Alright folks, today I’m diving into those ASICS Gel-Kayano 28s everyone keeps chatting about. Heard the hype, saw the price tag, and figured, why not see if they live up to the buzz? Grabbed my pair online, waited impatiently for a few days, and boom – they arrived.
First Look & Unboxing
Tearing open that box, the shoes looked sleek, no doubt. Felt them in my hands – the materials seemed decent, maybe a bit plasticky in places, but okay. That Gel cushioning everyone raves about? Squished it with my thumb. Felt pretty soft right out the gate, I’ll give it that. Initial vibes were positive.
The Initial Test Walk
Slapped them on my feet immediately. First thing I noticed: that toe box? Man, it felt tight right away. My pinky toe felt squeezed, like it didn’t have breathing room. Started walking around my living room. Comfort? Meh, it was okay. But that tightness worried me. Wasn’t exactly the “ahhh” feeling I hoped for after spending that much cash.
Hitting the Pavement: First Run
Took them for a short 3km jog later that day. Here’s where things got real:
- The Squeeze: Yeah, that toe box issue didn’t magically disappear. Halfway in, my feet started feeling a bit numb. Not great.
- Hot Feet: The padding inside is THICK. Like, winter coat thick. Felt nice for the first few minutes, then? My feet started cooking. Sweaty city.
- Soft… Too Soft?: The cushioning felt super plush walking around. Running? Different story. It felt unstable. Like my feet were sinking in too much, especially when I tried to turn or push off. Didn’t feel springy, just mushy.
Finished the run feeling underwhelmed. Definitely not the “supportive ride” I was expecting.
Giving Them Another Chance
Okay, thought maybe I needed to break them in. Kept wearing them for short walks and another couple of short runs. Maybe 50km total?
- Toe Box Didn’t Stretch Much: Still tight. Still annoying.
- That Mushy Feeling Got Worse: The more I ran, the less I liked the cushioning. On longer strides, it felt like the heel cushion bottomed out easily. No pop, just thud.
- Weird Heel Stuff: And the heel… man, it felt bulky. Sometimes, especially when tired, it felt like my heel was sliding sideways within the shoe when landing. Not confidence-inspiring.
Honestly, every run became a debate: “Should I just wear my old shoes?”
The Gym Tryout
Figured, hey, maybe they’re just bad running shoes but okay for lifting? Wore them to the gym for some weightlifting. Worst idea ever. That thick, soft sole? It’s like standing on marshmallows trying to squat or deadlift. Felt wobbly, unstable, my feet kept shifting around inside. Had to tie them super tight, which just made the toe issue worse. Terrible for lifting. No power transfer, just sinky weirdness. Gave up quickly.
So… Are They Worth It?
Look, I wanted to like these. Genuinely. The brand is big, the reviews are everywhere, the price screams “premium.” But my actual experience? Disappointing.
The big pros? Look decent. Feel super plush… if you’re just walking slowly.
The glaring cons for me:
- Narrow toe box = pain and numbness.
- Too much padding = hot, sweaty feet quickly.
- Mushy, unstable cushioning = bad support for actual running.
- Awkward heel feel = lack of security.
- Worse than useless for lifting.
Spending that much money? I expect shoes that feel good for what they’re meant for – running. These just didn’t deliver that for my feet. They felt clumsy. Ended up back in my old, cheaper runners way sooner than I expected.
Maybe they work magic for someone else’s foot shape? But for my normal-to-wide-ish feet? Nah. Big regret buying, and I’ll probably just keep them as glorified walking-to-the-corner-store shoes until I can justify replacing them. Shame. Won’t be buying another pair of Gel-Kayano anytime soon, that’s for sure. Feels like paying extra for looks and hype rather than substance. Total letdown.
