Independently Tested & Reviewed
ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 review: Testing out the ultra-comfy road running shoe designed to go the distance
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ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 Tech Specs and Features
RRP
£180
Stack Height
~42.5mm (women’s)
Drop
8mm
Pronation
neutral
Cushioning
maximum
Key Features
Pure Gel technology and FF BLAST PLUS™ midsole foam for max cushioning
OrthoLite X-55 sockliner joins the party for additional cushioning and breathability
Lightweight knit upper, made from 75% recycled content
ASICSGRIP rubber outsole helps to improve grip and durability
20g lighter than previous model
How we tested the ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 road running shoes?
I’ve been testing these out for around 3 months now, mainly using them for my longer steady runs to put that max comfort cushioning to the test.
Summary: The TLDR Overview
The ASICS Gel Nimbus 28s promise comfort: and they certainly deliver on that front. The cushioning is soft without being unstable, and the knitted upper makes them feel a bit like putting on your favourite pair of cosy socks. On comfort alone, I much prefer these to the Nike Vomero 18s (which I’d say are similar shoe-type). They also feel nicely lightweight, so that comfort doesn’t feel overly clompy, and so far they’ve offered decent grip even in the relentlessly wet conditions this year has brought so far.
But while they’re responsive enough for steady Zone 2 running, these shoes don’t offer much in the way of energy return and feel a little slouchy compared to my Nike Vomero 18s. If you’re looking for a do-it-all shoe that can tackle tempo runs and intervals, as well as the steady state stuff, you might prefer something like the ASICS Novablast or Superblast. But for a super comfy long run shoe, I’ve really enjoyed the Gel Nimbus 28s so far!
In depth review: What is it like to run in the ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 road running shoes?
Want to take a deeper dive? Read on for my in-depth review…
Fit and First Impressions
I got these shoes a half size up from my regular ‘street’ shoes. They fit really comfortably, and there’s not an excessive amount of space in the toe box… so maybe it’s just the design/structure of the shoe, but for some reason they look absolutely enormous on my feet. It probably doesn’t help that I’ve been running in the Nike Zoomfly 6s quite often, which have that ‘cut off’ heel design (which has the opposite effect, making my feet look like little trotters!) and I’m potentially overthinking it. But I do sometimes feel like a kid trying on their parents shoes when I run in these.
That being said, they feel fine and it’s not like I’ve been tripping over my own flippers while running. So functionally, it’s not an issue. My new clown feet complex aside, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 28s are incredibly comfortable straight out of the box. The cushioning underfoot is dreamy, and the knitted upper is beautifully soft with a sock-like feeling.
Performance: cushioning, stability and energy return
The cushioning on the Gel Nimbus 28s makes for a super comfortable, easy ride. Perfect for long runs on the tarmac! They do have quite a high stack height, but despite this and the very soft upper, they offer surprisingly good stability and the outsole offers solid grip even in the wet.
These running shoes also feel pretty lightweight, even with all that cushioning. But it’s important to understand that here, cushioning is more about shock absorption than it is about giving you much bounce. It would be unfair to compare the Gel Nimbus 28s to my Nike Zoomflys (as these have a carbon plate) but even compared to the relatively similar Nike Vomero 18s – I’d say the Vomeros offer a touch more energy return compared to the ASICS Gel Nimbus 28. Trying to pick up the pace in these does feel a little more like hard work. So, think of them as your long run work horse rather than your speedwork steed!
Comfort
The comfort factor here isn’t just about the cushioning. I’ve also found the structure of these shoes really nice to run in. Out of the box, the lacing system offered good heel lock down without any top of the foot pressure points. The toe box is roomy enough to make sure your toes aren’t cramped, but not so roomy that you’re sliding around in the shoe. Outdoor temperatures have mainly been down in the single figures, but during treadmill runs the knitted upper has felt nicely breathable and I’ve not experienced any hot spots.
Verdict
Overall, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 is an excellent road running shoe for easy long runs where comfort is King or Queen. If you find that as your mileage ramps up, you start getting sore feet towards the end of your longer sessions, or you get home feeling like your joints have taken a beating. These shoes are absolutely worth considering, because they offer such a comfortable and forgiving ride.
They’re not a shoe for speed – nor do they claim to be. So if you’re looking for a shoe that can take you from track session to tempo to long run, this won’t be it. But if you want a dedicated pair of running shoes for those easy, low heart rate runs where it’s all about getting some time on feet banked – the Gel Nimbus 28 should be a strong contender.
