Which is lighter, the Asics Gel-Kayano 29 or the Gel-Kayano 30?

The Asics Gel-Kayano 29, by 0.3 oz in a men's US 9 (10.5 oz vs 10.8 oz).

Do the Asics Gel-Kayano 29 and Gel-Kayano 30 come in the same widths?

Yes. Both run in D, 2E, 4E for men's sizes, so a width that fit in the Gel-Kayano 29 carries over to the Gel-Kayano 30.

How do the stack heights compare?

25 mm heel and 15 mm forefoot on the Asics Gel-Kayano 29, against 40 mm and 30 mm on the Gel-Kayano 30. That is 15 mm more under the heel and 15 mm more under the forefoot. See the stack height note in the table above: the published figures changed convention mid-lineage.

Is the Gel-Kayano 30 still the newest Gel-Kayano?

No. The Gel-Kayano 31 replaced it in 2024, so the Gel-Kayano 30 now sells as an older model and usually below its $160 list price.

Asics Gel-Kayano 29 vs Gel-Kayano 30

Updated July 28, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Whichever your size still exists in. The Gel-Kayano 29 is discontinued at retail, so remaining pairs sell against a thinning size run, while the Gel-Kayano 30 has a full one.

Gel-Kayano 29 · 2022

Gel-Kayano 30 · 2023

Every spec, side by side

Spec	Gel-Kayano 29	Gel-Kayano 30
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	10.5 oz	10.8 oz
Widths	D, 2E, 4E	D, 2E, 4E
Upper	Engineered knit mesh	Stretch-knit mesh
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	25 mm	40 mm
	The two figures use different conventions; the real height gain at the heel is roughly 4 to 5 mm. Still the tallest Kayano to that point.
Forefoot stack	15 mm	30 mm
Drop	10 mm	10 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	Full-length FF Blast+ foam; LiteTruss medial support system	FF Blast+ Eco foam with internal PureGEL; 4D Guidance System, no medial post
	Softer everywhere. The internal gel is 65 percent softer than the old external pods.
VALUE
List price at launch	$160	$160
OTHER CHANGES
Stability	LiteTruss medial post	4D Guidance System: wider base, raised sidewalls, soft medial wedge
	Every piece of firm hardware left the building. Support now comes from geometry, not a post.

Weighing whether to switch at all, rather than which of these two to buy? What replaced the Asics Gel-Kayano 29 covers the verdict on the update, what loyalists made of it, and the closest alternatives from other brands.

Buy the Gel-Kayano 29

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: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Jul 28, 2026.

Buy the Gel-Kayano 30

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: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Jul 28, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Which is lighter, the Asics Gel-Kayano 29 or the Gel-Kayano 30?: The Asics Gel-Kayano 29, by 0.3 oz in a men's US 9 (10.5 oz vs 10.8 oz).
Do the Asics Gel-Kayano 29 and Gel-Kayano 30 come in the same widths?: Yes. Both run in D, 2E, 4E for men's sizes, so a width that fit in the Gel-Kayano 29 carries over to the Gel-Kayano 30.
How do the stack heights compare?: 25 mm heel and 15 mm forefoot on the Asics Gel-Kayano 29, against 40 mm and 30 mm on the Gel-Kayano 30. That is 15 mm more under the heel and 15 mm more under the forefoot. See the stack height note in the table above: the published figures changed convention mid-lineage.
Is the Gel-Kayano 30 still the newest Gel-Kayano?: No. The Gel-Kayano 31 replaced it in 2024, so the Gel-Kayano 30 now sells as an older model and usually below its $160 list price.