ASICS say that in independent tests carried out by a biomechanics lab in Australia, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 came out on top as the most comfortable running shoe.
There aren’t much more details about the test or what it entailed, apart from the result and that there were 5 other shoes that runners chose from.
We don’t know what the competitor shoes were.
However, the shoes currently on the market that would line up against the Gel Nimbus 25 would be the Brooks Glycerin 20, Nike Invincible 3, Saucony Triumph 20 and New Balance 1080v12 as well as several other options.
All highly cushioned, soft plush everyday training models.
Having been fortunate enough to try all of these competitors, it is easy to understand why people would choose the ASICS as there’s no doubt it is an extremely comfortable shoe.
So perhaps this review will help you decide what makes it different.
ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 – First Impression
First of all, fans of the previous 24 versions of the Gel Nimbus will notice one thing that’s missing or not visible: the Gel!
Visible Gel has been removed from the shoe, and I suspect going forward may be phased out of other ASICS models.
But it’s not gone altogether. It’s been replaced by PUREGEL. More on this later.
The shoe has the ‘maximal cushioning’ look, although the official numbers show the stack height in the men’s at 30 mm in the heel.
It looks and measures more externally although, as is often the case, the foot sits a little lower within the shoe to help with stability.
The overall construction of the shoe is rather simple, with fewer components than ASICS shoes of the past.
It’s a one-piece midsole with three sections to the outsole. So gone are the plastic midfoot pieces and multi-piece midsole components, along with the various Gel elements.
The knitted upper is super soft and has a nice, stretch-like feel to it. The tongue is held in place with broad midfoot sections and is again very stretchy but fits well.
Around the rear of the foot, the ankle collar features thick, plush cushioning with a design similar to the Puma ForeverRun Nitro, except here there’s no hint of stiff fabrics or stitching, finishing being exceptionally plush and instantly welcoming.
ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 – The Tech
When it comes to the technology featured in the new ASICS Gel Nimbus 25, it’s all about cushioning.
The midsole is now FF BLAST PLUS ECO. The ECO element comes from the material being made with at least 20% bio-based material coming from renewable sources.
FF BLAST PLUS ECO is the brand’s latest lightweight high-performance cushioning material. The ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 features 20% more midsole foam under the foot than the Nimbus 24 to create ASICS most cushioned ride to date.
As mentioned earlier, the visible Gel has gone and is now replaced with PUREGEL, a new softer, and lighter material than previous Gel technology.
Hidden in the heel of the shoe, PUREGEL provides enhanced shock absorption and a smoother ride.
While the upper doesn’t offer any new specific technology, it’s a knitted mesh construction that’s very well-designed and wraps the foot beautifully.
ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 – Road Test
From slipping my feet into the shoe for the first time, it felt great.
The soft, engineered mesh upper has a great stretch quality to it and hugs the foot, adapting to every lump and bump with an instantly customized fit.
I immediately tried the shoes for my easy day 10 km run. The shoe instantly disappears around the foot, always a great sign.
From there, the cushioning absorbs every step. The shoe just soaks up the road. I simply didn’t notice any impact.
It’s easy to see why runners in ASICS test chose the shoe as the most comfortable. On that metric alone (comfort) the shoe is a winner.
The ride is soft and smooth. It’s not particularly responsive like the Nike Invincible 3 but it is nonetheless a great-feeling shoe.
My next runs were 8 and 15 miles, the shoe quickly becoming my go-to option for easy road miles.
Again the shoe goes about its business without any fuss, simply taking the impact of the miles in its stride, leaving my legs feeling fresh.
On occasion, I would like a little more of a ‘spring’ from the shoes, it does seem to lack a little of the responsive nature of many of the latest shoes on the market.
That said, there are plenty of other shoes to choose from for such runs, leaving this for easy miles where it excels.
The fit deserves special praise, and ASICS has delivered a lesson in fit here. It’s simply a beautiful fitting shoe.
ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 – The Price
One thing that can’t be avoided with this shoe is the price. At the time of writing, the retail price of the shoe is £175 or $160.
This immediately struck me as being a little strange as regardless of exchange rates, shoes are usually similarly priced in pounds compared to dollars.
When converting the US dollar price to British pounds, $160 is approximately £135, so at least here in the UK, with the ASICS Gel Nimbus 25, we aren’t getting great value.
The Gel Nimbus 24 was priced at £155 and there’s usually always an opportunity with a new model for brands to increase the price but here, for now, something is amiss.
ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 – Conclusion
The shoes are a great fit, perhaps one of, if not the nicest I’ve ever tried.
On the run, the shoes are equally as good, soft, smooth, and welcoming.
For daily miles the shoe, although a neutral model, feels stable enough (I usually prefer a shoe with a little support) and control was never an issue.
They are soft without being squishy and offer the perfect level of cushioning.
Responsiveness or energy return isn’t, I’d say high, but that’s ok, we don’t need every new model to offer this particular feel.
For everyday training and easy miles, the shoe delivers exceptionally well. Perhaps the only downside is the high price.
The Gel Nimbus has always been ASICS’ highest-priced neutral trainer, so the new model will undoubtedly prove as popular as ever regardless of this. It’s hard to see anyone that puts the shoe on not being instantly attracted to it.
