ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 First Run Review: A Careful Refinement of a Max Cushion Favorite

Introduction

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 arrives as the successor to the Gel-Nimbus 25, which was already a big step forward for the Nimbus line. This is a max stack cushioned shoe built around a softer foam, aimed squarely at easy, relaxed running. Where the Nimbus 24 sat lower and worked more as a cushioned daily trainer, the recent Nimbus models lean into comfort-first, high-stack territory.

After a first 50-minute easy run, plus a short side-by-side mooch with the Nimbus 25 on the other foot, the short version is this: more of the same, in a good way, with a handful of sensible refinements.

What Changed With the Gel-Nimbus 26

This is a fairly modest update. The price stays the same in the US at $160, though it has risen to £180 in the UK. Weight has crept up slightly to 318g (11.2 oz) in a UK size 9, just a couple of grams heavier than the Gel-Nimbus 25. The 8mm drop remains, and the stack heights listed on ASICS’s site have edged up slightly: 42mm at the heel and 34mm at the forefoot, versus 41.5mm and 33.5mm for the Nimbus 25.

The midsole sticks to largely the same setup: a big stack of FF Blast Plus foam with a small sliver of pure Gel under the heel. FF Blast Plus is a balanced foam, fairly soft and comfortable with a little bounce to it, so the shoe is not too unstable. To help with stability, ASICS gives the shoe a wide base plus small sidewalls of foam the foot sits in at the back of the shoe.

The upper has been tweaked with an engineered knit and a stretchy knit tongue that creates a bootie-style fit despite the gusseted tongue. The lace eyelets are now slightly bigger bands, making it easier to crank down for a more secure midfoot fit, and the toe box looks slightly less tapered. The biggest change is the outsole, now a hybrid of ASICSGRIP rubber alongside the AHAR Plus rubber of the Nimbus 25. To the touch it feels far less slick, which should help on wet pavements.

Fit and Upper

The fit is exactly the same as the Gel-Nimbus 25, and that is a good thing. In a normal running shoe size there is the right amount of toe box room, fairly roomy, which suits a cushion shoe for easy general running. Padding around the collar and heel holds the foot well without irritating the achilles, and the tongue, while not heavily padded, is comfortable.

The slightly more secure midfoot lockdown is noticeable, though the Nimbus 25 never had a problem there either. Overall, a comfortable, nicely locked-down fit.

Ride and Performance

On a 50-minute recovery run straight out of the box, the shoe feels very similar to the Nimbus 25. It is comfortable without being overly squishy, a genuinely balanced platform, and it runs lighter than its weight because it rolls smoothly through the transition at easy paces. There is a little sink and a little bounce back, but nothing like the big squish of the Nike Invincible.

This is not a shoe for picking up the pace; it does not feel especially responsive. What it does do is stay consistent. By the end of the run the foam felt exactly as it did at the start, which matches the long-run pedigree of the Nimbus 25: the foam does not compress and fade, so it works well as a long run shoe. Despite the high stack, stability is fine for a neutral shoe because the foam does not collapse underfoot.

On grip, the first run was in good conditions, so the improved traction is hard to feel yet, but the hybrid outsole should pay off through wet winter months.

Which One Should You Buy?

The Nimbus 26 is a nice small update on an already excellent shoe. The refinements, better grip and a slightly better midfoot fit, are welcome but not essential, especially if the Nimbus 25’s grip was never a problem for you.

The real downside of the new version is the UK price, which has climbed to £180. At $160 or £180, this is a shoe that makes sense on discount, and with the new model arriving, the Nimbus 25 will likely see deeper discounts, as it did around Black Friday. If you want more versatility from a big cushion shoe, alternatives like the Saucony Triumph line (or the very similar Ride 17) and the Puma Magnify Nitro are worth a look, while the Nike Invincible or New Balance 1080 v13 offer a much softer ride. But for a balanced, well-cushioned allrounder, the Nimbus formula does a solid job either way.

Conclusion

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26 refines rather than reinvents. It keeps the balanced, comfortable, stable ride that made the Nimbus 25 one of the better max cushion shoes out there, adds improved grip and a touch more midfoot security, and remains the ideal easy-day shoe in a rotation. If you are buying at full price, the case for the Nimbus 26 is the grip update; for everyone else, hunting a discount on the Nimbus 25 remains a very reasonable path to a great cushion cruiser.