I was a hardcore loyalist to this brand and model. I always had a stockpile of extras waiting to go. Recently, I expired my back stock of 21s and started using last year’s 22.
What the hell were they thinking? They dramatically shrunk the size and flattened the curvature of the toe box. Why do companies feel the need to innovate when they have something that already works? Urrrggh!!!
How many others have experienced this? Did you go up 0.5 size? Did you switch model/brand? I am late to the situation given my backlog of old shoes. Unfortunately, nobody is selling older models on eBay, etc.
I starting running in the Kayanos in 2004. After I went through my last pair of 21’s, I switched shoes completely. Ended up going to a neutral shoe, so this may not help.
Went to Asics Gel Quantum. Then to Brooks Pureflow 5. Now I’ve settled on ON Cloud.
Not your Kayanos, but I tried on a pair of GT2000s over the weekend and found I needed a full size larger (from 12 to 13) over the previous series. And the fit still didn’t seem as nice as the old. I don’t know why they did that. Oh well, I’m bringing in more pairs of Nike shoes now into the rotation and transitioning away from Asics, I guess.
I am in the same boat… I went with the 22’s but went up 1/2 a size. I haven’t run in them yet though (other than outside the store for a quick test run), as I still have a little mileage left in the 21’s, but I was also pretty mad/frustrated that they changed the model so much. It sounds like the 23 is better, but since I spent so much on the 22’s, I guess I will give them a shot and hopefully they work. Just wanted to let you know you aren’t the only one irritated about the changes!
I started noticing this with the 21s, when I got a blister on the ball of my foot from the arch. GT2000 also got tigher. Went up 0.5 size on the 22s and fits perfect.
I gave up on Kayano’s for the same reason years ago. I switched to Mizuno and have not regretted it. Their changes seem to be minimal, mostly colors/graphics.
Regrettably, I did not try on the 22s before buying a pair. I bought a couple pair during the last days of Sports Authority, so no returns possible. I guess I could sell them on eBay.
They do seem to get a little better with multiple wearings. I’m headed to the Boston Marathon expo this weekend, so that will be a good opportunity to try a couple models recommended here.
I just exhausted my Kayano 21 supply and ordered the 22. I could get by with the shrinking 21 toe box, but the 22 is a no-go due to the toe squeeze and my big toe actually touching the end. Has anyone actually worn the 23 or 24? I’m wondering if the toe box is at least back to the width of the 21.
I abandoned them at Kayano 11 (the 9 was still my favourite ever shoe) because for me at the time, the price was getting ridiculous. I’m still getting through a pair of Nimbus 17 right now, and they are the slowest, heaviest feeling shoe I have ever had. I am never sore, but I put my Newtons back on (obviously a totally different type of shoe) and I’m cruising 20sec/km faster with no effort whatsoever. I’d be keen to hear any recent Kayano/Nimbus comparison comments…Newton’s newer models aren’t that easy to come by in NZ (Fate has been my go to with Gravity IV on the side).
I’m looking at the Kayano 25 online. Their description claims they widened the toe box and made it taller after shrinking it in the problematic 22-24. Can anyone confirm this?