The Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 is big on cushion but short on energy
Weight: 303g (UK size 8.5)
Stack height: 44mm (heel), 36mm (forefoot)
Drop: 8mm
Asics Gel-Nimbus 27
The shoe
The Asics Gel-Nimbus has been on quite the journey over the past few years. Once a cushioned daily trainer, v25 saw a significant overhaul, introducing a beefed-up midsole (+4mm in the heel and +6mm in the forefoot) and a re-vamped upper that began to move the Nimbus towards max-cushioned shoe territory.
The Nimbus 26 was pretty much more of the same, except Asics introduced FF Blast Plus Eco cushioning, which created a slighter firmer ride underfoot. It was actually one of my favourite shoes for longer training runs, thanks to this newfound versatility.
The latest iteration continues to take things to new heights. Quite literally – it packs in 2mm more stack height than the v26, promising to deliver your ‘most comfortable run yet’. But does bigger necessarily mean better?
How does the Gel-Nimbus 27 fit?
You don't even need to put this shoe on to tell that it's cushioned to the max. The heel collar alone, like the v26, is one of the plushest things I've ever seen.
Just like the last few iterations, the Gel-Nimbus 27 runs true to size. Width wise, the toe box has just the right amount of wiggle room, too, though I would say the volume is a tad on the low side in terms of the 'ceiling' of the shoe.
Underfoot, we’ve said goodbye to that slight firmness of the v26 in exchange for softer cushioning. The midsole foam remains the same, though, so I'm presuming it's been slightly re-formulated.
The v26's knit upper has been replaced with an engineered jacquard mesh upper. It's structured with just the right amount of flexibility, and feels more breathable than the v26. The heel counter ensures a secure hold, which contributes to that locked-in feeling.
Niche, but I'm a bit of a tongue snob when it comes to running shoes, and this one scores top marks from me; gusseted yet stretchy, thin yet sufficiently padded. You can't beat a Nimbus tongue.
What’s the Gel-Nimbus 27 like to run in?
Asics has clearly aimed to differentiate its running shoe lines with the latest Nimbus, and I can see why. Many brands are doing the same, refining their franchises to create distinct identities. The Gel-Nimbus 27 feels very different from the firmer, bouncier, and more versatile Novablast 5, for example, aligning more closely with max-cushioned models like the Hoka Bondi 9 and Brooks Glycerin Max. But while those shoes bring something extra to the table — the Bondi’s MetaRocker for smoother transitions and the Glycerin Max’s dual-cell technology for a cushioned heel and responsive toe-off — the Nimbus doesn’t quite hit the mark for me.
It’s not squidey soft (think the New Balance More v5), but nor does it offer much bounce or responsiveness. The cushioning kind of sits awkwardly in no man’s land, making the ride feel a bit blocky and lackluster. It's fine for easy days, and you could run a lot of miles in it, but it's not something I'd use for any form of speed work and, all in all, it's just a bit uninspiring.
Not to mention, £180 feels absurd for what is essentially an easy run shoe. For £20 more, you could get the Superblast 2 – possibly my favourite running shoe of all time. You could even save yourself some money and get the Novablast 5 for £135. You’re at least getting a good amount of versatility from that shoe, though it's worth noting the Gel-Nimbus' ASICSGRIP outsole is far superior to the Novablast's AHAR LOW outsole.
RW verdict
Dare I say it, I think I'm a little over the Gel-Nimbus. Don't get me wrong, if you're looking for comfort, there’s no doubt that it delivers. The plush upper, knitted tongue and soft underfoot feel make it a reliable option for easy days. But in an ever competitive max-cushioned shoe market, the Nimbus fails to stand out.
It's a shame. I feel like Asics has really nailed the speed stuff in recent years – the Superblast and Metaspeed models are all fantastic. But maybe it's time to liven up the slower stuff. Comfort alone isn’t enough anymore; runners want something that feels lively, efficient and worth the investment. Until then, the Nimbus risks being a premium-priced option that fades into the background, rather than leading the charge.
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