Asics Gel Cumulus 25 Review (2024): A Good Daily Trainer?

Published on: 06/02/2023

The Consensus

Asics Gel Cumulus 25 Complete Review Analysis

Introduction

For decades, Asics has produced exceptional road running shoes with a high-quality range and a focus on performance and comfort. Thanks to the brand’s GEL technology and FF Blast midsole foam, you can bet on finding a perfect road shoe in the Asics Cumulus or Nimbus ranges.

The Asics Cumulus 25 is a neutral shoe with more cushion than ever before. Lighter than the corresponding Gel Nimbus 25 and its Cumulus predecessors, it stays bouncy and fun thanks to the mix of foam and gel in the midsole. It will deliver plush support on recovery runs and help you cover easy miles with happy feet. And they’re sustainably produced from recycled materials.

Is this the best max-cushion daily trainer on the market? Let’s find out!

Cushioning (Midsole)

The key technology in the Cumulus 25 midsole is Flytefoam Blast+, boosted by Pure Gel cushioning and topped up with some brilliant elements in the upper. Where we’ve been used to talking about the Asics Gel range (Cumulus sits among the Nimbus and the Kayano), the brand has now upgraded this to Pure Gel. This is a lighter and softer version of the signature cushioning from Asics and it feels fantastic.

Designed to absorb shock for daily trainer styles (as opposed to the racing models), there is some Pure Gel in the shoe’s heel to help with smoother landings and less impact for heel strikers. The rest of the midsole is then a combination of Pure Gel and FF Blast Plus (or Flytefoam Blast+). The Cumulus 25 has a thicker midsole, adding 4mm compared to the Cumulus 24, but still staying light thanks to this combination of materials.

As the most cushioned version of the Asics Gel Cumulus, this new shoe looks set to become the gold standard of plush comfort. The small wedge in the heel makes a huge difference for beginners, who appreciate the smooth landing. Moreover, most reviewers enjoy the Cumulus not just for easy miles in training, but also for walking around all day. This is just a testament to how comfortable it is overall.

In terms of stack height, the heel sits at 37.5 mm above ground and the forefoot at 29.5 mm. The resulting 8 mm drop is comfortable and versatile for anything from easy runs to harder workouts. Although it looks bulky, this new Cumulus has less weight than previous versions, weighing in at 266 g for men’s size 9 and 229 g for women’s size 8. A perfect combination of softness, shock absorption, and somewhat energetic support for all types of training.

Foot lockdown (Upper)

The Cumulus 25 features an Ortholite sockliner and soft mesh that wraps the foot comfortably and securely. In line with the cushioned design, the upper is thick and plush and there’s a comfortable heel collar that doesn’t slip on long runs. Additionally, more than 90% of the polyester used in the upper comes from recycled materials, which is good news for sustainability-minded runners.

Just like the new Nimbus 25, the Cumulus is a primarily neutral shoe, without any specific allowance made for under or over pronation. It’s relatively tight through the midfoot, offering a secure hold, fanning out nicely for the toe box. This gives the forefoot room to expand in the heat. According to most reviews, wider footed athletes should go for wide sizes, but the Cumulus tuns out to be quite accommodating even in regular sizing.

The only downside with the new upper seems to be around breathability. The shoe can feel quite warm on hot days and users report it getting pretty sweaty.

Grip and Durability (Outsole)

Asics’ signature outsole materials include AHAR high abrasion rubber sole and the Cumulus 25 features this as well. In the new edition, Asics added specific strategic spots with AHAR LO and AHAR PLUS compounds, designed to add grip where it matters, but also to reduce the wear on the shoe. This means that the durability of the Asics Cumulus 25 should be superior to previous versions, while also keeping the outsole lighter for some small but significant weight savings.

In terms of grip, most reports have the Cumulus performing well on anything from wet roads to hilly terrain. Thanks to a bit of stretch in the upper, but good lockdown, feet don’t slip within the shoe either, reducing the risk of blisters.

Ride

The new Asics Gel Cumulus 25 delivers great cushion-to-weight ratio, feeling lighter and more nimble than it looks. Despite the high stack, there is some ground feel, and most reviews find the shoes stable and reliable. The landing is softened by the gel in the heel wedge, followed by smooth transitions and relatively good toe-off.

Thanks to the 8 mm drop, the Cumulus 25’s ride encourages forward motion, which is great for those still working on their running form. With a less stack height, there’d be even more propulsion, but you’d sacrifice some of the cushioning. If you’re looking for relaxed running shoes for your recovery and long workouts, these do the trick admirably.

Conclusion

In the Gel Cumulus 25, Asics manages to combine max cushioning with moderate responsiveness to offer a versatile, fun ride. It’s hard to imagine being more comfortable without sacrificing ligthtness or feeling bulky. Modernizing and upgrading the traditional Cumulus design, this new shoe is daring but clever. A top pick for neutral and under pronators looking for good weight to cushioning ratio, comfortable upper, and soft heel support.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use

Comparisons – Asics Gel Cumulus 25 vs.:

Asics Gel Cumulus 24

Lighter than its predecessor, the Cumulus 25 now features embedded Pure Gel within the midsole with an added heel wedge and plusher, more comfortable design overall. Compared to the slightly firmer 24th version, the new pair has a different geometry, departing from the previous design quite significantly. The outsole has also been reimagined, while the upper is plusher and thicker.

All this while saving some weight and using a lot of recycled material. We’d say it’s a great improvement from Asics in the Cumulus range, offering a flexible daily running shoe that will feel good regardless of your mileage. Worth spending the extra $$$ on.

Other comparisons

• Asics Gel Nimbus 25 vs. Cumulus 25