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Asics Gel Kinsei

Wear-testers loved the fit of the Kinsei, but some felt that both the cushioning and stability could be improved.

After years of gently tweaking its shoes, Asics has decided to frighten the horses with the radical Gel Kinsei. After five years in development, it is packed with technology. The main story is the striking, exposed rearfoot GEL unit. The rearfoot and outside pods of GEL provide impact protection while ... Continue reading

30 user reviews of Asics Gel Kinsei See all

Overall reader score

trow

A pretty good shoe with a few flaws making for poor value for money at such a high price. I expect newer versions to iron out these problems. (and no sign of any 'smell' problem as i've read in other reveiws) Continue reading...

Pablo74

As mentioned in the strengths, if they managed to carry my previous bulky frame around without any pains then that speaks for itself. Incidentally I give 5 for value, as I feel the cost is a small price to prot Continue reading...

paulmyfinger

I like them and hopefully they will carry me through my marathon training, Continue reading...

missty

The Kinsei are a great shoe, though I think they would be most suited for neutral runners who do not need much cushioning. They need to be marketed more accurately for a more specific running-style rather than Continue reading...

DAVID DODD 3

Nice shoe. I am alternating it with my 2120s. So far has provided good performance on tarmac, pavement and trail. Still not convinced they are worth all that money, but I want them to be. Continue reading...

See all reader reviews...

DM*101*

called into my local sweatshop today, and tried a pair of the new Asics Kinsel, all I can say is WOW, never had anything so sublime on my feet, the only thing was the price tag...£130!!!So didn't buy today. At least I now know what I am having for my birthday.

Posted: 13/04/2006 at 16:41

Recovery Runner

Anybody actually run in these ? Was planning to try them at the FLM Expo next week and could use some help rationalising around the price tag......

Posted: 13/04/2006 at 18:42

Muttley

At that price, maybe they should rename it the Asics Kinell.

('kin' 'ell, geddit? Oh please yourselves...)

Posted: 13/04/2006 at 19:47

XFR Bear

Tried some on - didn't get on with them - comfortable but didn't control my over pronation

I saw a car outside the hotel in Reading last weekend with the reg plate

A6 GEL!!

Posted: 14/04/2006 at 12:23

Stet

Just got back from my local Sweatshop. The Kinsei's were amazing shoes but it's just the price tag on them that put me off! Came close to buying though, very nice fit and feel..........

Posted: 14/04/2006 at 16:40

Stet

Scratch that last comment! I went back and got a pair!

Posted: 15/04/2006 at 18:55

cougie

Blimey - they'd literally need to be twice as good as my 854's !!

Posted: 16/04/2006 at 10:47

DM*101*

Stet, let us know how you get on with them.

Posted: 16/04/2006 at 10:56

Stet

Have taken them back, the heel was slipping. Overall I was very impressed with them, they are a wear and forget shoe (but not forgetting the price tag!) Very stable and very comfortable.

Posted: 17/04/2006 at 12:34

JunkFOOD

Are they a neutral shoe?

Posted: 19/04/2006 at 20:04

Stet

Junk Food,
The new technology in the shoe means they adjust to your running gait. Whatever your foot strike.
I'd like to hear from someone who has used them for a few weeks to see if they work.

Wish they would have had them in my size now! (my local shop)The shoe I had was half a size too big and I couldn't wait for them to get more stock as I'm running a marathon in a few weeks.
Might try again when the 2110's wear out!

Posted: 19/04/2006 at 20:50

Recovery Runner

Well, tried them at FLM expo today and parted with (considerable) cash..... Tried them on treadmill/video set-up on Asics stand and first impressions very good. I'm very neutral and so can't comment on stability or how they work for pronators. Very comfortable, cushioned and light. Will re-post when I've used them out on the roads.....

Posted: 19/04/2006 at 22:25

paininthefoot

Sounds almost to good to be true. Can it really work for neutral runners and over pronators?

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 09:41

paininthefoot

Does anyone know the cheapest place to buy these online?

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 12:38

DM*101*

Dont think you can buy them at any other place other than sweatshop at the moment.

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 13:27

Le Greg

I ntried them at the expo yesterday. Yhe thing about being a "universal" shoe that works for both neutral and overpronators is complete horse excrement. My foot was at a right angle to my calf when running. There is no stability in them whatsoever. That being said, they feel nice and if I was neutral I'd have them.

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 13:32

Le Greg

As DM101 said, Sweatshop are the only ones to sell them at the moment, and there's not a hope in hell that Asics will let anyone discount them.

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 13:33

paininthefoot

lol!!! so there just for neutral? Do you normally where stability shoes then?

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 14:16

Le Greg

I normally wear Brooks Adrenaline or Adidas Adistar Control

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 15:24

EdinburghKev

I just bought a pair of Kayano XII's, they have not arrived yet but now I must have a pair of kinsei's.

I am reading up about the kinsei's on the sweatshop web site, they look amazing.

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 15:57

EdinburghKev

A nice product review.

http://www.solecollector.com/news/2006/01/stry_asics_gelkinsei.html

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 16:18

Le Greg

Not a review. They have just copied the Asics marketing blurb. This isn't a running website, it is a sports shoe fashion website.

Posted: 20/04/2006 at 16:35

EdinburghKev

oh well, the pictures are nice.....

Posted: 21/04/2006 at 10:25

Le Greg

Don't get me wrong, the shoe looks and feels spectacular. It just isn't a "one shoe fits all" as Asics would like us to believe...

Posted: 21/04/2006 at 11:55

paininthefoot

Anyone used these yet? and are they any good?

Posted: 12/05/2006 at 15:15

Recovery Runner

Tried these and have mixed feelings about them. Cushioning/stability seems good (although I'm neutral so not the most demanding test....) and fit is excellent - by far the best of any Asics shoe I've ever tried. However, didn't really enjoy running in them - they're pretty heavy/clunky and the rear/forefoot transition is pretty poor - forefoot really slaps down; not at all smooth.

Could be one of those technologies that gets pretty good after the 3rd or 4th shoe to use it, but seems a bit of an expensive gimmick as it stands.

Posted: 12/05/2006 at 15:45

Balham Bouncer

Have any Kayano stalwarts tried the Kinsei?

I adore my Kayano 12s, and can't really see how the foot-strike can get any better. I'm a moderate overpronator

Posted: 12/05/2006 at 15:58

Nick Taylor 4

its an amazing shoe and worth every penny. i love the forefoot cushioning and as soon as i hit the road it gives me a great level of control. i can see why it took 5 years to make!

Posted: 02/08/2006 at 09:49

paininthefoot

Anyone found a cheap place to get these?

Posted: 02/08/2006 at 10:35

BetaHasBeen

I have a pair of these and they don't suit my needs - I am a moderate overpronator and would normally fo for something like the NB 1050 or Asics GT2100 etc. Ignore Asics blurb - how can one shoe suit everyones running style? I think they would suit a neutral or moderate overpronator.

Paininthefoot et al. Mine are available as a 2nd hand buy - they are size 44.5 (9.5 UK) and I have logged something like 100 miles in them.

Posted: 02/10/2006 at 12:24