ASICS Men's Gel-Kahana 8 Running Shoe

Some observations and opinions about the ASICS Gel-Kahana 8 trail shoe: there is a removable quality inner sole; thick woven laces aren't too long and stay tied without needing to double knot; very flexible sole with two 'hinge' channels in the forward part of the sole; stiff heel counter with great padding provides good side to side support; heel counter has a padded and flexible half moon at the top to provide space for the Achilles tendon; the tread is aggressive and does a good job providing protection over small, pointed rocks; the spongey-ness of the entire gel sole is noteworthy while going downhill with more force on the foot, as the entire foot remains comfortably sunken into the shoe and doesn't travel/slip; the tongue is thick enough so you don't feel the laces across the top of your foot; there is a 1" nylon slot sewn on top of the tongue where the laces cross through to keep the tongue in place; this shoe runs somewhat narrow in the toe box; durable thick weave of nylon uppers doesn't ventilate especially well. Author of this review runs 60-70 miles per week exclusively over irregular, undulating forest trails that are a mix of soft earth and crushed gravel surface.

I've been a Nike user for a long time but unfortunately, their unattractive designs, inflated pricing, poor choice of colors, poor quality, and their un-american political stance (Betsy Ross Fail) has led me to deal with other options. I've used Asics in the past, but this design has exceeded my expectations. The shoe is true to size but I personally go 1/2 size bigger when it comes running sneakers (toe wiggle room). This is a great stability shoe, performs well both on and off the track, looks sharp, and feels solid. I'm hoping to get a lot of mileage from these sneakers. I'll update my remarks some time in the future.**UPDATE** 8/12/19- After a month of usage, the sneakers have held up well. Sneakers are mostly used to run at a local track and regular pavement. No issues, very comfortable. I purchased another pair in green and grey. My second pair performs just as well with no break-in period what-so-ever. Fingers crossed.

I've had maybe 10 pairs of Kahanas over the years. I kept coming back because it took a while to find the right shoe for my feet and I've been reluctant to change once I did. This purchase was my third pair of Kahana 8s. The two previous pairs were great. This pair, however, appears to have a sole made of a different material. A criminally slippery when wet material. These shoes would slip on sandpaper provided a drop of water was nearby. This, even after I've worn them for months on concrete in hopes that there slippery factor would wear off. I would have given just one star due to danger, but all the others were great. I hope it's a fluke and the material used by Asics won't be used again.

These have a really tight toe box, making them really uncomfortable for me over long-term wear. I've had them over a year now and they still look nearly new because of how often I grab a different pair of shoes for camping, hiking, or walking trails. The length feels right, so ordering a size up wouldn't help me. I've owned countless other pairs of Asics and Onitsuka Tigers that I've worn into the ground because of how often I've worn them. Not these. They're also pretty rigid even after taking camping a few times, so I don't think they'll stretch or break-in more than they have. If they fit, I imagine that would be a great feature.

Update on July 5. I have received my second pair of these in a different color. Comfortable shoe and will serve the purpose for the price. I still expect them to not last too long, as I detailed in my previous message about my first pair (follows). I have also included a photo of the sole issue I had with the first pair.First Review - I actually tried 3 different sizes before I got the correct fit. Usually wearing 10.5 in Vasque Juxt and a different pair of Asics road shoes. 11 is what it took with these. I used them on rocky trails in Phoenix, AZ, and liked the grip and traction. Lasting power was not great. The toe cap started coming off early, though didn't come off all the way. I just also lost a section of the tread from the bottom of the shoe. Seems like the tread is glued on in sections to the actual sole plate. I did use them hard and for the price I am going to get another pair. If they were more expensive, it may not be worth it.

The shoes are relatively comfortable but any time I walk on any liquid (rain or whatever), then step onto a hard surface, it is like walking on ice. I've almost fallen many times. I've also tried to wear them while on my treadmill and it is the same issue. I have not seen a review that has had this problem. Maybe the soles of mine are made of a different composition. I will toss these instead of giving to Goodwill as I would not want to be responsible for someone getting hurt.

Got these for my husband. He loves them, but at first he thought they were too small. With all Asics, remember to loosen up the strings because for some reason I've met a lot of people who don't realize you need to do this. Asics are great running shoes. Well built. The fit is extrodinary. They also last a years if you arent using them as a running shoe.They're all we have bought for the last 10 years. You can find a pair to fit any foot shape. Check out their website to see which fit is best for you. I have high arches so I look for Asics with a high arch. My husband bought these & he has a normal arch.

I Read in the comments that they fit narrow and that was exactly what I was looking forUPDATE I read where the sole was coming off, well mine too! A little disappointed taking two stars away from my previous ranking.

Asics makes good shoes, and the Kehana doesn't disappoint. For a budget shoe, the Kehana is excellent for dry trails, light hiking, and even a casual night out on the town. The sandstorm color is particularly stylish and unique.I'm 5'10", 215 lbs, and active. I have wider E feet with fallen arches. I normally wear Asics Gel Kayano pavement runners, which are top tier for cushioning, comfort, and ventilation. These Kehana shoes are very comparable to the Kayano for cushioning and comfort, but the Kehanas are definitely NOT great for ventilation.(pro tip: if you have flat feet, consider replacing your insoles with Physix Gear Sport orthotic inserts; those inserts will improve the comfort and cushioning of any shoe!)Fitment: the Kehana is slightly wider than regular D-width in Canada, and toe box is roomy. The size 10 regular fits my 9.5E wide feet well. I think wide-footed people will like this shoe.Upper: the leather portion feels sturdy and secure. The acrylic webbing and tongue are also sturdy, but DO NOT BREATHE well. The synthetic tongue is also a bit abrasive, so going barefoot in these Kehanas may chafe the top of your foot. (I'll include comparative photos of my Gel Kayanos so you can see the ventilation surface area difference)Performance: the Kehanas feel light for a leather running shoe. They also feel secure for side-to-side movement, and I do not fear for rolling my ankle. The outsole tread is more toothy than the photos show, which makes the shoe good for climbing light hills. I have yet to try the Kehanas on steep inclines, wet pavement or snow/ice.Overall: for the $88 I paid for these shoes, I am very happy with them. I think they are excellent value for dog walking and light hiking around town. Just keep in mind that this is not a cool and breathable shoe, so if this will be your primary daily walker, you'll want wicking socks and foot powder!

Ho acquistato queste scarpe e devo dire sono veramente perfette comode e molto tecniche,la consegna anche se da oltre oceano ha rispettato i tempi la confezione è arrivata integra,ho contattato il venditore per alcune informazioni e devo dire è stato molto disponibile e professionale....vi consiglio di acquistarle,soddisfattissimo.

My other trail shoe and runner are a men's 8. In this case, the 8 is fair too tight. Feels like a 7.5, first time buying shoes online and somewhat disappointed by the size issue and having to pay for shipping to return the product.

Thought they would work in but didn't, returned them at a cost of 18 bucks and was refunded 1/2

Great look, doing the work