ASICS GEL-KAYANO Ace 2: Championship DNA

In case you forgot, Japanese sportswear giant ASICS makes golf shoes. And they’re pretty darn good. 

While the brand typically has been more synonymous with running, their line of golf shoes has steadily grown since Dunlop took over their U.S. distribution. 

Now the popular GEL-KAYANO model, one of ASICS’ flagship running styles, is back for a second round on the golf course. Introducing the GEL-KAYANO Ace 2 golf shoes. This spikeless golf shoe is full of ASICS running tech to provide a comfortable, stable golfing experience. 

Tech Specs

FlyteFoam midsole Waterproof PU lining TPU heel cradle Spikeless outsole Retail $169.99

A Storied History

A look at the original OK Basketball shoe (photo courtesy of ASICS)

As the self-proclaimed shoe guy of MyGolfSpy, I’d be remiss not to give you a quick history lesson about the brand. 

ASICS was founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka. The brand’s first retail shoe was actually a basketball shoe, similar to the iconic Chuck Taylor model from Converse. Who would have guessed?

After the release of the “OK basketball shoe”, ASICS quickly pivoted to running, which has been their bread and butter ever since. Along the way, they introduced the tiger stripes (1968) that you see on the side of every ASICS shoe and the cult-classic GEL-LYTE III runner (one of my favorites). 

Why golf? 

It’s clear ASICS has a penchant for pushing performance boundaries. Heck, an ASICS staffer set the North American record at the Tokyo Marathon last year in the Metaspeed Sky+. The same approach that’s moved the brand forward since their humble beginnings during World War II in Kobe is what powers their (hopeful) emergence in the golf space. 

Why haven’t they made bigger waves? They are the shoe of choice for 2022 Masters champ Hideki Matsuyama, after all. 

Even still, ASICS has struggled to find market share in a heavily saturated space. The brand is hoping that with continued persistence (what got them here in the first place) and relying on the top tech that makes their running shoes so popular will eventually pay golf dividends. 

About the GEL-KAYANO Ace 2

Sound familiar? That’s because the ASICS GEL-KAYANO has been one of the brand’s flagship products for years. Now selling the 30th iteration of the popular stable running shoe, ASICS hopes to bring that same popularity and comfort to the second iteration of the golf variant. 

While the jury is still out on performance (we’ll wait until Most Wanted testing to divulge any secrets), the specs look good on paper. 

Let’s start with the midsole.

FlyteFoam Midsole

FlyteFoam is one of ASICS’  mainline foam used mostly in tennis shoes (the upgrade FF Blast, Blast Plus and Blast Turbo are reserved for their flagship running shoes). Described as lightweight and responsive, FlyteFoam’s stand-out characteristic is its “rideability” or the comfortable underfoot feel. 

All of this is to say that the GEL-KAYANO ACE 2 should provide a comfortable walking experience. 

Upgraded Stability

The mainline ASICS GEL-KAYANO running shoes are known for their stable ride. The GEL-KAYANO ACE 2 should be no different, thanks to the upgraded TPU heel counter. 

This piece, missing from the original GEL-KAYANO ACE, will add some much-needed rigidity in the heel to stop you from rolling over too much as you lean into your lead side. 

Other Golf Shoe Non-Negotiables

The ASICS GEL-KAYANO ACE 2 also features a lightweight mesh upper that’s lined with a waterproof TPU membrane. This should provide ample breathability while also keeping your feet protected from the outside elements. 

On top of this, ASICS’ FG spikeless outsole promises at least serviceable traction (again, we’ll see come Most Wanted testing). 

Available Soon

Are you an ASICS running fan? Maybe you’re just on the hunt for a comfortable golf shoe that’ll have your buddies asking, “Who makes that?”

With their storied heritage and technical prowess, it’s only a matter of time before ASICS makes its way into more pro shops and onto more feet on the course. 

The ASICS GEL-KAYANO ACE 2 will be available on Feb. 21. It’s worth noting that two new colorways of the GEL-ACE PRO M, ASICS spiked golf shoe model, are set to drop on the same day. 

For more information, visit ASICS.

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