ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 Review: Who It's Actually For

In this post, we explain what and who the ASICS Nimbus is made for as well as how it compares to the other ASICS shoes and similar shoes from other brands.

Table of contents:

• ASICS and Two Shoe Families
• About Nimbus 28
• Nimbus 28 vs 27
• Nimbus 28 vs Kayano 33
• Nimbus 28 vs Novablast 6
• Nimbus 28 vs Cumulus 28
• Nimbus equivalents from other brands
• Should you buy Nimbus 28?

A Quick Word on ASICS

ASICS had a quiet decade in the 2010s. Safe shoes, solid build. By 2025, ASICS was the most-logged brand on Strava globally – ahead of Nike and Hoka. At the 2026 Boston Marathon, seven of the top 10 finishers wore ASICS. If you weren’t especially interested in ASICS before, this might make you look at the brand differently.

Now, the brand basically has two big families of shoes:

The GEL lines (Nimbus, Kayano, Cumulus, GT-2000) – conservative, protective, durable. These are the shoes that absorb impact and keep your legs feeling fresh the next morning.

The BLAST lines (Novablast, Superblast, Megablast) – light, springy, and genuinely fun to run in. A completely different energy.

The GEL-Nimbus 28: What It Is and How It Feels

The Nimbus is ASICS' flagship cushioned trainer – the one designed for people logging serious easy miles who want maximum protection without thinking too hard about it.

Specs:

• Weight: 9.9 oz (men's) / 8.5 oz (women’s)
• Stack: 42mm (heel)
• Drop: 8mm
• Category: Max-Cushion

In plain terms: this is a zone 2 shoe. It’s one of the best shoes for easy runs, long slow miles, recovery, high mileage base building, or simply walking/standing all day. Runners often describe it as "workhorse" – it's dependable, protective, and doesn't ask much of you.

The feel is plush but planted. For many Nimbus bears that Goldilocks vibe – not too firm, not too soft. It absorbs impact really well. That said, if you're shopping for energy return, this isn't your shoe. More on that below.

What changed from the Nimbus 27?

The headline update is weight – the Nimbus 28 is about 24g lighter, making it the lightest Nimbus ever. ASICS achieved this by reworking the upper (back to a softer knit after a brief detour into jacquard mesh), trimming outsole rubber, and sculpting the midsole. The upper feels real nice, pliable, with a good heel lockdown, but it’s slightly less breathable.

The foam is technically the same compound as the 27, but it feels slightly firmer and snappier (which most find to be a welcome change). The outsole also got a full redesign with Hybrid ASICSGRIP, addressing a complaint about exposed foam on the 27.

The Nimbus 28 runs narrow for many people. If you're between sizes or have a wider foot, the wide version is worth trying before committing.

Nimbus vs Kayano vs Novablast vs Cumulus

Nimbus 28 vs Kayano 33

This one is easy - the Nimbus is a neutral shoe, the Kayano is ASICS' stability flagship, built for overpronating runners. Both shoes are daily cruisers, the latter just has more structure.

The big change in the Kayano 33 is the new FLUIDSUPPORT system, which replaces the older 4D Guidance System. Rather than correcting overpronation with a firmer medial post, the 33 now aims to support your natural movement pattern. FF BLAST PLUS sits at the base on both the lateral and medial sides, creating what they call a "stabilising fork."

Some runners feel the 32 was the stronger version due to better heel transition and more responsive underfoot. The 33 is still a very capable shoe for its intended purpose – marathon training, long base miles at easy paces, recovery runs.

Nimbus 28 vs. Novablast 6 (and other BLAST shoes)

These are two completely different shoes. The Novablast is built around the experience of running rather than the function of protection. It's lighter, bouncier, and significantly more versatile – the Nova 6 can genuinely handle tempo runs and workouts while still being comfortable on easy days.

The Novablast 6's big update is a dual-density midsole with a "trampoline pod" of FF Turbo Squared foam at the forefoot (the same foam used in the Megablast) making toe-off noticeably livelier. The grip has also improved from the Nova 5.

So if you want a dedicated easy/recovery/long slow miles shoe, the Nimbus is more planted and protective at slow paces. Want one shoe that can do a bit of everything? The Novablast 6 handles more of the pace spectrum.

The rest of the BLAST family, briefly:

• Superblast - Superblast is basically the middle ground between Nimbus and Novablast, but with a more premium, performance-oriented feel: where the Nimbus is softer, heavier, and mainly built for slow, protective comfort, and the Novablast is lighter, bouncier, and more playful as a daily trainer, the Superblast gives you a lighter, more efficient, and more versatile ride that works especially well for long runs. It’s the best if you want both cushioning and performance. [ SHOP SUPERBLAST 3 ]
• Megablast - Megablast is good from medium pace up to race pace, with more rebound but slightly less comfort and stability at slower efforts.
• Sonicblast - A plated model, essentially a super shoe for everyday runners who want race-day feel without the full race-day commitment.

Nimbus 28 vs Cumulus 28

The Cumulus was historically the budget Nimbus. That distinction has blurred considerably.

The Cumulus 28 moved to FF BLAST MAX foam (the same compound in the Novablast) which is technically newer than the FF BLAST PLUS in the Nimbus. It's also lighter and more flexible underfoot. If you want a connected, slightly livelier feel, the Cumulus 28 might be your shoe.

The Nimbus still wins on maximum impact protection and confidence for longer runs, especially for heavier runners. It’s a great walking shoe too. It feels more settled and planted; the Cumulus feels a little more nimble and can even handle some lighter uptempo work without feeling as bulky.

Nimbus Equivalents from Other Brands

Hoka Bondi 9 – The most direct comparison. Both are max-cushion daily trainers, but they feel very different. The Nimbus midsole is extremely plush and your feet sink in on each stride; the Bondi's supercritical EVA is firmer and doesn't compress as much when loaded. The Bondi also finally eliminated the arch-poking sensation that annoyed flat-footed and wide-footed runners. Pick the Bondi if you want a rocker-driven roll and a more controlled feel. Pick the Nimbus if you want softer landings and a more traditional flex.

Also worth considering: the Hoka Clifton Pro – its PROGLIDE+ midsole is softer and bouncier than the standard Clifton, delivering an easy, comfortable ride for slow and long runs. Good value in this category right now.

Saucony Triumph 24 – Might be the most exciting shoe in this category right now. It uses new IncrediLUX ATPU foam, weighs under 9 oz despite a 43 mm stack, and actually gives energy back. If the Nimbus's main flaw for you is that it feels dead underfoot, this is the one to try. That said, Triumph may be too soft for standing and walking, and the toe box is tapered, which can be an issue for wider feet.

New Balance 1080v15 – Introduces Infinion foam, a supercritical nitrogen-infused midsole that's lighter and more responsive than the Fresh Foam X it replaces. This is the biggest overhaul of the line in years. The main reason to pick this over the Nimbus is width – New Balance offers one of the widest size and width selections in the industry, so if fit is your issue with the Nimbus, this is worth a look.

Brooks Glycerin 23 – Released February 2026 with a DNA Tuned midsole. It's plush for walking and firms up for a more controlled feel once you're actually running – less foam-sink than the Nimbus, more grounded. The GTX version with GuideRails provides gentle support. Works well for slower runs, recovery days, and long walks. If you want more cushion and a rocker feel, the Glycerin Max 3 does that with a dual-density midsole.

So, Should You Buy the Nimbus 28?

The Nimbus 28 is the best Nimbus in years and simultaneously the least competitive Nimbus in years. ASICS improved the shoe while the rest of the category moved faster – even ASICS' own BLAST line now offers max cushioning at lower weight with bounce.

That said, the Nimbus 28 is excellent for:

• Heavy runners who need joint protection on long, slow miles
• Recovery days where you want a shoe that keeps your effort honest and slow
• All-day standing and walking (8-hour work shifts, sightseeing trips, and everything in between)
• Runners who've had the Nimbus before and know they like it

If energy return matters to you, the Novablast 6 or Superblast 3 are better starting points.