ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 review

After testing the ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 in the lab and on the road, we found that:

• Loyal Nimbus buyers can confidently upgrade again, as we think this version is a clear step forward from the 27.
• Runners who value comfort over performance will feel right at home.
• Midfoot and forefoot strikers will benefit the most, as we discovered this is the most suitable Nimbus ASICS has made so far for these strike patterns.

We believe the Nimbus 28 is not the best choice if you expect bounce. After testing, we found FF Blast+ feels flat and comfortable rather than lively, so we do not recommend it for performance-seekers when options like the cheaper ASICS Novablast 5 or punchier Nike Vomero Plus exist.

Runners chasing a cloud-like ride will feel let down too. We think the foam feels balanced but never dreamy-soft, and we believe there are better choices—like the Mizuno Neo Vista 2 or New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5—that deliver a true pillow-soft sensation.

ASICS strongly promotes the Nimbus as a comfort-focused trainer with plenty of cushioning, and after testing it, we partly agree. We discovered that the shoe clearly delivers enough shock absorption underfoot, measuring 137 SA in the heel and 133 SA in the forefoot—but the real advantage over average daily trainers appears in the forefoot, whereas the heel feels fairly ordinary. 

This is because the heel has again a PureGEL insert, which helps soften landings, but we found that this material does not perform especially well for shock absorption or bounce when compared to a high-quality foam, which makes us question whether it might be time to move away from it...

The FF Blast+ and PureGEL combo feels comfortable and protects the foot from impact, but after testing it, we found almost no rebound at all. We measured 44.2% energy return in the heel and a slightly better 45.9% in the forefoot.

These figures might be acceptable in a shoe priced around 100 dollars, but they feel underwhelming in a premium daily trainer. We found it difficult to justify ASICS sticking with FF Blast+ in the Nimbus when a better foam like FF Blast Max appears in cheaper models.

The heel stack of the ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 measures 39.5 mm, which clearly places it in the max-stack category. However, it is worth noting that ASICS lists a 43.5 mm stack on the spec sheet, and our result came in lower than that.

The forefoot is much closer to the stated spec, as we measured 34.3 mm, which clearly secures the Nimbus 28 a place in the maximalist category. For the same reason, runners looking for any sense of ground feel should consider a different shoe with less foam underfoot, because this model delivers the exact opposite sensation.

The difference between our heel measurement and the official figure also changed the real drop of the shoe, because instead of the stated 8 mm, we tested and discovered a 5.2 mm drop.

We measured it several times in the exact same spot we use for every shoe, which allows reliable comparisons for you, and during our runs it definitely felt closer to a mid-drop design than a high-drop ride.

We are not going to lie, it was a clear letdown when we discovered that ASICS kept FF Blast+ in the Nimbus 28. It really feels like time to move on, but that change will need to wait at least until version 29.

That said, this is not the same formulation used in 2024. We tested it and found it slightly softer, registering 19.5 HA on our Shore A durometer versus 21.0 HA last year. The difference is small, but the shoe feels more comfortable, which we noticed right away. However, keep in mind that this foam is still far from a truly plush ride—and our measurements clearly support that.

The Nimbus 28 offers a pronounced heel extension and an early-stage forefoot rocker. From our photo, you can see how the midsole curves upward well before the toes, which helps move the foot forward and reduces the need for strong toe flexion at toe-off. This rocker works best at easy and steady paces, which matches the Nimbus intended use.

We will also use this photo to highlight the deep midsole grooves in this new design. ASICS added several horizontal flex lines running from heel to toe, which help the thick midsole bend, although with such a massive stack height, you should not expect much flexibility.

GEL technology is starting to become a real issue for ASICS. We understand its strong value from a branding point of view, but even in its updated PureGEL form, we think it brings more downsides than benefits to the Nimbus overall.

Still, the Nimbus 28 keeps the same PureGEL heel insert, and runners landing on that area will feel a softer sensation underfoot. However, this result could be achieved with less weight, lower production cost, and higher energy return by using a better foam.

When measuring the gel mold we produced at its widest point, we recorded 97.6 mm, which is a roomy result and maintains the same fit we observed in the previous version.

This generous width is positive for runners with wide feet, especially because the Nimbus 28 is also offered in a wide version in many countries.

We took a second measurement in the toebox area, where we found the familiar design from ASICS with a standard taper.

The 72.5 mm result is clear, and while the widest point was slightly roomier than average, this confirms that the Nimbus 28 delivers a fully standard fit up front.

Runners who are sensitive to pressure on the toes may not enjoy the Nimbus 28, as the upper sits closer than average at 22.7 mm.

For us, this was not a major issue thanks to the knit upper, which is stretchy and soft, making the fit feel secure rather than oppressive. However, if you prefer more vertical room in the toebox, the Nimbus 28 is likely not the right choice.

ASICS has been delivering outstanding results in our lab since introducing ASICSGRIP rubber, and the Hybrid ASICSGRIP outsole on the Nimbus 28, which mixes ASICSGRIP with AHAR, performs just as impressively.

After testing on wet concrete using the SATRA TM144 method, we measured a 0.76 result, which is excellent for a daily trainer.

The result becomes even more impressive when you consider how little rubber ASICS used on the outsole. They clearly pushed the limits here, and runners who dislike exposed foam may not love this approach.

Still, despite FF Blast+ performing poorly for energy return, it stands out for its strong resistance to abrasion, which likely explains why ASICS kept it. The outsole also features clear flex grooves running through the forefoot, which help the shoe bend more naturally.

We expected low flexibility from the Nimbus 28, and our tests confirmed it. Scoring 23.1N in our 30-degree flex test, it is extremely stiff, mainly due to the massive stack height in the forefoot.

While we criticized that some elements remain unchanged in the Nimbus, such as the dull foam, there are clear positive updates as well. One of the most important improvements comes from weight, as we tested the Nimbus 28 at 9.8 oz or 278g, making it 7% lighter than its predecessor.

With a better foam it could be even lighter, but this is still a very competitive weight for a shoe offering this level of comfort.

ASICS switched to an engineered mesh as the main upper material, leaving behind the jacquard mesh used on the Gel Nimbus 27. This change is positive for comfort and overall quality, although breathability drops from 4 to 3 on our scale.

The upper does not feature clear ventilation holes and instead focuses on a plush feel across the entire foot, which is easy to understand given the Nimbus comfort-first approach. Ultimately, most Nimbus buyers prioritize a soft and premium step-in feel.

Using our digital microscope, we found that air channels are present, but they are very thin and blocked by a secondary internal layer.

This explains the reduced airflow despite the refined construction.

Even with the drop in breathability, the upper remains one of the strongest aspects of the shoe. The materials feel amazing, and the build quality is consistently high throughout.

The integration of the heel collar and knit-based tongue is excellent, and ASICS also managed to make the upper slightly lighter without sacrificing comfort or structure.

The Gel Nimbus 28 is a neutral trainer, and runners who need added support should look instead to the Gel Kayano 32. That said, this shoe offers more stability than many would expect for its size, as the wide midsole and raised sidewalls do a good job of limiting lateral foot collapse.

Our 30-degree bend test delivered clear evidence of the shoe’s high stiffness, and our manual assessment of torsional rigidity confirmed this rigid feel with a 5/5 score, even with outsole cutouts designed to soften it slightly.

The heel counter remains unchanged from last year and scored again 4/5 in our assessment. However, ASICS once again used generous foam padding to ensure comfort, and it feels like a solid setup, especially for rearfoot strikers who rely on added stability.

ASICS often gives maximalist shoes the wide base of stability models but leaves out specific support features, such as the 4D Guidance System used in stability shoes like the ASICS GT 2000 14.

The Nimbus 28 comes with a very broad 119.0 mm forefoot, which helps maintain front-end stability despite the very high stack by providing a wide and secure landing area.

The heel is even more striking at 99.1 mm, coming very close to 100 mm.

Runners who enjoy agile and nimble shoes may not like this SUV-like footprint, and if that sounds like you, the Nike Vomero 18 is a better option since it is narrower and feels less bulky.

We are often cautious with comfort-focused uppers, as softer materials tend to resist abrasion less effectively. However, the Gel Nimbus 28 strikes a good balance here and earned a solid 3/5 score in our test.

The heel padding showed slightly more wear than usual, but a 3/5 score is still sufficient for regular use. Unless you wear socks made of sandpaper, we do not expect any major issues.

The Hybrid ASICSGRIP rubber combines excellent traction with strong durability, making it one of the shoe’s main strengths. We measured just 1.0 mm of wear after our Dremel test, which is more good enough to pass this benchmark.

The rubber measures 3.3 mm in thickness, which sits close to the average. This detail is important, because ASICS pushed very low outsole coverage, so the solid thickness helps the shoe hold up over many miles.

Another area where ASICS consistently delivers higher quality in the Nimbus compared to cheaper daily trainers is the insole. Once again, they partnered with Ortholite, and this shoe includes the X-55 model, which adds 5.4 mm of cushioning.

However, if you prefer to remove it and use a third-party insole, there is absolutely no issue in doing so.

FF Blast+ is mostly made from EVA, but ASICS adds a small amount of Olefin to improve the compound and its behavior in cold conditions. This results in better resistance to low temperatures, as the foam became only 19% firmer after spending 20 minutes in our freezer.

We’re happy to confirm that ASICS added reflective elements, which improve visibility during early morning runs or at dusk.

The upper of the Nimbus 28 feels outstanding in both quality and comfort, and the tongue clearly reflects that. We discovered that it is stretchy, adapts smoothly to the foot, and includes a handy finger-loop tab.

And although 1.5 mm is not a lot of padding, we found that the knit material performs very well and feels comfortable even during long runs. Combined with lace loops that reduce pressure on the instep, we think that this is a solid design that delivers the premium feel that we all expect from a Nimbus.

The tongue uses a fantastic semi-gusseted design that creates a secure lockdown, wrapping the foot comfortably and staying in place throughout the run.

We found that the Nimbus 28 price increased slightly in some markets like the US, whereas in others where the price was already extremely high, such as Europe, it stayed the same. In our view, this is the upper limit if ASICS keeps using FF Blast+ foam, because they simply cannot charge more for midsole tech that now feels outdated.

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 features one of the best heel tabs we have ever analyzed, with an almost flawless design that is seamlessly integrated into the heel collar and finished with a premium-level feel.