ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 vs GLIDERIDE MAX

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26
ASICS GLIDERIDE MAX

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Oct 22, 2025 05:12 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Oct 27, 2025 01:02 PM

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Asics.com

Our Verdict

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26

ASICS GLIDERIDE MAX

The ASICS GLIDERIDE MAX is like a slightly more elevated (literally and figuratively) ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26. While both are designed with high-stack, max comfort in mind, the GLIDERIDE MAX is a bit lighter and has some added features, like a rocker and a partial EVA plate, that give it a slightly smoother ride. It's also got a more premium foam, which is softer in the heel.

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Variants

  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Black/Cool Matcha - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Black/Dusty Purple - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Black/Graphite Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Black/Soothing Sea - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Blue Expanse/Aurora Green - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Blue Expanse/Bold Magenta - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Blue Expanse/Champagne - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Blue Expanse/Rose Gold - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Bright Cyan/Bold Magenta - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Celadon/Light Celadon - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Concrete/Pure Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Cool Grey/Bright Cyan - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Cool Grey/Safety Yellow - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Cool Grey/Safety Yellow - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Evening Teal/Light Mustard - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Feather Grey/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (French Blue/Electric Lime - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Light Celadon/Safety Yellow - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Lite-show/Illuminate Green - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Lite-show/Sea Glass - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Mint Tint/Pale Mint - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Nature Bathing/Pearl Pink - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Nature Bathing/Red Snapper - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Oatmeal/Faded Orange - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Piedmont Grey/Grey Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Piedmont Grey/Safety Yellow - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Rich Navy/Faded Orange - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Sheet Rock/Thunder Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Thunder Blue/Sapphire - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Waterscape/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (Watershed Rose/White - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (White/Fresh Air - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 26 (White/Soothing Sea - (Women - US 7))
  • GLIDERIDE MAX (Birch/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • GLIDERIDE MAX (Birch/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • GLIDERIDE MAX (Black/Oatmeal - (Men - US 9))
  • GLIDERIDE MAX (Black/Pale Pink - (Women - US 7))
  • GLIDERIDE MAX (Taupe Grey/Birch - (Men - US 9))
  • GLIDERIDE MAX (Taupe Grey/Birch - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

5.5
6.1

Plate 
 

None
3/4-Length Plastic Plate

Weight  

4.3
5.1

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.3
3.0

Heel Energy Return 
 

1.4
2.6

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.3
5.1

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

301.9 g (10.65 oz)
283.6 g (10.00 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

42.1 mm
44.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.2 mm
35.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.9 mm
9.7 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
6.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

93 mm (3.6")
87 mm (3.4")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
78 mm (3.1")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

115 mm (4.5")
114 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.21
1.94

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.46
3.24

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

278 mm (10.9")
279 mm (11.0")

Internal Heel Width 
 

64 mm (2.5")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

96 mm (3.8")
94 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
3/4-Length Plastic Plate
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

1.4
2.6

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

66.3%
69.0%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.3
3.0

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

68.4%
69.5%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.6
8.5

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.24 J
3.63 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.26 J
10.34 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.55 J
18.75 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.8
7.8

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.68 J
4.65 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.39 J
8.37 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.49 J
12.61 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.3
4.4

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

53.2 N/mm
47.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

105.6 N/mm
92.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

212.8 N/mm
181.6 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.7
7.5

Forefoot Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

98.2 N/mm
97.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

199.3 N/mm
195.1 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

383.0 N/mm
357.6 N/mm
Show Text 

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26

ASICS GLIDERIDE MAX

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ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 26 vs ASICS GLIDERIDE MAX: Main Discussion

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