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Review: ASICS Lady Gel-KAYANO 23: A top performer who shows unwavering strength until the very end, no matter what the situation

Comparative Review of Long-Distance and Long-Term Running Shoes which began in April I'd like to present a review of the ASICS Lady Gel-KAYANO 23, which took the honorable first place among the three running shoes I compared

Last month, I fought through the long distance of the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Canada, with these reliable and excellent shoes protecting my feet, and returned safely. For those reading this article for the first time, this is a series of articles that introduces carefully selected shoes that are strong for long distances and long periods of time. By the way, if you would like my individual review of the Brooks Transcend 4 Women's, shoe, I think it will be even more helpful.

Detailed Review

Item Name

ASICS Lady Gel-KAYANO 23

ASICS Lady Gel-KAYANO 24 (2017 Fall/Winter Latest Model)

Main specifications and evaluation

item Specifications and reviews
weight Actual weight: 283g (one foot 25.5cm)
Upper fabric Body: Synthetic fiber (Russell structure) / Reinforcement: Artificial leather
Outsole The GUIDANCE LINE on the outer sole assists smooth center of gravity movement and improves running stability. Rubber sole. Special plastic is used in some areas
Comfort ★★★★☆
weight ★★★☆☆
grip ★★★☆☆
protection ★★★★★
stability ★★★★☆
Overall score ★★★★☆

What's great about this

The excellent fit and hold make you want to let your body rest in peace. It's like the safety bar on a roller coaster

When I put my feet in and stood up, my whole body felt straight and upright. In my case, I have slightly flat feet, and my left and right feet are out of balance, with my right foot leaning inward in particular, which means I have overpronation. When I think back to when I was a beginner, I would always get pain in just one of my knees after a short run. However, these shoes forced me to correct that habit, and I immediately felt like I could stand up straight and with the correct posture

The longer the distance you run, the more likely you are to become concerned about damage to your knees and hips. In fact, I have often felt slight pain in my right knee during ultramarathons or when I was exhausted from excessive training, but with these shoes I never felt any discomfort, even during my training runs or the final run of the Triathlon World Championships. This is due to the Duomax which is built into the inside of your foot, which tends to tilt, and supports your foot from wobbling .

DUOMAX mechanism (Source: Asics)

The sole is the thinnest at 0.5cm thinner than the other two pairs (Brooks or Hoka one), but it provides stable cushioning without feeling like your feet are touching the ground, and it provides solid protection up to your knees and hips

This is because the midsole is equipped with GEL, which has excellent shock absorption properties depending on the area, such as the footbed and heel, and also incorporates materials that provide excellent resilience to cushion shock.In addition, the hardness of the forefoot of the women's model is set lower than that of the men's model, which is the result of the amazing attention to detail that can only be achieved in a Japanese-made product.

A sense of unity and comfort that doesn't feel heavy even when running for long periods of time

Although it is actually the heaviest of the three, it's strange how you don't even notice it

The weight difference is due to the fact that the Asics shoe size is 0.5cm larger (because the size was chosen by a shoe fitter and an Asics-specific measuring device)

ASICS shoe lasts are divided into different types to suit the characteristics of each sport, such as track and field, running, basketball, soccer, etc., and they offer a wide variety of sizes, including men's and women's, slim (narrow), regular (standard), and wide (wide). This type is made using a women's-only last with a three-dimensional design that envelops the arch and heel, which fits me perfectly, so perhaps that's why I don't notice the weight

Also, for athletes who run for long periods of time in various situations, for example, in the extreme heat, they often pour water over their heads to cool down, and before you know it, their shoes have absorbed the water and become heavier, making them feel sludgy and uncomfortable, which can lead to severe blisters on the feet and make it difficult to run. As the World Championships in Canada were held in late August, I was also exposed to a lot of water. However, the upper material has various detailed designs in various placesBreathable synthetic fabric with Russell constructionThe intricate design of the material allowed water to escape, so the shoes remained comfortable until the very end

Since this manufacturer has paid such close attention to the upper material in every key area, it goes without saying that the grip of the outer sole is also excellent

Additionally, the slightly S-shaped, flowing curved section visible on the bottom of the shoe, called the Guidance Line, assists in shifting the center of gravity and improves running stability

On-road, I was able to ride on asphalt, manholes, wet roads, concrete, stairs, etc., and off-road, I was able to ride on wet soil, wood chip mountain trails, vegetation, and other various surfaces without slipping or stumbling

This is not so good

Strengths are sometimes our greatest weaknesses

If you ask whether there are any flaws in being an honor student, the answer is no

At the beginning, I described the perfect hold as being like the safety bars on a roller coaster, but some people may find it suffocating. Also, for me, whose feet tend to tilt inward, these shoes with a reinforcement system were the best buy. However, for people with the opposite type of foot, such as those whose feet tend to tilt outward, wearing these shoes can apparently cause pain. This is apparently because the reinforcement material on the inside is quite hard. It's said that about 70% of Japanese people have an overpronation type, like me, so while this is a comfortable entry-level model, I recommend trying them out to see if they fit your foot shape

The heel cup provides a particularly strong sense of support. The heel is made mainly of plastic, which completely encases the foot from top to bottom. You can't crush them like you would with middle school slippers. While they provide a stable fit, this perfection can sometimes leave you feeling like you're losing your freedom

Summary: I would like to use it in these situations!

These shoes fit so well that it was almost impossible to find any flaws. This carefully selected series has become the No. 1 item for long periods of time, long distances, and any type of road surface or situation. ASICS develops shoes to fit a variety of foot shapes, including over-, neutral-, and under-pronation, as well as for men and women, and for different lengths and widths. Why not take a pronation test in-store to find out your own foot shape? It's like a matchmaking consultation, right?

Once you find the right shoes for you, you'll be unstoppable! You'll be sure to find your ideal lover (shoes) that fit you perfectly

ASICS Lady Gel-KAYANO 24 (2017 Fall/Winter Latest Model)

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