ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 Review: When Cushioning Feels Like Magic
ASICS’ FF BLAST PLUS midsole foam delivers a soft, smooth ride that will keep your feet happy on long runs, long walks and long shifts on your feet.
Gear
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.
Unlike the high-speed racing broomstick featured in Harry Potter, the Nimbus 2000, the GEL-Nimbus 28 isn’t built for speed. It’s built for pure comfort. Harry Potter probably wouldn’t use it to race through the Quidditch fields, but perhaps for an easy run with Ron and Hermione through the elegant grounds of Hogwarts.
Even if you’re not practicing witchcraft and wizardry, the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 (available January 9) can still provide the cushion you need to log your daily miles. It’s been a favorite amongst runners and walkers for over two decades, and has been updated along the way to deliver what today’s runners want — smooth materials and plush landings in a lightweight package.
That’s right, the latest version of the Nimbus is almost a full ounce lighter than the previous version while still maintaining a thick stack of glorious FF BLAST™ PLUS midsole foam. Can the Nimbus 28 make us feel as if we’re floating above the clouds on a beautiful day in J. K. Rowling’s magical fantasy world? Read on to find out.
ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28
Tech Specs
| Weight: |
8.5 oz (W), 9.9 oz (M)
|
|---|---|
| Stack height: |
42.5 mm/34.5 mm (W), 43.5 mm/35.5 mm (M)
|
| Heel-to-toe drop: |
8 mm
|
| Experience: |
Smooth
|
| Surface: |
Road
|
| Price: |
$170
|
| Comparable to… |
Mizuno Wave Sky 9, New Balance More v6
|
| Ride | 4/5 on the Firm to Plush Scale |
| Cushioning | 5/5 on the Minimum to Maximum Scale |
| Energy | 3/5 on the Relaxed to Propulsive Scale |
Streamlined midsole = smooth ride?
The ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 uses FF BLAST PLUS midsole foam, which ASICS touts as a perfect balance between soft and responsive.
Heather had to agree, saying, “The cushioning gave me Goldilocks vibes. It’s not too firm, not too soft, but just right. I took the Nimbus out for an easy run with a friend and it felt great! I’ve recently developed a heel spur, but I barely noticed any discomfort on the run, which is a win for me. I also went for a walk and the cushioning felt great. I love a shoe that feels great for both walking and running.”
Can running shoes be used for walking?
While the Nimbus 28 uses the same midsole material as the 27, I noticed it felt much smoother underfoot. I really enjoyed the soft, squishy feeling of the 27, but sometimes it felt too pillowy underfoot. I don’t want my feet and lower legs to work any harder than they have to in order to stabilize during landings and lift up for toe-offs.
I had a couple of minutes to chat with Paul Lang, ASICS’ Senior Product Manager, at The Running Event in San Antonio. He explained that, although the Nimbus 27 and Nimbus 28 share the same stack height, ASICS recarved the midsole on the Nimbus 28 to reduce weight. In practical terms, the design team removed foam from areas where it wasn’t necessary, allowing them to maintain the midsole’s integrity while making the shoe lighter.
The Nimbus 28 also appears to have a lower profile when you look at the sidewalls of the shoe, but it still maintains the same amount of cushioning between your feet and the ground.
“The first thing I noticed on my first run in the Nimbus 28 was the difference in weight,” says Max, who was forced to test these shoes on the treadmill amidst Chicago’s winter storms. “You might not think a 20-gram difference is noticeable, but for a weight-sensitive guy like me, it was noticeable.”
While Max appreciated the weight savings, he disagreed with my assessment that the Nimbus 28 felt buttery-smooth on the run.
“I noticed a steep drop-off from the forefoot to the toe,” he says. “This aims to create a springy and natural toe-off, but being a bit of a heel-striker, I wish the rocker started a bit further in the midfoot. The transition from heel to forefoot felt clunky to me, making it tough to kick it up a notch during my intervals. But, some of that clunkiness is mitigated by the retooled outsole.”
ASICS reduced the amount of rubber on the outsole, so it only shows up in high-abrasion areas like the heel and forefoot. In my opinion, these strategic updates keep the Nimbus 28 feeling like a truly luxurious, comfort-first shoe, but now it just feels a bit smoother on the run.
New knit, who’s this?
Another key piece of the puzzle in the weight reduction of the Nimbus 28 is the upper. The Nimbus 27 used a jacquard mesh material, but the new knit material in the 28 is lighter and sleeker.
Interestingly enough, the Nimbus 26 also used an engineered knit material before designers changed to a jacquard mesh for the 27th iteration. So, the Nimbus is in the middle of a few wardrobe changes…but the outlook for version 28 seems positive!
The Nimbus 28 offers a thin, stretchy, gusseted tongue that lays flat atop my feet, avoiding any irritating bunching on the sides. A thick, plush heel collar holds me in, while a handy pull tab makes it really easy to slide in and out of the shoes. Extra eyelets on either side of the ankle allow me to tie the marathon loop, creating extra security.
“My favorite thing about the Nimbus 28, and any Nimbus since the overhaul on the 25th version, is the tongue,” says Max, our narrow-footed reviewer. “It’s truly the best in class. It’s stretchy, breathable, gusseted, soft and really conforms to any foot, allowing a comfortable and secure lockdown in the midfoot.”
“Once again, the Nimbus fits like a dream for me,” says Heather, who’s been a longtime fan of this style. “The 28 fits true to size and gives me space to wiggle my toes. My high-volume feet didn’t feel smashed into the shoe at all. I love the eyelet loop construction, the placement of the extra eyelet is accommodating for those with high-volume feet.”
High-volume feet are feet that take up lots of space within the shoe, while low-volume feet don’t take up much room. I have low-volume feet, and I did have to cinch the Nimbus down a bit to find my perfect fit. But once I got the laces tied the way I wanted them, the shoe felt comfortable all run long.
Not sure about the volume, width or arch height of your feet? Your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there. You can also learn some cool lacing techniques to make the shoes more accommodating to your foot shape, as Heather mentioned.
ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 vs GEL-Nimbus 27
Tech Specs | ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 | ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 |
Weight | 8.5 oz (W), 9.9 oz (M) | 9.3 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) |
Stack height | 42.5 mm/34.5 mm (W), 43.5 mm/35.5 mm (M) | 42.5 mm/34.5 mm (W), 43.5 mm/35.5 mm (M) |
Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
Price | $170 | $165 |
The ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 feels remarkably similar to the Nimbus 27, but I immediately noticed the lighter weight. It helped make the shoe feel more runnable and less clunky.
Heather, a longtime fan of the Nimbus franchise, referred to the changes as “only upgrades.” If you enjoyed the Nimbus 27, you’ll probably enjoy the 28, too. And if you thought the 27 felt like it needed to be slimmed down a tad, you’ll appreciate the updates.
How does the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 compare?
We took a look at some comparable options to see how the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 stacks up. Here’s what we found:
Tech Specs: | ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 | Mizuno Wave Sky 8 | New Balance More v6 |
Weight | 8.5 oz (W), 9.9 oz (M) | 8.4 oz (W), 10 oz (M) | 8.5 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) |
Stack height | 42.5 mm/34.5 mm (W), 43.5 mm/35.5 mm (M) | 44 mm/38 mm | 36 mm/32 mm |
Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 6 mm | 4 mm |
Experience | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth |
Price | $170 | $180 | $155 |
The ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 offers the same caliber of plush, dreamy cushioning as the Mizuno Wave Sky 8 and the New Balance More v6. All three shoes are engineered with one thing in mind — pure comfort. You’re not going to hit any PRs in these shoes, but your feet will be the happiest dogs on the block.
Mizuno uses their nitrogen-infused ENERZY NXT cushioning in the Wave Sky, while the New Balance More showcases their beloved Fresh Foam X compound. All three shoes use hefty stack heights to deliver a floating-on-air sensation as you cruise over the pavement.
Who is the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 best for?
The ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 is best for runners and walkers who crave comfort above all else. ASICS’ FF BLAST PLUS midsole foam delivers a soft, smooth ride that will keep your feet happy on long runs, long walks and long shifts on your feet.
Because the shoe has a thin, stretchy tongue and accommodating lacing structure, it will work well for those with high-volume feet or those who simply appreciate a little bit of extra space. The Nimbus 28 is available in narrow (2A) and wide (D) for women, and wide (2E) and extra-wide (4E) for men. Chances are high that, if you like the feel of the cushioning, you can find your perfect fit.
I mentioned that the Nimbus 27 felt a bit too pillowy-soft, and that the 28 felt smoother and more runnable. I stand by that statement, but I think anyone who relies on a stiffer, more sturdy platform might want to look elsewhere (for example, the GEL-Kayano 32).
