The new Gel-Kayano 15 recently debuted and at first glance I was very excited. The Gel Kayano is at the top of my list for narrow, shallow feet and is narrower than any other of the current Asics available now.
1. Toebox Depth and Length - The 15 has a deeper toebox than the 14 which helps for those whose 5th (baby) toes were getting crowded or develop a corn when wearing the 14 which was the biggest problem I found when people switched from the 13 to the 14.
It also is slightly longer which helps if your heel to toe measurement is bigger than your heel to ball measurement. http://drshoe.wordpress.com/2007/12/05/size-matters-heel-to-ball-vs-heel-to-toe/
2. Midsole Construction -This is a significant change from the 14 and may create problems for many runners who were otherwise running pain free in the Gel-Kayano 14. The design is more like the Gel-Nimbus 10 which is one of my least favorite shoes.
The 14 has much more EVA in the lateral (outside) midsole than the 15. This means longer wear and greater support at heel strike with the 14 than the 15.
This difference is HUGE, so make sure if you decide to upgrade, you have a professional evaluate you in both pair as the 15 may make your heel strike more wobbly causing things like ankle sprains or tendonitis. Everyone doesn’t necessarily need firm lateral EVA but if you do, you would be better off with the new 2140 than the Gel Kayano.
3. Asymmetrical Lacing – According to Asics this system of lacing “conforms to the bony structure of the foot for an enhanced fit” - My findings and common sense both say, No. In fact this lacing tends to pucker the toebox area for a worse fit, creating an elf-shoe-like appearance with no benefit whatsoever, except maybe irritation at the base of the toes. In fact, I wound up re-lacing as below to simulate a normal (and better) straight lacing design. If you wear this shoe, I would recommend that you do this too.
All in all, I’m very disappointed in the Gel-Kayano 15 and will probably not be recommending this shoe for as many of the runners that come in as I did with the 14.
33 responses so far ↓
carl // January 16, 2009 at 2:47 AM |
Hi Jenny,
What a great post. I have been a long time reader of your blog and was glad to see that you reviewed the Asics Kayano 15’s. There are some really interesting findings most of which correlate with the feedback that we have received. However, generally in the UK the Kayano 15’s and the Nimbus 10’s have both been a big success.
Crystal // January 26, 2009 at 10:06 AM |
I have to agree with your posting…Asics needs to re-evaluate their new Kayano 15. With the Kayano 14, I have been able to buy off the shelf and run with out any issues. The new 15’s are giving me major blisters, knee pain and just will not “break in”….I have been looking online and buying pairs of Kayano 14’s to save and store for the future! How do we let Asics know that their “new and improved” shoe is horrible? Bring back the old 14!
Nate // March 10, 2009 at 7:52 PM |
As a mild pronator with a wide foot that has had 5 pair of Kayanos I was poised to purchase the Kayano 15 2E after a trip to my local running store. After reading the Kayano comparison blog I have chosen and purchased the Kayano 14s. This is the only spot on the web that I’ve found an unbiased comparison. Everything else obviously used the Ascis promo material as their basis of comparison. Sure the 15 sounds great, but if it isn’t providing the lateral heel stability I would have been sorely mistaken in making that purchase.
Karen // March 11, 2009 at 12:51 AM |
Thank you so much for this review. I was just about to go and purchase a pair of Kayano 15’s. Think i will now check out a pair of 14’s.
cheers
Chris // April 16, 2009 at 11:21 AM |
Jenny:
Great review. You are a wonderful resource to the community. I have been running well on Keyanos without any issues. I need a new pair and was considering the 15’s. Looks like I will stick with the 14s which seem to be performing well now. Thanks for your help!
Steve // May 2, 2009 at 7:48 AM |
I agree 100%. Ever since I’ve pounded out miles on my 15’s I’ve had nothing but left calf and achilles problems. Sigh…
Marcelo Campiglia // May 3, 2009 at 1:14 PM |
I have been using the Kayano 15 for only one week, but i am having some foot and knee pain. With the Kayanos 12, 13 and 14 i never had any problem.
Great article. Thanks a lot,
Mark // May 6, 2009 at 7:06 PM |
Great advice! I wish I would have taken it. I have run in Kayano’s for about 4 years with great success. The Kayano XI are the absolute best. I bought the 15’s….they felt great during the run…then developed significant heel pain(I believe plantar fascitis) after less than 2 weeks. I will run in XI’s until they are no longer available.
Dan Bleakman // May 7, 2009 at 12:03 AM |
Hi Jenny,
Interesting read. I was a massive fan of the 14’s and switched to a pair of the 15’s and all of a sudden my dreaded shin splints have come back big time. I’m a forefoot runner, so heel support is not an issue for me – however it’s bizarre since the shift up, I’ve had major shin issues… hmmm now I’m trying to find a pair of 14’s again.
Mary Ellen // May 12, 2009 at 7:27 AM |
Great comparison and post. I started wearing 2120s four years ago and moved up to Kayanos once my mileage improved greatly. I never had any issues with the 14s, but lo and behold, I’m having issues with my Plantar Fasica that I’ve never experienced prior to wearing Kayanos. It started about the same time I bought the K-15s…
Chris // May 12, 2009 at 5:27 PM |
Ahhh… Here I sit nursing two achilles… again. Last year I ran 1,000 miles on 14’s without a single issue… Ran a marathon in Feb and just barely made my half marathon this weekend wondering what the heck was wrong with my body…
At least now I know… heading to shop to return the 15’s… Hello 14’s after 4 more weeks of healing:)
Bradley // May 30, 2009 at 7:34 PM |
The Kayano 15 reaaly sucks big time.. Sore left knee and bottom of pinky toe has a huge blister
- worst running shoe I’ve had in 35,000 miles
Julien // June 14, 2009 at 7:35 PM |
I thought I was the only one with problems with the 15s. My last two pairs of shoes have been kayano 14s, and they were great. When I went back to the running shop, they only had 15s, so I got those, since they fit well at the store. However, I’ve been having terrible calf problems with the 15s, especially on runs over an hour long, and they also seem to be constricting my feet. I’ve had to loosen the laces very much to be able to run without cutting off circulation to my feet. I am going to get a pair of 14’s asap.
Craig Murphy // June 18, 2009 at 6:44 AM |
I was having foot and knee pain and was with my 15s and I had previously no problem with the two previous versions. Great article it gives me much better insite about what I was suspecting. I am a stocky man who needs more cushin for the weight I’m push so I will be looking for the 2140 in a 2E. Thanks
secondwind // June 24, 2009 at 6:43 AM |
solid read. thanks for the insight. hector here, co-owner of secondwind running store in the philippines. will be back to read more for sure.
do visit us as well, http://www.secondwindrunningstore.com and thesecondwind.multiply.com
Ashley // July 1, 2009 at 11:53 AM |
Do not purchase this shoe assuming it is the same as the 14! I made a big mistake by wearing this shoe straight out of the box for a 10-miler and had what felt like a broken right foot, sore knees and left achilles pain. I had to take a week off of running for the first time in over 1.5 years. I wore my 14’s straight out of the box for a half marathon with no issues. This shoe is terrible and was a waist of my $140!
sandy erez // July 16, 2009 at 2:56 AM |
I was so relieved to see all these posts. i also ran to buy the 15s after liking the 14’s and suddenly found myself with ITB problems (pain on the side of the knee), heel problems and shin splints that i haven’t had for years. because i am injury prone i was worried that it was me. now i know next time not to just buy the next number up of any brand. of course i am pissed off because I wasted money and good training time – but usually there is no way to tell before you actually run in them..
Martin Dean // July 27, 2009 at 5:57 PM |
I agree with this post…I have been wearing Keyanos for 10 years, but with the 15’s, all of a sudden I started to lose one of my big toe nails ! The lacing crowds the toe area, and the new plastic webbing which pulls across the big toe rubs and leaves a mark. Even when I altered the lacing as suggested in your post, the webbing still tends to bend inwards onto the toe as the shoe bends…..I hope they go back to the drawing board with the upper design, because I still like the support the shoe generally gives…
Marcus // July 29, 2009 at 12:49 AM |
ack! i just bought the Kayano 15s and after reading this blog (at the store, the first review that came up on my phone was the runners world one and there was nothing but praise there) i’m heading back to the store to switch to the 14s. Unfortunately, I think they’re the same price, but i’m thinking i don’t want to take the risk of running in the 15s and finding out they’re crap!
Thanks!!
jk0 // July 29, 2009 at 5:46 AM |
I ran the SF marathon in the 15 and they are terrible. My foot was hurting from the mid point to the finish. Asics should recall this model.
Alb // July 30, 2009 at 7:28 AM |
Took out of the box, brand new and ran 7 km with it. At 6 km I pulled up as I feel sore in my achilles tendon. Try again a week after, this time I had to stop at 1km, the sore got really bad. This 15 sux. I’m a fan of ASICS love the Kayano 11 – never give me any problems.
matt // August 5, 2009 at 11:24 AM |
had kayano 15 for 4 months have discovered a small hole in the lower mesh on the RHS foot just underneath my big toe – asics uk will be having these back – got to admit – the shoe is brilliant never had a better pair – the spring is just brilliant – hope asics exhange with no probs
Jeffrey // August 10, 2009 at 9:34 AM |
what can i do with this kayano15?
I’ve just bought it and found the same problem as Ashley.
My right foot is going to hell for the first time use.
I should have believed you. Sob!!
Ris // August 23, 2009 at 5:54 AM |
This review is so very correct. I hope I should have adhered to your advice and not upgraded to kayano 15. After a few runs in the shoe I had tendonitis. I had to see the doctor and was diagnosed with Posterior Tibial Tendon problem. even he asked me to move back to my old shoe. I am returning my new pair. Did any one even like this shoe ? after spending $140if you get so pain then I am sure this shoe is doing more bad then good for Asics. I used to be love the K14s………:(
todcra // August 25, 2009 at 3:04 PM |
I agree with much of the sentiment above. Upon the recommendation of the guy at Road Runner, I went from the Asics 2100 to the Kayano 14 with no problems a couple of years ago. A couple of weeks ago, I bought the 15s at a Sports Authority thinking they’re the suitable replacement for my worn 14s. They felt a bit stiff, but for an overpronator like myself, they seemed good to go. No luck. I would get very minor arch/heel pain with the 14 after 3 consecutive days of running (about 15 miles in all). After running in the 15s twice in three days (10 miles in all), the arch/heel pain was unbearable and has kept me off the road for nearly 7 days. I’m off to the internet to hunt down some 14s. Hopefully, by the time they come in I can get back on the road.
Tim Brun // August 31, 2009 at 11:18 AM |
Just bought the 14’s over the 15’s – I totally agree with your synopsis. I tried both instore and really felt more comfortable in the 14. The day I got them I ran 15KM and they felt great. I had previously purchased the Kayano 13 but have been running in the Saucony Hurricane’s for the last while, they were great but no Kayano!
Heed this comparison! Thank you Dr. Jenny!
Marcus // September 13, 2009 at 10:17 PM |
so peeved off… i decided to keep the 15’s to give it a chance. been running with it on treadmills (meaning that it still looks unused even if i want to sell/return them)…
seriously, they’re pretty bad shoes. I started getting bad pains up my leg after about 2k. decided to just quickly go to buy a pair of 14’s (managed to find the last pair in my size in Malaysia)…
I SO should have listened to this blog on the day that I bought the 15s… ARGH
Gavin // September 17, 2009 at 11:54 PM |
Bought the new 15’s from a shop here in Oslo Norway (approx 270 USD), and biggest waste of money. First run in them gave me shin splints i have not felt for years and my whloe run felt terrible. I will be bringing these striagh back and hoping I get my money back. Have loved all my previous Asics but these are over engineered rubbish.
Robert Bradshaw // October 19, 2009 at 4:47 AM |
I bought a pair of 15’s recently and I developed sever shin splints within a few runs. I persisted assuming that I was just having teething problems but it only got worse. I stopped using them nearly 2 weeks ago and I’m still in a lot of pain. I haven’t run since either. I just have to accept now that they’re not for me. Very disappointing.
I over pronate quite badly and wear prescription orthotics. I had been wearing the zoom Nikes which were only ok at best hence the reason for trying out the Kayanos. Not sure where this leaves me now. Should I go for a good neutral shoe given that the orthotics should be correcting the pronation or should I try a shoe with a lot of support and maybe use them without the orthotics? Confused!!!!
Robert
Steve // October 22, 2009 at 9:07 PM |
Glad to see it’s not just me that’s been having problems with the Kayano-15, but sorry I wasted my money. I have serious pain in my left heel every time I wear the 15. Never had any issues with the 14. Asics, if you’re listening, GO BACK TO THE 14 DESIGN..!!!
Becky // November 1, 2009 at 7:13 PM |
Just got a pair of women’s 14’s at Lady Foot Locker on clearance for $49.99. They’re more on their website, but may be worth a visit. FYI
matt // November 2, 2009 at 1:09 AM |
i have kayano 15 – mign are really comftable – only issue i had was the front of the mesh by my big toe tore within 4 months – i sent them back to asics & they replaced – hope these ones dont go the same way
Chris // November 9, 2009 at 10:14 AM |
The Kayano 15’s are just plain bad, the new lace system is horrible (too tight). I upgraded from the 2140′a to the kayano15 and just went back and returned them after 2 weeks of running- Asics dropped the ball on this. I almost went with the 2150 but the 2140 just did me right so I’ll stick to it.