ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27: First Look

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

What do you get when you mix a cumulonimbus cloud with gel cushioning? The ASICS GEL-Nimbus! Okay, while this running shoe may not contain actual cloud components, runners have compared the feeling of the cushioning to the feeling of running on a cloud. The GEL-Nimbus was first released in the nineties and has had what the kids call a “glow-up” since then.

The GEL-Nimbus 27, available January 1, uses the same FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole foam as the previous version. However, ASICS Senior Product Manager Paul Lang told us that the foam has been tweaked to make it lighter and softer than before. This allowed ASICS to add two additional millimeters of stack height (the distance between your feet and the ground) without adding any weight.

The other notable update to the 27 is the switch from a knit upper to a jacquard mesh upper, creating a smoother and more breathable feel. But don’t just take our word for it, try the GEL-Nimbus 27 on for yourself at your local Fleet Feet on January 1.