Asics Gel-Kayano 33 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15
Two shoes people weigh up against each other constantly. Here is what actually separates them, taken from the same database that drives the Shoe Finder quiz, with nothing added by hand. The short version: the Asics Gel-Kayano 33 is 34g lighter.
Side by side
| Asics Gel-Kayano 33 | New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £179.99 RRP | £150 RRP |
| Type | Support | Support |
| Support | Support | Support |
| Weight | 298g | 332g |
| Heel drop | 8mm | 8mm |
| Heel stack | 40mm | 40mm |
| Widths | Standard, wide and 4E | Standard, wide and 4E |
| Plate | None | None |
What the differences mean
Weight
The Asics Gel-Kayano 33 is 34g lighter, at 298g against 332g. As a rough guide every 100g costs about one percent in running economy, so 34g is worth a fraction of a percent. You will feel it more than it costs you, and it counts for more on a fast 5k than on a slow long run.
Heel drop
Both sit at around 8mm, so neither will feel unfamiliar if you are coming from the other. Nothing to choose here.
Feel underfoot
The Asics Gel-Kayano 33 is the softer ride. The other sits in the middle. Preference rather than performance.
Price
£150 against £179.99 at full price, so the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is £30 less. Both are discounted often enough that the gap on the day may look nothing like this, which is worth checking before you decide on price alone.
Which should you buy?
Neither, until you have tried both on. Fit decides more than any specification on this page, and the two shoes above are close enough that a foot shape will separate them faster than a spreadsheet will.
Asics Gel-Kayano 33
The classic support shoe. Plush, stable and very hard to fall out with.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15
Solid, supportive and heavy. Best if you want obvious control and a roomy fit.
Or let the quiz decide
This page compares two shoes. The shoe finder compares all 239 of them against your width, your weight, where you run, your budget and any recurring niggles, then gives you three and tells you why each one made it. It takes about a minute.