ASICS Gel Cumulus 26 Review
Published: March 12, 2024
A Reliable Stride and Consistent Comfort
Likes
- Dependable for daily miles
- Secure wrap
- Stable platform
- Simple, stylish aesthetic
Dislikes
- Could be more responsive and protective
What's New
Charge into your next training cycle with the ASICS Gel Cumulus 26, a versatile and reliable everyday training shoe that has seen a lot of changes over the last few seasons. ASICS completely overhauled the model for version 25, and they are at it again with the 26th iteration of this legacy shoe. With a newly reconfigured FF BLAST PLUS midsole, the Cumulus 26 is upgraded to deliver more stable, more protective landings with a reenergized toe-off that is ready to inject new life into your daily training runs. Beneath the midsole is a new FLUIDRIDE outsole, which helps further soften landings while also promising improved traction and durability.
The Cumulus 26's engineered mesh upper has also received a facelift from the ASICS engineers, which not only improves the breathability of this daily grinder but also ensures added comfort and support that translates to more enjoyable daily miles. As a final touch, the OrthoLite X-30 sock liner provides an extra layer of soft step-in comfort, further inviting runners to pick this shoe for the daily grind.
The Bottom Line
After testing, the ASICS Gel Cumulus 26 has emerged as a multifaceted running companion that our testers are confident will have quite a diverse appeal within the running community. The shoe boasts a secure midfoot hold thanks to the thin gusseted tongue and simple mesh upper. And with a touch of padding in the heel collar, our testers enjoyed irritation-free running and an all-around comfortable on-foot experience.
In terms of performance, the Cumulus 26 marks a big upgrade from the previous model, providing a more balanced, more versatile ride that can be enjoyed on easy runs, long runs, and even the occasional uptempo effort. The FF BLAST PLUS midsole with PureGEL technology created a distinct underfoot sensation with a unique layering of softer and firmer elements, resulting in a finished product that our testers praised for its reliability and consistency on daily runs. Furthermore, with a firmer platform and a less flared heel geometry, the Cumulus' inherent stability has reached new levels, and the RW testers appreciated the control the new design afforded them.
ASICS designed the new FLUIDRIDE outsole to provide increased traction and durability, and though the outsole did not receive any specific criticisms from our testers, these attributes did not appear to stand out either. The Cumulus 26 should have no difficulty on dry paved surfaces or even the treadmill, but our testers believe there are better footwear options for wet road conditions.
Despite being an improvement over version 25, the Cumulus 26 is not a show-stopper. It will not wow with super shoe responsiveness or provide the comfort of a more premium trainer. But it will be consistent day in and day out, and will have no difficulty enhancing just about any daily training run.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.8 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Kaleb: "The Cumulus 26's engineered mesh upper delivered a solid hold around my foot, which was very secure on all my testing runs, marking a big improvement from the previous version. The Cumulus 25 was very comfortable, but with the plush padding in the heel collar, I did not feel the most secure when pushing faster tempos. Again, the Cumulus 26 has an improved hold, which made for a more secure, more 'in control' running experience. I also never had any issues with rubbing or blisters. The fit was fairly standard and true to size, though the forefoot may not be the most accommodating for wider-footed runners."
Heather: "I felt like this was where the Cumulus 26 could improve the most. Overall, the engineered mesh upper worked well for my foot and provided a lot of comfort during my testing runs. I also did not experience hot spots or blisters. That said, I had a lot of trouble with the laces, having to stop and retie them in the middle of my workout on multiple occasions. Did that ruin my experience? No, but it was a bit of a nuisance."
Midsole
Heather: "I really enjoyed the Cumulus 26's FF BLAST PLUS midsole. It felt like the perfect combination of soft protectiveness and support. As a huge fan of the ASICS Gel Nimbus, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the Cumulus midsole, especially given that it was a bit firmer underfoot. It offered a more inherently stable ride that easily propelled me forward while running at steady paces."
Kaleb: "I ran in the previous version of the Cumulus, and though I liked it for everyday, all-day use, I found it to be a bit mushy. I almost felt like I was working against the midsole at times. The Cumulus 26 is almost completely different in my opinion. It is a bit firmer underfoot compared to the 25, but the ride is balanced, delivering protection and even a bit of pace on the run.
I enjoyed a wide variety of daily training runs within the 3- to 8-mile range and was able to play with different paces without difficulty. I still would not crown the Cumulus as the best daily trainer, but the shoe and the midsole have come a long way with this update. Oh and with the firmer, less flared midsole, the Cumulus 26 is much more stable, allowing me to attack every workout."
Outsole
Heather: "The outsole felt very grippy and reliable. I did some of my testing runs on the treadmill and thought the shoe's midsole and outsole configurations were great for my gym workouts. I could see some runners wanting more texture on the outsole to elevate the shoe's grip, but overall I had no challenges with the Cumulus' outsole on paved surfaces."
Kaleb: "The new FLUIDRIDE outsole provided good traction out on the run, even in wet conditions. I only ran on pavement, but I think runners could get away with using the Cumulus on easy fire roads or gravel paths. That said, I do not think the Cumulus has become 'more' durable. ASICS claims that the new rubber and EVA blended outsole improves durability, but given my testing miles, I do not think the durability seems noticably better in the latest iteration of the Cumulus. That said, runners should be able to collect a healthy amount of miles in this shoe."
Comparable Shoes
ASICS Gel Cumulus 26 vs. ASICS Gel Cumulus 25
Kaleb: "The Cumulus 26 is definitely an improvement over version 25. The previous model became more of an everyday, all-day shoe for me, as I found the midsole relatively mushy. The 26 has a firmer underfoot feel and a much more consistent and dependable ride, which also pairs better with a wider variety of daily runs and paces. They both feel great on foot, but version 26 provides more security that fosters more confidence while running."
ASICS Gel Cumulus 26 vs. ASICS Gel Nimbus 26
Heather: "Admittedly, I was not sure what to expect when I got the Cumulus 26, but I had high expectations given how much I enjoyed the Nimbus. The Cumulus 26 did not let me down, and as someone who likes to hit the roads and the gym, the Cumulus is surprisingly a better shoe for me and my needs. This is mainly a result of the shoe's firmer, more stable ride, which pairs better with cross-training activities than the Nimbus. The Nimbus feels more premium underfoot and delivers a lot more protection, though, so if you are a runner who is looking for more of a long run or recovery option, then the Nimbus is the shoe for you."
Individual Thoughts
Reviewer Picture
Heather Overall Score: 8/10
As a huge fan of the Gel Nimbus, I was excited to try another ASICS running shoe but figured the Nimbus would be hard to beat. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Gel Cumulus is better suited for me—both for the anatomy of my feet and my physical activity of choice. I felt a marked improvement in stability, especially while on the tread. If I could describe these shoes in short, I would say: easy, low-impact speed. Sprints on the tread were very fluid, and I felt the shoes physically propelling me forward. As of now, the Gel Cumulus 26 is my new running shoe of choice.
KalebOverall Score: 8/10
The Gel Cumulus is a daily trainer, so expectations were a little tempered when I received version 26. The Cumulus 25 was a solid shoe with a lot of comfort, but I found myself enjoying it more for everyday activities and to pair with my work outfits than actually putting miles on it.
The Cumulus 26 completely changes the narrative for me. Again, the Cumulus is not going to give you that super-trainer or premium-trainer feel or performance, but it is an incredibly reliable daily trainer. The ride is a bit firmer with this update, which is fantastic. This allowed my turnover to be very smooth and consistent, and daily miles just ticked away. I was even able to throw tempo runs and intervals into the mix thanks to the efficient roll of the midsole.
I also found the Cumulus 26 to be much more stable underfoot, which instilled a sense of control while on the run and gave me a lot of confidence when navigating city streets and traffic. The comfortable and secure upper further contributed to the Cumulus' upgraded performance, and I found that the Cumulus was great for short, fast runs, as well as longer, slower efforts within the 3- to 10-mile range.
Again, the Cumulus 26 is a daily trainer that's on the more affordable side of the spectrum, so compared to some more expensive options, it might not wow out on the roads. But it will always get the job done and won't cause any issues, which, for me, is the mark of a good running shoe.
ASICS Men's Gel Cumulus Running Shoes
The ASICS Gel Cumulus is one of the most popular of all ASICS neutral everyday running shoes providing a winning combination of cushioning, comfort and durability within a reasonably priced package.
ASICS Women's Gel Cumulus Running Shoes
The ASICS Gel Cumulus is one of the most popular of all ASICS neutral everyday running shoes providing a winning combination of cushioning, comfort and durability within a reasonably priced package.
