Our review of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28, the most comfortable running shoe!

The Nimbus is much more than just a shoe: it has been Asics’ flagship for absolute comfort since 1999. While the Japanese brand usually renews its star model at the start of each year, this 28th edition made its appearance a bit earlier. Was this a savvy marketing choice to end up under the Christmas tree? Regardless, I certainly wasn't complaining.

As a member of the Alltricks staff and a brand loyalist, I had been running in the Nimbus 27 since last February. With my 27s clearly reaching the end of their lifespan, I was eagerly awaiting this version 28 so I wouldn't have to buy the same model again, while still staying within the Asics universe. Being very prone to blisters, my few past forays away from the Japanese brand often cost me dearly; I now prefer to stick with a sure bet. When the opportunity to test them in-house arose, I jumped at the chance.

Summary of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 test

• First impressions out of the box
• Taking the Nimbus 28s for a test drive
• Test Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 on the field
• What should we take away from this review of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28?
• Summary table of my opinion on the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28
• The Bonus: ultimately, Nimbus 27 or Nimbus 28?

First impressions out of the box

My first impression is very positive: the shoe is lighter than the Nimbus 27, weighing in at 271 grams compared to 305 grams for the old version (measured in my case in size EU 42). We gladly take this gain, even if it isn't designed to be a featherweight and, between us, my level won't really allow me to see a massive difference. The Nimbus remains the most advanced comfort and support shoe in the Asics range, and I have to say, you notice it from the very first step: it’s a true slipper. The cushioning is incredible and the foot feels just free enough, with a very solid heel.

As for the design, even though it’s a subjective criterion, I find this Nimbus 28 very much in tune with the times. In my opinion, Asics has reached a real milestone since the Nimbus 24: the famous visible Gel in the midsole has disappeared, which I personally appreciate a lot. One detail I find really cool: Asics indicates the $CO_2$ emissions related to manufacturing on the insole. Some might say it’s anecdotal, but I personally think it's great that a brand discloses this. It’s a valuable indicator to realize our carbon footprint, and at a time when some are doing terrible greenwashing, Asics isn't overdoing the communication but is making progress behind the scenes: according to the figures provided, the Nimbus 27 emitted 10.6 kg of $CO_2$ during manufacturing compared to 9.3 now for the 28.

In terms of performance, you don't expect a speed demon but rather a very good comfort-oriented training shoe that will be at home between 5 and 6 min/km. My only point of doubt before this first run concerns stability. Given the stack height of the sole, I remain a bit skeptical, as in my opinion, that was the weak point of the previous version.

Getting to grips with the Nimbus 28 for testing

From the very first steps, the shoe proves to be absolutely comfortable. The advantage of publishing my test a few days after some other media outlets is that I was able to read here and there that this Nimbus 28 might offer a somewhat firm cushioning: that is clearly not my feeling, as I find it incredibly pleasant. The lacing is also top-notch, with laces that are long enough and hold perfectly once tied.

As I mentioned, having rather narrow feet, I suffered from blisters for a long time. My podiatrist solved this problem by teaching me a technical lacing method known as the "heel lock." This type of tightening is only possible on shoes with a free tongue, which is the case here since the Nimbus 28 does not have a closed bootie construction. This is a perfect point for my profile.

But the real "miracle" lies in the support. On the Nimbus 27, I absolutely had to modify the lacing to avoid ending up with blisters. On this Nimbus 28, even with the original lacing, I didn't get a single one. It is difficult to say exactly what Asics changed in the structure, but for me, the support is simply top-tier. It is the best I have ever experienced in a running sho

Field testing the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28

I tested the Nimbus over 5 sessions ranging from 7 to 13 kilometers, conducted on roads, forest paths, and in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Regarding pace, I ranged from 4:15 to 6:00 min/km depending on the workout.

I will start by giving my opinion on foot protection in this Nimbus 28. On a road shoe, you don't necessarily expect a toe guard, which is just as well because there isn't one. In fact, foot protection comes primarily from the combination of PureGEL and FlyteFoam Blast Plus foam, which perfectly absorbs shocks, even on degraded asphalt or old concrete. You barely feel the irregularities of the ground. Still on this type of terrain, the new hybrid ASICSGrip outsole does its job well in dry conditions, offering impeccable grip on wide forest paths. I didn't really manage to find the limits of the shoe's grip, except perhaps on surfaces like damp pavement with a light coating of moss. But despite the rain we are currently experiencing in the Paris region (and strangely often on weekends), the Nimbus remains very comfortable.

Stability was my big question mark. Despite the sole still being quite thick, I found the 28 to be slightly more stable than the 27, even if this isn't the shoe's strong point. The heel support is very solid, but I find that the shoe still tends to lack stability on slopes. If you are a pronator, I would not recommend it (the Gel-Kayano would be more suitable). On the other hand, the foot roll is extremely natural: the transition from heel to forefoot accompanies the stride without constraining it, helped by a pleasant 8 mm drop that preserves the calves.

In terms of responsiveness, the Nimbus remains focused on comfort but offers a decent bounce. At my jogging paces (5 to 6 min/km), I was surprised to find a much better toe-off than in my Nimbus 27s (which, it should be noted, had accumulated quite a few kilometers). However, when pushing to 4:15 min/km, you can feel that the shoe is no longer in its element: the energy return fades, and the shoe seems to stay glued to the ground. Was it the runner or the Nimbus struggling more at that point? Hard to say, but below 4:30 min/km, it is clearly not its preferred use. Fortunately, that’s not my preferred pace either.

Finally, I will conclude this section by saying that the new technical knit upper is a success: the mesh is airy enough to prevent overheating, even after an hour of running, while still providing the necessary support. In the end, the only hot spot I experienced occurred at 4:15 min/km, but once again, I was trying to push a bit (both the shoe and myself); therefore, it shouldn't be held against the shoe, as I repeat, it is not made for that pace.

What are the key takeaways from this review of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28?

To conclude this test of the Nimbus 28, it confirms its place at the top of the most comfortable running shoes. Its ability to offer impeccable support, even for narrow feet prone to blisters like mine, is undoubtedly its greatest achievement. After about fifty kilometers, it is still difficult to predict its lifespan, but the construction seems very solid. The Nimbus is generally designed to last—my Nimbus 27s covered nearly 800 kilometers (795 exactly; I’ll need to do one last short run to cross the 800 mark), and I fully expect to do the same with these 28s. Here are a few final buying tips if you are tempted:

• Sizing: An important point here. Although the support is excellent, I found that the shoe could lack a bit of stability. To compensate for this and optimize the foot lockdown, I took a half-size smaller than my previous Nimbus 27s (42 instead of 42.5). My advice if you are in the same situation: go with your usual dress shoe size and only add a half-size above instead of a full one.
• Is it for you? If you are a runner looking for an ultra-comfortable shoe for your training sessions, running at a pace between 5:00 min/km and 6:30 min/km on roads or clean paths, it is made for you. However, be careful if you have a marked overpronation; the Gel-Kayano will remain more suitable, as the Nimbus retains a slight sensitivity on unstable terrain.

Summary Table: My Opinion on the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28

The Bonus: ultimately, Nimbus 27 or Nimbus 28?

In the end, after running with the Nimbus 27 for almost 10 months and testing these new Nimbus 28s, which one would I recommend?

To be honest, I really liked the Nimbus 28. I find them much more dynamic than the 27 (although, let's admit it, the comparison is biased by the wear and tear of my old pairs versus brand-new shoes). In terms of comfort, you'll be at the top of your game with either: it’s difficult to feel a real difference because the quality is so high on both models.

For me, the difference comes down to three key points:

• Stability: The Nimbus 28 corrects the course slightly compared to the 27.
• Support: It is truly top-notch on this new version.
• Weight: This is the biggest gap. Saving almost 60 grams on the pair is huge.

The Verdict? We are talking about a comfort-oriented shoe here. If you find the Nimbus 27 at a truly rock-bottom price, don't hesitate—it's a sure bet. However, if you are looking for a more stable platform, a significantly lighter weight, and exceptional support (especially for narrow feet), the Nimbus 28 is waiting for you.