ASICS Gel-Kayano 32

The Asics Gel-Kayano is a legendary shoe. Now in its 32nd generation, it has consistently delivered supportive comfort and is one of the go-to shoes for stability. Priced at $165, it competes with shoes like the Brooks Ghost Max 3 ($160) and the Saucony Tempus 2 ($170). The step-in feel is great—it fits perfectly with just enough padding in the tongue and in the heel and there is nothing aggressive or weird about the geometry or the foam. We were pleasantly surprised on the run to find that it is not just good for a stability shoe, it feels like it could be in contention as one of best daily trainers on the market. The foam is in the goldilocks zone—it is not excessively soft or brick-like–and there isn't too much foam so it feels very normal to run in. There is not an aggressive rocker, so the ride is smooth and it feels easy to turn over the legs and get into a great flow. Also, the wet weather grip is fantastic and you get a nice layer of ASICSGRIP on the outsole, which will also make it a very durable shoe. It is perfect as a do-it-all, versatile shoe, especially for a one-shoe rotation or for high mileage training. It disappears on foot and has a fun bounce to it while also providing some good stability and protection. It has everything you want in a shoe like this—comfort, some pep, the upper is great, the outsole is great, the midsole is great, and it feels normal and smooth to run in.