In the world of running, names are extremely important. The most successful series are renewed each season, retaining the essential elements and, of course, the name. ASICS has created some of the most enduring running sagas, including the Nimbus, Cumulus, GT-2000, and Noosa Tri. Among these, the Kayano stands out, having undergone a dramatic turnaround in 2008.
The Kayano franchise, since 1993
The original Kayano, known as the GEL-KAYANO™ TRAINER, was launched in 1993 with the goal of creating a model suitable for both running and gym work. It achieved this by incorporating stability and lateral movements into a rigid structure inspired by beetle exoskeletons. This allowed for the use of additional GEL inserts in the rear and forefoot without risking overpronation.
Toshikazu Kayano, the designer of GEL-KAYANO™
ASICS has given some of its most successful running franchises names like Nimbus or Cumulus, which are cloud type names. However, the Kayano’s name has an unexpected origin. In the world of athletes, the Kayano is named after Toshikazu Kayano, the designer of the first interaction in 1993. Someone who did not even run but understood the needs of runners.
Toshikazu Kayano used the GEL-KAYANO TRAINER as a foundation, but expanded the Kayano line away from the original shoe’s multifunctionality. The KAYANO evolved into a model that combined ASICS’ most advanced technologies. This remained the case until 2007, when Toshikazu Kayano launched his final Kayano.
ASICS GEL-KAYANO™ 14, a franchise reboot
Hidenori Yamashita was tasked with taking over for Kayano in the design of the ASICS Kayano, and he preferred evolution over revolution. Drawing on ASICS technology, Yamashita incorporated as much GEL as possible in the forefoot while maintaining the general shape of its predecessors. The ASICS GEL-KAYANO™ 14 won awards, rebooting the franchise and securing its future, now in its 31st edition.
GEL-KAYANO™ 14, from performance to style
In 2020, Kiko Kostadinov was inspired by the Kayano 14 and created unique colour combinations. It was a way to highlight an almost-forgotten model with a unique style and full functionality. And it arrived just as silhouettes from the first decade of the 2000s were being revived with metallic details, technology, and advanced materials. This is how it has become one of the models of the moment. An unexpected return, in lifestyle style, of a shoe idolized by runners and spurred by collaborations with JJJJound, SBTG, Atmos, Aritzia or KITH.
Different editions, materials and colors of the GEL-KAYANO™ 14 that you can find at FOOTDISTRICT.
