When you’re in the market for a new pair of running shoes, you’ll find many options from different brands. Our team recently reviewed the top running shoe brands on the market, and Asics and Brooks stand out as top choices that deliver consistently high-quality options.
However, with so many options in the Asics and Brooks running shoe lineups, it can be hard to decide which will best suit your needs. In this article, we’ll dive into shoes from each brand to give you a thorough overview of top choices in popular training categories:
By the end, you’ll have a better idea of which pairs are right for you. Stick around for all the details.
Daily Trainers: Brooks Ghost 18 vs. Asics Gel-Cumulus 28
After thoroughly analyzing the best Brooks shoes and the best Asics shoes, both the Brooks Ghost 18 and Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 stand out as great daily trainers. Let’s dive into the features of both to help you decide which is right for your needs.
Brooks Ghost 18
The Brooks Ghost 18 continues to build on the brand’s reputation for comfort and reliability. A standout feature of this model is its nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole that provides a cushioned and lightweight running experience.
It weighs 10.2 oz for men’s shoes and 9.2 oz for women’s shoes. The shoe provides great cushioning to minimize impact on recovery runs, while being stiff and light enough to pick up the pace during more uptempo efforts. The 10mm heel-to-toe drop is quite noticeable, making it a good fit for runners who prefer more heel cushioning.
Another standout feature of the Ghost 18 is its refined air mesh upper. It strikes a great balance between stretch, structure, and breathability, offering a snug fit without feeling restrictive. Whether you’re heading out for a casual five-miler or logging longer distances, the upper keeps your foot secure and comfortable.
The full-coverage RoadTack rubber outsole also adds excellent grip and durability, ensuring this shoe can withstand hundreds of miles in most weather conditions.
If comfort is your top priority, especially for casual or recovery runs, the Ghost 18 provides a nice, cushioned experience without sacrificing durability. However, some runners might find the 10mm drop too high, especially if they’re accustomed to lower-drop shoes, as it can put extra pressure on the knees during longer runs if you have a more natural mid-foot strike.
Asics Gel-Cumulus 28
The Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 is another solid option for daily training. One key difference you’ll notice is that it has a more traditional, softer feel compared to the Ghost 18.
It features an FF Blast Max midsole, which makes each stride smooth, plush, and reliable. This midsole also incorporates the brand’s PureGEL technology in the heel for extra protection and shock absorption. At 9.1 oz for men’s shoes and 7.3 oz for women’s shoes, it’s slightly lighter than the Ghost 18. Plus, the 8mm drop provides a more balanced feel for runners who prefer a less cushioned heel.
Asics also incorporated their patented Fluidride outsole in the Gel-Cumulus 28. This outsole is designed to deliver more comfort and better traction, encouraging a smooth transition between each stride. It’s comparable to the Brooks Ghost’s outsole and performs great in most weather conditions.
The combination of gel and soft, reliable foam delivers a bouncy feel compared to the stiff and stable Ghost 18. This makes the Cumulus a great option for runners who value consistency and want a daily trainer they can depend on for long runs or daily miles.
Final Verdict on the Brooks Ghost 18 vs. Asics Gel-Cumulus 28
While both these shoes are great daily trainers, they offer slightly different features that are better suited to some needs than others.
The Brooks Ghost 18 may be the better choice for those who prefer a stable ride or for heel-strikers that want a high-offset shoe.
On the other hand, the Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 offers a soft and smooth feel that’s a bit better suited to daily training or recovery runs.
Max Cushioned Shoes: Brooks Ghost Max 3 vs. Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
Now, if you’re looking for more cushioning to absorb shock and minimize the impact of training, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 and Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 are both terrific choices. Here’s how they compare.
Brooks Ghost Max 3
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 is designed for runners who prioritize cushioning and comfort over everything else. It features a 39 mm heel and a 33 mm forefoot stack height, providing plenty of foam underfoot.
One of the key features of this shoe is its nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole. Infusing the midsole with nitrogen helps the shoe remain a bit lighter, which is helpful in shoes with a ton of cushioning such as the Ghost Max. Plus, you’ll find that the nitrogen-infused foam is very responsive and adds a bit of a bounce to each step.
The shoe’s GlideRoll rocker profile (curved sole) makes the transition from heel to toe on each step much easier. That’s a benefit because the shoe is on the heavier side at 11.2 oz for men’s sizes and 10 oz for women’s shoes. Each stride still feels surprisingly smooth, even on longer, easy-paced runs. The straight-lasted design and raised side walls also provide a smooth and stable experience on runs.
While the Ghost Max 3 excels in softness and comfort, some runners may find it a bit less flexible than other max-cushioned shoes. It’s not designed for speedwork or faster-paced runs but shines on recovery days or for runners seeking a cushioned, stable experience.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 takes a slightly different approach to max cushioning. With a stack height of 43.5/35.5 mm for men’s and 42.5/34.5, it provides substantial cushioning underfoot, similar to the Ghost Max 3, but with a slightly firmer and springier feel.
The FF Blast Plus midsole is soft yet responsive, making this shoe ideal for both everyday miles and long runs. Paired with the Hybrid Asicsgrip rubber outsole, it offers reliable traction and long-lasting durability, even in wet conditions.
The Gel-Nimbus 28 is lighter than the Ghost Max, weighing in at 9.9 oz for men’s shoes and 8.5 oz for women’s, which makes it feel sleeker and more streamlined than the Ghost Max 3. While this makes the Nimbus more versatile, it also means you won’t find the Ghost Max 3’s sturdiness and stability underfoot. Even so, the Gel-Nimbus 28 delivers a soft and springy ride that blends a high stack height, PureGEL tech, and soft knit materials for superior comfort.
Final Verdict on the Brooks Ghost Max 3 vs. Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
Overall, both these shoes provide terrific cushioning and support but are better suited to slightly different training styles.
The Brooks Ghost Max 3 offers a soft and bouncy feel with some inherent stability, making it great for recovery runs and easy to moderate-paced long-distance training.
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 is a bit more responsive and slightly lighter, with PureGEL incorporated in the heel, giving you maximum comfort during everyday miles or long runs.
Speed Trainers: Brooks Glycerin Flex vs. Asics Novablast 6
When it comes to speed training, runners look for lightweight shoes that can handle faster paces, provide responsiveness, and deliver a balance of comfort and performance. Both the Brooks Glycerin Flex and Asics Novablast 6 excel in these areas but offer different approaches to speed-focused runs.
Brooks Glycerin Flex
The Brooks Glycerin Flex is designed for runners who prioritize lightweight performance and comfort during tempo runs and track workouts. While it’s technically a high cushion shoe in the Glycerin family, the more flexible, barefoot-inspired design makes it impressively light, weighing in at 9.1 oz for men’s shoes and 8.0 oz for women’s.
The DNA Tuned midsole is infused with nitrogen for a springy and responsive feel, with dual-cell technology that drives soft heel landings and springy toe-offs. And along with the smooth and responsive ride, one of the standout features in the Glycerin Flex is the breathable and secure upper, designed to keep your feet cool and comfortable during workouts.
What really sets the Glycerin Flex apart is how flexible and adaptive it is. Despite the cushioning, the FlexZone technology and deep flex grooves allow your feet to move naturally and feel the ground, so you can pick up the pace during runs or speed through track workouts with full freedom of movement.
Asics Novablast 6
The Asics Novablast 6 takes a different approach, blending speed and cushioning to create a versatile shoe for fast-paced runs and longer training sessions.
Weighing 8.8 oz for men’s sizes and 7.7 oz for women’s shoes, it’s a similar weight to the Glycerin Flex, with unique features that make this a great speed-training option.
The Novablast 6 features Asics’ FF Blast Max midsole, which delivers a soft yet responsive ride. This springy ride, paired with an FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot pod, makes it easier to pick up the pace during speed workouts while still offering enough cushioning for longer runs.
With a 41.5 mm heel and a 33.5 mm forefoot stack height for men and a 40.5 mm heel and 32.5 mm forefoot stack height for women, the Novablast 6 provides substantial cushioning without feeling overly soft. This balance makes the shoe versatile for both tempo runs and everyday training. The Ahar Lo rubber outsole adds durability and improved traction, allowing runners to feel secure on various surfaces, including wet roads.
The upper of the Novablast 6 is made from a woven material that offers a comfortable, secure fit. While it’s breathable, it doesn’t quite match the Glycerin Flex in terms of ventilation and lightness, especially during warmer conditions.
However, the Novablast 6 is much more versatile for different types of runs, making it a more all-around shoe for those who want both speed and comfort.
Final Verdict on Speed Trainers: Brooks Glycerin Flex vs. Asics Novablast 6
Those who want a dedicated speedwork shoe or daily mile shoe will be very happy with the lightweight and firm Brooks Glycerin Flex. While there’s plenty of foam, the flexible design and more responsive foam gives this shoe a stiffer underfoot feel.
On the other hand, if you want something a little more versatile, the Asics Novablast 6 is still a great speed trainer but offers more cushioning and softer landings for longer endurance training.
Race Day Shoes: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris vs. Brooks Hyperion Elite 5
When it comes to race day, runners need shoes that maximize speed, energy return, and comfort over long distances. The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris and Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 are both designed for this purpose, with slight variations in features for different running styles.
Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris stands out as a top-tier race day shoe with its impressive balance of lightweight design, energy return, and cushioning.
Weighing just 6.45 oz, this unisex shoe is built for runners who rely on their stride length rather than cadence for speed. It also has a 39.5 mm heel and 34.5 mm forefoot stack height to provide enough cushioning while being a good fit for midfoot or forefoot strikers.
One of the Metaspeed Sky Paris’s most notable features is its FF Turbo+ midsole, which has a very responsive feel that’s one of the best in the industry right now.
This dual-layer foam midsole is combined with a flat carbon plate that enhances propulsion, making each stride feel powerful. Carbon plate shoes are often recommended for race day since they add extra bending stiffness in the midsole. It helps the shoe snap back and provides great energy return on each stride.
However, this shoe is not without its drawbacks. The narrow fit, stiff design, and low offset of 5 mm might not suit everyone, particularly heel strikers or runners with wider feet.
That said, the Metaspeed Sky Paris excels in energy return and is a great choice for runners aiming to push the limits in races from 5Ks to marathons.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5
The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5, weighing an average of 6.9 oz, is a heavier but slightly more cushioned option. It offers a smooth and stable feel with a 40 mm heel and 32 mm forefoot stack height. Since it has a higher 8 mm offset, it’s a bit better suited than the Metaspeed Sky Paris for those who tend to heel strike.
Designed with Brooks’ 100% PEBA DNA GOLD midsole foam and a propulsive carbon plate, it provides a firm yet cushioned feel, ideal for shorter races or half marathons.
One of the standout features of the Hyperion Elite 5 is its secure fit and smooth feel on each stride. The ultra-light upper, combined with the SpeedVault+ carbon plate and pronounced rocker geometry, allows for smooth transitions through each stride.
However, while the shoe offers decent responsiveness, it doesn’t have quite the same “pop” as other options like the Metaspeed Sky Paris. So, while this shoe has extra cushioning, you sacrifice a bit in the bounce on each step that keeps you propelling forward on longer races. That said, it’s still a terrific choice for 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons.
Final Verdict on Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris vs. Brooks Hyperion Elite 5
If you’re a midfoot or forefoot striker seeking maximum energy return and cushioning for long-distance races, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is the better choice. Its lightweight design, exceptional energy return, and soft cushioning make it ideal for fast, efficient running over marathon distances. However, it’s best suited for runners with narrow feet and neutral strides.
On the other hand, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 is a solid option for shorter races, particularly for runners who prefer a firmer, more stable shoe. While it lacks the bounce and energy return of the Metaspeed Sky Paris, it provides a secure fit and smooth transitions, making it ideal for half marathons or less.
Try on These Brooks or Asics Running Shoes at Marathon Sports
Overall, both Brooks and Asics offer many terrific options that are well-suited to different running styles. We have each of these Brooks running shoes and Asics running shoes in stock and available for you to try on at Marathon Sports.
You can visit one of our retail stores to try them on and get assistance from one of our dedicated footwear experts. Whether you end up in Asics, Brooks, or another top running brand, our team is excited to help you find the right shoe for your running needs.
