If you’re looking for a stability running shoe, you’ll find tons of options on the market regarding this category. However, you’ll notice a sensational cult following of Asics’ shoes and tons of experts recommending both their Kayano and the GT 2000 models.
If you’re interested in Asics stability shoes, but don’t know which one of them to pick, you’re in for a treat!
In this article, we’ll put Asics Kayano vs GT 2000 head to head, so you can pick the one that suits you the most. Let’s dive in!
The biggest difference is that the Asics Kayano is for more season runners as it places an emphasis on stability and comfort. The Asics GT 2000 is designed for beginner runners who prefer a lightweight shoe with a basic level support.
Asics Kayano vs GT 2000
About Asics Kayano and GT 2000
Asics is a Japanese multinational sportswear giant. They have worldwide popularity for making some of the best athletic and running shoes that are suitable for various ages, styles, and budgets.
The company has been around since 1949 and founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka. For a company that has been a success for over 70 years. Clearly, they’re doing something right with the shoes they’re making.
The word “ASICS '' is taken from an old Latin motto “Anima Sana in Corpore Sano'', which translates to “a healthy mind in a healthy body”.
Between Asics and Brooks, these are the top shoe brands for the majority of runners.
They have multiple shoe series, including the highly cushioned Nimbus and Cumulus as well as the stability GT 2000 and Kayano Series.
Stability running shoes like Kayano and GT 2000 are mainly designed for the runners who overpronate (land the outer heel first then roll the rest of the foot inward) past the neutral point of the normal gait.
These shoes help in accommodating this running motion with supporting midsoles while boasting other features that are necessary for a comfortable and smooth ride.
Let’s start with the Asics Kayano running shoe. This flagship series dates back to 1993 with the latest edition of the Kayano series is the Gel-Kayano 27, which is available for both men and women. Let’s have an in-depth look at the shoe!
A Brief Overview
From the first look at the Kayano 27, it has undergone major design changes, especially at the upper. The new design looks much sleeker than the previous entries, such as the Kayano 26.
What’s nice about the new Kayano shoes is that it has the everyday shoe element. This makes it highly appealing for those who like to wear running shoes for comfort, especially those who work in places with a lot of walking, such as nurses.
Upon wearing the shoe you’ll notice a snug fit throughout the middle and the forefoot portions. This makes them feel a bit uncomfortable on the first try, but you slowly grow into them, as they support midfoot nicely.
Another nice aspect of the Kayano 27 is the cushioning part. While it’s not a heavily cushioned model like the Gel Nimbus, it still strikes a precise balance between plush and firmness, especially at the heel part.
You’ll enjoy the springy feel at the heel which promotes quite a comfortable ride while providing enough support for overpronating feet.
In addition to the heel cushioning, the Kayano 27 also has some gel cushioning in the midsole region.
This addition isn’t only good for comfort, but it also helps in boosting the shock absorption profile of the shoes.
Additionally, the shoes boast some nicely placed gel padding exactly where your forefeet strike the ground as you walk and run.
The outsole part of the Asics Kayano is always one of the things that makes it special, which is no exception in the Kayano 27.
The outsole is made of Asic’s signature rubber which resists wear and abrasion and remains durable for hundreds of miles.
The design of the rubber on the outsole also enhances the flexibility of the shoe while supporting a tight grip to the floor, thanks to the carefully designed grooves.
Moreover, the quality of the rubber gives it decent traction and stability on the floor, allowing you to run with confidence over wet and dry landscapes.
The shoe also packs Asics’ special Flytefoam Propel. This cutting edge technology combines special foam with a propelling elastomer. This promotes an excellent takeoff and bounce, which is ideal for a speedy sprint.
Another design feature that enhances the sprinting experience in Kayano 27 is the 12 mm heel drop. This conforms the shoe to act as a spring on every toe-off.
This foam also reduces drag significantly by being super lightweight. This enables you to run free without feeling that something is weighing you down.
The Kayano 27 also has a Dynamic DuoMax Support system, which is a double-density midsole system that from the outer heels to the front of the arch.
The DuoMax Technology works in harmony with the Asics’ Trusstic System, which is a hard plate that aids your strides for the maximum level of stability while running.
However, this combination has the drawback of making the shoes a bit tight and heavy in some areas.
As for price, these shoes are Asic’s flagship for the stability running shoes category, so you should expect them to be slightly on the costly side, at least when they’re compared with the GT 2000 ones.
- Engineered mesh upper:
- AHAR Outsole: Acronym for ASICS High Abrasion Rubber. Placed in critical areas of the outsole for exceptional durability.
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System: Attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases, and allows movement in multiple planes as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.
- EVA Sockliner: Removable sockliner that provides cushioning performance.
- Dynamic DuoMax Support System: This evolution of DuoMax system enhances stability and support, with reduced weight and increased platform support.
Specifications and Features
- Overall weight: about 11.1 oz (309 gm)
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Medium flexibility
- Ample cushioning
- DuoMax Technology and Trusstic system for stability
- Double Flytefoam Propel Cushioning
What We Liked
What We Didn’t Like
The GT Series is Asics’ more affordable sub-brand for stability running shoes. The series had a rough start but slowly became a fan favorite among beginner runners.
The latest edition to the GT 2000 Series is the GT 2000 8, which is available for men and women with minimal differences apart from sizing and style. Let’s have a deeper look at GT 2000 8 and see what it’s all about.
A Brief Overview
The GT 2000 8 is a midrange running shoe that has some decent features while staying significantly more affordable than other options on the market.
One of the most noticeable features of the GT 2000 8 is its lightweight construction. The shoes weigh only 10 oz, which reduces the drag and helps you run further.
Despite being light, the shoes aren’t by any means flimsy. In fact, the shoes score pretty high on mileage tests, and a lot of runners believe it's one of the most reliable running shoes in its price range.
The high performance of the shoe isn’t only about its sturdiness. The GT 2000 8 is also quite comfortable to wear.
Similar to the Asics Kayano 27, this shoe has a Flytefoam midsole technology, which gives an amazing bounce and responsiveness as you run. The only difference here is that this shoe has only a single layer of the nanofiber foam.
The GT 2000 8 also has a multi-directional mesh upper, which allows for better ventilation without being too tight on your midfoot. However, it has a tight toe box that can be annoying for runners with a wider profile.
The Trusstic system technology also makes quite an appearance in these shoes, which also helps it retain its shape and structural integrity while shaving off some of the excess weight.
Another technology that you’ll also find in the GT 2000 8 is the DuoMax support technology. However, since the groves on the shoes don’t offer as much flex as Kayano 27, you can feel after some time that this shoe is lacking some support.
All in all, while the GT 2000 8 isn’t an iconic running shoe, it still boasts enough features and advanced technologies to be a great everyday trainer.
- FlyteFoam Lyte Technology - ASICS lightest weight midsole formulation that provides continuous cushion thanks to organic nano fibers.
- SpevaFoam 45 Lasting - Employs 45 degree full length SpevaFoam 45 lasting material for a soft platform feel and improved comfort.
- SpevaFoam Midsole Material - Improves bounce back characteristics and decreases midsole breakdown.
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System - Attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases, and allows movement in multiple planes as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.
Specifications and Features
- Overall weight: about 10.0 oz (283 gm)
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Little flexibility
- Medium cushioning
- Single Flytefoam Cushioning
- DuoMax Technology and Trusstic system for stability
What We Liked
What We Didn’t Like
Final Verdict: Asics Kayano vs GT 2000
There you have it. A complete guide that puts the Asics Kayano vs GT 2000 in terms of their latest editions against each other.
Now that you know more about the two shoes, it’s time to decide which one you should get.
Ideally, we believe that the Asics Kayano is the winner for this round, as it’s better suited for anyone who’s putting stability as well as comfort as a top priority while running.
If you’re an avid runner who doesn’t mind splurging a bit more cash in order to land the ideal shoes for your running routine, then the Asics flagship Kayano 27 should naturally be your best bet.
However, that doesn’t make the GT 2000 series a bad one. In fact, it’s a perfect choice for beginner runners who would prefer a more affordable and lightweight shoe even if it doesn’t give them as much support.
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API