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From humble beginnings come great things. The ASICS GEL Kayano, now it its 18th iteration, began in 1993 as the ASICS GEL-Kayano Trainer. Named for its designer — who is still a vital part of the ASICS design team — the Kayano Trainer entered the market as a flagship shoe for "the serious high-mileage runner" (also Howard Stern, who still swears by an earlier model). Eighteen years (and 18 models) later, the GEL Kayano 18 occupies that same space. Click ahead to trace the complete history of the ASICS GEL Kayano.
1
ASICS GEL-Kayano Trainer (TN310)
Year: 1993
MSRP: $130
The original Kayano utilized the tech of the day — skeletal logo stripes for support, visible THETA GEL in the heel and porous P-GEL in the forefoot. The upper was mesh with Coolmax reinforced by synthetic suede. The original catalog copy didn't mention weight, but it wasn't a feather.
2
ASICS GEL-Kayano (TN500)
Year: 1995
MSRP: $120
The second Kayano did away with the "Trainer" designation, but retained much of the original's style. The catalog copy was less forthcoming, only saying that it included "the latest in ASICS GEL technology and fit system." Surprisingly, the price actually dropped.
3
ASICS GEL-Kayano (TN700)
Year: 1997
MSRP: $125
1997's Kayano featured the biggest logo stripes yet, along with 360 degrees of 3M reflectivity. The catalog copy reached new heights, describing the Kayano (in all caps) as "top-of-the-line running model featuring ASICS plushest, most cushioned ride." Like the original, it featured THETA GEL (renamed T-GEL) in the heel, and P-GEL in the forefoot, along with an "Extended Trusstic System" in the midfoot midsole for stability.
4
ASICS GEL-Kayano (TN820)
Year: 1998
MSRP: $125
ASICS branding reached its limit on the fourth Kayano. Like the third version, the newest Kayano relied on synthetic leather rather than suede, along with much the same cushioning and support techniology. These just happened to be recognizable from space.
5
ASICS GEL-Kayano (TN900)
Year: 1999
MSRP: $125
Very similar to the fourth Kayano, 1999's update just toned things down a bit, shrinking the giant side stripe and going to a tonal GEL logo on the midsole. For the first time, the weight — 13 ounces — appeared in the catalog.
6
ASICS GEL-Kayano (TN001)
Year: 2000
MSRP: $130
Again, incremental changes — 2000's Kayano also checked in at 13 ounces — but the new millenium's Kayano went back to the beginning in terms of model numbering. It was also the first Kayano to include IGS, ASICS's new Impact Guidance System stability cradle that would become an ASICS runner staple.
7
ASICS GEL-Kayano VII (TN100)
Year: 2001
MSRP: $130
Eight years in, recognition of the Kayano's history for the first time, as the 2001 model is designated the VII. The catalog copy set the bar high, claiming the Kayano featured "what many runners consider to be the most natural heel to toe transition ever experienced in a running shoe." Also, the weight dropped by a full ounce from the previous model, to 12.
8
ASICS GEL-Kayano VIII (TN200)
Year: 2002
MSRP: $130
Again, the focus was on the motion of the foot, as ASICS trumpeted their "lateral rearfoot flex grooves," meant to smooth the ride from heel to toe. Other than that, the IGS system and rear and forefoot Gel kept things at 12 ounces.
9
ASICS GEL-Kayano IX (TN300)
Year: 2003
MSRP: $130
Nearly unheard of in premier runners, the Kayano IX actually posted a weight GAIN, up from 12 ounces to 13.3. There's nothing significantly different in the tech specs, so one can only assume that there were some materials changes, perhaps for increased durability.
10
ASICS GEL-Kayano X (TN400)
Year: 2004
MSRP: $135
The first Kayano since the 1993 original to feature "normal" (i.e. no Ghilly loops) lacing, the Kayano X dropped back down to 12.8 ounces thanks to the use of thinner synthetics and a more pared-down upper. Also, the phrase "Biomorphic Upper Fit" entered the ASICS lexicon. According to the catalog, these came pre-laced.
11
ASICS GEL-Kayano XI (TN500)
Year: 2005
MSRP: $135
More shaving down resulted in a .3 ounce loss, down to 12.5. Bigger stripes and more reflectivity was more or less all that separated it from its predecessor — big changes are always a difficult sale in a running shoe with a cult following.
12
ASICS GEL-Kayano XII (TN600)
Year: 2006
MSRP: $135
Weight fluctuations. The XII came it at 12.6 ounces, which presumably would be noticeable to only the most meticulous runner. New systems introduced in 2006 included the Space Trusstic System, an advance that allowed for greater foot function, as well as Solyte, ASICS's super-light foam.
13
ASICS GEL-Kayano 13 (TN700)
Year: 2007
MSRP: $135
So much for Roman numerals. The Kayano 13 remained at 12.6 ounces, but offset the use of lighter upper materials with a higher-volume GEL cushioning system, resulting in a shoe that would be more comfortable both on and under foot.
14
ASICS GEL-Kayano 14 (TN800)
Year: 2008
MSRP: $135
Brand-new heel fit thanks to memory foam made the Kayano 14 the best-fitting to date, all while retaining the expected cushioning and guidance. Worth the .3 ounce tradeoff? Yes.
15
ASICS GEL-Kayano 15 (T900N)
Year: 2009
MSRP: $140
Assymetrical lacing finds its way to the Kayano line, as well as a new midsole design. Lots to absorb in a flagship runner — as well as a return to 13-ounce weight — but the technical advances were rapidly accepted by the Kayano faithful. The price also ticked up $5.
16
ASICS GEL-Kayano 16 (T000N)
Year: 2010
MSRP: $140
In 2010, ASICS adjusted the asymmetrical lacing and added something they called "Guidance Line" — a vertical groove on the outsole to further decouple the sole and improve footstrike/stride. Maybe it was that extra groove that brought the weight back down to 12.7 ounces.
17
ASICS GEL-Kayano 17 (T100N)
Year: 2011
MSRP: $140
More refinements, another tenth of an ounce trimmed. But most importantly, the Kayano 17 was the first of the Kayano series that was available in black.
18
ASICS GEL-Kayano 18 (T200N)
Year: 2012
MSRP: $150
Perhaps fittingly, the current Kayano represents the largest leap in the line. The lightest Kayano ever at 11.5 ounces, the $150 Kayano 18 retains all of the advances made, just in a significantly lighter package. And thankfully, the black-on-black option appears to be here to stay.
