As someone somewhere once said, change is a good thing—and it appears Asics thinks so too. For the 25th iteration of the brand’s flagship everyday running trainer, the Gel-Nimbus has undergone a considerable revamp, swapping its classic design for an upgraded modern look, the latest PureGEL technology and a new max cushion foam midsole—all in the name of comfort.
We got our hands on a pair of the new Gel-Nimbus 25s to test the shoe out for ourselves and help you decide whether you should make the upgrade to this drastically reimagined—yet familiarly comfortable—everyday trainer.
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Asics Gel-Nimbus 25: Quick Summary
In a hurry? Here’s a quick breakdown of the new Asics Gel-Nimbus 25, including the main pros and cons, our overall verdict of the shoe, where you can buy it and for how much.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Wide base offers great stability
- Premium feel
- Modern design
- Soft and supportive midsole
Cons
- Expensive for a daily trainer
- Not suited to pacey runs
- Lacks grip in icy conditions
Verdict: Having undergone a significant revamp, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 remains one of the best max cushion daily running shoes. Best suited to slow runs and long-distances, we found it to be a plush and luxurious everyday shoe, providing seriously impressive comfort over a range of distances.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 25: First Impressions
Fans of the 24th iteration will hardly recognise the new Asics Gel-Nimbus 25. While that might not faze some, loyal Asics customers considering an upgrade may, understandably, be cautious. Here’s a breakdown of the new features of the Gel-Nimbus 25 and our first impressions of the shoe.
- Weight: 290g
- Drop (the difference in height between the heel and forefoot): 8mm
- Midsole material: FF Blast Plus Eco
- Impact-absorbing gel: Asics Pure Gel Technology
- Upper area: Knit
Out of the box, the premium feel of the Gel-Nimbus 25 is immediately apparent. The shoe feels large yet lightweight in your hand thanks to the exaggerated FF Blast Plus Eco foam midsole—of which there is 20% more foam compared to the 24.
The fit of the upper also has a premium feel. Swapping an engineered mesh for a new knitted upper, the top of the shoe feels sturdy and locks your feet down into the sole, while still maintaining an airy and stretchy feel. This is in part helped by the generous ankle padding and raised collar, which contributes to a plush feel when stepping into the shoe. Asics say 75% of the upper is made using recycled content, which is a nice touch.
Other standout features of the 25 are its wide base and outsole material. Underfoot, the wideness of the sole feels supportive around your midfoot, and we found it helped to promote a stable feeling over long distances. The outsole is soft, but we did find it struggled in icy conditions.
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What’s the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 like to Run in?
Asics call the Gel-Nimbus 25 ‘the most comfortable running shoe’, and while comfort is subjective, having tested the 25 over a range of distances, we have to say we’re big fans of its softness and comfort. Whether it was a slow 5k or a 20k long run, we found the shoe to be deeply cushioned underfoot. From the moment you put on the trainer, it feels squishy and bouncy, and that feeling remains over long distances—particularly so during easy recovery runs.
While this is great if you enjoy a max cushioned, soft-feel running shoe, if you prefer a more bouncy or firm shoe, you might struggle with the lack of responsiveness that you get with the new Gel-Nimbus. We found the same problem when picking up the pace. The shoe remains just as comfortable at higher tempos, but due to the nature of the soft cushioning, it doesn’t offer the springiness that you’d ideally want from a racing trainer. But then again, that’s not what the Nimbus is built for.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 vs 25 – What’s Changed?
While the general shape of the shoe remains familiar to the 24—as you can see above—that’s where the similarities end. Asics have put the Gel-Nimbus through a considerable revamp, with the 25 featuring 20% more foam cushioning—most noticeable at the back of the shoe—a new PureGEL technology integrated into the midsole that’s now hidden from the outside, and the aforementioned new knitted upper. The 25 is also marginally heavier than the 24, weighing around 8g more than the previous version. The 25 also has a raised collar with a pull tag on the heel and a redesigned rubber outsole.
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How Much Does The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Cost and Is It Worth It?
Depending on how much you run—and how much money you have to splash on a new pair of running shoes—the price of the Gel-Nimbus 25 could be a dealbreaker. Retailing at a hefty R3 500, it is undoubtedly a premium trainer. Seeing as it’s intended to be a daily running shoe, then you could justify the price by the amount of regular use you’ll likely get out of it—it might also motivate you to get out more.
Ultimately, if you have the funds and you’re after a premium, max cushion daily trainer, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is most definitely worth the price.
*Words: Luke Chamberlain
*This article was originally published by Men’s Health UK
