ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 Shoe Review

Upper

Kaitlyn: "This shoe provides secure lockdown both on top of the foot and in the heel. The laces have a nice stretch to them, but I learned the hard way not to tie them too tight or your foot can go numb. The tongue is also very thin, which could be a contributing factor to the toe numbness. On the plus side, the heel counter is nicely cushioned and didn't let my foot slip out at all. Even with custom insoles inserted, there was ample room for my toes and the rest of my foot. Once you get the hang of the right lacing tension, the upper feels great and doesn't create any hot spots. I usually stay away from shoes with gusseted tongues since I have high arches, but this one worked well for me and didn't put any pressure on the top of my foot."

Connor: "The ASICS Nimbus series has always offered a plush and luxurious upper, and with the debut of version 27, this legacy continues on. The materials are extremely soft and the tongue still provides that smooth integrated design that just feels seamless on foot. From a fit perspective, it's pretty roomy through the toe box and has just the right amount of volume in the midfoot to keep my foot locked in place without being tight. The Nimbus 27 really is a shoe built to keep you feeling great throughout your daily training, and the upper helps wrap it all together."

Midsole

Kaitlyn: "Running in these straight out of the box, the cushion feels pretty soft and gives some bounce back, but it's definitely more plush than responsive. After a few runs, I started noticing my Achilles being a bit bothersome; I can't say for sure if it was due to the shoe's design or the heel-toe drop, but it's something to keep in mind. Once I popped my insoles in, it was the perfect combination of soft comfort with enough responsiveness to keep a pep in my step."

Connor: "The Nimbus is known for its cloud-like cushioning so it's not a surprise that this shoe continues to have a lot of foam underfoot. I thought version 25 was ultra soft, one of the softest shoes I had worn at the time, and some people even felt it was too soft. Version 26 firmed the midsole up a bit, and while still soft, it felt a little different and seemed to be slightly more stable. Version 27 splits the difference between the two, offering a very soft underfoot feel without being overly mushy or unstable. This is not a fast shoe, and while I would mainly classify the midsole feel as soft and plush, it does actually have a little bounce that makes easy running feel even easier. If you like a highly cushioned shoe or just want ultimate comfort underfoot, the Nimbus 27 provides the perfect experience for runners looking to cruise through the miles!"

Outsole

Kaitlyn: "I took these for a spin on both regular roads and fire trails, and the grip held up really well on both surfaces; I couldn't tell much difference between them. Looking at the bottom, ASICS has gone with a pretty standard outsole layout, but they beefed it up a bit in the mid and forefoot areas."

Connor: "The Nimbus 27 may be my most tested shoe of the year so far with over 150 road miles (plus a few on some light fire roads), and the outsole has held up surprisingly well. There is less rubber than the last version to help keep weight down, but I'm not really seeing any significant wear, and I have no doubt the midsole cushioning will most likely wear out before the outsole does. From a traction perspective, the Nimbus rubber is spot-on for my daily road needs. I even took it out on a couple of rainy days and I felt pretty confident."

Comparable Shoes

Saucony Triumph 22 vs. ASICS Gel Nimbus 27

Connor: "The Saucony Triumph 22 comes in at a near-identical weight, and while both are great for your easy days, the Nimbus 27 will feel much softer underfoot and has a little less energy return. The denser PWRRUNPB material in the Triumph provides a little more pep to your step and makes for a decent steady long run shoe."

Brooks Glycerin Max vs. ASICS Gel Nimbus 27

Connor: "The Brooks Glycerin Max is worth mentioning, as it offers that plush comfort on easy days that Nimbus fans will enjoy. I think the Nimbus 27 has a more premium feeling upper but the Glycerin Max provides an even softer and squishier feel for the runner seeking that over-stacked easy day shoe."

New Balance 880 v14 vs. ASICS Gel Nimbus 27

Kaitlyn: "Coming from firmer shoes, the Nimbus 27 was a nice change of pace for me. While I don't have a huge collection to compare it to, it reminds me a lot of the New Balance 880. Both shoes hit that sweet spot—soft but not marshmallow-squishy. Though I've got to say the 880's thicker tongue gives it a slight edge for me."