The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 is a no-nonsense daily trainer built for runners who want a stable, predictable shoe for relaxed mileage. The CUMULUS line has never been the life of the party, and this version keeps the same dependable character while pushing into max-stack territory. It gets a mini glow-up, keeping the FluidRide outsole and shock-absorbing PureGel insert in the heel, but replacing the FF BLAST+ midsole of the ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 27 with the livelier, deeper-cushioned FF BLAST Max, though it still lacks the excitement of more modern offerings. For runners wanting a smooth, controlled ride to handle daily training dependably, the GEL-CUMULUS 28 is a safe pair of hands.
Our Verdict
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 isn't a racing shoe, so it's no surprise it's a sub-par pick for marathons. Its awful forefoot energy return and weight make it poorly suited to sustaining pace over longer efforts. Runners going the distance will be better served by a lighter, more responsive shoe with deeper long-run protection.
Midsole has terrible energy return.
Weight feels cumbersome as miles build.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 is inadequate for 5K and 10K racing. Its great forefoot firmness gives toe-off some structure, but the awful heel and forefoot energy return leave the ride flat when you try to pick up the pace, and its lack of plate and dull midsole mean it struggles to reward harder efforts.
Lifeless midsole stunts the ride.
Plateless ride lacks propulsion.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 provides disappointing responsiveness. Its rocker geometry helps the shoe roll forward, but the poor overall energy return renders the ride flat when you try to pick up the pace.
Forefoot is flat and dull.
Does a poor job of turning effort into propulsion.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 is adequately cushioned. Its midsole is decently protective in the heel and adequate in the forefoot, meaning it can handle most daily mileage, but its long-run cushioning is only mediocre, and bottoms out on longer efforts, so runners going farther should consider other shoes.
Decent heel protection suits heel strikers.
Mediocre long-run cushioning.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 offers very good lateral stability. Despite moving into max-cushion territory, its wide outsole, firm forefoot, stiff heel counter, and fully-gusseted tongue help keep the ride impressively steady underfoot.
Superb outsole width overall.
Impressively firm forefoot.
Soft heel may feel less secure for some.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 fits true to size overall. The length is bang on, and it has a great fit through the forefoot and arch, so runners can confidently choose their usual size.
True-to-size length.
Forefoot and arch are roomy.
Performance Usages
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 in men's US size 9, as indicated on the label of our pair. The color featured on the shoe we tested is Arctic Blue/Aegean Blue, but you can also get the shoe in other colors, depending on the region. This shoe is available in a variety of widths, ranging from Narrow, Standard, Wide, and Extra Wide. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other sizes to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 belongs to the old guard of daily trainers, alongside the Nike Pegasus 42 and Brooks Ghost 18: dependable workhorses unconcerned with pep underfoot. Among the three, the ASICS is the lightest and most cushioned, giving it the most protection overall, while the Ghost 18 has the lowest stack. The Pegasus 42 has the best responsiveness on paper, but also the firmest ride, and all three lag behind livelier modern daily trainers. For runners who still want an old-school, frills-free mile-eater, these legacy lines nail that brief with aplomb.
Within ASICS' lineup, the GEL-CUMULUS 28 sits as the classic daily trainer: less plush than the premium ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28, and less lively than the more modern ASICS NOVABLAST 5. Runners who want more support should look at the ASICS GT-2000 14, while those who want a do-it-all trainer at the expense of some stability should consider the ASICS MEGABLAST or ASICS SUPERBLAST 3. While the CUMULUS 28 has inched slightly closer to the BLAST series with its taller stack and FF BLAST Max midsole, it hasn't forgotten its roots and still serves as ASICS' functional classic daily trainer.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best ASICS running shoes or the best running shoes for beginners to find your perfect pair.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 and ASICS NOVABLAST 5 are both daily trainers that use the same FF BLAST MAX midsole compound, but they’re built for different runners. The CUMULUS 28 is higher-drop, more stable, and has a stiffer rocker, making it more geared towards relaxed daily mileage. The NOVABLAST 5 is lighter, more cushioned overall, and significantly more responsive, with much better energy return under both the heel and forefoot, making it the better pick if you want a livelier shoe that can handle a wider range of paces.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 are both daily trainers, but they occupy different roles in ASICS’ lineup. The CUMULUS 28 is the no-frills option, better suited to runners who don't want a supremely cushioned ride and prefer a more traditional feel for relaxed mileage. The NIMBUS 28 is a much more cushioned, premium shoe, with significantly better forefoot protection and long-run cushioning, making it the better pick for recovery runs, longer efforts, and runners who want maximum protection underfoot.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 and Nike Pegasus 42 are both classic daily trainers, but they perform slightly differently. The ASICS is much lighter, with significantly more cushioning and protection overall. The Nike is firmer with more groundfeel and better responsiveness, though neither shoe is especially lively by modern standards. The ASICS is the better pick if you want more protection, while the Pegasus 42 makes more sense if you prefer a firmer ride.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
