2021 · 5 reviews

78 Decent

82 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 27

2020 · 2 reviews

78 Decent

80 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 26

2019 · 20 reviews

70 Decent

95 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 25

2018 · 16 reviews

78 Decent

95 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 24

2017 · 14 reviews

78 Decent

93 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 23

2016 · 8 reviews

74 Decent

88 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 22

2015 · 5 reviews

67 Below average

85 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 21 This shoe

2014 · 10 reviews

72 Decent

90 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 20

2013 · 39 reviews

81 Good

97 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 19

2012 · 19 reviews

72 Decent

94 Confidence
GEL-Kayano 18

2011 · 13 reviews

53 Bottom-tier

89 Confidence

Runner 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: 10.2 oz
Men's / women's: Men's 11.4 oz · Women's 8.9 oz
Release: 2014
MSRP: $160
Stack: 30/20mm
Drop: 10mm

Runner reviews

Write a 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

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

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

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

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