Asics GEL-KAYANO 17

Tim Jacobs
Reviewed: 18 May 2013

Total hype

You can look like everyone else in their Asics shoes.

Ridiculous pricing, poor durability and simply not as good as Mizuno Wave which are cheaper and better in every way.

They look great, which is prob why so many people buy Asics. But they don't feel as good as Mizuno shoes in either fit or response and you can never find them for a price they are worth. I guess being popular has really put the 'ass' in the asics brand.

In It For The Cake
Reviewed: 05 March 2013

Good but can't live up to the hype

Very nice feel around the heel - good snug fit (the best of any shoe I've tried). Cushioning is soft - perhaps too soft, but feels plush.

Durability - Asics isn't as good as other brands - sorry, but I am always disappointed when they wear so quickly (hence why I only buy them in a really good sale).
Support - it's not bad, but if you over-pronate more than a little, Asics' products don't cut it like, say Brooks Adrenaline or NB 1226/1260.

Nice shoes for all distances...if you can find them heavily-reduced. They just aren't worth the big price tags they have due to them being the 'fashionable' shoe of the moment.

59gromit
Reviewed: 18 November 2012

Love 'em!

Comfortable and hard wearing shoe that I use for training, on road and off road racing. Never given me a problem in over a year, and look as good as new (thanks to my washing machine!)

Nothing to declare

I love these shoes. Bought them when I started to run more seriously after a friend recommended them and they do everything I need - training, racing on road and more recently off road. Didn't have noticeably less grip than those wearing trail shoes.

Hard wearing, they still look as good as new and I've never had any problems with them fitting - they're just right.

Antonia Tate
Reviewed: 09 September 2012

My favourite trainer ever

I am on my 7th or 8th pair of these trainers. I always have a different second pair and have been through brooks adrenaline, saucony mirage and omnis, asics 2160 and others but the Kayanos are always my favourites. I know that i a can put them on and run any distance or terrain and i will never get a blister or sore feet, in fact i have put a new pair on and ran a half marathon.

Cant really think of any. They have possibly got a bit heavier as the models have moved on but not sure.

They are a great comfortable, supportive workhorse. They are also quite durable lasting longer than other models and makes i have used. They are also a great fit and have never rubbed or been uncomfortable

babyhermes
Reviewed: 04 July 2012

Plushly cushioned for a support shoe, but lack of responsiveness & uncomfortable lacing system lets it down

Very plush cushioning, although personally I found the shoe a bit too 'squishy' for my liking and this sacrificed some of the responsiveness.
Excellent support
Durable and well-made, probably one of the sturdiest support shoes available

Asymmetrical lacing - although this is supposed to be a better innovation I found it really didn't agree with my foot, forcing it into an awkward position which caused blisters on the heel and toe on only a short 40min run. In all, not very comfortable and results in an awkward fit
The extent of the cushioning and support compromises responsiveness - felt a bit like running on sand at times
Weight - running in these felt like I was picking up lead weights with every stride. If you are a lighter runner you may be better off sacrificing some support for a lighter shoe eg. Gel series.

Plush cushioning and support, however at the expense of responsiveness and speed due to the weight of the shoe; I imagine it would be a great support choice for slightly heavier runners though for these reasons. Asymmetrical lacing very uncomfortable though - please bring back the tried and tested system Asics...this was an unnecessary and unwelcome gimmick!
Finally, with respect to value - I bought the shoes on sale, but definitely don't feel as if they were a bargain. Unless you are a severe overpronator, or perhaps a heavier runner who likes a good deal of cushioning along with your support, I would go for a lower-priced non-premium model that will likely provide all the features you need anyway and no gimmicks.