ASICS Gel Cumulus 20 Review
The Everyday Standard
Likes
- Durability
- Secure heel cup
- Not too heavy
Dislikes
- Testers noted more aches and pains after using these shoes
- Uncomfortable initial feel, before being broken in a bit
What's New
In an effort to improve comfort and create a smoother ride, the 20th iteration of the ASICS Cumulus was completely redesigned. The first big change is an additional layer of foam on the top of the midsole. This EVA foam is added on top of the preexisting, firmer Flytefoam material. Additionally, the plastic trusstic system that existed in previous versions in the midfoot was removed from this model to create a smoother heel to toe transition. Finally, ASICS used a new stretchy mesh upper along with a wider toe box when constructing the Cumulus 20. This new upper design should help accommodate more foot shapes.
The Bottom Line
The ASICS Cumulus has long been one of those go-to, tried-and-true models that will work well for most runners in need of an everyday trainer. This version of the Cumulus continues to be designed with everyday running in mind, and is meant to be a great shoe for any runner, from beginners looking for their first shoe to veteran runners in need of a solid shoe for daily miles. Our testers found the Cumulus 20 to excel in the area of durability, and some of the adjustments made to the fit helped to create a more secure feeling. Some issues that our testers experienced with aches and pains suggest that it may not be the best option for those hoping to log long miles. However, they are a reliable option for those who get out and run a few miles each day.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Medium to narrow | |
| Arch Height | Medium to high |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's - 10.1 oz (size 9) | Women's - 7.9 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 29 mm (Heel), 19 mm (Forefoot) | 10 mm heel-toe offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
The ASICS Gel Cumulus 20 has a balanced feel that's not too soft and not too firm. Several testers reported feeling that the shoe had a slightly soft step-in feel.
Mary: "The footbed is quite stiff when you first try it on. Give it time! This is a shoe that you have to wear for a bit in order to appreciate the softness of the footbed as it forms to your foot."
Allison: "The Cumulus 20 pretty much feels like a basic shoe. It's neither too soft nor too hard — just a reliable, everyday training kind of shoe."
Ride/Energy Return i
The Cumulus 20 tips toward the springier side of the scale, but it isn't bouncy enough to inspire feelings of extreme quickness and agility.
Ben: "These shoes feel pretty springy. I would be comfortable running a half marathon in them. They're not too heavy, either."
Allison: "I wouldn't say I feel particularly fast in this shoe, but it’s responsive and light enough that it doesn’t feel like it’s slowing me down either."
Underfoot Protection i
With a stack height of 29 mm in the heel and 19 mm in the forefoot, the Cumulus 20 has a good amount of material underfoot. However, our testers felt that this cushioning did not protect them from feeling ground variations, and more than one tester reported feeling slightly more beat up than usual after wearing these shoes on a long run.
Allison: "There’s enough shoe underfoot to protect you from ordinary roads, but any significant rocks and debris can be felt. Normally, I prefer road shoes that can also be taken onto some light trails, and I wouldn’t be keen on taking these out on any kind of dirt."
Mary: "This shoe will protect your feet from feeling any unpleasant road hazards, but the heel feels like it transfers a lot of impact and road vibrations straight up into the ankles, knees, and legs. It was unpleasant enough to make me shorten my long runs."
Underfoot Flexibility i
Our testers varied a bit in their reports of how flexible the shoe felt, but all agreed that it leaned more toward rigidity than elasticity.
Mary: "I typically prefer lower-profile shoes that are quite soft and flexible, so to me, these shoes feel incredibly rigid."
Ben: "The Cumulus 20 errs on the side of rigidity, but it doesn't feel overly stiff to me. It has about the same level of flexibility as the ASICS GT 2000."
Upper Feel i
Multiple testers reported feeling a bit put off by the feel of the upper when initially trying the shoe on. All of them, however, could agree that they liked the secure fit of the padded heel cup, which felt both snug and comfortable. While Allison came to appreciate the overall feel of the upper, Mary had mixed feelings due to issues with the fit, and Ben felt that the fit and feel of the upper left a lot to be desired.
Allison: "The Cumulus 20 was initially a somewhat constrictive shoe. I had to significantly loosen the laces because they were way too tight right out of the box, and they were digging into my foot. It took a couple of days to break these shoes in and get the fit just right. Now they're snug, but not uncomfortable."
Mary: "I love the knit upper with the ASICS overlays. It feels soft and luxurious and fits my foot like a slipper, but is not too restrictive. The way that the shoe rolls across the toes at the front does cause my big toes to hurt, though, so the fit is not quite perfect for me."
ASICS Men's Gel Cumulus
ASICS Women's Gel Cumulus
Individual Thoughts
The Gel Cumulus 20s feel a bit unimaginative and do not try to reinvent the wheel, but I like that. I feel that too many companies try to be overly creative and end up with a shoe that just doesn't feel right. However, these shoes don’t fit well for me, and I also noticed a few added aches and pains after wearing them, so I probably won't be keeping them in my rotation.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptableI had some issues with the feel of the Gel Cumulus 20s when I first put them on, but they started to feel better once I got them laced up right and broken in a bit. The Cumulus 20 doesn’t come across as anything overly impressive or innovative, but it runs true to size, feels sturdy, and should easily last for many miles.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptableThere are quite a few things I love about the Cumulus 20 and also some things that I don't particularly care for. I love this shoe's footbed; it feels very soft and comfortable, and it shapes to your foot the more you wear it. The heel cup feels tight at first, but the memory foam does hold the heel well if you give it a chance to wear in and shape to your heel. I also think that the mesh upper and laces are very luxurious. The shoe seems to be durable and feels like it is made with premium materials.
Even with the soft and comfortable step-in feel of this shoe, I did not especially love running in it. On long runs, I felt my heels begin to ache. My big toes also hurt, and I believe that the mesh upper was causing too much pressure leading to a bruised feeling that was not pleasant.
Overall, I think this shoe might work well for people who do runs of only a couple miles, and who get a better fit from the shoe than I do.
