55 replies to this topic

[Neal]

Hi guys. I bought a pair of Kayano's a couple of months ago. I pronate on both feet, especially the right. The Kayano has a stabilising support inside the shoe. This works great for keeping my feet upright however the downside is that the shoes are cutting my feet to pieces. Whenever I go for a run I need to strap both feet to stop the blisters. I was standing around at the end of the Gold Coast Marathon the other weekend and everyone was talking about how good Asics are, I agreed with them but I didnt tell them about the half a kilo of tape on my feet that I needed to get through the race. I have tried to contact Asics Australia but their website doesnt have a contact facility and they dont have a phone number. The long and short of this post is "Has anyone else had this problem, and how can I contact Asics to get some feedback".

[Gunther Norman]

Neal my friend, at last I have found a 'fellow Kayano Sufferer'. I bought a pair from Rebel at Xmas and after about 6 or 7 runs I found I was suffering corns and blisters on both feet from my middle toe out to the smallest one. The shoes felt great but jesus the pain !. I eventually lost a toenail which was the last straw. I contacted Rebel who sent them to Asics for fault detection which came back negative so growing frustrated I contacted Asics directly who were very helpful. They explained that if I was a size 9 normal shoe then the retailer should of recommended a shoe half size bigger than normal because they have a narrower taper toward the toe. At last I had an answer for my suffering. I then went back to Rebel kicked up a stink and they swapped them for some Wave Creations which are great. The moral of the story is that Asics were helpful and gave me some leverage to go back to Rebel and complain and ultimately get a result. I will see if I can find the number for you and will post it. By the way I hate using tape too.

[Neal]

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  :)

[Gunther Norman]

Neal, ring asics sydney on 9647 2944 they should be able to help. Good luck

[Gunther Norman]

Sue,
Fur alle, die uber eienen langeren Zeitraum Kontinvierlich Deutch lernean, aber nicht auf die vorzuge eines Klengruppenkurses !

Auf Weidersehn

[MICHAEL M]

Have you tried Saucony Hurricanes?

Sauconys are excellent fitting and often
overlooked running shoes.

I recommend them with double insoles
for Mararathons, they still fit well and are stable.

After ten Mararathons in Sauconys I'm reluctant to use my ASICS.

I think with some ASICS you may have to buy them 1/2 a size bigger which should not
be the case. Kayanos are also an excellent shoe, if the fit is right, but quite dear (compared with ASICS 2070s & the like.)

[Neal]

Michael, I'm with you. Until I bought these Kayano's I was very much a Saucony Fan. I think from a pronate perspective the Grid system that Saucony uses is the best, it gives you return no matter what angle your foot is on. The Kayano tries to do the same thing by holding your foot up-right in what to most people would be an un-natural position. Since posting my original message I have emailed Asics Australia (got the details from the message board) and let them know that there are some people out there that are not so happy Asics owners. I am waiting with baited breath to see if I get a reply.

[Neal]

Mick. Obviously I have the same problem. Besides all the other blisters on my arch I also got a bad blister on my little toe during the Gold Coast. I dont believe that you can toughen up your feet, even though lots of people will tell you how to do it. The only solution I know of is to somehow strap the spot that gets the blister. Two socks will always work but not many people buy runners thinking that they will be wearing two sets of socks so they dont buy them big enough. Cant really help more than that. Good luck with the Melbourne Half.

[Jogger]

The "bible" in ultra marathon circles for taping feet is - subscribing to the free email list gives a monthly newsletter of good tips also - you should subscribe evn if you only read the archives.

[love em' hills]

Newbie - the Brooks Beast..okay so they are a bit on the heavy side but the support they give is more than worth it, especially for training on pavements and on trails. What's more, when you slip on a pair of lighter shoes for racing you feel that much more quicker. Give them a go. If however they are just to heavy for you then try the Mizuno 'Wave Creation' another excellent shoe. But being size 12 I would suspect you better off in the Beasts.

[gunnin']

Just a couple of points. No one's mentioned socks. Make sure your socks are up to scratch, not too thin or too old and crispy. If I have a blister I cover it with the ends of those thin plastic bandaids, feels like nothing's there compared to tape. And finally,if you're in Melbourne, don't pay $250 for your Kayano's, get them for $185 from Leo Russell's in Preston (Gilbert Rd.)like I just have.
Cheers!

[Nicky]

Well,well well, this topic is a blessing in disguise, I also have been to the wonderful-atheletes foot, thought I was doing the right thing for my running, feet & body but have suffered from the feet up, when told I needed Asics kyanos for my overpronation, mortons toe, which in turn,I take an 8 1/2 to 9 & was told tens, for my mortons toe??? hell no's why, as I told the guy they slipped & he said to tighten the laces & when I'm out running they will be fine. I also have a broad foot & wear socks, good socks, so how can they ( athletes foot) call them selves, experts if we are all having such problems, I use to believe it was the shoes but... it is the fit . Because we need cushioning &stability they grab for the top shelf...
I always ran in puma's with alittle help of padding from the podiatrist & never had a problem ever!!!   I now have a $250 pair of shoes I don't wear & my husband is furious as I don't think we can take these back, there a little dirty from wearing them in the beginning to see if they would come good, I live in the country so alot of dirt roads. BOY THIS TOPIC SHOULD BE SENT TO ASIC, ATHLETES FOOT, ETC....   NIK!!

[John]

Just to add to the Kayano feedback....
I've run in about the last 6 models and have always been extremely happy with them. I need to note though, that I always use custom orthotics, being an overpronator. Also, I have a fairly narrow foot, which the Kayano provides a very good fit for.

[Neal]

Guys, seeing I started this discussion I think that I need to add as I get new information. I have spoken to the RunInn here in Brisbane and also a number of other people and it is possible that the problem with the Kayano's is more with the insert than the shoe itself. I went for a run last night and put some more blisters on top of my other blisters (they say we are all stupid). My observation was that it was the insert that was doing the rubbing and not the shoe. The RunInn stated that quite a lot of people have reported the same fault to them and they are recommending that people change their inserts and that this should fix most problems. I cant see how it would fix problems with the toes but certainly if you are getting blisters on the arch or further back then changing the inserts could be a possibility. I have changed mine and I will see how they go. Failing that Ascis has said that if I send my shoes to them they will replace them even though there is technically nothing wrong with them. The only problem with that is how does a runner do without his shoes for a week or two, I will be going up the walls.

[Neal]

Just a further note. I have been speaking with a Stuart at Asics Australia. He is their PR officer (I think). I emailed this whole notice board to him yesterday, he read it and has forwarded the whole thing to their R&D department. All is not in vain.

[Thomas]

Hi Neal, I've been wearing Kayanos for a number of years and have never had blisters - not one - until I bought the current model about 2 weeks ago. I was getting blistered under both arches. So I pulled the inserts out of my last pair and put them in the new - and you guessed it no more blisters.

[Rob]

I've never had problems (or blisters) in over 2000km of running in Kayanos. I'm onto the 3rd pair and have never paid more that $180. Whilst the postings here encourage me to try the 2070s I don't want to experiment with my comfort.
As for the issue of correct fit, the best we can hope for is for Asics to withdraw from selling via Athletes Foot!

[Neal]

Rob, I am starting to realise that the problem with the Kayano's is exclusive to the VIII's and then to the insert only. If you have had the models before the VIII's then there doesnt seem to be a problem.

[Nicky]

I posted a note on this topic awhile ago & its still being discussed, I have to say I was very mad at the athletes foot, when given the wrong size shoe, but I have to say I got the courage after seeing a physio that confirmed my problem with the kyano VIII, to take them back an ask for the right size & they did, I was shocked ,that they would say tuff...,& there worn & can't be sold & she did say that but also understood that a smooth salesman ,no longer employed there, had sold me the dearest shoe in the shop with the wrong fit.With  the physios help thing are looking up,These shoes are good but still overpriced... WE all learn & live, sometimes the hard way!!

[Dang]

For more feedback on kayanos see www.roadrunnersports.com . a usa site which has a message board for all brands /models.

[Shamu]

Holly cow i can not believe so many unhappy people,
It's really sad to think that you can't go into a shop anymore and get the correct advise on shoes.
I use to work for a major sports shoe store which im not going to mention but i am so happy with everything that i learnt whilst working there...
One major thing i need to disclose though was if your not happy with your fit return it and get another shoe....
**Also a comment i need to make is that the Kayano is not a shoe for people who pronate.
it is a shoe for a fairly normal foot.
***And heres a bit of inside info for you
Is that if you ever open a kayano up it doesn't actually contain "GEL".. more like foam and soft rubber !!!! the size of a 1/4 of a $5 dollar note...

Brooks Trance for that matter has hydroflow which is like a gel but thinner and you can
even remove your inner sole and see right through the other side so you know what your paying for...

Brooks Trance is compared with the Kayano so maybe you could go try it on very comfortable shoe..

Wide toe box so No Blisters...   :)

[jack ivey]

if blisters are a problem soak your feet in condies cyrstals once a day it toughens the skin and also acts as a antiseptic killing off fungal and stuff better than metho as metho toughens only the outer layers not the deeper layers of skin this may result in deep friction burns . works for us in the army and ive used the same method when training for the goldcoast marathon after the race i didnt have a problem works for me anyway :        :)

[Tuttle]

The Kayano saga continues.......I've just done an easy 10k run; at the end of the run, when I looked at my right foot, I realized why it had been feeling sore - the blister on top of the 2nd toe (which has become evident every time I run in the Kayanos) had burst, and now the shoe is - pardon the expression - something of a bloody mess (like my toe and sock).  I notice from this thread that "Neal" was able to establish email contact with "Stuart" at Asics.  Neal, I'm wondering if you'd be able to pass on the email address, so I can let Asics know of my hassle.
Cheers and thanks,
Capt. Tuttle

[Neal]

Hi;

Been awhile since someone has put something in here. My saga with the Kayano's ended about 2 months ago when I bought some generic inserts from my local A-Mart. I havent had any problems since then. I have looked through my address book etc and I cant find the phone number or email for ASICS Australia but I got the number through my local running store and I am sure that you could do the same. From all that I have read and heard from people it is the inserts that are the problem. When I need a new pair of shoes I certainly wont be buying the Kayano's. Good luck.

[Winston]

Good to hear that your problem has been fixed. I still find it amazing at how nieve people are today. Example, if you are going to tour around australia, going over harsh terrain and rivers rocks etc, im sure you wouldnt use the humble family sedan, it might do ok but there are better options, something that will be better suited to your needs like a 4x4 possibly. Same goes for feet and shoes. Look into things a little more closely next time before you make remarks about things that some of you have no real knowledge about. I know this sounds harsh but some people should understand what they are talking about before they start making accusations about certain things. Enough said.. happy running!

[punkbandit]

Hey Captain T,

Mark yer email Attn Stuart and send it to asics@asics.com.au.  I know it looks like a general email address, but he personally gave it to me so its a good one.

I have been visiting podiatrists and throwing money at shoes for a while now, and have tried both the kayanos VIII and the new trance.  They are both crap for my needs.  Your best hope would be i reckon, if Stewy gives you some new replacement kayanos, would be to trade them at athletes foot for something else.

Brooks vapor bends in all the right places for me (so did trance 2 models ago - new ones too soft), and only costs $115 at rebel sports this week apparently.  It feels great to have sorted out my shoe problem for $115 after the money I have spent in the past.

Good Luck

[Tuttle]

Thanks for the email address and suggestion re. the Vapor.  I haven't tried that shoe, but I have had success with the Adrenaline.  I agree abt the Trance - too "cushy" and v def. overpriced.  We delude ourselves if we think that spending top dollars guarantees the 'best' shoe.

[Winston]

My initial advive would be like the Valvoline commercial, if your on a good thing stick to it! If the Adrenaline worked once before stay with it. Its very hard sometimes to get consistency with runnning shoes as they always try to improve them and update them to make them better.. this changes the shoe and not all changes are good for individuals unfortunately.
The Trance of old you mentioned, the Adrenaline and Vapor are 3 very different shoes, different ammounts of stability, cushioning, durability and fit. To say what is good for one wont necessarily be good for another. Unfortunately it can be expensive experimentation thats why seeking advice from many different sources, ones that might have some actuall scientific backing to them not just peoples opinions which fly around in here quite often! An understanding onf not only foot type but foot concerns and shoe properties relevant to needs. After this message i would go and do some research for yourself and stop listening to some of the rubbish people publish in here. Sure OPINIONS can be helpful and to pick up a shoe at $115 is awesome but how do you know that its the right one for you? Will you skimp on $$$ and sacrafice your body? I am not saying however that the most xpensive shoe is the best one and when you are saying the Trance is over priced then what is the Kayano with 1/3rd the technology the trance has?

[Colin]

I have been running marathons for 25yrs and have biomech problems that would make me injury prone if I were to wear the wrong type of shoe. However, on todays value, I have never bought shoes that are over $100, and I cannot understand why people would be forking out $250 hwen most of them don't even train with half the intensity that I do. I suppose if you are new then you wouldn't have much time to trial and error, but you will find the shoe for you. As an example, the NB 763 works for me. Now they have upgraded this and I think call it the 764, but it only has superficial changes, and double the price. You can still get the old one for about $80! If the old shoe has worked so well for so long, what have they suddenly discovered in running injuries that that has necessitated a change in design, the major thing being a change in colour?