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Asics Gel-Kayano and New Balance 860 are both comfortable running shoes that will provide you with an enjoyable ride. They have a good amount of cushioning and are breathable.

Then which one should you pick?

To find that out, we have compared Asics Gel Kayano 28 and New Balance 860 V11 in this post. At the time of writing this post, these two are the current versions of the shoes.

Below you will find a very detailed comparison of Asics Gel Kayano Vs New Balance 860. We have tried to provide you with as much information as possible so that you will be able to pick the one most suitable for you.

Now let’s proceed…

Asics Gel Kayano Vs New Balance 860 HI-min

This is our winner

Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

New Balance 860v11

Why did we pick this one?

  • Excellent cushioning.
  • Upgraded heel counter.
  • Very stylish.
  • Good overpronation control.
  • Good responsiveness.

The main differences between Asics Gel Kayano Vs New Balance 860

  • The heel-to-toe drop of New Balance 860 is 10mm and the heel-to-toe drop of Asics Gel-Kayano is 13mm for women and 10mm for men.
  • New Balance 860 is a bit heavier than Asics Gel-Kayano. For women, New Balance 860 weighs around 9.6oz or 272g whereas Asics Gel-Kayano weighs around 9.1oz or 258g. For men, New Balance 860 weighs around 11.4oz or 324g whereas Asics Gel Kayano weighs around 10.9oz or 309g.
  • For the men’s version of the shoe, Asics Gel Kayano has one more size available than New Balance 860.
  • New Balance 860 has multiple toe-box widths available whereas for Asics Gel-Kayano there is only one toe-box width available for both versions.
  • The latest generation of New Balance 860 is 11 whereas the current generation of Asics Gel-Kayano is 28.

New Balance Fresh Foam 860 Vs Asics Gel Kayano – An Overview

Asics Gel Kayano is stability plus neutral running shoes whereas New Balance 860 is a stability running shoe.

Both of them will provide you with good shock absorption and will provide you with a quality running experience. Also, they will last you for a lot of miles.

In the following sections, we are providing you with an in-depth comparison of New Balance 860 and Asics Gel-Kayano.

Let’s dive in…

Asics Gel Kayano 28 Vs New Balance 860v11 – Features at a glance

Asics Gel-Kayano 28 New Balance 860v11
ASICS Men's Gel-Kayano 28 Running Shoes, 13, Black/White New Balance Men's Fresh Foam 860v11, Grey, 10 Medium
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Type Neutral, Stability Stability
Heel-to-toe Drop

13mm (Women)

10mm (Men)

10mm
Weight

9.1oz/258g (Women)

10.9oz/309g (Men)

9.6oz/272g (Women)

11.4oz/324g (Men)

Arch Support Medium Medium
Midsole Type FlyteFoam BLAST Fresh Foam Cushioning
Technology Engineered Mesh Upper, Dynamic DuoMax™ Support System, Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL® Technology Cushioning System, OrthoLite™ X-55 sockliner, Trusstic System® technology, Redesigned external heel counter, FlyteFoam BLAST™, 3D SPACE CONSTRUCTION™, AHAR® Plus Outsole, 3D SPACE CONSTRUCTION™ FRESH FOAM, Ultra Heel
Sizes

5.0 – 13.0 (Women)

6.0 – 16.0 (Men)

5.0 – 13.0 (Women)

7.0 – 16.0 (Men)

Width

Normal (Women)

Normal (Men)

Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Women)

Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Men)

Use Long Distance, Treadmill, Road Long Distance, Treadmill, Road
Editor’s Rating 4 and a half star-92X25-min 4 and a half star-92X25-min
Check Price!
Check Price!

PRODUCT

ASICS Men's Gel-Kayano 28 Running Shoes, 13, Black/White

Asics Gel-Kayano 28

FEATURES

TYPE: Neutral

HEEL-TO-TOE DROP: 12mm

WEIGHT: 9oz/255.1g (Women) / 9.9oz/280.6g (Men)

ARCH SUPPORT: Medium to High

MIDSOLE TYPE: DNA LOFT Cushion

TECHNOLOGY: DNA LOFT, Segmented Crash Pad, 3D Fit Print

SIZES: 5.0 – 13.0 (Women) / 7.0 – 15.0 (Men)

WIDTH: Medium (1B), Wide (1D), Narrow (2A) [Women] / Narrow (1B), Medium (1D), Wide (2E), Extra Wide (4E) [Men]

USE: Long Distance, Treadmill, Road

EDITOR’S RATING

4 and a half star-92X25-min

PRODUCT

New Balance Men's Fresh Foam 860v11, Grey, 10 Medium

New Balance 860v11

FEATURES

TYPE: Neutral

HEEL-TO-TOE DROP: 13mm (Women) / 10mm (Men)

WEIGHT: 9.2oz/261g (Women) / 10.9oz/309g (Men)

ARCH SUPPORT: Medium, High

MIDSOLE TYPE: FlyteFoam Cushioning

TECHNOLOGY: Gel Technology, Engineered Mesh Upper, FlyteFoam Propel Technology, FLYTEFOAM Technology, OrthoLite X-55 Sockliner, 3D Space Construction, Reflectivity, Recycled Content Upper

SIZES: 5.0 – 13.0 (Women) / 6.0 – 16.0 (Men)

WIDTH: Normal (Women) / Normal (Men)

USE: Long Distance, Treadmill, Road

EDITOR’S RATING

4 and a half star-92X25-min

New Balance 860 Vs. Asics Gel Kayano – A head to head comparison

In the above sections, we have covered some major differences and similarities between Asics Kayano and New Balance 860.

In the following sections, you will get an in-depth comparison of these two running shoes.

Outsole

The outsole of Asics Gel Kayano is made from AHAR or Asics High Abrasion Rubber. This is a durable rubber that will provide you with an excellent grip on dry and wet surfaces.

This rubber is flexible and will provide you with optimal flexibility.

On the forefoot, you have a lot of grooves. This will make this running shoe more flexible and will help you with an easier heel-to-toe transition.

The outsole of New Balance 860 is made from blown rubber and will provide you with similar protection as the previous one.

It will provide you with a bit of cushioning and will keep you stable while running. It also has similar grooves in the forefoot to improve flexibility without compromising the cushioning. 

Midsole

The midsole of Asics Gel Kayano has a lot going on. It has forefoot and rearfoot gel cushioning. This is a silicone-based gel cushioning and will provide you excellent impact resistance.

Also, it has the Flytefoam Blast as the main midsole material and is shock-absorbing and responsive. This material apart from providing you with great cushioning is also environmentally friendly.

For pronation control, it has the Dynamic DuoMax Support System. This reduces pronation and controls the movement of the foot. This provides you with a smoother heel-to-toe transition.

It also has the Space Trusstic. This reduces the weight of the sole and provides you with stability. This also helps you in retaining the structural integrity of the shoe.

It also has Gender-specific Trusstic. It is tuned to men’s and women’s specific biomechanical needs providing each of their protection and a smooth ride.

The Impact Guidance System (IGS) provides you with a smooth and balanced heel-to-toe transition.

The midsole of New Balance 860 is made from Fresh Foam. This is a lightweight foam material that will provide you with a comfortable fit and flexible support.

This is a cushy material and will provide you with good responsiveness and rebound. This will make your runs smoother and will help you with the easier heel-to-toe transition.

Also, it has the medial post. It consists of higher density foam and is present in the midfoot. This helps you to improve your pronation.

Upper

The upper of Asics Gel Kayano is made from engineered mesh. This is a lightweight mesh and will not add bulk to the shoe.

It will provide you with good breathability and will flex with your feet. This allows your feet to move naturally while maintaining the structure.

It also has an external heel clutch that will securely hold your heels in place while providing you with excellent stability. Also, it has a new X-shaped structure that is lined with memory foam to provide you with a personalized fit.

Also, it has EVA sockliner that provides you with additional cushioning.

The upper of New Balance 860 is made from engineered mesh. It is also very lightweight and provides you with a secured and comfortable fit.

It also provides you with flexible support. Also, this New Balance 860 has ultra heels and is very stylish to look at.

It has contrasting colors which separate the heel area from the rest of the shoe, providing you with that added

Weight

In terms of weight, Asics Gel Kayano is a bit lighter than New Balance 860.

Asics Gel Kayano weighs around 9.1oz /258g for women and 10.9oz/309g for men.

New Balance 860 weighs around 9.6oz/272g for women and 11.4oz/324g for men.

Price

The price of New Balance 860 is lesser than Asics Gel Kayano. If you compare the prices of the latest versions i.e New Balance 860v11 and Asics Gel Kayano 28, you will find a price difference of around $30. (At the time of writing this post).

However, your choice between these two shoes will come down to the kind of pronation you have. If you are an overpronating runner, then technically you have two choices…however, if you are a neutral runner, you only have one choice.

In the above sections, you will find a very detailed comparison of Asics Gel Kayano and New Balance 860.

However, there are few alternatives that will be able to provide you with similar comfort. They are comfortable, resilient and will provide you with a quality running experience.

We have included a couple of them below. Do take a look.

Similar Shoes

Running Shoes Similar To Asics Gel-Kayano 28

Asics Gel Kayano is a stability cum neutral running shoe. This is an impact-absorbing running shoe that will provide you with an excellent running experience.

Another running shoe that will provide you with similar running experience is Asics GT 2000. This is also a stability running shoe and is responsive. This may be one of the best alternatives to Asics Gel Kayano.

Sale
Asics GT-2000 10 Running Shoes
  • Engineered knit upper offers a supportive and comfortable foothold:
  • Engineered knit upper offers a supportive and comfortable foothold:
  • Wide fit:

Last update on 2024-04-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Running Shoes Similar To New Balance 860v11

New Balance 860 is a stable running shoe and will provide you with excellent cushioning. It is stylish and will provide you with high mileage.

Another running shoe that should provide you with a similar experience is Brooks Adrenaline GTS. This has a soft and impact resistance cushioning and is a support running shoe. This is a high mileage running shoe and will provide you with a comfortable ride. This may be one of the best alternatives to New Balance 860.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 Running Shoes
  • THIS WOMEN'S SHOE IS FOR: Runners looking for a supportive shoe that's soft and smooth, the Adrenaline GTS 21 offers an improved ride and reliable support for however your body moves so you can forget the shoes and enjoy the run. This Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 is a certified PDAC A5500 Diabetic shoe and has been granted the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
  • SUPPORT AND CUSHION: Provides just the right amount of stability and support, great for overpronation while providing high energizing cushioning. Ideal for road running, cross training, the gym or wherever you might want to take them! Predecessor: Adrenaline GTS 20
  • BALANCED, SOFT CUSHIONING: The DNA LOFT Crash Pad cushions each footfall and works with BioMoGo DNA to adapt to your every stride.

Last update on 2024-04-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Conclusion

In the above sections, you will find almost all the similarities and differences between Asics Gel Kayano 28 Vs New Balance 860 v11. However, we liked some of the things about one shoe a bit more than the other…

New Balance 860 has fresh foam cushioning which is responsive and shock-resistant. Also, it will provide you with a soft and cushy feel. Also, it has an ultra heel and will provide you with excellent ankle stability. It is good for overpronation and is very stylish. This is why we chose New Balance 860 over Asics Gel Kayano.

If you own any of these two shoes, share your experience with us. We would love to feature your story and share your experience with our readers.

New Balance Fresh Foam 860 Vs Asics Gel Kayano Pin-min
Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.

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