Gel Kayano 32 vs GT-2000 15

The Gel Kayano 32 is Asics at its most dependable: a premium stability running shoe built for racking up everyday miles in comfort rather than chasing pace. It is a support shoe, but a modern one. Instead of a hard medial post pushing back at your arch, it leans on soft cushioning and a guidance-led geometry that gently keeps your foot tracking straight as you tire. At a 8mm drop it sits in classic daily-trainer territory, and the plush heel makes it forgiving for heel-strikers logging long, steady runs. At 305g it is on the heavier side, so this is a comfort and protection shoe first, not a quick one. The trade-off for that smooth, planted ride is an RRP of 180 pounds, which makes it one of the dearer daily trainers out there. If you overpronate mildly and want a cushioned shoe that holds together for months of training, it earns its keep. If you want the same softness without the support, the neutral Gel Nimbus 28 is the sibling to look at. Coming from the Kayano 31? The 32 is a refinement, not a reinvention.

Previous GT-2000s were the stability shoe you bought because it was sensible. Version 15 is the first one reviewers seem to actually enjoy running in. At 252g with 38.2mm under the heel and an 8.2mm drop, it's lighter and more flexible than the GT-2000 14, and the reviews we read agree the ride is livelier and more cushioned than before. The support is mild. A firm, centred platform guides your foot, and there's no hard medial post pushing into the arch. That makes it a daily training shoe for runners who roll in a little, not for severe overpronators. The catch is the fit. The toe box is low and tapered and the heel counter is stiff, so wide or high-volume feet may struggle. UK reviewer Fordy Runs rates it an excellent daily trainer, while RTINGS was cooler, finding the cushioning fades on longer runs. We sit closer to the first camp. At £134.99 RRP it's also cheaper than most stability rivals before any discount.