ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 review

After testing the ASICS Nimbus 27 in the lab, we found that it's:

• Ideal for those who loved the Nimbus 25 and 26, as it sticks to the same proven formula with smart refinements and even more cushioning underfoot.
• A standout maximalist daily trainer for runners favoring slow to moderate paces who prefer a firmer, more stable ride over super-plush midsoles.
• A top choice for those who prioritize upper comfort, as this model excels in both breathability and premium-quality materials.

The Nimbus 27 remains a bottom-heavy shoe, and from our perspective, it’s hard to overlook that drawback. If weight is a concern, we strongly suggest looking to other ASICS shoes. The Novablast 5 is a more affordable, highly-responsive option, while the Superblast 2 offers even greater performance with an ultra-light, super-bouncy ride.

We also think that runners expecting a plush midsole might be disappointed. The Nimbus 27 looks softer than it actually is, and its firmer ride might not suit those who enjoy pillowy landings. If that’s a deal-breaker, we recommend the Mizuno Neo Vista or the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14.

Running shoes continue to grow in height—and sometimes price—every year, and the Nimbus follows suit. For example, the Nimbus 22 had a 31 mm heel, while five years later, the Nimbus 27 boasts a sky-high 42.7 mm, a jump that seemed unthinkable not long ago. This is also a noticeable increase from the 40.4 mm we measured in its predecessor.

Is this a good change? In our opinion, the Nimbus is approaching its limits, as pushing the stack even higher would bring too many trade-offs. However, that's the direction the market is heading, and for those seeking a protective daily trainer, few offer more foam underfoot than the Nimbus 27.

The forefoot retains its ultra-cushioned feel, and we confirmed this with our digital calipers—measuring a towering 34.4 mm. In our experience, this makes it a shock-absorbing powerhouse for long runs and a joint-friendly option even for heavier runners that strike with the midfoot or forefoot.

On the flip side, runners who prioritize ground feel or a feedback-rich ride should look elsewhere, as this shoe simply won’t deliver. A better option would be something like the Nike Pegasus Plus.

The Nimbus has consistently been built around an 8 mm drop platform, and we verified that in our testing. Our measurement came in at 8.3 mm—an ultra-minimal difference that falls well within manufacturing tolerances and is smaller than what we typically see in the lab.

This drop works well for a daily trainer, providing a smooth-and-balanced ride suitable for all footstrikes. However, based on our test runs, it’s particularly well-suited for heel and midfoot strikers who benefit from its design.

The midsole features a full-length layer of FF Blast+ ECO, and while that was sufficient in previous years, we believe it's now a missed opportunity—especially with ASICS incorporating FF Blast Max in models like the GlideRide Max for a more energetic-and-responsive ride.

Sure, the Nimbus isn’t about performance, but when paying a premium price, having top-tier materials matters. In our test runs, FF Blast+ ECO felt slightly uninspiring underfoot, and it also turned out firmer than expected, measuring 21.0 HA on our durometer compared to last year’s 18.5 HA.

After placing the Nimbus 27 in the freezer for 20 minutes, we found it became 19% firmer—a solid result for an EVA-based foam like FF Blast+ ECO. Its blend with Olefin co-polymers helps maintain its compliance in colder conditions.

The insole is the familiar Ortholite X-55—a premium addition that complements the shoe's high price while providing an extra layer of comfort.

We found that the heel transition has improved from last year, thanks to a more prominent heel bevel and a larger posterior flare. Though not immediately noticeable, this refined design provides a smoother landing that benefits heel strikers seeking a more natural stride.  

The Nimbus 27 retains a mild rockered design, though its toe spring engages later than many competitors. And taking a close look at the forefoot… that’s a serious chunk of foam!

The Nimbus 27 retains the same PureGEL insert, which is ASICS' modern take on the classic GEL. It’s a nice feature for heel strikers seeking extra comfort, though midfoot and forefoot strikers are unlikely to feel its impact.

For those who upgrade the Nimbus every year, we must warn you—the fit has changed. Last year’s model surprised us with a low-volume toebox, but after crafting our well-known gel mold again, we discovered a clear departure from that design.

Starting with the widest part of the toebox, we measured 97.0 mm—falling on the roomier side and providing extra space for natural foot splay. In our view, this is great news for runners with wide feet, especially since this model is also available in a wide size in select markets.

We shifted focus to the big toe area for another precise measurement. This time, our digital caliper recorded 73.8 mm—delivering an average fit that feels balanced and should work well for most runners, but not overly spacious by any means.

Finally, we tested the toebox height and found that ASICS addressed last year’s low-volume issue.

This time, it measures a more reasonable 26.4 mm—still on the snugger side but offering a good fit for those who don’t need excessive upward toe space.

Maximalist running shoes have this interesting paradox—despite their ultra-tall design and seemingly unstable look, they often provide impressive support. Brands push the limits to counteract the added height, and sometimes, they even go beyond what’s necessary. And that seems to be the case with the Nimbus 27.

We discovered that despite being marketed as a neutral shoe, it’s packed with many supportive features—reinforced midsole sidewalls, an extra-wide landing platform, rock-solid torsional rigidity, and more. Let's dive into it!

Let’s keep it simple—the torsional rigidity of the Nimbus 27 is extreme, comparable to a carbon-plated racer like the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris. In our testing, bending or twisting it felt nearly impossible without superhuman strength, earning it a rock-solid 5/5 in the lab.  

If you prefer highly-flexible daily trainers, this one is the complete opposite. Get the Nike Pegasus 41 instead or use our comparison chart to find the shoe that matches your preferences.

The heel counter is still fairly stiff, though slightly less so than in our previous test, earning a 4/5. This feels reasonable, especially since ASICS has added generous padding inside the heel for extra comfort.

Another key reason this neutral shoe can still work for those with mild stability needs is its massive midsole dimensions.  

In the forefoot, we measured 119.5 mm—1.1 mm wider than its predecessor—aligning with the ongoing trend of yearly updates: broader and higher!

With a heel width of 99.8 mm, ASICS clearly designed the Nimbus 27 with heel strikers in mind—providing an extra-wide landing zone for a stable touchdown.

In our experience, this unfortunately contributes to a bottom-heavy feel, making the shoe noticeably bulky, especially at faster paces. But hey—who’s pushing the pace in a Nimbus? Not us.

As expected, the Nimbus is quite stiff at 34.6N in our bend test, but at the cost of everyday comfort. In our experience, a rigid structure makes it less enjoyable for casual wear, as stiffer shoes aren’t ideal for walking.

The Nimbus 27 remains a heavy shoe, which is no surprise given its max-cushioned build. However, ASICS managed to trim a small amount of weight, dropping from 10.7 oz to 10.55 oz (303g to 299g, although that's obviously a barely-noticeable difference while running.

ASICS continues to alternate between knit and mesh uppers for the Nimbus, and this year, we found a jacquard mesh that delivers impressive quality and comfort—without any unnecessary fluff. However, it lacks the stretchy-and-premium feel of knit. But, how does it perform in ventilation?

We tested airflow using our smoke-pumping machine and confirmed solid breathability. The Nimbus 27 earned the same reliable 4/5 score as its predecessor, proving its ability to handle long, heat-intensive runs without excessive overheating.

To pinpoint ventilation zones, we used a high-powered light, and as expected, the toebox stood out as the most breathable area. Meanwhile, the rest of the upper prioritizes structure over airflow, reinforcing stability at the cost of ventilation—an intentional trade-off.

Despite the absence of visible ventilation holes, ASICS' multi-layer mesh surprised us with its breathability.

Under a microscope, we would have guessed a 2/5 rating, but real-world testing revealed much better airflow—highlighting the importance of multiple evaluation methods as we perform here in the lab.

The upper also features thick padding around the heel, using ASICS’ signature textured lining to keep the foot locked in place. We also appreciated the perforated inner layer in the toebox—a subtle-yet-effective design choice that likely pushed its ventilation score from 3 to 4.

In our experience, shoes that prioritize ultra-plush comfort and high breathability often compromise durability—but that wasn’t the case with the Nimbus 27. We believe the absence of ventilation holes played a role in its solid build, helping it achieve a respectable 3/5 score.

In our experience, ASICS uses one of the most well-crafted heel linings in the industry: exceptionally-grippy, ultra-comfortable, and looks great too! We tested it with our Dremel, and it aced the test, earning a 5 for durability.

Shifting to the outsole, we found that ASICS retained the Hybrid ASICSGRIP from last year but reduced the rubber coverage to cut weight. Instead of continuous rubber pads, the design now features multiple cutouts with significant midsole exposure.

To compensate, ASICS tuned the rubber to be as firm as possible—our durometer measured it at a rock-hard 89.4 HC. While this boosts durability, it significantly reduces grip, which we found to be far from exceptional. Combined with the extensive midsole exposure, this design choice makes the shoe best suited for paved surfaces, as off-road runs could accelerate wear.

In our last Dremel test, we measured a 0.8 mm dent after the tool finished—solid durability compared to most shoes. However, considering how ultra-firm this rubber is, we expected an even better outcome.

To wrap up our outsole analysis, we used our vernier caliper to measure the rubber thickness and found it to be 3.0 mm—a measurement that, in our view, strikes a reasonable balance between durability and weight savings.

The ASICS Nimbus 27 is their high-comfort daily trainer, offering a solid mix of features and premium materials at a fair price—at least in the US and Japan. ASICS tends to price it higher in Europe and other markets, making it slightly less appealing but still within its expected range.

It's worth noting that ASICS raised the price by 3%—a small increase that aligns with current trends in the running shoe market. In fact, we were expecting it to be twice as much.

Cars and bikes will spot you from behind, but some side reflectivity would have been a welcome addition—maybe next time.

While most brands pack their top-tier daily trainers with ultra-thick tongues for a plush-and-pillowy feel, ASICS took a different approach. We found that the tongue material isn’t mesh like the rest of the upper but a stretchy-knit fabric that adapts effortlessly.

It’s an intriguing design choice (and highly-divisive, no doubt) since it lacks traditional padding, measuring just 1.5 mm like racing shoes. It reminded us of the Ultraboost 5X too, making it the same matter of preference from that model: do you prefer ultra-cushioned tongues or a thin, stretch-knit alternative?

The tongue is gusseted on both sides using the same knit material, a fantastic detail that enhances both comfort and fit.

ASICS seems more than satisfied with the heel design from the Nimbus 25, carrying it over to the Nimbus 26 and, unsurprisingly, keeping it in the Nimbus 27.

Therefore, this design features an integrated finger-loop tab in the heel collar, delivering a premium feel and easy usability. It aligns perfectly with the high-quality expectations we associate with this series and its high price tag.

We found it quite easy to remove the Ortholite insole from the Nimbus 27, allowing for extra room inside the shoe with a thinner footbed. However, given the limited toebox volume, replacing it with a thicker model doesn’t seem like the best option.