My first meaningful introduction to the Gel-Nimbus (“Nimbus”) series happened last year when I was working in the Rackets & Runners footwear department and couldn’t take my eyes off the suave, stylish look of the “oatmeal” colourway that had been introduced in the 26th iteration of the shoe.

Looking for a new pair of shoes to rock for the long hours on the sales floor, I quickly bought a pair and put them to the test. Despite logging many flights up and down the store’s shoe ladders in them, I only ever managed to get my Nimbus 26s out for a couple of runs. Many of my friends swore by their Nimbus 26s as their favourite shoe, but I couldn’t quite break them into my main running shoe rotation.

Now that I’ve gotten to know a second generation of the Nimbus family, I’m excited to say that Asics has made some meaningful changes that make the shoe a great option for athletes with a variety of running and walking goals.

While many shoe devotees fear changes to their go-to shoe, I’d encourage longtime fans and people who are new to the Nimbus hype alike to read on to learn how Asics has crushed more than just the colourways with version 27 of the Gel-Nimbus lineup.

First Fit Impressions

I used to think of Asics as a brand that only worked for people with narrow feet, however, the Nimbus lineup has debunked that myth for me, sporting a fitted heel, average width throughout the shoe, and a spacious, relatively roomy toe box. 

The Nimbus 27 maintains a lot of the elegance that the 25 and 26 introduced: a handy pull tab and knit rib collar for easily sliding the shoe on and off, a gusseted knit tongue that works alongside the OrtholiteTM sockliner to provide the most deluxe locked-in foot feeling, and the combination of PureGELTM and FF BlastTM Plus Eco underfoot technologies to provide light and comfortable toe-offs and landings. To add to the overall profile of comfort, the insole is quite possibly the thickest I have ever seen in a running shoe! It provides some serious cushioning that makes stepping into the shoe all the more inviting.

The main new feature that Asics is touting this time around is the change from a knit upper to a more breathable, engineered jacquard mesh upper. As someone who heats up very quickly when I run, this change was a warm welcome (no pun intended)!

The more breathable upper is also good news for all of us damper climate west-coasters who rarely have the choice of only running on dry days. Going through the constant cycle of removing insoles and stuffing newspapers into my shoes, I am pleased to see that this newest iteration dries a lot more quickly than my Nimbus 26s did.

Taking them for a Spin

The first thing I noticed when stepping out in the Nimbus 27s was a firmer and more responsive underfoot cushioning compared to their predecessor. Though the underfoot material is all the same, I believe that the extra couple of millimeters added to the shoe’s stack height since version 26 have helped to toughen up the base that used to be a bit too spongy for my liking.

From my first kilometre, I was pleased with the ease of the shoe’s roll and its relative nimbleness despite its height. I was able to effortlessly dodge deep puddles and navigate around construction barriers, two common obstacles on Vancouver streets. Through uphills, downhills, and everything in between, I felt like the shoes enabled me to maintain a consistent stride, helping me to focus on other parts of my run such as controlling my heart rate and changing my song selection.  

My biggest mistake with this particular shoe was deciding to go half a size up from my usual fit, as Asics shoes generally run pretty true to size. Their maximum cushioning offering was no exception: I found the extra bit of length at the front made the shoes constantly “plop” as I logged my miles, especially after they got a little wet.

Despite the distracting noise, I never experienced any heel slippage or concerning foot movement in the shoe, which I would chalk up to the secure heel- and ankle-hugging design that Asics has built-in. These features make the Nimbus a great candidate if you’re just getting into your first pair of maximum cushioned shoes and are concerned about adjusting to the additional weight or bulk.

I tested the Nimbus 27 during my first week of a new marathon build. The shoe ended up being a perfect fit for the job, as I was beginning to up my weekly mileage and time spent on my feet. Compared to other shoes in my rotation, I noticed that my legs felt a lot fresher after running in the Nimbuses, enabling me to recover more quickly and put in hard work during my mid-week workout and end-of-week long run.

I was also delighted to note that the shoe’s 8mm heel-to-toe drop not only didn’t create new pains, but actually seemed to help me buck old ones. While 8mm is a relatively moderate drop, it is a significant jump when compared to many other maximum cushion and race shoes on the market, which usually top out around 5mm. As I’m still dealing with some of the aches that come from a fractured ankle, I was reminded that higher drop shoes shift the pressure to your knees, while lower drop shoes put a lot of the burden on ankles and feet.   

Key Takeaways

The Gel-Nimbus 27 has made some exciting improvements on the already popular Nimbus 26, erasing any doubts I had had about logging bigger miles in its predecessor. I would go as far as to guess that this iteration of the shoe will expand its already large fan base with its ease of fitting neatly into marathon rotations, injury recovery plans, and sneakerheads’ collections. 

Like most shoes, the Nimbus can’t be a do-all unicorn if you are someone who has a pretty varied training routine. Save the Nimbus for easy-to-moderate days of all distances or long days on your feet at work, but don’t expect it to be the best option at the track or in the gym. The Nimbus 27 may not be the right shoe for you if you have shorter, wider feet, as the toe box and midfoot aren’t quite as generous in width as some other brands. As mentioned earlier, if you have a history of knee pain that seems to be triggered when running, a lower drop alternative may be a better option for you, but I would strongly endorse this shoe for any of my fellow ankle injury veterans!

Now in its 27th iteration, the Gel-Nimbus is showing no signs of slowing down as it has gone through some crucial changes to take it to the next level in shoe technology without compromising its stylish selection of colourways.

If you are looking for a sign to buy a running shoe that holds up not only in its performance but in its aesthetic flair - this is it!

Specs

Midsole drop
Stack Height/Drop 42.5 mm in heel, 34.5 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop) women; 43.5 mm in heel, 35.5 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop) men

Weight
9.34 oz. (265 g) for a US W8 / 10.75 oz. (305 g) for a US M9

If you want to try these shoes, visit our awesome shoe fitters or you can buy them online.

Geneva Calder is a former NCAA lacrosse player turned endurance runner. She is active in the Vancouver road and trail running scenes and her favourite way to discover new places is on foot.