Can I go straight from the Asics Gel-Kayano 27 to the Gel-Kayano 29 and skip the Gel-Kayano 28?

Yes. Going Gel-Kayano 27 to Gel-Kayano 29 skips the Gel-Kayano 28, and neither update changed the ride, so you land on the same shoe two refinements later. The midsole is the one real difference: FlyteFoam Propel over FlyteFoam with rear and forefoot GEL; Dynamic DuoMax post and Space Trusstic to Full-length FF Blast+ foam; LiteTruss medial support system.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

0.6 oz off in total, 11.1 oz to 10.5 oz in a men's US 9. The Gel-Kayano 28 took it to 10.9 oz first.

Is the Gel-Kayano 28 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 10.9 oz against 11.1 oz for the Gel-Kayano 27 and 10.5 oz for the Gel-Kayano 29, on a 23 mm heel and a $160 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Gel-Kayano 28 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Did the Gel-Kayano get taller between the Gel-Kayano 27 and the Gel-Kayano 29?

Heel stack went 22 mm to 25 mm, by way of 23 mm on the Gel-Kayano 28. Drop held at 10 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.

Where does the Gel-Kayano 29 sit in the Gel-Kayano lineup now?

Two versions on from the Gel-Kayano 27, and already replaced itself: the Gel-Kayano 30 arrived in 2023. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Gel-Kayano 29 against it before deciding.

Asics Gel-Kayano 27 vs Gel-Kayano 29

Two versions apart. Updated September 10, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Two updates and 2 years separate the Asics Gel-Kayano 27 from the Gel-Kayano 29. Net change: 0.6 oz lighter, 3 mm more heel stack, a new midsole. Neither update in between changed what the Gel-Kayano is, so this is the same shoe refined twice rather than a new one.

Gel-Kayano 27 · 2020

Gel-Kayano 29 · 2022

The two updates in between

Each step has its own page with the full change list and the verdict on that update.

Step 1Gel-Kayano 27 to Gel-Kayano 282021Refined, same shoe
Gel-Kayano 27 vs 28 What replaced the Asics Gel-Kayano 27?
Step 2Gel-Kayano 28 to Gel-Kayano 292022Refined, same shoe
Gel-Kayano 28 vs 29 What replaced the Asics Gel-Kayano 28?

Gel-Kayano 27 vs Gel-Kayano 29: every spec, side by side

The net of both updates. Per-update change notes stay on the step pages above, because they explain changes measured from a different starting point than this table uses.

Spec	Gel-Kayano 27	Gel-Kayano 29
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	11.1 oz	10.5 oz
Widths	D, 2E, 4E	D, 2E, 4E
Upper	Engineered jacquard mesh with an external heel counter	Engineered knit mesh
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	22 mm	25 mm
Forefoot stack	12 mm	15 mm
Drop	10 mm	10 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	FlyteFoam Propel over FlyteFoam with rear and forefoot GEL; Dynamic DuoMax post and Space Trusstic	Full-length FF Blast+ foam; LiteTruss medial support system
VALUE
List price at launch	$160	$160

Or buy the Gel-Kayano 28 instead?

The Gel-Kayano 28 is the value play if you find it discounted. It carries most of what the Gel-Kayano 29 added while selling as an older model, and moving one version at a time is the smaller adjustment.

Buy the Gel-Kayano 28

Sizes running out

Discontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.

Men's: Check remaining stock

Women's stock is gone.

Availability last checked Sep 10, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Can I go straight from the Asics Gel-Kayano 27 to the Gel-Kayano 29 and skip the Gel-Kayano 28?: Yes. Going Gel-Kayano 27 to Gel-Kayano 29 skips the Gel-Kayano 28, and neither update changed the ride, so you land on the same shoe two refinements later. The midsole is the one real difference: FlyteFoam Propel over FlyteFoam with rear and forefoot GEL; Dynamic DuoMax post and Space Trusstic to Full-length FF Blast+ foam; LiteTruss medial support system.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: 0.6 oz off in total, 11.1 oz to 10.5 oz in a men's US 9. The Gel-Kayano 28 took it to 10.9 oz first.
Is the Gel-Kayano 28 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 10.9 oz against 11.1 oz for the Gel-Kayano 27 and 10.5 oz for the Gel-Kayano 29, on a 23 mm heel and a $160 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Gel-Kayano 28 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Did the Gel-Kayano get taller between the Gel-Kayano 27 and the Gel-Kayano 29?: Heel stack went 22 mm to 25 mm, by way of 23 mm on the Gel-Kayano 28. Drop held at 10 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.
Where does the Gel-Kayano 29 sit in the Gel-Kayano lineup now?: Two versions on from the Gel-Kayano 27, and already replaced itself: the Gel-Kayano 30 arrived in 2023. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Gel-Kayano 29 against it before deciding.