Naming a running shoe after a cloud is a risky move. Every person who slides that shoe on for the first time will expect to feel instant cloud-like softness with every step.
Asics took that risk with the Gel-Nimbus, setting the expectation off the bat that the shoe will offer ultra-soft, cushiony landings. And over 28 iterations of the shoe, the Nimbus has delivered exactly that. While the Nimbus has gone through lots of changes since it was first released in 1999, it has maintained its status as a fan-favorite high-cushion daily trainer.
In our Gel-Nimbus 27 review, our team concluded that while comfortable, the shoe felt a bit too soft and spongy on more uptempo runs. With that in mind, our review team couldn’t wait to lace up the Nimbus 28 and see if the brand managed to improve the shoe while maintaining the same cloud-like comfort we and other runners have come to expect.
Our Review Process
Our Marathon Sports team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect shoe for all your running, walking, and fitness needs. And in order to give you the best insight and information to help you make this decision, we need to take a closer look at every new shoe update and determine how it performs on a variety of runs.
To test out the Gel-Nimbus 28, our review team took to the roads, trails, track, and treadmill to complete a range of long runs, speed workouts, and more. In this Gel-Nimbus 28 review, we’ll highlight the main features, go over all our findings, and offer some comparable shoe options to help you decide if this new Asics update will meet your needs and help you reach all your fitness goals.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 28: A Brief Overview
Before we dive into all the nitty-gritty technical details, let’s take a quick look at some of the key features the Gel-Nimbus 28 has to offer.
- Advertised as a high-cushion, neutral daily trainer
- Stack height: 43.5 mm/35.5 mm (M), 42.5 mm/34.5 mm (W)
- 8 mm heel-to-toe offset
- Weight: 9.9 oz (M), 8.5 oz (W)
- Midsole is made of plush FF BLAST PLUS cushioning
- PureGEL technology in the rearfoot increases softness and absorbs shock in the heel
- Upper is made from a lightweight, breathable engineered mesh
- HYBRID ASICSGRIP outsole pairs ASICSGRIP rubber with AHARPLUS for maximum grip and durability
- Price: $169.95
A Deep Dive Into the Gel-Nimbus 28
Now that you have the specs and highlights, it’s time to take a closer look at how these features actually play out in the Gel-Nimbus 28.
FF Blast Plus Midsole Foam
Over the years, the Gel-Nimbus has become most renowned for its soft and luxurious midsole foam. So with each update, it’s crucial that we take a look at the midsole foam and stack height to see if the shoe maintains its status as a plush, max cushion daily training shoe.
If you loved the pillowy-soft underfeet feel in previous Nimbus versions, you’ll be happy to hear that the newest iteration doesn’t stray far from this formula. In fact, with a stack height of 43.5/36.5 for men’s shoes and 42.5/35.3 for women’s, the stack height is exactly the same as it was in the Nimbus 27.
This high-cushion midsole is made up of FF BLAST PLUS foam, a plush and lightweight foam that delivers unmatched softness. Our team did find that the cushion felt a bit more balanced and lively than in the Nimbus 27, which is a nice change for anyone looking for a more versatile shoe. Overall, anyone prioritizing comfort and shock absorption underfoot can expect to find plenty of that luxurious comfort in the Gel-Nimbus 28.
PureGEL Technology
Like the foam and other technologies from the brand, Asics’ unique gel technology has also changed and adapted over the years. In the Gel-Nimbus 28, this PureGEL technology is incorporated directly into the heel foam for extra softness.
While the foam itself may be a bit stiffer and more balanced, this embedded PureGEL technology ensures that you can still enjoy soft, protected landings throughout each stride. Not only does this add extra comfort, but the soft gel absorbs impact and provides smooth heel-to-toe transitions for more efficient, effortless runs.
Engineered Knit Upper and Fit
Between the foam and the rearfoot PureGEL technology, Asics carried over a lot of the main features from previous Nimbus iterations. However, one of the biggest changes can be found in the upper design.
The upper on the Gel-Nimbus 28 is made from a remarkably lightweight engineered knit material. This upper construction is flexible and stretchy, with plenty of extra cushioning around the heel collar for maximum comfort over long runs.
While the tongue is thinner and less padded, our review team found it to be a highlight when it comes to the Nimbus 28’s upper design. It’s incredibly soft and stretchy, and hugs the foot without adding any pressure or discomfort around the top. Finally, the tongue and upper as a whole are both well-ventilated and breathable to help your feet stay cool and comfortable in any weather conditions or climate.
The engineered knit upper does a great job of securing the foot and creating a snug overall fit. However, while some Asics shoes have felt narrow in the past, the Gel-Nimbus 28 is slightly more accommodating all-around, with the stretchy upper reducing hot-spots and pressure on wider parts of the foot. And if you need or prefer a roomier fit, the Nimbus 28 is also available in a wide width for both men and women.
Shoe Construction and Geometry
With such a high stack height and plush foam, we didn’t expect the Gel-Nimbus to be the most responsive or propulsive shoe on the market. However, that’s not to say that the Gel-Nimbus doesn’t have any features built to keep you moving forward throughout your runs.
The Nimbus 28 has a curved forefoot rocker designed to roll you through each stride and promote smooth transitions when you’re out racking up miles. The midsole also features some deep flex grooves designed to enhance flexibility and help the shoe bend naturally as you move, creating some extra bounce as the shoe compresses with each landing.
Durability and Versatility
As a plush high cushion daily trainer, the Gel-Nimbus is best suited for long runs or easy daily mileage. While the 28th version is slightly more responsive than its predecessor, many runners will still likely find the shoe too soft and heavy for uptempo runs or speed work.
However, the shoe does have some versatility when it comes to terrain. The new HYBRID ASICSGRIP outsole adds effective grip and traction, and while we wouldn’t suggest using the Nimbus on technical trails, the combination of ASICSGRIP rubber and AHARPLUS materials provides enough traction to take on wet or dry pavement, dirt roads, gravel, and even some lighter trails.
This upgraded outsole also helps improve the shoe’s longevity and durability. The grippy HYBRID outsole protects the foam from early wear so you can make the most out of your miles in the Gel-Nimbus 28.
Sustainability
More and more brands have been working to reduce their carbon footprint when it comes to manufacturing running shoes, and Asics has consistently been one of the best in the business in this area. With the Gel-Nimbus 28, the brand took even more steps to reduce waste and create a more environmentally-friendly running shoe.
At least 75% of the main materials used in the Nimbus’s upper were made with recycled content. Asics also uses a solution dyeing process for the sockliner as opposed to standard dyeing technology, which uses less water and reduces overall carbon emissions.
Road Test Results
Learning about a shoe’s specs and features is always beneficial, but the best way to gain a full understanding of how a new shoe model feels and performs is to take them for a run. So that’s what we did with the Gel-Nimbus 28, testing them out on a variety of different terrains and types of runs for the clearest possible picture of who would benefit from the shoe and who may want to look elsewhere.
Right out of the gate, our team was impressed with the updated upper design. The stretchy material was incredibly comfortable around the foot, and the extra padding around the heel felt secure and comfortable as we headed out for longer miles. The soft, stretchy knit tongue was a nice touch, and it helped provide a secure and comfortable fit around the top of the foot.
With some previous concerns about the Nimbus 27 being overly soft, we set out on a range of test runs to see if the newest iteration had the same pitfalls. And while the high stack shoe definitely felt soft and plush underfoot, we were happy to find that the midsole’s updated shape and design did result in more balanced and responsive landings.
The slightly stiffer feel, paired with the reliable PureGEL technology, provided a more stable and balanced max cushion shoe that still had us feeling like we were running on clouds.
The shoe also didn’t feel as heavy and blocky as previous iterations, thanks to the lower weight and redesigned midsole. The Nimbus 28 dropped almost an ounce in weight from the Nimbus 27, making it more agile and versatile on uptempo runs. The midsole grooves and lightweight materials also make the shoe sleeker and less bulky all-around, so you can enjoy maximum cushion and comfort without sacrificing lightness.
Our team felt that, especially with these updates and improvements, this shoe shines on long runs or everyday training miles. The FF Blast Plus foam felt reliable and consistent throughout these miles, helping our feet and legs feel fresh from the first to last mile.
While the shoe is lighter and more versatile, it still wouldn’t be our top choice when it comes to a do-it-all trainer. The foam is more well-balanced, but still lacks the responsiveness and energy return most runners are looking for in an uptempo training shoe.
Overall, plenty of runners and walkers would appreciate the Gel-Nimbus 28’s plush max cushion design. If you’re looking for a designated long run shoe, prioritize softness and comfort in a daily trainer, or are a heel striker looking for extra shock absorption, you’ll likely appreciate the PureGEL technology, luxurious cushioning, and cushiony all-around design the Gel-Nimbus 28 has to offer.
Pros and Cons
As simple and easy as a one-size-fits-all running shoe would be, the truth is that no two runners are exactly the same, and there isn’t a single running shoe that works for everyone. While lots of runners may love the pillowy-soft Gel-Nimbus, there are some positives and downsides to keep in mind when you’re deciding on the right shoe.
Here are some pros and cons we’ve uncovered about the Gel-Nimbus 28 throughout our testing process.
Pros
- FF BLAST PLUS foam is plush but more well-balanced than in previous iterations of the shoe, creating a soft yet stable ride
- PureGEL technology adds some softness and impact absorption in the heel to maximize comfort on long runs
- HYBRID ASICSGRIP outsole blends two outsole technologies for lightweight protection with maximum grip and durability
- Lower weight than previous versions makes the Nimbus 28 more agile and versatile for different types of runs
Cons
- While it’s more balanced and lighter than before, many runners may still find the Nimbus too soft and bulky for speed work or uptempo days
- Feels similar to the previous iteration but went up $5 in price, bringing it to $169.95
How Does the Gel-Nimbus 28 Stack Up to the Competition?
As we mentioned, not every running shoe is the perfect choice for every runner. If you aren’t positive the Gel-Nimbus 28 is right for you, there are always other options to test out.
Searching for that high cushion feel but want something more versatile? You might want to consider the Asics Superblast 3. Another popular Asics shoe, the Superblast 3 has a high stack dual-layer midsole that combines FF Blast Plus foam with FF Leap superfoam for a more responsive, energetic feel. At $209.95, the Superblast has a higher price tag, but it’s a more versatile and bouncy option that you can carry over from training runs to race day.
If you’re a fan of pillowy-soft shoes and want to test out two of the softest options on the market, try comparing the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 and the New Balance 1080 v15 side-by-side. While the two shoes have different fits and use different midsole foams, they’re two of the best choices if your goal is soft and plush comfort. While the 1080 is slightly lighter than the Nimbus, both shoes both offer unparalleled softness perfect for easy runs or slow recovery runs.
Final Thoughts: Is the Gel-Nimbus 28 Right For You?
In this super saturated running shoe market, finding the perfect choice for you can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. It can seem impossible and overwhelming to narrow down which choices are right for you and all your running needs.
With this review, we hope you gained some insight into whether the Gel-Nimbus 28 could be the right shoe for you. While it may not work for everyone, particularly those looking for a versatile trainer that can handle speedier runs, we found that it may be a great option for anyone who wants a plush, maximalist shoe to absorb impact and keep you feeling your best during any easy days or training runs.
But while this review can help narrow down some options, the best way to know if a shoe really works for you and your feet is to take them for a test run. Luckily, you can take the Gel-Nimbus 28 and more of the top running shoes for a spin at your nearest Marathon Sports.
Whether you end up with an Asics shoe or another option from some of the top brands in running, our team members can’t wait to be a part of your journey and help get you moving in comfort.
