Can I go straight from the Asics Gel-Kayano 29 to the Gel-Kayano 31 and skip the Gel-Kayano 30?

Yes, but going Gel-Kayano 29 to Gel-Kayano 31 means taking one change in a single step: the Gel-Kayano 30 is where the ride moved. Drop holds at 10 mm, so the difference is foam and fit rather than geometry: Full-length FF Blast+ foam; LiteTruss medial support system to FF Blast+ Eco with a bouncier 4D Guidance midfoot foam and PureGEL.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

0.2 oz on in total, 10.5 oz to 10.7 oz in a men's US 9. The Gel-Kayano 30 took it to 10.8 oz first.

Is the Gel-Kayano 30 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 10.8 oz against 10.5 oz for the Gel-Kayano 29 and 10.7 oz for the Gel-Kayano 31, on a 40 mm heel and a $160 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Gel-Kayano 30 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Did the Gel-Kayano get taller between the Gel-Kayano 29 and the Gel-Kayano 31?

Heel stack went 25 mm to 40 mm, by way of 40 mm on the Gel-Kayano 30. Drop held at 10 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.

Where does the Gel-Kayano 31 sit in the Gel-Kayano lineup now?

Two versions on from the Gel-Kayano 29, and already replaced itself: the Gel-Kayano 32 arrived in 2025. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Gel-Kayano 31 against it before deciding.

Asics Gel-Kayano 29 vs Gel-Kayano 31

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 29 from the Gel-Kayano 31. Net change: 0.2 oz heavier, 15 mm more heel stack, a new midsole, $5 more at list. The Gel-Kayano 30 is where the character changed, and that is the update Gel-Kayano 29 owners notice first.

Asics Gel-Kayano 31Men's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Sep 10, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

Gel-Kayano 29 · 2022

Gel-Kayano 31 · 2024

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 29 to Gel-Kayano 302023Changed character
Gel-Kayano 29 vs 30 What replaced the Asics Gel-Kayano 29?
Step 2Gel-Kayano 30 to Gel-Kayano 312024Faithful successor
Gel-Kayano 30 vs 31 What replaced the Asics Gel-Kayano 30?

Gel-Kayano 29 vs Gel-Kayano 31: 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 29	Gel-Kayano 31
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	10.5 oz	10.7 oz
Widths	D, 2E, 4E	D, 2E, 4E
Upper	Engineered knit mesh	Plush engineered mesh with a gusseted tongue
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	25 mm	40 mm
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 with a bouncier 4D Guidance midfoot foam and PureGEL
VALUE
List price at launch	$160	$165

Or buy the Gel-Kayano 30 instead?

The Gel-Kayano 30 is worth a look only if you want the ride it introduced, because that is the update that changed the shoe. Buying it to soften the jump does not work: you would be adapting to the same change either way, just at an older spec.

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

Can I go straight from the Asics Gel-Kayano 29 to the Gel-Kayano 31 and skip the Gel-Kayano 30?: Yes, but going Gel-Kayano 29 to Gel-Kayano 31 means taking one change in a single step: the Gel-Kayano 30 is where the ride moved. Drop holds at 10 mm, so the difference is foam and fit rather than geometry: Full-length FF Blast+ foam; LiteTruss medial support system to FF Blast+ Eco with a bouncier 4D Guidance midfoot foam and PureGEL.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: 0.2 oz on in total, 10.5 oz to 10.7 oz in a men's US 9. The Gel-Kayano 30 took it to 10.8 oz first.
Is the Gel-Kayano 30 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 10.8 oz against 10.5 oz for the Gel-Kayano 29 and 10.7 oz for the Gel-Kayano 31, on a 40 mm heel and a $160 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the Gel-Kayano 30 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Did the Gel-Kayano get taller between the Gel-Kayano 29 and the Gel-Kayano 31?: Heel stack went 25 mm to 40 mm, by way of 40 mm on the Gel-Kayano 30. Drop held at 10 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.
Where does the Gel-Kayano 31 sit in the Gel-Kayano lineup now?: Two versions on from the Gel-Kayano 29, and already replaced itself: the Gel-Kayano 32 arrived in 2025. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the Gel-Kayano 31 against it before deciding.