Can Neutral Runners Wear Asics Gel-Kayano?

Conversely, the opposite of overpronation is under pronation, or better known as supination.

Underpronation (supination)

PAC defines underpronation as “a condition commonly referred to as supination. An underpronated foot structure may have an abnormally high arch or instep that has very little flexibility when standing. The heel often leans outward, putting more weight on the outer edge of the foot. Callousing is common under the knuckle of the baby toe because of the weight on the outside of the foot.”

This is under-pronated because it is commonly thought that if a neutral runner wears a stability shoe (like the Asics Gel-Kayano), it might overcorrect them and lead to supination.

Here are some of the conditions found in underpronators:

• Heel pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinopathy
• IT Band Syndrome

Why Neutral Runners Can’t Wear The Asics Gel-Kayano

To put it simply, those with a neutral gait cycle should not wear the Asics Gel-Kayano because it could end up over-correcting your heel-to-toe off and cause under pronation (or supination).

This is the prevailing theory for why neutral runners should not wear a stability shoe in the first place, as it will cause supination.

When the arches in your feet are blocked by a more solid posting of midsole foam, this can either stop natural pronation (which we know is the body’s natural way of force distribution) or lead to overcorrection, which means the posting will push the foot outward and cause a neutral runner to start under pronating, or supinating.

This is why we touched upon supination earlier in this article, as it can often become the result of a neutral runner wearing a pair of stability shoes, in this case, the Asics Gel-Kayano.

For many years and interactions of the Gel-Kayano this was most definitely true. However, with modern technology emerging, there may just be some hope for those neutral runners wishing to try a pair of the Asics Gel-Kayano.

Let me explain.

Why Neutral Runners Can Wear The Asics Gel-Kayano

With the newer models of the Asics Gel-Kayano, it might be entirely possible for a neutral runner to wear this shoe with no problems at all.

The implementation of dynamic stability systems leaves a lot more room for neutral runners to pick up stability shoes, and the Asics Gel-Kayano 27 and 28 are no different.

Asics’ Dynamic DuoMax Support System reduces over pronation, but not by placing a fat chunk on harder midsole material into the medial side of the shoe.

Instead, it is designed to work alongside a heel counter and impact guidance system to guide your foot into a more neutral position from your feel-to-toe off.

With this in mind, it will not actually interfere with the transition of a neutral runner as much as a traditional medial block of hard midsole posting.

If you don’t believe me, Asics has even made it very apparent that the Gel-Kayano 28 is made for both neutral or overpronators.

Asics’ website includes the pronation type that the Asics Gel-Kayano is best for.

This is right off of the official Asics website, where they explain what foot types that the Asics Gel-Kayano is made for.

-You can view my full review of the Gel Kayano here. 

Once again, we would not recommend a neutral runner wear the older models of the Asics Gel-Kayano, but the onset of the new dynamic stability shoe era has opened the door to more shoe options.

The new guidance system within the Asics Gel-Kayano is more adaptable to a neutral runner because it is designed to slow the rate of pronation, rather than stop the process completely.

In the old days (like 3 years ago) stability shoes would just have a hard posting to stop your foot from pronating at all, which we have found out is pretty bad news because it does not allow your body to go through its natural process of force distribution and also work a lot of little muscles and tendons within your feet and ankles.

Across multiple brands (including Asics) there has been a movement towards slowing the rate of pronation, and that is what we mean when we call it “dynamic” stability.

Keep in mind that this will be on a case-by-case basis, as it is still entirely possible that many neutral runners will not want to wear the Asics Gel-Kayano even if they theoretically could.

My advice to a neutral runner interested in trying the Asics Gel-Kayano is to find a store that allows you to try shoes on, and see how it feels under your foot. You might like how safe your foot feels, or you may hate how much your foot is filled in with foam.