Asics Gel Kayano 23 Running Shoe Review

Josh and Adam introduce you to the Asics Gel Kayano 23 for an ultra-responsive and cushioned ride when pounding on the pavement.

The FluidFit upper gives you a seamless forefoot, so you never have to worry about blisters slowing down your performance. FlyteFoam technology lets you hit up the miles in this lightweight ride.

It comes in a variety of awesome colourways and widths. Whatever your mood or foot shape there's a Asics Gel Kayano 23 for your run.

Check out the full review with transcript below.

Josh: Hey guys, welcome to Sportitude. 

You’re here with Josh and Adam. Today we are going to talk to you about the Asics Gel Kayano 23. Exciting, very pumped!

Asics have engineered a new technology through their midsole called FlyteFoam. For the Asics runners out there or for the person who hasn’t used an Asics shoe before, FlyteFoam is 33% lighter than their previous Solyte midsole construction they’ve used in the past.

What FlyteFoam has been able to do is: 

1. Reduce the weight.

2. Keep the mileage up.

Not only do you have the FlyteFoam midsole, you’ve got the Gel cushioning through the heel and forefoot. The traditional Kayano runner knows what they’re going to get underneath their foot and they haven’t sacrificed the Gel cushioning either.

I want to touch on the medial side of the shoe. For the runners out there requiring that midstance support or that pronator support you’ve got the arch.

Adam is going to touch on the upper of the shoe. Fire away.

Adam: Absolutely. It has what’s called a FluidFit upper. Really all that is, is a seamless forefoot. If you’ve had any irritation in the forefoot with the old seams it takes away all that. It gives you freedom for your toes to move at the front as well as no irritation from the toe right through the heel. 

Josh: If you’re a runner who’s concerned with blisters, don’t be.

Adam: This has got it all. That FlyteFoam is even more responsive would you say than the Solyte?

Josh: Yes, it is.

Adam: With the toe box at the front it’s actually got a reinforced upper. I’ve popped through the top a lot when running, put a big toe through there. But with that Kayano and that reinforcement you won’t actually pop through at all any more. 

Josh: Good. What about the heel counter?

Adam: The heel counter has got what’s called a Clutch Counter. It is reinforced through that Trusstic. It’s actually stronger than the Kayano 22 which was the bee's knees, wasn’t it?

Josh: It was good.

Adam: They’ve filled that in a little bit, made it a lot stronger and it gives a more custom feel of the heel after a couple of runs.

Josh: Yep, absolutely. One piece of feedback we’ve had from the runners, myself included and you Adam, is it is deeper at the back. You do get more support from the strike zone as well.

One of the great features of the Asics counter is their extensive width offering. If I just touch on the ladies first, I’ve got this little guy here [Silver/Pink Glow/Parachute Purple] that comes in the 2A which is the narrowest fit. It also comes in the wide D width. 

We’re looking at this little guy here [Shark/Aqua Blue/Aquarium] which is the limited edition colour that is only offered in the B width. If you talk about the injection offering pop colour [Primo Purple/Silver/Mint] it is also available only in the standard B width for the ladies.

They also do a black, plain black. This little guy only comes in a B width for the ladies [Black/Onyx/Carbon and Black/Silver/Flash Coral].

What widths do we have on offer through here mate?

Adam: Similar to the women’s. We’ve got the standard in the men’s. This is actually the limited edition [Vermilion/Black/Silver]. It also comes in two black colours as well and also the injection colour.

Similar to the women’s, you’ve got the width options in 2E and 4E which is wide and extra wide again. That comes with a much wider platform at the front that caters for that wider foot. 

Josh: There you have it, Asics Gel Kayano 23. Big range, but we’ve got one more. Don’t forget the New York City Marathon edition, this little beauty here. So again, standard width in the men’s.

Adam: Limited edition.

Josh: Fantastic, very flash. All available at Sportitude. Thanks guys and happy running. We’ll see you next time.