The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 is the latest update to ASICS' long-running max-cushion daily trainer, building on the formula of the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 with a few key refinements. It retains FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole foam and PureGEL heel insert but adds 3mm of stack height in the heel while keeping the same weight, thanks in part to a lighter mesh upper. The midsole has also been slightly reworked for a softer underfoot feel. While still best suited for easy miles and recovery days, it offers a more cushioned and relaxed experience than its predecessor. However, its bulkiness and lack of bounce may limit its versatility for runners who want to pick up the pace.
Our Verdict
The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 isn't built for race day performance. While it offers excellent cushioning and very good stability for longer efforts, it lacks the energy return, snappiness, and lightweight design typical of modern marathon racing shoes. Its EVA-based midsole compresses well for comfort but doesn't rebound efficiently, and it's considerably heavier than most race-day options. This makes it more suitable for marathon training or long, easy runs than actual racing.
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Greatly cushioned.
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Very stable laterally.
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Heavy.
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Terrible energy return.
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Unplated.
The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 isn't suited for shorter races. Despite having a moderately firm forefoot, its heavy build, low midsole rebound, and lack of a plate make it feel sluggish when picking up the pace. Runners looking for a versatile race day shoe will find it too bulky for anything faster than aerobic efforts.
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Heavy.
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Terrible energy return.
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Unplated.
The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 has very poor energy return. While it offers a protective ride, especially at the forefoot, it doesn't spring back with much force. The ride feels dampened rather than dynamic, which is fine for relaxed running but feels inefficient for anything uptempo.
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Terrible energy return.
The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 has great cushioning. It delivers a plush, protective ride with ample underfoot foam in both the heel and forefoot. With a padded and structured feel and effective shock absorption, it provides great comfort for longer efforts, walking, or recovery runs. If your priority is comfort and impact protection over responsiveness, the Nimbus excels.
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Greatly cushioned.
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FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole absorbs impacts really well.
The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 offers impressive lateral stability, especially for such a tall shoe. The wide base, gusseted upper, and firmer forefoot help compensate for the soft heel foam and reduce unwanted side-to-side movement, even on longer runs when fatigue sets in. It's a reliable option for runners who prioritize comfort but still need some help underfoot.
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Gusseted tongue secures the upper.
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Forefoot has some firmness.
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Big and wide platform.
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Big and soft chunk of foam at the heel.
- 4.4 Marathon Racing
- 4.8 5K/10K Racing
Performance Usages
- 2.4 Energy Return
- 8.2 Cushioning
- 7.8 Lateral Stability
Changelog
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 in men's US size 9, as viewable on the label for our pair. The color shown here is Carbon/Mojave. This model is also available in several other colorways, including White/Glacier Grey, Black/Graphite Grey, Flash Red/Black, Citron/Cream, White/Fawn, Black/Khaki, Black/Lake Grey, and two LUXE editions with special visual designs. Width options include regular, wide, and extra wide for men and narrow, regular, and wide for women. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly. ASICS also offers ATC and TR versions of the GEL-NIMBUS 27, which are respectively an 'ASICS Trail Club' design inspired by the 1980s and a trail-specific edition. Those may feature different materials or constructions—our results do not apply to those variants. As for other size and gender variants, the design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect those to perform similarly.
Compared To Other Running Shoes
The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 is a premium neutral max-cushioned daily trainer built with comfort and long-distance protection in mind. While much of the industry is shifting toward higher rebound foams and aggressive geometry to bring bounce into everyday miles, the NIMBUS remains firmly committed to its safe, protective identity. What sets it apart isn't energy return or responsiveness; it's the plushness, shock absorption, and smooth transitions that make it ideal for recovery runs, easy jogs, or long days on your feet. That said, in a market where many max-cushion shoes now pair softness with liveliness and lightness, the NIMBUS feels somewhat dated in character. Runners looking for a dynamic and fun trainer may find it too squishy or unresponsive. It's common for flagships to evolve slowly, and the NIMBUS is no different. While this update is a step in the right direction, it might not be a big enough one to keep pace with the fast-moving industry.
Within ASICS' lineup, the GEL-NIMBUS 27 stands as a max-cushioned, premium daily trainer, but it's far from the most versatile. The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 offers a more modern take on daily training, with plenty of protection, a lighter build, and more bounce. For those who need added support, the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 provides a familiar feel but with built-in stability features. Meanwhile, the ASICS SUPERBLAST 2 delivers a responsive ride for runners who want a lightweight, unplated uptempo trainer. The NIMBUS still holds its place for those prioritizing pure cushioning and reliable landings, but runners seeking versatility or higher performance will be better served elsewhere in the ASICS ecosystem.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best running shoes for men and the best running shoes for women.
The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 are both neutral daily trainers built for comfort but cater to very different preferences. The NOVABLAST 5 is a modern, high-stack trainer that combines soft FF BLAST+ ECO foam with a responsive geometry, giving it a fun, energetic bounce while staying light and super cushioned. It's the more playful of the two, capable of handling some pace variations and offering a more engaging ride for runners who like to feel their shoes give them something in return for their efforts. The GEL-NIMBUS 27, in contrast, is ASICS' flagship soft-cruiser and focuses on plushness and stability. It provides excellent impact absorption for all types of easy runs. However, it's noticeably heavier and less dynamic than the NOVABLAST 5, and it lacks the versatility and excitement of its sibling.
The Brooks Glycerin Max and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 are two popular max-cushioned daily trainers on the market, each built to deliver a plush and protective ride. Both are similarly soft underfoot and close in weight, offering maximum comfort for easy miles or long days on your feet. The Brooks shoe has a slightly higher overall stack, but the ASICS' midsole better absorbs impacts. That said, the Brooks benefits from a more pronounced rocker geometry, making transitions feel smoother and more rolling, especially for heel strikers who want a bit of help moving forward. In contrast, the ASICS feels more traditional in its underfoot feel, prioritizing softness and impact absorption over forward momentum.
The ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 are both daily trainers offering high cushioning and comfort, but they serve slightly different runner profiles. The GEL-NIMBUS 27 is a neutral max-cushion trainer focused on plushness and impact absorption, delivering a very soft underfoot experience that excels on easy runs and recovery days. Its smooth, pillowy ride makes it ideal for runners who prioritize comfort and don't mind a bit of extra weight for the sake of protection. The GEL-KAYANO 31, on the other hand, is ASICS' flagship stability model, designed for runners who need extra lateral support. Thanks to its new 4D Guidance System, it provides stability without harsh posting or stiff medial foam. The ride is firmer than the Nimbus, especially at the forefoot, and it lacks some protection for longer runs.
The ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 and the Nike Vomero 18 are both daily trainers designed for comfort, but they offer distinct experiences underfoot. The ASICS is higher stacked overall and noticeably more cushioned in the forefoot, delivering a plush, soft ride ideal for runners prioritizing impact absorption and an easy-going feel. The Nike, by contrast, is firmer throughout, with a more structured platform and a slightly snappier forefoot, giving it a bit more responsiveness during toe-off. While the ASICS excels in softness and step-in comfort, the Nike stands out for its mild stability and subtle liveliness, making it a better fit for runners who want a more grounded, supportive ride without sacrificing cushioning.
Test Results
This is a heavy shoe, even compared to other premium max-cushioned trainers like the Saucony Triumph 22. While it's not the bulkiest in its class, it still sits on the heavier side of the spectrum and isn't ideal if you're looking for something nimble or fast. That said, it weighs about the same as the previous ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26, despite an increase in stack height—so ASICS has done a good job keeping the added volume from becoming an even greater burden.
This model offers very poor energy return at the heel. The soft FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam compresses easily but doesn't rebound with much force, making it feel sluggish during transitions. This dampened sensation is noticeable on heel strikes, especially over longer distances, where the lack of responsiveness can contribute to an overall flat ride.
The forefoot energy return is even worse. The foam offers little to no bounce on toe-off, which can make the ride feel dull during midfoot or forefoot striking. While this setup works fine for relaxed paces, runners looking for pop will be underwhelmed.
Heel cushioning is one of the standout features of the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27. With a thick, soft slab of foam, it offers excellent shock absorption and impact protection. It's a noticeable improvement over the previous version and helps provide a smooth and protective landing, especially for heel strikers on longer runs.
The forefoot cushioning is similarly impressive. There's plenty of foam up front, and it dampens the road well, giving the shoe a forgiving and plush feel on toe-off. This makes it a comfortable option for those who land more forward on the foot and want sustained protection.
The heel of the shoe feels noticeably softer than the previous ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26. This softness contributes to its smooth and cushioned ride, but it may feel unstable or overly squishy for runners who prefer a firmer rearfoot landing.
Up front, the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 is quite firm. Still, it's softer than the previous iteration, offering a great balance between control, road feel, and plushness.