50 Words or Less
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO ACE golf shoe takes comfort to a new level. Wonderful combination of flexibility and stability. Nice traction and waterproofing.
Introduction
As a huge fan of the previous two ASICS spikeless golf shoe models, the GEL-COURSE Glide and GEL-COURSE ACE [full reviews HERE], I was thrilled to learn that the Srixon/ASICS partnership was adding to the lineup with the GEL-KAYANO ACE. The name Kayano is legendary in the running world – known for its excellent comfort and stability. Would the GEL-KAYANO ACE be true to that heritage? Only one way to find out – field work.
Looks
With a casual glance, it would be easy to mistake the GEL-KAYANO ACE for your typical athletic shoe. It’s at the bottom edges of the thick white midsole, where the traction elements of the sole reveal themselves, that it becomes clear these are not running shoes.
A closer look at the soles of the GEL-KAYANO ACE reveals numerous zones with clear design intent – more on that in a moment. Back to the topside, the classic ASICS stripes in silver are typical for the brand and far from subtle. The shoes come in four colorways: Metropolis/Gunmetal, Glacier Grey/Pure Silver (shown here), White/Midnight, and White/White.
Comfort
I need to go ahead and state this: the ASICS GEL-KAYANO ACE are one of the most comfortable golf shoes I’ve ever worn. Typically, even with shoes I really like, there’s some aspect that isn’t quite right for my feet, but not with these.
For the bottom of my feet, the Ortholite insole has the perfect balance of cushioning and support. The tongue is an ideal length, tall enough to avoid a pinch point without being cumbersome. The tongue and collar have just the right amount of padding for my ankle to feel secure yet cushioned. Even the lace layout seems engineered for dialing in fit.
Performance
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO ACE strikes a good balance of mobility and stability. They’re lightweight, yet have plenty of structure. And most importantly for this section, the shoes provide ample traction. Let’s examine some of the features that the shoe is built on.
ASICS utilized FlyteFoam, a lightweight, shock absorbing material in the midsole. If you take a look at the sole, you’ll note the white FlyteFoam remains exposed in key areas to allow for flex while walking and weight transition during the swing. From the midfoot back, the sole is more rigid. Add in the solid plastic element that surrounds the heel, and the back half of the GEL-KAYANO ACE offers loads of lateral stability – a feature that really helps me build my turn. The namesake “GEL” is a pod located on the outside edge of the heel for an extra boost of cushioning.
Turning to the topside, the uppers of the ASICS GEL-KAYANO ACE contain a thin waterproof lining. I didn’t encounter rain during my test sessions, so I further investigated the shoes under a faucet. The fabric of the uppers kept a steady stream of water at bay. However, when the stream hit the tongue section, the protection ended.
Conclusion
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO ACE golf shoe truly lived up to their good name. Lightweight with best in class comfort, the shoes were also responsive to my golf swing. If you haven’t tried on a pair of ASICS spikeless golf shoes, your feet deserve to experience the GEL-KAYANO ACE.
Visit Srixon/ASICS HERE
Matt Meeker
Latest posts by Matt Meeker (see all)
- Vessel Player III Carbon Black Golf Bag Review - March 17, 2023
- VRST Golf Apparel Review - March 14, 2023
- Titleist TSR1 Driver Review - March 9, 2023
These look great! I’ve been waiting for a shoe like this that is basically a superbly comfortable running shoe with golf traction and maybe a little extra stability.
When the stream hit the tome section. End of story for me. I play in the mornings in the north east, so this is a dealbreaker for me.
So they’re not waterproof. What are they thinking? #sunfish