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.
Very stable platform.
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.
Rockered geometry helps keep feet turning over.
Lifeless midsole stunts the ride.
Plateless ride lacks propulsion.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 is a decent shoe for long runs. The stable platform keeps it steady and consistent, even as fatigue sets in, and it has enough of a rocker to help your legs keep turning over. Even if your endurance is good, the CUMULUS 28's cushioning is not, so you will feel the shoe bottoming out if you push much past 20k.
Very stable platform.
Rockered geometry helps keep feet turning over.
Cushioning doesn't hold up well over long distances.
Lack of responsiveness makes longer runs more laborious.
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 performs its job as a daily trainer very well. Its incredibly stable platform makes it a trusty everyday companion, and it's adequately cushioned for the grind of daily miles. The ride is not very responsive, so it's not ideal for faster training, but it's more than capable of handling the bulk of your training.
Very stable platform.
Rockered geometry helps keep feet turning over.
Lack of responsiveness makes longer runs more laborious.
Changelog
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Updated Jul 31, 2026:
We've added text to the new usage boxes and updated the popular comparisons section to include a comparison with the recently reviewed Salomon Aero Blaze 4.
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Updated Jul 14, 2026:
We've updated the Popular Comparisons section to include a link to the newly reviewed Mizuno Wave Rider 30.
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Updated Jun 26, 2026:
We've updated the Popular Comparisons section to include a link to the newly reviewed ASICS GT-1000 15.
- Updated Jun 22, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.12, which fixes how we measure firmness, a component of the Stability and 5K/10K Racing usages. There may be inconsistencies between the text and the scores for these usages, but the scores should still be considered valid. We've also brought back the Energy Return score and added two new usages: Daily Training and Long Run. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
We've bought and tested more than 250 running shoes. Every pair purchased with our own money, never supplied or sponsored by brands. Our data-driven tests are designed to go beyond marketing claims, and since every shoe goes through the exact same methodology, you can directly compare results to find the right pair for your needs.
Test Results
Energy Return
The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 has terrible energy return. It's not designed to be a fast shoe, so it's not a surprise that the midsole feels inefficient when you try to push the pace.
Forefoot doesn't have much life.
Heel landings feel flat.
Stability
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.
Cushioning
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.
Responsiveness
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.
True To Size
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.
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 Mizuno Wave Rider 30: dependable workhorses that get the job done without any flash. Among the three, the ASICS is the lightest and most stable, but runners looking for more cushioning might prefer the Mizuno, which does still have a full-length plastic plate for stability. Runners looking for the firmest ride should get the Pegasus 42. All of these classic workhorses are less lively and cushioned than newer daily trainer series like the Salomon Aero Blaze 4.
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 either the ASICS GT-1000 15 or 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 Brooks Ghost 18 and the ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 are classic daily trainers built around reliability rather than excitement. Both offer good stability and adequate cushioning for daily mileage. The ASICS is lighter and a bit more cushioned, while the Brooks is slightly more responsive, though neither is lively underfoot.
The ASICS GT-1000 15 and ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 are both daily trainers from ASICS, but they're intended for very different runners. The GT-1000 15 is the dedicated, entry-level support shoe, providing impressive support for those who struggle with excessive overpronation thanks to its 3D GUIDANCE SYSTEM. The CUMULUS 28 is the no-nonsense daily trainer, delivering more protection, more versatility, and, despite lacking a dedicated guidance system, more support overall. The CUMULUS 28 retails far above the GT-1000 15, however, making it the more premium pick.