Asics Gel Cumulus 26 Review: How Comfy? (2024)

Julien Guyod

Published on 08/27/2024

Updated on 08/27/2024

Over the past 3-4 years, Asics has made significant changes to its running shoes, and the Cumulus series embodies this new direction. Version 25 departed from the traditional Cumulus by turning towards maximal cushioning, just like the Asics Gel Nimbus 26 and the Asics Novablast 4.

Is the Cumulus 26 still a good daily trainer as its predecessor? Does it suit your runner profile and goals? We’ll find out in this comprehensive review based on several test runs.

What You Need to Know

Cushioning

The midsole features a high stack of FLYTEFOAM BLAST PLUS foam and the new PUREGEL technology, a capsule at the shoe’s rear that primarily benefits heel strikers by further enhancing shock absorption.

The new outsole and foam are quite dense, providing a firm underfoot feel as your foot hits the ground. This confused some testers (including me). However, the stiffness diminishes after a break-in period (about 100 km/62 miles). The experience then becomes softer for a balanced ride that is more reminiscent of other Asics shoes like the Nimbus.

The stack height of 38.5 mm at the heel and 30.5 mm at the forefoot ensures excellent shock absorption. There are no restrictions in terms of distance, regardless of the runner’s weight.

At 8 mm, the heel-to-toe drop is classic and won’t require any adaptation.

Energy return

With a lighter weight (251 g/8.9 oz vs. 264 g/9.3 oz in 42) and a more pronounced rocker, these shoes are lighter and more responsive than the previous version despite the higher stack.

The heel-to-toe transitions are fluid, but the bounce is moderate.

Overall responsiveness is satisfactory and should enable runners to pick enough during their workouts when needed.

Support and stability

A legitimate concern given the dimensions, stability is nonetheless good. The base is wide, and the fit is very precise. As a result, you can roll your foot off in complete safety. What’s more, the firmer foam ensures good support.

This is a neutral model; the brand indicates it’s also suitable for supinators. Considering the good stability, it should also be adapted to slight overpronators, but it’s better to check for yourself.

Foot Lockdown

The upper uses a single layer of jacquard mesh. Breathability is good and suitable for both summer and winter runs. Extensive padding ensures a very comfortable fit.

Woven seams allow the foot to move freely, smoothly, and without friction. The fit is very good, with no annoying or painful compression points. Only testers with narrow feet found the fit a bit too roomy and had to tighten the laces accordingly.

The Cumulus 26 fits true to size, and the stretchy nature of the upper should suit all foot shapes and sizes.

The OrthoLite X-55 insole ensures good moisture management.

A semi-rigid, padded heel counter at the back works very well to lock the foot and prevent slippage.

The 3D Space construction favors compression in the heel for enhanced propulsion. The gusseted tongue is effective, with no slippage reported.

Overall, foot lockdown is excellent as it’s almost always the case with the Japanese brand.

Traction

Asics made a surprising choice by abandoning AHAR rubber in favor of a FluidRide outsole. This rubber and foam mixture covers almost the entire contact surface.

The results received mixed reviews. Traction on wet surfaces failed to convince runners unanimously. Also, despite the grooves, the shoe feels stiff.

As mentioned previously, the stiffness diminishes with mileage, and the sensations become more classic.

Regarding surfaces, the Cumulus is a road shoe, but it can easily tackle dirt paths and other non-technical off-road terrains.

Use

The new max cushion might surprise the Cumulus fans from the early years. However, the firmness keeps the series in line with previous iterations and the features that made the collection such a success are still there.

Without being particularly responsive, the shoe is sufficiently responsive and light to make it a nimble daily trainer suitable for a wide variety of sessions, such as long runs and recovery jogs.

Speed work won’t be the primary use, but it’s not out of the cards either. Also, the higher stack makes it more comfortable to increase mileage even if you’re a heavier runner.

Therefore, the Asics Gel Cumulus 26 is a reliable training partner. More advanced models may be more suitable to perform at marathons, but it’s a good option if your number 1 criterion is comfort rather than performance.

Quality and Durability

The engineered mesh is very robust, and the high-density foam should retain its properties over time. I didn’t notice any wear at the end of my test sessions.

However, some runners reported average durability for the outsole. Nonetheless, we expect this model to last as long as the previous versions, making it a decent value for money compared to similar shoes.

The upper’s main material is 75% recycled, and the Asics Gel-Cumulus 26 is vegan.

Alternatives

Other comparisons

• Asics Gel Nimbus 26: this model is similar but has more cushioning and a softer underfoot feel.
• Asics Novablast 4: with its higher, more responsive cushioning for the same weight, the Novablast 4 is a similar option that will delight runners looking for a versatile shoe for their fast-paced sessions.

Conclusion

The Asics Gel Cumulus 26 stays true to the series’ tradition despite the shift towards maximal cushioning. Its comfortable cushioning and decent responsiveness make it a reliable and convincing daily trainer for confidently racking up miles.

As a complete and accessible model, the Cumulus is a top pick for beginners. Experienced runners will also enjoy it as part of their rotation for their slow and moderate-pace training sessions.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use