Asics Gel Nimbus 25 vs. Cumulus 25 (2023 Comparison)
It’s easy to confuse these two flagship shoes from the Asics series with their cloud names. It’s quite simple: the Nimbus is more cushioned than the Cumulus.
But it’s not quite that simple. Previously, the difference in stack height was glaringly obvious, but in 2023, Asics decided to considerably increase the cushioning of both shoes to turn them into max cushion trainers.
As a result, the Nimbus 25 has a 41.5 mm heel stack height, compared with 37.5 mm for the Cumulus. These road running shoes have a soft underfoot feel, with slightly more firmness on the Cumulus 25.
The Japanese brand has modernized the configuration of these shoes by switching to an 8-mm heel-to-toe drop (versus 10-13 mm on previous versions).
Traditionally heavy, the Nimbus and Cumulus (men’s versions) now weigh in at a more reasonable level for daily training shoes, with 10.5 oz/299 g and 9.4 oz/266 g respectively.
Secondly, the Nimbus 25 uses FlyteFoam Blast Eco, while the C25 relies on FlyteFoam Blast+. In both cases, the modern foam is more responsive and lighter, with a slight advantage for the Cumulus.
Nimbus or Cumulus: Which One Should You Choose?
As you can see, the difference between these two shoes is becoming increasingly slim. In the end, it’s all a question of cushioning. Runners who prefer more high-stack cushioning will opt for the Nimbus, while those who prefer lightness will choose the Cumulus.
If you’re starting, we recommend the Cumulus, which is lighter and more streamlined. Based on this experience, you can decide whether you need more or less cushioning.
Side-By-Side Comparison
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| Overview | ||
| Description | The Asics Gel Nimbus 25 marks a tectonic shift in the popular collection with more comfortable but less responsive max cushion. | The new Cumulus 25 goes all-in on plush comfort for a lighter Asics road shoe to enjoy on your easy runs and on long days out. A beloved classic gets a lovely modern upgrade. |
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| Facts | ||
| Terrain | Road | Road |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Heel stack height | 41.5 mm | 37.5 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 33.5 mm | 29.5 mm |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| Weight (men) | 299 g | 266 g |
| Weight (women) | 260 g | 229 g |
| Features | Heavy runner, Recycled materials | Recycled materials |
| Athletes | ||
| Release year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Technologies | ||
| Outsole | AHAR+ | AHAR outsole rubber |
| Midsole | FlyteFoam Blast Eco, PureGEL, OrthoLite X-55 | FLYTEFOAM BLAST PLUS, PureGEL technology |
| Upper | Technical Mesh | Engineered jacquard mesh upper, OrthoLite X-30 sockliner |
| Cushioning | ||
| Cushioning | Soft | Soft |
| Responsiveness | Medium | Medium |
| Use | ||
| Distance | Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon | Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
| Speed | Slow, Moderate | Slow, Moderate |
| Workouts | Daily running, Recovery | Daily running, Recovery |
