Our verdict
The twenty-fourth version of the ASICS Gel Cumulus goes from hiding in the shadows of its premium siblings like the Nimbus and the Kayano to marking the Cumulus line's own becoming. It's a solid daily trainer that maxes out comfort in your easy and long days on the road. Even better, it is reliable and enduring. So if you want to make the most out of your $130 purchase, the ASICS Gel Cumulus 24 won't be a bust.
Pros
- Cushy ride for long miles
- Comfy foot wrap
- Stable on sharp turns
- Lighter than before
- Durable
- Snug fit
- Eco-friendly upper
- Grippy on wet and dry pavement
- Bites well on light trails
- Great for newbies
Cons
- Not for wide feet
- Runs warm
- Pricier than most daily trainers
Who should buy the ASICS Gel Cumulus 24
Don't skip the ASICS Cumulus 24 if you're looking for a:
- daily running shoe for both newbies and veterans
- comfy choice for slow and high-mileage efforts on the road
- more affordable version of the ASICS Gel Nimbus 24
Who should NOT buy it
If you want the same price for a more breathable alternative, the ASICS Novablast 2 is a bang-for-the-buck choice. But if you want something cheaper that nails it in the ventilation and toe box department (as in wide-feet-friendly), the ASICS Gel Contend 7 fits the bill.
ASICS Cumulus 24 vs. 23
- For a softer ride, the Cumulus now has a full-length FlyteFoam Blast midsole like that of the ASICS Nimbus Lite and an increased stack height.
- The ASICS Cumulus 24's new upper is also plusher for a more dialed-in fit.
a.k.a ASICS Gel Nimbus 24, jr.
An expert says it best explaining, "if the shoes were cars, the Nimbus would be your Honda Accord and the Cumulus would be your Civic." So, if you are choosing between the Cumulus 24 and the Nimbus, it's a "too-close-too-call comparison" between these two. Even better, the ASICS Gel Cumulus sells for $30 less!
Enjoyable ride on a soft cushion
The ASICS Cumulus 24 rides similarly to the Nimbus 24. It's soft and bouncy; it keeps the legs feeling fresh regardless of distance.
The cushioning on the Cumulus 24 is indeed softer than average. The durometer shows 19.0 which is 35% softer than our lab-tested shoes on average. There is also a substantial amount of heel cushioning: 33.5 mm which is a bit higher than the average (32.7 mm).
Long-haul-ready
There's no doubt that this shoe is going to last several hundred miles, proudly and confidently remarks several critics. It has a solid construction; numerous road runners even say that they estimate this shoe to last beyond 500 miles.
A wear tester who has clocked up 35 miles in the Cumulus shares that there's little to no abrasion on the outsole and packing out in the midsole.
Wearing out an ASICS shoe is a challenge on its own. The Cumulus 24 maintains the brand's reputation in this regard with a thick 4.2 mm rubber outsole. For reference, the average is 3.6 mm.
It bites
Apart from being sturdy, the outsole is also very tacky. So much so, traction has been nothing but solid on road and wet pavement. And on non-technical, dirt trails, it remains grippy.
The Gel Cumulus 24 is not exactly cheap
Yes, it's a "solid, lesser-priced" alternative to the ASICS Nimbus 24. But against other daily trainers (averaging $119 per pair), its $130 price proves a little steep.
Reflective elements for your dark-time adventures
Although not too prominent, there are thin strips of reflective material on the back of the shoe to make you more visible.
Upper comfort: From cheap to awesome
According to almost all testers, this version of the ASICS Gel Cumulus is a massive step-up from past iterations. The upper is softer and more padded, comfort is "never an issue" as an expert has confirmed. Some even say it's "almost too comfortable;" it's along with the ranks of the Saucony Triumph.
The shoe's tongue is astonishingly padded! It is 7.5 mm thick, which is 1.5 mm thicker than the average.
To put the level of comfort it offers in perspective, one runner reports that it "even excels on treadmills."
The price of comfort
Runners gush about the shoe's luxurious wrap with one of them saying, the Gel Cumulus 24 has a "plush and lush foot wrap." However, too much of a good thing won't be good anymore, and that is the case of the ASICS Cumulus 24.
With all the plushness you get from the upper, runners point out that you "sacrifice temperature control." For summer runs, it can be a sponge for your sweat. With this said, you might want to lace up another pair if you want to feel the cool breeze through your toes.
The ASICS Cumulus 24 locks you in and steady
The upper and the fit of the twenty-fourth version of the ASICS Gel Cumulus have been praised by a handful of runners. It "offers a sock-like fit" has been one of the most mentioned experiences by several runners. Another adds that the "fit is dialed-in"; his foot stayed locked in the place the entire time.
"Heel lockdown is tremendous," exclaims a long-time runner who has left nothing but praises for the shoe's overall fit.
However, the shoe's rather snug foothold creates a different story for wide-footed runners. Those with broader feet who left comments on the shoe's fit find it a challenge to put on.
When faced with sharp turns, almost everyone agrees that there are NO issues with slips. According to them, not once did they feel tippy nor did they lose their footing.
Contributing to the shoe's stability is the nice and broad platform. It's not wider than most daily trainers but is just right to keep you surefooted. The measurements are 108.9 mm in the forefoot and 86.1 mm in the heel.
