Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 Review

This iteration of the Gel-Nimbus improves on our biggest issue with the last version: versatility. The FF Blast + Eco foam is still thick and soft, but it's slightly firmer than in the last iteration. That makes it easier to pick up the pace without sacrificing much comfort.

Performance Comparison

Landing Comfort

This shoe is all about comfort. We measured a whopping 44 mm of foam in the rear and 32 mm in the front in our lab. That's a huge chunk of cushioning, and it shows. The Nimbus is at home, logging miles on pavement. Each step feels padded and well-damped, with relatively uniform stiffness throughout the midsole.

The slightly firmer cushioning brings two welcome changes from the previous version. First, we have an improved ground-feel. Landings are still isolated, but we can feel changes in landing surfaces much better. That's helpful when running on uneven surfaces. Second, we haven't bottomed out the forefoot. In the last model, faster paces led to some bottoming out of the cushioning — something that happily hasn't been replicated this time. Sure, the slightly firmer foam will make this shoe a little less enticing for runners who want all of the ridiculously soft, fluffy cushioning they can get. But we think the tradeoff is worth it.

Responsiveness

Overall, this iteration is more versatile than the last, thanks to the firmer foam. However, that doesn't mean we're choosing this shoe for anything other than relaxed running. This is still a high-mileage trainer, not a workout shoe. In our standardized lab testing, we measured a 21.5-degree rocker angle, as compared to a 24-degree angle in the previous iteration. Interestingly, this shoe feels a bit more propulsive than the last; it's hard to tell whether we're feeling the change in firmness or a change in rocker position. Underfoot, the foam retains the bounce we enjoyed in the last version. It's not as bouncy as competitors like the Saucony Triumph 21, but it gives the impression of smooth compression and rebound through the stride.

Stability

The Nimbus is a neutral road cruiser through and through. It has a wide platform that's pretty stable on smooth surfaces. The slightly firmer foam on this model means it provides a bit more stability than the last, but it still is a recipe for rolled ankles on uneven terrain. It provides plenty of support underfoot for runners who don't need additional stability, but if you need some motion guidance, check out the similar (but more supportive) Asics Gel-Kayano 30.

Upper Comfort

This upper is one of our favorites — and with good reason. The form-fitting, stretchy knit material is extremely well executed. It's similar to the previous iteration but is more breathable (solving our only complaint) and feels more luxurious all around. It's easy to nail the lacing on the Nimbus 26, which is also an improvement over the previous model. The tongue gusseting is well executed and gives the impression that the shoe is hugging your foot. The heel cup is extremely well padded and utilizes that padding to provide excellent retention without the risk of rubbing on the Achilles. The upper is also significantly more breathable.

The toe box didn't measure particularly large in our testing, which tracks with what we felt when running. Runners with high-volume feet will likely be served well by the wide (or even extra wide) model Asics offers. We also think the stretchy upper could use a bit more rigidity when going faster. That's easily solved by snugging up the laces, though — plus, this shoe isn't meant for knocking out race-pace intervals. Overall, this upper is excellent.

Weight

Combine a massive chunk of cushioning with a plush upper, and you're bound to have a heavy shoe. Luckily, we don't really want to go fast in this shoe, so that doesn't matter. Weighing in at 11.4 ounces per shoe in a US men's 10.5, this was one of the heaviest shoes in our lineup — and it felt like it when we tried to do strides in them. The 26 model gained nearly a half-ounce over the 25, a difference we think is likely related to the improved traction on the outsole. However, we think the shoe actually feels lighter. The heel is a tiny bit less bulbous, and the firmer foam makes push-off easier, which makes it feel less like wearing ankle weights. Since this shoe isn't really meant for speed, we're not concerned by the weight.

Traction

Traction is nothing to write home about on this shoe, but it's decent and is significantly improved over the previous version.

Should You Buy the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26?

The Gel-Nimbus 26 is for runners who want a supremely comfortable cruiser. With top-of-the-line comfort and impressive durability, this is a shoe that can eat up a lot of miles. You won't want it as a training partner in hard or fast workouts. But when the goal is to get in an easy effort, this is the shoe we'd choose, and we think you'll love it.

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