ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it is recommended for

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 is a highly cushioned stability running shoe that delivers a more comfortable and more dynamic ride than its predecessor.
It is primarily recommended for runners who overpronate and for longer, lower-intensity runs.
Its biggest strength is the comfortable yet stable ride, while its biggest limitation is its weight and the fact that it is not the best choice for fast runs.

Who the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is recommended for

• Recommended if you overpronate while running.
• Recommended if you are looking for a comfortable running shoe for longer distances.
• Recommended if high cushioning is important to you.
• Recommended if you would gladly wear a running shoe all day.
• Recommended if you are looking for a stability model for wide or narrow feet.

Who the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is NOT recommended for

• Not recommended if you are looking for a neutral running shoe.
• Not recommended if you mainly want a shoe for fast workouts.
• Not recommended if your goal in races is to achieve your best possible time.
• Not recommended if you are looking for the lightest possible running shoe.

ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe upper

The upper of the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is made from a soft mesh material that is more elastic than average, with moderately good breathability. The upper is clearly built around comfort, and every small detail supports stable foot hold and even longer periods of wear. The first step-in feel is very pleasant and comfortable. Although there are many large ventilation holes in the forefoot, the holes are closed from the inside, but the many large holes on the tongue improve the shoe’s breathability. The tongue is thin and soft, but it is padded at the top so the laces do not press on the top of the foot. There is an elastic pull tab at the top of the tongue, which, together with the pull tab on the heel collar, makes stepping into the shoe quick and easy. In the midfoot, the laces do not pass through eyelets but through individual cords, and this holds the foot well. The ASICS logos on the medial and lateral sides provide reinforcement to the upper, and the upper holds the foot very well in this area. The heel collar is heavily padded and rigid, which also provides a comfortable and stable hold. The midsole wraps up onto the upper on both the lateral and medial sides, resulting in additional stable support.

The insole is medium-thick, it is not glued into the shoe, and it can be replaced.

The upper fits true to size lengthwise, it is comfortable in my usual size, and there is no need to size up. It is medium-width, roomier at the toes and narrows toward the heel. The Gel-Kayano 33 can be purchased with a standard, wide and extra wide upper, so it can also be a good choice for runners with wide feet, and unusually, a narrow version will also be available.

ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe midsole

The midsole of the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is made from two foams with different properties, so it is comfortable and stable at the same time. The top layer is a softer, comfortable and more dynamic foam called FlyteFoam Blast Max. This foam is also used in, among others, the Novablast 5 and Gel-Cumulus 28 running shoes, but with a different geometry, so the ride feel is also different in the Kayano 33. The lower layer is made from a slightly firmer foam called FlyteFoam Blast Plus. This foam is also found in the Gel-Nimbus 28 running shoe. This lower foam layer does not run through the entire midsole. At the front, it runs along both sides in a Y shape, providing support and stability on both sides, while in the middle the FF Blast Max foam ensures better toe-off.

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 debuts ASICS’ new stability system, the FLUIDSUPPORT technology, which provides stability without making the midsole too firm or too rigid. The two foams have two different functions: the upper foam provides comfort and energy return, while the lower foam provides stability. This is complemented by the asymmetrical geometry, which is very visible in the heel area, but in the forefoot it is also clearly visible that the FF Blast+ foam extends further on the medial side. Cushioning in the midsole is enhanced by the PureGEL layer in the heel area, a gel layer located directly under the insole.

Compared to neutral running shoes, the midsole is obviously stiffer so it can provide stability, but compared to stability running shoes, its torsional rigidity is not too high, and it bends more easily especially in the forefoot. I was surprised that the Kayano 33 can remain stable while it does not feel too firm or too stiff.

I found it more dynamic in the front, while its cushioning was noticeably more outstanding in the rear, so it is clearly good for longer runs as well, but based on my experience, you can also run shorter fast sections or full moderately paced workouts in it.

ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe outsole

The outsole of the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe uses the HYBRID ASICSGRIP solution, meaning it consists of two rubber compounds with different hardness levels. In the higher-wear heel and forefoot areas, there is an AHARPLUS rubber compound, which is a firmer rubber compound with good durability. Durability is further improved by the fact that this area is not only more wear-resistant than average, but also thicker. In the middle sections, the outsole is made from ASICSGRIP rubber, which is softer and therefore has better grip.

In running shoes, the outsole is not only a wear layer; it also influences the stiffness and flexibility of the sole, which is especially important in a stability running shoe. The outsole of the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe does not cover the entire midsole so the shoe does not become too heavy or too stiff, but the outsole section running along the medial arch without a cut-out improves the shoe’s stability. The outsole follows the Y shape of the firmer midsole foam, FlyteFoam Blast Plus, to contribute to better stability.

What is it like to run in the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe?

At first, the Kayano 33 surprised me because compared to stability running shoes, it felt less rigid, it has good dynamism in the front, and strong cushioning in the rear. It does not guide aggressively in the front, and the stable support is not felt strongly there. In the heel area, it tilts the foot slightly outward to correct overpronation and an inward-rolling ankle.

Cushioning and midsole

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe has particularly high cushioning, thanks partly to the high midsole and partly to the PureGel layer in the heel. The two different foams complement each other well: the upper foam is softer and more dynamic, while the lower one provides stability and improves the shoe’s cushioning.

Stability and guidance

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is a stability running shoe in which the previous 4D Guidance system has been completely reworked, and now the new FLUIDSUPPORT technology provides the stability. The two midsole foams with different properties and the unique midsole geometry follow the transition well. It is more stable at the heel, tilts the ankle slightly outward, while at the front it allows a freer and more dynamic toe-off.

Upper and comfort

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is clearly about comfort. Its upper is highly padded and made from a softer, more elastic mesh material than average. The upper holds the foot well and securely. The standard version is medium-width, but it is also available in wide, extra wide and narrow versions.

Landing and grip

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe has an 8 mm drop, which encourages heel striking more, and this is also where its stability is greater. I mostly land on the midfoot or forefoot, where the Kayano 33 has better dynamics, and I felt its stability was sufficient, although I only overpronate slightly. The outsole grip is very good, which can be felt during toe-off and sharper maneuvers as well.

Pace and dynamics

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is primarily intended for lower-intensity runs. It cannot be called lightweight (284 grams in men’s EU 42 size), and the midsole design was also primarily focused on stability rather than dynamism. Even so, you can run the occasional fast section in it, or full runs at a moderately quick pace, but if you want to break your personal records, this may not be the best shoe choice.

Long run vs pace vs training

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is an ideal choice for running longer distances. It has a highly padded, comfortable upper, good cushioning, and it holds your foot securely. It is not the best choice for fast racing, but if your goal in a race is to conquer the distance, it can help a lot.

Who is the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe recommended for – and who is it not for?

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is recommended for runners who overpronate and are looking for a comfortable running shoe for longer or lower-intensity runs. It was good to wear all day in everyday use, and it is also suitable for walking and longer city walks.

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is not recommended for runners who are looking for a stability running shoe that is fast and made for shorter runs. If you have a neutral foot strike, it is also not a good choice for long, fast or lower-intensity runs.

What has changed compared to the previous version? ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe vs ASICS GEL-Kayano 32.

The ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 has changed a lot compared to the previous version. Its character and category have remained the same, and its weight has only decreased minimally, but the ride feel is different in the two shoes.

I did a run where I wore the Kayano 33 on one foot and the Kayano 32 on the other, and I switched halfway because my two feet do not overpronate to the same degree, so I could experience perfectly what the difference is between the two shoes.

The upper feels the same. Its breathability is just as good, and it is just as padded and comfortable. There are small differences, and the lacing systems are different, but I would have a hard time telling the two shoes apart.

I did not feel any difference in the grip of their outsoles either, even though there is already a major difference here in both layout and tread pattern. This visible difference, however, is less noticeable in grip or durability and more as part of the stability system. There is a big difference in this area.

The midsole feels noticeably different. The previous 4D Guidance technology has been replaced by FLUIDSUPPORT technology, which creates noticeable differences during transition, landing and toe-off.

When landing on the heel, the feeling is almost the same. I felt the Kayano 33 midsole to be slightly softer at the heel, but it guides the foot better. The Kayano 32 supports more through its stiffness, while the Kayano 33 relies more on asymmetry.

When landing on the midfoot and forefoot, and during toe-off, the difference is much more noticeable. The Kayano 32 is firmer, stiffer and somewhat more stable. The Kayano 33, however, is more dynamic, softer, and in my opinion slightly weaker in stability, which may become a factor mostly on longer runs.

Twisting and bending the two shoes by hand also shows that the Kayano 32 is stiffer, while the Kayano 33 can be bent more easily in the forefoot, and their torsional rigidity is nearly the same.

If you overpronate very strongly, the Kayano 32 may be the better choice for your longer runs, but otherwise the new FLUIDSUPPORT technology is a major step forward in dynamics and flexibility.

Alternatives to the ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe – comparison

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe?

The midsole of the women’s ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 running shoe is 1 mm lower, and its official weight is also 39 grams lower. Although women’s running shoes are generally designed on a different last, this difference may also come from the fact that the official data is given in different sizes for the men’s and women’s versions, so the difference may also result from the size ratio. The women’s ASICS Gel-Kayano 33 is also available in 4 widths: narrow, standard, wide and extra wide.