Details
Brand
Asics
Heel To Toe Drop
N/A
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Extremely breathable, seamless single-piece mesh upper• Synthetic printed-on overlays• Outsole has flex grooves and lightweight design• Padded tongue and collar• Removable insole
Upper
The ASICS Kanmei MX has an extremely lightweight and breathable mesh upper. The minimalistic -like design of this shoe includes a lack of stitching, making the upper seamless and free from anything that might irritate your foot. Because it is one solid piece of mesh, your feet will feel very comfortable inside of the foot chamber, and you will not experience any rubbing irritation. The breathable mesh boasts larger pores to allow air to enter and exit the shoe, creating a cool and dry foot environment. The upper also has thin overlays that are printed on top of the mesh. These overlays help the shoe to fit your foot snugly and add some support. The tongue and heel collar of the Kanmei MX is lightly padded and helps to keep your foot comfortable and aids in preventing the wobbling or exiting of your foot from the sneaker. You will also find a pull tab on the heel portion to help you easily put on and remove the shoe.
Midsole
Like the midsole, there are not a lot of bells and whistles to this sneaker’s midsole. It does contain a foam underfoot cushioning system that runs the length of the shoe to aid in shock absorbency and adds a level of comfort. Because this sneaker is designed to be a lightweight running shoe or as a lifestyle sneaker, it is closer to the ground than a lot of other running shoes. Although it is not a minimalist sneaker, it does resemble a minimalist kind of shoe due to its smaller midsole. The midsole also contains a removable foam insert right above the central mitigating platform to add support. This insert can be removed and replaced with a custom insert if you would like a little more support.
Outsole
The outsole of the Kanmei MX features a generous amount of lightweight flexible rubber that runs the entire length of the shoe. To protect the midsole, the rubber covers the whole platform which will help shield it from the naturally abrasive nature of running on asphalt. You will find crisscross flex grooves that form a diamond pattern on the whole of the outsole which helps permit the foots’ natural flexibility. These shallow grooves aid in adding traction and grip throughout touch down and lift off. There isn’t a whole lot of material to the outsole other than this rubber layer, but it is enough to protect the foam midsole as well as jagged underfoot terrain.
Breathability
Breathability is definitely something these sneakers have going for them. The seamless one-piece design of the upper is made using a very porous mesh material. The larger holes in the mesh allow for air to enter and exit the foot chamber with ease which will result in a cool and dry shoe experience. Whether you are tackling a couple of miles on the road or tackling the grocery store in these, your feet will surely remain dry.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, many users have commented on how lightweight and comfortable these shoes are. Because ASICS designed the Kanmei MX to be a lightweight, flexible, and minimalistic-like shoe, it will not feel heavy on your feet, making them very comfortable. They contain a removable insole that aids in additional support and comfort and the foam midsole will feel soft under your foot. The padded tongue and heel collar will help keep your foot in place with soft comfort while the stitch -free upper design will prevent any irritation. It should be noted, however, that many users have said that these shoes tend to run small and narrow. This means they may be better suited for people with narrow feet.
Style
The Kanmei MX bears a resemblance to a minimalist-type running shoe with its low to the ground silhouette and smaller midsole. It is a great shoe to add to your casual wardrobe and will help you tackle the everyday duties comfortably and in style. Both the men’s and women’s versions only come in one colorway each: men’s come in black while the women’s come in a dusty rose pink. Both of these colorways are toned-down in terms of brightness and, therefore, can be worn with almost any outfit for that polished look.
Durability
Although the ASICS Kanmei MX can be worn on the road as a running sneaker, they don’t have a ton of support and shock-absorbency features. Some users have said they prefer to wear them as everyday sneakers. However, if you choose to wear them out running then you may find that they are not the most durable sneakers around. They should hold up for a few miles at a time, but because they have minimal outsole and a smaller midsole, you may find that the foam in the shoe will tend to crunch down over time. Many running shoes offer more in terms of support, stability, and traction so if those are important to you, you may want to consider other shoes for running. But if you purchase these shoes for the purpose of everyday things, they should last you for quite a while.
Protection
The rubber outsole of the Kanmei MX will help protect your feet from underground debris. It will also aid in helping to support the foam midsole. However, because the midsole is scaled down in terms of thickness and shock-absorbency it will not protect your feet from harsh underground conditions. The shoe’s seamless mesh upper will protect you by keeping your feet cool and dry and aids in preventing blisters with the snug-fitting mesh overlays. Other than that, your feet may be subject to water if it is rainy and sharper objects may rip the upper if you wear them in more extreme conditions.
Responsiveness
With a single piece of rubber making up the outsole, this shoe does not have a lot of exciting responsiveness features. The rubber will definitely help push you forward and the foam midsole will naturally contract and release as you run, but there are not any super amazing extras in terms of responsiveness. The foam eliminates some shock absorbency so you may be able to wear them out for a jog without putting unnecessary stress on your joints.
Support
The most supportive feature found in the Kanmei Mx is in the shoe’s upper. Over the seamless mesh upper, you will find printed on synthetic overlays designed to keep your foot snug and secure with the shoe. There is also a removable insert placed directly over the central mitigating platform with the sneaker and this will help support your foot as well. The heel collar is padded and relatively stiff so you should feel nice and secure within the shoe.
Terrain
The ASICS Kanmei MX is best suited for road or treadmill running. There are no aggressive protruding lugs on the sneaker’s outsole so you don’t want to wear them out on a trail run because there isn’t a ton of grip. They are definitely suitable for day-to-day wear and will keep your feet comfortable while running errands or going to school.
Price
One great feature about the Kanmei MX is its price tag. Because this sneaker doesn’t boast a ton of exciting features, it is not a high-priced sneaker. Purchasing these for light jogs or for everyday wear definitely will not break the bank.
Drop
The Kanmei MX has a neutral fit as well as a relatively neutral drop. They are best suited for anyone who does not have flat feet or any major foot concerns.
Stability
Due to how these sneakers are engineered, they do not boast a lot of stability options. The single-piece mesh upper and synthetic overlays do help to stabilize your foot to some extent but the Kanmei MX may not be good for someone looking to wear them as running shoes and has a tendency to overpronate. The heel collar and padded tongue also help to keep the foot stable and are designed to prevent your feet from leaving the foot chamber. All in all, if you are looking for a super-stable and very supportive running sneaker, these may not be the right shoes for you.
Flexibility
There isn’t a large amount of rubber to the outsole, nor is there a ton of foam in the midsole. These two facts, as well as the lightweight seamless mesh upper, give this sneaker pretty high marks in the flexibility department. The outsole boasts flex grooves that aid in flexibility as well. These sneakers will not feel stiff on your feet, thanks to their flexible design.
Traction
This sneaker’s outsole does not provide a huge amount of traction, but it does provide enough to keep you secure if you are doing some road running or wearing them as a casual shoe. The crisscross pattern on the outsole creates flexible traction. The diamond-shapes have a rough surface to them, adding additional traction. They may not be suited for running in the rain, but if you are wearing them in dry conditions, you should be fine.
Bottom Line
The ASICS Kanmei MX is a sneaker that can easily go from a light running shoe to a casual option. They do not boast a lot of bells and whistles in terms of responsiveness and support so they may not be the best option for anyone looking for these two features in a running shoe. They are very lightweight, flexible, and extremely breathable, making them an excellent option as an everyday sneaker. They have a full-length foam midsole that serves as a cushioning system as well as a comfort feature. They have a low-profile silhouette and will look good with almost any outfit. In conclusion, these are comfortable and attractive sneakers that are probably best suited to be worn as casual shoes. However, if you have narrow feet and are not looking to run very long distances, they may suit your purposes well. Because these sneakers don’t hit your wallet too harshly, it doesn’t hurt to purchase them to try them out.
