GEL-Kayano® 16
The GEL-Kayano® has been the running industry’s most popular high-end performance trainer for well over a decade…an amazing win streak considering all the challengers to the series’ dominance. A key component of this tremendous success is undoubtedly the advanced technical features that are introduced with each update. For consumers however, all that really matters is the consistent maintenance of the great road feel known simply as the Kayano Ride®. So while the 16th version will introduce some exciting new tech features, fans of the series will instantly recognize the fit and comfort they’ve come to expect. At the high-end, the GEL-Kayano® 16 will continue to be a great solution.
What’s New?
The GEL-Kayano® 16 will feature several updates, starting with a compelling technical advance called Guidance Line. Simply conceived and executed, this new element is comprised by a vertical cut groove that runs along the outsole and mimics the foot’s ideal center of pressure through the gait cycle. By splitting the tooling in this manner, Guidance Line allows the forefoot to decouple in a manner that encourages a more efficient path through the gait cycle. The true benefit however, is gained from the ability of the Guidance Line to promote efficient gait repeatability. From the start of the run to the end, Guidance Line helps to ensure an identical path through the gait cycle with every stride, so efficiency is maintained even as fatigue sets in.
Another new technology making its debut on the GEL-Kayano® 16 is called Soft Top Duomax™. This innovative concept is another example of how ASICS addresses gender differences. Employed exclusively on the women’s version, Soft Top Duomax™ features a layer of 48 degree Solyte® midsole material inserted directly over the top of the stabilizing, 65 degree Duomax®. This pillow-soft layer combines with Duomax® and Gender-specific Space Trusstic® to deliver a fantastic platform feel without sacrificing stability.
The GEL-Kayano® 16 addresses gender differences in other ways as well. Plus3™ is a new tech feature that denotes a 3mm heel raise, intended to take pressure off the Achilles tendon. Another is Gender Specific Cushioning, an injected Solyte® midsole cap placed directly under the ball of the foot. While the men’s model features the Solyte® injected piece as well, the women’s is a softer density than men’s - making the recognition that women in general have lighter frames and don’t get the same compression rate that men do. The benefit is added comfort and the plush forefoot road feel that the series is known for.
The upper gets an adjustment to the lacing set-up introduced on the GEL-Kayano® 15. Called Asymmetrical Lacing Design, this construction creates an anatomically correct fitting environment by lining the two sides of the upper evenly over the bony top-line of the foot. The result is an amazingly comfortable fit with reduced potential for irritation. The GEL-Kayano® 16 improves on the former model by removing the forefoot overlays that secured the bottom portion of the lacing system. This will open up the toe box and further lessen the potential for irritation.
The GEL-Kayano® 16 upper also features a new ‘discreet’ eyelet-stay construction. Instead of the one-piece construction typically used to secure the eyelets, each eyelet stay is attached individually. This set-up allows the various upper elements to move independently with the foot. Just as the tooling is designed to adapt to the foot, the upper now makes strides toward this goal as well. The result is a level of upper fit and comfort that equals the superior platform feel of the shoe.
Road Test
The GEL-Kayano® 16 will have a slightly softer road feel than the current model due in part to improvements to the Solyte® midsole material. The women’s model in particular will be softer due to the 48 degree Solyte® in the Gender Specific Cushioning elements. Upper fit will have a slightly more snug feel through the instep due to the changes to asymmetrical lacing design. Comfort through the heel collar will improve with the changes to collar height.
