In probably / definitely our most comprehensive review to date Jason Brannan lets us know his thoughts about the new Asics Gel Kayano 16 running shoes. We hope that you enjoy the review, we sure did! As ever, if you have any comments please just post them below.
One Shoe Fits All
For many runners, the idea of a ‘one shoe fits all’ solution may well be scoffed at as a Jack of all trades leading to a master of very little, but in the Kayano 16, Asics may well have created a platform that has the ability to perform across a range of disciplines and excel in many.
I’ve personally used the Asics Gel Kayano since version 12, and while I obviously rate them, I have recently been using a lighter platform in the shape of the Nike Lunarglide+, to run both marathons and shorter distances.
When the chance came to review the Asics Gel Kayano 16 for Ransacker – I was interested to see if Asics’ claims of improved shock attenuation, modified guidance line technology and improved fit through technologies such as updated Asymmetric Lacing were true, or whether 
this was a collection of slightly tweaked technologies that made small steps rather than great strides.
In the name of convergence, this review has ‘Technical’ and ‘Colourful’ sections, explained against a backdrop of sessions I have been doing in preparation for an early December 10k, which should help explain some of the new features and support you to decide if you want to join the realms of the running convergence cognoscenti…
Run 1 – flat tempo session (total 5.5miles)
Technical: The transition of the shoe was good and fitting felt improved on previous versions (asymmetrical lacing seemed more pronounced).What stood out most was that this is an extremely well fitting shoe – the toe Box felt roomy and the heel almost felt grabbed. Ride was supportiveand felt quite firm, with ground feel communicative.
Colourful: On a night where Neptune would have been an appropriate running partner, it never fails to surprise me how a new pair of shoes can burn away the gloom. On a cold, dark and saturated Sheffield evening, I must haveresembled the radioactive Ready Brek man, bounding along the pavement with a purpose of stride and mind to put the Asics Gel Kayano 16 through its paces.
It’s testimony to the fit of the Asics Gel Kayano 16 that after a seriously hard session (leaving Neptune in my wake) all I was left feeling was elated and sated, no aches, rubs, hot spots or niggles. It’s always a great indication of the quality of a shoe that it is often forgotten after a few minutes – something that a lot of Premiership referees could learn from.
Run 2 – 3×1 miles at 10k pace (total 6 miles)
Technical: The shoe felt quite sure footed on slippery surfaces(unlike previous Kayanos), response from the Asics Gel Kayano 16 felt good even when I was tiring toward the end of the run. Support on this tough session was very good with no aches afterwards.
Colourful:On this run I actually missed my old pal Neptune and bemoaned the appearance of his friend the North Wind – as good as these Kayanos are they couldn’t easily propel me at 10k pace through a gale that was whistling through our local park. Unfortunately such was my enthusiasm to test a shoe I was fast falling for, that I ignored the advice from my lungs to refrain from the practice of breathing fire and managed to hit the 10k pace, and as a result by the end of the session very nearly needed to hit the start button on the defibrillator.
Again I didn’t really notice the shoe on this run, and the usual extra weight of all that support seems to have been tempered by Asics with the resultant platform offering support and response in equal measure.
By this point I’d not really noticed the upgraded Guidance Line technology(used to maintain running form/line when the runner tires later in runs – Asics’ version of Nike’s adaptive ride technology in the Lunarglide +), but I think this may become apparent on longer harder sessions.
Run 3 – 4×1200 metres at sub 10k pace (total 7 miles)
Technical: I made a point of focussing on the transition of the shoe from heel to toe off on this run. As this was a fast interval session I was landing more toward the ball of the foot and transitioning through from there.
This was a hard run that left me tired toward the tail end – and the Asics Gel Kayano 16 did seem to compensate for my natural loss of form towards the end of the session. The Guidance Line technology did seem to work with a definite feeling of toe off in both feet at the end of the stride. This is something that I usually struggle with as my right foot angles out very slightly, which is more pronounced at the end of a hard session; with this shoe I experienced a feeling of there being a single line from front to back throughout – something I’ve never felt the sensation of before.
Colourful: This run was when the Asics Gel Kayano 16 really came alive for me. A hard interval session at the edge of and beyond my comfort zone, was enhanced by a true feeling of oneness with the shoe. At the risk of sounding like a Zen Buddhist Monk (which is a sound not often heard from a expat Bradfordian), the Asics Gel Kayano 16 truly felt like an extension of me, support, stability, transition, spring and speed – I could go on but my shoes may start blushing and I need them to work hard again in a few days!
Run 6 - fast interval session (total 5 miles)
Technical: After a tough and hilly Fartlek session on run 4 (7.5 miles) and an easy recovery the day after (5 miles), I was again left feeling that the Asics Gel Kayano 16 is a true all rounder, offering support, response and a great transition on most types of terrain and training type.
As a really fast interval session was the only one not to havebeen completed – this was next up with a 4×400 metre session completed around the five minute miling pace.
As before the Asics Gel Kayano 16 coped extremely well on this run, managing to provide support and stability, while still being light enough not to feel heavy on the fast foot turnover required on this kind of session.
To complete the technical area of this review the Asics Gel Kayano 16 has shown real improvements (for me) in transition, support (the heel fit and top of the foot with the new increased asymmetric design being of particular note), response, running line (across most types of running) and grip in wet conditions.
Unlike some other iterations of the shoe, the Asics Gel Kayano 16 updates feels quite pronounced – offering real benefit to the user.
Colourful: While I may have looked the spitting image of Crazy Legs Crane to many observers at the local park on this interval session, in my mind’s eye the sensation of speed and line whilst wearing the Asics Gel Kayano 16 felt harmonious and purposeful, giving real confidence on some undulating terrain and through the bends.
It’s this kind of running that has really brought home to me the level of convergence that the Asics Gel Kayano 16 has, on one hand providing what is clearly a beautifully balanced long distance workhorse, with the weighting and response to provide real feedback when running flat out.
The only issues I think Asics haveon their hands is the relatively expensive market entry price for a runner to wear Asics Gel Kayano 16’s; also that with every iteration it seems this, and their flagship technology platform the Gel Kinsei, get closer and closer – with the resultant price difference seeming less justifiable.
But this is a small aside to a shoe that has it all, don’t think by this that the Asics Gel Kayano 16 has the lightness of a racing flat, it hasn’t – but after spending two months in the Nike Lunarglide+,I can honestly say they will now be shelved and saved exclusively for 10k races – with the wonderfully versatile Asics Gel Kayano 16 providing the tools to cope with everything else.
In his wonderful account of why he runs, ‘What I Talk About When I Talk About Running’, the acclaimed author Haruki Murakami says, “For me, running is both exercise and a metaphor. Running day after day, piling up the races, bit by bit I raise the bar, and by clearing each level I elevate myself”, in the Kayano16, Asics has taken its usual formula of increasing things bit by bit and elevated the bar to another level altogether.
Ransacker Rated – Asics Gel Kayano 16
P.S. I hope you like the pictures! I thought rather than boring you with more pictures of the Asics Kayano 16 I’d show you some of the beautiful routes that I have the privilege of running in and around Ecclesall. Plus they helped break-up the 1500 words of text.
If you have any questions about the shoe please do get in touch!
How do you think the Brooks Trance 9 measures up to this? Have you ever compared? Thanks!!I’m looking for support and cushion!!
Hi Mara – The Brooks Trance 9 is a very plush shoe which borders on pillowy. We’d recommend them for people with normal to low arches that are looking for a soft and supportive shoe. Just your ticket!