Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 Review | Plush Cushioning Meets Surprising Durability

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 is making max cushion lighter and maybe more approachable for more runners? A few updates to this model to improve on what we already thought was an excellent max cushioned shoe without a massive change to the feeling underfoot.I logged quite a few recovery runs in the Nimbus 27, so I was pleased to hear that the updates for the 28 would be minimal. Well I say minimal because there isn’t a big change in feel and yet a lot of design and engineering went in to making this big old cushion even lighter.

And once you put it on, there is a noticeable feeling of being softer. Is that better?? Mmm debatable.

Here’s our take after a testing through some treadmill to road miles for easy recovery runs to double digit Sunday’s.

It’s another shoe that has found it’s way on to many of our best of lists because it’s just that good. You’ll find it in these round ups:

• Best Running Shoes for High Arches
• Best Cushioned Running Shoes
• Best Running Shoes for Shin Splints
• Best Asics Shoes for Walking All Day
• Best Running Shoes for Narrow Feet
• Best Running Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 Overview

Of all the little tweaks to the Nimbus the biggest is going to be dropping nearly 1 oz in weight. This is something we’re seeing a lot of brands focus on at the racing level, but interesting to also see the focus moving in to max cushion. I’m thrilled to say the overall feel of the shoe remains similar to the 27 because the 26 was pretty meh.

A lot of folks are saying it feels way softer, I put them on side by side and yes softer but not a wild change. I probably prefer the 27, which is still extremely cushioned, but sometimes getting softer means sinking in more. I think this update is going to really land with our heavier runners.It’s absolutely the plushest, softest, biggest cushioned shoe in the Asics line up. While the Blast line up of shoes (Novablast 5, Megablast, Superblast 2) have all moved to just cushioning, the Nimubus as named still contains some of their signature Gel alongside the foam.

PureGel is in the heel and gives that additional impact absorption and I think does help make this a nice shoe for us heel strikers.

The midsole is also still FF BLAST™ PLUS, but has been reformulated a bit and redistributed to help with that weight drop. Underfoot it’s not so soft that you sink in and yet, you absolutely get that cushioned feeling we desire for a max cushioned shoe (yes we’ve tested plenty that felt really firm like the first Brooks Ghost Max).

While the Blast line up formulates things a little different, they are designed to be shoes that could pick up the pace and are even lighter…the Nimbus is still in more of that old school running shoe category. It’s updated. It feels great, but it’s not an all-arounder.

This is a easy pace shoe. Period. Sure it’s lighter, but the energy return isn’t there for this to be your track workout shoe.

Is the Nimbus a good option for a 5+ hour marathon? 100%. It’s going to give you some great cushion that feels really stable for that time on feet.

Would I use this for every run?

No. Because it’s soft and that means you lose the pop or energy return of something like the Novablast.

One of the updates we liked about the 27 was the increased rubber coverage on the outsole. Not only for some grip on wet days, but protecting the foam is helpful for durability of the shoe. This feels like it’s gotten more minimal again in the attempt to save weight. Not sure we agree with this choice because honestly at max stack for easy runs most are having a noticeable difference in the 1oz change.

The outsole rubber is the Hybrid AsicsGrip…again it’s been fine in testing, but I won’t be taking these out for any kind of trail or rainy run where it might be slick.

Does this shoe feel huge? Yes. No. This is what I said last year and my feeling remains the same.

I’m very aware of the cushion and the stack height putting on the shoe. I mean just look at it. But honestly within a few steps, I’ve forgotten all about and generally feel really stable due. It’s not so soft that I sink in and not so firm that I wonder why the heck it’s so tall.

With the 43.5 mm stack height, it remains stable due to the wider base. I do think that these max shoes need to be one option in your shoe rotation, not your only option. They will amplify any issues with stride or ankle weakness, but yes absolutely feel fantastic on the legs for recovery.

This is a running shoe that’s great in your rotation for recovery days or possibly for some long runs. I say some because you need to make sure that you don’t allow yourself to sink in the cushion when fatigued, that can cause lower back pain while running.

Gel-Nimbus 28 Fit

In general, Asics running shoes are a pretty standard width and length. I wear an 11 in all their shoes and in most other brands, so that felt the same.The toebox still feels a little shallow and a little narrow. I didn’t have any blister issues or anything, but if you have any kind of a high arch or like a wider toebox this is going to feel constrained.

No issues with the heel tab or tongue tab rubbing, which was the case with the 26.

The tongue is attached and laced through a tab, so no issues with it moving around and no issues with the tongue hitting too high on my ankles. The tongue is another place they cut weight, so you can tell it’s a bit thinner.

I feel like every year they say the upper is redesigned and usually we just don’t have much to say about it. 98% of Uppers are light, breathable and as long as we don’t think about them during the run most are doing the job just fine.

A lot of folks have complained the Nimbus gets warm. That’s not been my experience, but in feeling the fabric while they’ve said it’s more breathable, I’m going to say it’s really similar.

Buy Asics Gel-Nimbus 28

Similar Shoes to Gel Nimbus 28

What’s currently out there to rival this massive cushioned shoe? We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:

• Nike Vomero Premium – Biggest stack, bounciest recovery shoe ever and also pricier
• Hoka Skyflow– Often recommended for being just a little wider
• Brooks Glycerin Max 2 – A little higher stack, a little bouncier

Asics Gel-Nimbus vs Asics Cumulus

One of the issues I have with many brands right now is their shoes are getting so similar, but these are indeed shoes with two different use cases from my testing.

A quick way to think of it is the Cumulus 27 is your daily trainer and the Nimbus is your recovery run shoe.

Key Differences:

• Cumulus is a proven durable shoe than can flex from easy runs to some pick ups (more versatile)
• Same heel to toe drop
• Cumulus is slightly firmer shoe, mostly because it has 5mm less cushion
• Tongue on the Nimbus hits a tad higher on the ankle
• Cumulus is slightly lighter, though they are pretty close now. But Cumulus still feels easier to pick up the pace with less shoe under foot.
• Cumulus is $30 cheaper
• Nimbus might feel better to some heavier runners if they bottom out in the Cumulus
• Many newer runners might enjoy the Nimbus for long runs because of that extra cushion (just remember you need to do strength work with that cushion)

The other comparison you often ask for we did in a full article:  Asics Gel Kayano vs Asics Gel Nimbus >>

Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 vs 28

Trying to decide if you should buy the model that’s on sale? We say yes. Buy the 27 and wear it happily.

While the new version is lighter, the overall feel underfoot is the same since they didn’t actually change the foam. We think the shoes are really similar and the majority of runners using this on recovery days aren’t going see a massive difference in that weight drop.

Now if you want them for your half marathon or marathon, that could be a different story. Over the course of hours on your feet, it’s possible the lower weight of the 28 and being more breathable will pay off.

All right there you have it! Our review of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28!

Go check it out at Asics.com $170

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