ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 Review: More Cushion, Same Weight

Introduction

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus line has long carried the “queen of cushion” reputation, and the 27th version aims to keep that title while quietly changing the recipe. The headline change: two extra millimetres of stack under the foot in a reworked FF Blast Eco foam, all at the same weight as the previous version. It launches in the US in January for $165.

The foam label stays the same as before, but it is genuinely not the same material. Think of it as rebaking a cookie: a lighter-weight formulation that delivers more cushion without adding grams. The result is a shoe that feels softer and plusher than the previous Nimbus, right from the first step.

Who This Shoe Is For

This is the high-cushion premium driver in the ASICS lineup. If you want a soft, enveloping experience underfoot, that is what the Gel-Nimbus 27 is about. If you would rather feel fast and bouncy, the brand positions the Nova Blast as the alternative for that sensation.

Rear-foot strikers get specific attention here, thanks to a targeted gel element in the heel that works alongside the foam.

Cushioning and the New FF Blast Eco Foam

The numbers first: 43.5mm of stack in the rear foot, with an 8mm offset bringing the forefoot down to 35.5mm. Those two extra millimetres of stack are the most tangible upgrade for anyone who likes a taller ride.

Even with the improved foam, the shoe keeps a gel piece in the rear heel. Its job is shock attenuation: when the foot initially hits the ground, the gel takes that shock and spreads it across the midsole so the foam can absorb it properly and deliver the cushioned feel the line is known for. It is a small piece, but it does real work.

Upper, Fit, and Breathability

The last couple of versions used a knit upper, and the 27 moves to a jacquard construction using monofilament fibres, which is more breathable than before. The knit tongue, knit pull tab, and ribbed knit collar all carry over, since those details proved popular.

The overall idea is that the shoe envelops the foot. Combined with the plush cushioning, it feels soft before you even take your first step.

Things to Consider Before Buying

• The softness is deliberate: this is a plush, high-cushion ride, not a snappy tempo shoe.
• The new foam is lighter in formulation but the shoe keeps the same weight as the previous version, so do not expect a weight drop.
• Availability starts in January in the US at $165, so plan your purchase timing accordingly.

Buying Advice

If your priority is maximum comfort for easy miles and long days on your feet, the Gel-Nimbus 27 makes a strong case: more cushion, a more breathable upper, and familiar fit details that returning Nimbus wearers will recognise immediately. If you want a bouncier, faster feel instead, the Nova Blast remains the better pick within the same brand lineup.

Conclusion

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 refines a proven formula rather than reinventing it: a rebaked FF Blast Eco foam with 2mm more stack at the same weight, a more breathable jacquard upper, and the retained gel unit for heel shock absorption. For runners seeking a soft, plush, enveloping ride, it looks like a well-judged update worth considering at its $165 January launch.