Our verdict
- Our top pick in best running shoes
- Our top pick in best running shoes for flat feet
Pros
- Exceptionally cushioned
- Impressively stable with 4D Guidance System
- Lighter than it seems
- Top-notch breathability
- Effective maximalist design
- Superior durability and comfort
- Ideal for high-mileage runners
- Ultra-plush FF Blast+ foam
- Amazing build quality
Cons
- Actual drop exceeds stated measurement
- Midsole might require a break-in period
Audience verdict
- Top 28% in running shoes
- Top 21% in running shoes for flat feet
- Top 8% most popular running shoes
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 89 Great! | 90 Superb! | 85 Good! | 86 Good! | |
Price | $160 | $165 | $140 | $140 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | |
Arch support | Stability | Stability | Stability | Stability | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 10.7 oz / 303g 10.7 oz / 303g | 10.4 oz / 295g 11 oz / 311g | 10.7 oz / 302g 11.4 rankings of asics aggressor wrestling shoes | 10.7 oz / 302g 10.8 oz / 305g | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 12.0 mm 10.0 mm | 11.5 mm 10.0 mm | 12.1 mm 10.0 mm | 12.6 mm 12.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Heel | Heel | Heel | Heel | |
Midsole softness | Soft | Soft | Soft | Balanced | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | Big | Normal | Small | Small | |
Toebox durability | Good | Good | Good | Good | |
Heel padding durability | Bad | Good | Good | Good | |
Outsole durability | Good | Decent | Good | Good | |
Breathability | Breathable | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Asics Gel Lyte 3 White White | Medium | Wide | Medium | Medium | |
Scarpe ASICS Upcourt 4 1071A053 Lake Drive Pure Silver 404 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Small | Normal | Small | Small | |
Torsional rigidity | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | |
ASICS X BAIT GEL LYTE 3 TEAL DRAGONUS12 | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | |
Rocker | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | |
Heel lab Heel brand | 39.7 mm 40.0 mm | 39.3 mm 40.0 mm | 36.7 mm 37.0 mm | 37.7 mm 37.5 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 27.7 mm 30.0 mm | 27.8 mm 30.0 mm | 24.6 mm 27.0 mm | 25.1 mm 25.5 mm | |
Widths available | NarrowNormalWideX-Wide | NormalWideX-Wide | NormalWideX-Wide | NormalWide | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | Summer | Summer | Winter | Summer | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #111 Top 28% | #30 Top 12% | #143 Bottom 44% | #136 Bottom 46% | |
Popularity | #32 Top 8% | #119 Top 47% | #49 Top 20% | #176 Bottom 31% |
Who should buy
In our opinion, the ASICS part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently is the ideal choice for runners who:
- are looking for a stability shoe with an incredible amount of foam.
- desire a daily trainer that provides a smooth ride without the instability often found in some maximalist shoes.
- are high-mileage enthusiasts in search of a stable, well-built, breathable shoe.
Carnival x Asics DS-Trainer OG Muay Thai
The ASICS part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently is the ideal choice for runners who prioritise stability and a plush ride. However, for runners who prioritise ground feel and a natural running sensation, we believe the Kayano 30 might not meet the expectations. Its substantial stack height combined with soft foam creates a muted ride. In those cases, we recommend the tenis asics gelequation 10 masculino cinza azul or the Saucony Tempus ASICS Tartheredge 1012A854-700.
Additionally, it's not our top pick for those seeking a lightweight stability shoe. While the Kayano 30 isn't heavy at all for its design, many runners don't require such monster cushioning and lean toward a lighter option. For those in this category, we think the agile Hoka Arahi 6 could be a better fit.
Breathability
Expectations for the Kayano 30's performance were sky-high, especially given ASICS's track record of crafting top-notch uppers in terms of breathability and comfort—even in race-ready shoes like the Metaspeed Sky+.
We put the 30th iteration of the series designed by Toshikazu Kayano to the test and came away impressed. When subjected to our smoke test, the shoe demonstrated superb breathability, earning a well-deserved 5/5.
This impressive airflow can be attributed to the shoe's thin engineered mesh upper. However, a closer—almost microscope-level—look reveals an interesting design choice.
ASICS didn't opt for full ventilation holes, which can compromise structure and durability. Instead, they just removed the thickest part of the upper in those spots.
This approach cleverly balances airflow while preventing potential tears, ensuring the shoe's long-lasting integrity.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 5 |
Average | 3.8 |
Durability
Toebox durability
Many shoes that excel in breathability often fall short when it comes to durability, like the Hoka Mach X. ASICS Tiger is set to debut their latest.
Upon reviewing the damage, we were thoroughly impressed. We gave it a 4/5 score and it's clear that ASICS delivered an exceptional upper with the Kayano 30.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 4 |
Average | 2.4 |
Heel padding durability
Unfortunately, the heel padding doesn't hold up well and scored a 1/5 in our Dremel test.
It seems ASICS prioritised comfort in the heel area, opting for a softer material that won't irritate the sock or Achilles tendon. But this choice means the heel is more susceptible to premature wear and tear.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 1 |
Average | 3.2 |
Outsole hardness
For the outsole, ASICS played it safe. They chose a rubber blend that's quite standard in terms of hardness (80.4 HC), aiming for a good mix of traction and durability.
Although the outsole isn't entirely covered with rubber—to save on weight—it offers generous protection in key areas, especially for pronators.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 80.4 HC |
Average | 80.5 HC |
Outsole durability
We fired the Dremel one more time and the results were in line with our expectations.
As we've mentioned earlier, the rubber hardness is pretty standard, and the 0.9 mm indentation that we measured confirms it.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 0.9 mm |
Average | 0.9 mm |
Outsole thickness
The outsole boasts an impressive thickness of 4.3 mm. This result assures full lasting power throughout the shoe's lifespan.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 4.3 mm |
Average | 3.2 mm |
ASICS X BAIT GEL LYTE 3 TEAL DRAGONUS12 | Weight
Weighing in at 10.7 oz (303g), we initially thought in the lab that this shoe was on the heavier side, especially after holding it in our hands. Yet, considering its expansive width and generous foam cushioning, it's genuinely remarkable that it comes in under 11 oz for a US size 9.
Compared to the Kayano 29, the Kayano 30 impressively offers richer padding inside and more cushioned FF Blast+ in the midsole—all while maintaining the same weight!
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 10.69 oz (303g) |
Average | 9.38 oz (266g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
Turning our attention to the midsole, the Kayano 30 boasts an impressive 39.7 mm of FF Blast+ in the heel. We're 100% sure that this stack height provides enough cushioning even in the longest runs.
FF Blast+ is ASICS' softest training foam. Кросівки asics gt-2000 7 оригінал Novablast 3 and the Cumulus 25.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 39.7 mm |
Average | 33.7 mm |
Forefoot stack
The forefoot is generously padded, boasting a thickness of 27.7 mm, which is more than what most shoes offer.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 27.7 mm |
Average | 25.0 mm |
Drop
Designed primarily as a stability shoe for heel-strikers, we found that the Kayano 30 features a 12-mm heel-to-toe drop—2 mm more than the brand indicates.
This doesn't pose any issues. In fact, it further suits heel-strikers and provides an option for midfoot and forefoot strikers looking to ease pressure on their Achilles and calves.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 12.0 mm |
Average | 8.7 mm |
Insole thickness
The Kayano series has always been synonymous with comfort, and a thick insole is part of the reason. Measuring in at 5.5 mm in our lab, it's another box checked.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 5.5 mm |
Average | 4.5 mm |
Midsole softness
FF Blast+ is renowned for its cloud-like feeling. With a measurement of 16.4 HA, we've confirmed it. Right from the initial run straight out of the box, the shoe was impressively soft.
ASICS also added a layer of PureGEL in the heel, which is their current implementation of the famous GEL.
By adding this, the landing Salmon becomes even softer. However, considering its reduced importance in the Kayano 30 and other recent models, we believe ASICS may opt to exclude this technology in the near future.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 16.4 HA |
Average | 21.4 HA |
Difference in midsole softness in cold
In colder temperatures, we noticed a change. Although the FF Blast+ foam remains softer than many other shoes, it does become noticeably firmer, registering at 24.1 HA.
Why does this issue arise? The FF Blast+ foam blends EVA with Olefin. As we've discussed before in this article, EVA foams often underperforms in cold temperatures.
Witnessing a 47.3% increase, the Kayano 30 clearly falls short when it's chilly out. ASICS really needs to address this, especially given the price tag of many of their FF Blast+ shoes.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 47.3% |
Average | 25.5% |
Stability
ASICS Womens WMNS Gel-Sonoma 6 Gore-Tex Black Trail Running Shoes 1012A921-016
The Kayano series has always focused on stability. Even with the significant cushioning in this thirtieth edition, we loved that it remains impressively stable.
The new 4D Guidance System is the key regarding stability, using a softer foam right under the arch. It adjusted to the shape of our feet, providing consistent stability the more we wore the shoe.
Torsional rigidity
Torsional rigidity is another essential feature for great stability. ASICS, in our opinion, nails it for a daily trainer like this with a 4/5 score in our assessment. Anything less would risk stability, while a max score might feel too rigid for everyday runs.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 4 |
Average | 3.2 |
ASICS X BAIT GEL LYTE 3 TEAL DRAGONUS12
In the heel counter, we felt a similar sensation. However, for some runners, it might come across as slightly firm, although a 4/5 score is what we usually expect in a stability shoe.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 4 |
Average | 2.8 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
Let's be clear—the Kayano 30 is W-I-D-E. We took the caliper in the lab to get a forefoot measurement of 124.3 mm, so it stands in the top 1% of shoes we've assessed in our lab for midsole width.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 124.3 mm |
Average | 113.7 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
Similarly, in the heel, we observe a width of 105.4 mm, placing it again among the top 1% we've measured.
Why does Kayano-san opt for this design? The answer is straightforward. With a tall stack and soft foam, he needed some aces up his styles for stability: the 4D Guidance System and... the shoe's broad width!
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 105.4 mm |
Average | 90.5 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
In our 90-degree test, we applied just 25.0N of abeyance to bend the shoe, showing its impressive flexibility—actually, it's more flexible than most shoes! This makes it super comfortable for long runs.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 25.0N |
Average | 29.2N |
Difference in stiffness in cold
After placing the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes, we tested it again. We recorded a measurement of 30.1N—indicating an excellent result for us.
Indeed, with just a 20.4% uptick, we're assured of minimal stiffness variations across season-driven temperature fluctuations.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 20.4% |
Average | 35.9% |
Size and fit
Internal length
ASICS stands out as one of the most consistent and reliable brands when it comes to quality control in shoe production.
Here's an example: we measured the internal length of the Kayano 30 to an impressively precise 270.4 mm. According to Asics' sizing charts, the expectation is 270 mm. Deviations from other brands are typically much larger!
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 270.4 mm |
Average | 269.3 mm |
ASICS X BAIT GEL LYTE 3 TEAL DRAGONUS12 | Asics Gel Lyte 3 White White
We thought that with such a wide design, the shoe's upper would feel like a spacious mansion.
Well, we found it's pretty average at 99.8 mm. This clever design choice by Kayano-san enhances stability by ensuring the foot remains centred in the shoe's gigantic landing platform.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 99.8 mm |
Average | 98.4 mm |
Scarpe ASICS Upcourt 4 1071A053 Lake Drive Pure Silver 404
We also measure the big toe area to get a feel for the toe cap's space. With a measurement of 78.6 mm, it remains consistent with the previous number.
It's slightly larger than many other shoes, but it doesn't qualify as a wide shoe. Nonetheless, good news is that ASICS does offer this shoe in a wide size option in most countries.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 78.6 mm |
Average | 78.2 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
The tongue it's semi-gusseted, which not only enhances the lockdown and prevents it from moving around the toes during our test runs. Good choice!
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | Both sides (semi) |
Comfort
Tongue padding
We found that the tongue boasts a generous 7.7 mm of padding.
While this is notably more than the average, some might expect even more, considering this shoe's focus on comfort. Yet, we appreciate this Cumulus—it provides ample cushioning without the burden of extra weight.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | 7.7 mm |
Average | 5.6 mm |
Heel tab
ASICS decided against including a heel tab on the Kayano 30. While this aligns with the design cues of other recent ASICS models like the Novablast 3, we feel a heel tab might have made slipping into the shoe easier for some of us.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | None |
Removable insole
The shoe's insole is easy to remove as it's not glued, so there's no problem at all using third-party insoles or orthotics.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | Yes |
Misc
Reflective elements
We're thrilled to share that, unlike most running shoes released this year, the ASICS part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently boasts standout reflective elements on the heel.
part of the ASICS Christmas pack we recently | Yes |