Asics Gel Nimbus 25 First Run Review: Softer, Taller, and More Comfortable

Introduction

The Asics Gel Nimbus line rarely changes dramatically from one generation to the next, but the Gel Nimbus 25 is a different story. Asics has rebuilt the shoe around more foam, a taller stack, and a new hidden gel setup, all while promoting it as the most comfortable shoe in its range. On paper it stays at the same price as the Gel Nimbus 24, with a UK price of 165 pounds listed by Asics, and it is set to be available worldwide from February 1st. After a first 24K easy run, here is how it stacks up.

Who This Product Is For

The Gel Nimbus 25 is firmly aimed at runners who want a max-cushioned cruiser for easy and long runs. If you like a protective shoe that looks after your legs at the end of a heavy training week, this sits squarely in that category. Compared with the Gel Nimbus 24, which some runners used as a daily trainer with a bit of extra cushion, the 25 moves clearly into the max cushion space. Runners who prefer a snappier or more versatile shoe for faster sessions may want to look elsewhere.

What Has Changed in the Gel Nimbus 25

The midsole is where the big changes live. Asics has added 20 percent more foam compared to the Gel Nimbus 24, and the visible gel unit from the previous shoe is gone. In its place is Pure Gel, a softer and lighter gel that sits inside the shoe rather than showing on the outside. The headline change, though, is the extra FF Blast Plus foam, now an eco version with at least 20 percent bio-based content. The result is a softer, bigger, and slightly bouncier midsole than before.

The numbers back up the shift in character. Asics lists the stack at 30 millimeters at the heel and 22 at the forefoot, though that figure excludes the insole and outsole, so by other brands’ standards it would comfortably clear 35 millimeters. The Gel Nimbus 24 was listed at 26 millimeters at the heel for men and 28 for women. Drop has come down to 8 millimeters for both men’s and women’s versions, from 10 and 13 respectively. Up top there is a new knitted upper with a stretchy tongue and collar, generous padding around the heel, and a plastic heel counter for a bit of extra stability. Rubber coverage is solid, with firmer heel rubber than the forefoot.

First Run Impressions

The test run was a 50-mile-week Sunday long run of about 24K at an easy pace, and the shoe delivered exactly what you want from a cushioned cruiser on a fatigued day. Comfort was the standout: the ride stayed consistent the entire way through, and it felt noticeably more comfortable than the Gel Nimbus 24 on a very similar long run in that shoe.

Fit is true to size, with a roomy feel at first pull-on that settles into a comfortable fit once running. The midfoot and heel held nicely, and the padding around the back of the heel plus the heel counter gave a secure, stable feel. The one caveat on hype: this is a good, comfortable shoe rather than a dramatic one. It is not especially squishy or soft, and it did not blow the run away, though the combination of cushioning mattered more toward the end of the run.

Grip and Stability

Out of the box, the rubber felt a touch slick on wet and greasy pavements, something also seen with the Novablast when it was new. After the first run roughed it up, grip improved noticeably, and this is expected to keep getting better with use. Stability is genuinely good: the high stack of foam supports the foot clearly on all sides at landing, giving a stable feel suitable even for weaving around during a long run.

Things to Consider Before Buying

This is not a wow shoe. Compared with rivals like the New Balance More v4, which offers a smoother and arguably more comfortable ride, or the Nike Invincible with its spongy, bouncy, fun character, the Gel Nimbus 25 plays it straight. The ride is okay rather than smooth, and it reads more as a supportive, protective, slightly stable shoe than a super soft or super bouncy one. Runners who loved the Nimbus 24 as a faster, more versatile daily trainer may find the 25 a less flexible option. At 165 pounds, it is also a very expensive shoe, and the marketing drama around it arguably sets expectations higher than the shoe itself delivers.

Buying Advice

If you want a max-cushioned cruiser and found the Gel Nimbus 24 less comfortable past around 10 to 30 miles, the 25 is an improvement as a cushioned shoe. It has more stack, feels softer underfoot, and holds its feel throughout a long run without bottoming out. It suits easy miles and long runs rather than tempo work or track sessions, and runners who enjoy big cushioned shoes from other brands should find it a strong, if not spectacular, option.

Conclusion

The Asics Gel Nimbus 25 is a solid first-run result: more comfortable than its predecessor, consistently cushioned over long distances, and stable underfoot. It just is not the dramatic leap the marketing suggests. As a max-cushioned easy-run shoe it is an easy recommendation, but at 165 pounds it needs to earn its place against strong competition.