ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 vs Gel Cumulus 27: Which Cushioned Daily Trainer Should You Buy?

Introduction

ASICS has two of the most recognizable cushioned daily trainers on the market in the Gel Nimbus 27 and the Gel Cumulus 27. Both are built for the same core job: soaking up road impact and making easy miles feel comfortable, day after day. Neither is a speed shoe, and neither pretends to be.

After test mileage in both, the choice between them comes down to a simple question: do you want maximum cushion and a wide, stable platform, or would you trade a little of that underfoot foam for a lighter, more agile ride? This comparison breaks down the specs, fit, ride feel and durability of each so you can decide which one fits your running.

Key Specs at a Glance

The Gel Nimbus 27 packs more foam underfoot, with a stack rising to 43.5mm in the heel and 35.5mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop. The Gel Cumulus 27 sits noticeably lower at 38.5mm in the heel and 30.5mm in the forefoot, with the same 8mm drop.

Weight separates them too. In a men’s US 9.5 test shoe, the Nimbus 27 weighs about 10.8 oz (307g), while the Cumulus 27 comes in lighter at 9.5 oz (270g). On price, the Nimbus 27 has an RRP of $165 (£180) and the Cumulus 27 sits at £140, making the Cumulus the cheaper option of the two.

Midsole and Ride Feel

Both shoes share clear design DNA. Each uses a FF Blast Plus Eco foam midsole with an ASICS Pure Gel insert in the heel to improve shock absorption, which benefits heel strikers in particular. The Nimbus 27 adds roughly 1.5mm of foam across the stack compared to the previous generation, making it even more cushioned.

The Nimbus 27 is all about easy-pace comfort. It has a big, wide base that creates natural stability despite the large slab of foam underfoot, and the midsole feels slightly softer than the Cumulus. The trade-off is that it is one of the heavier daily trainers available, and the heel-to-toe transition does not roll you through the stride with much efficiency. It lands comfortably and minimizes impact, but it is best suited to easy and recovery runs rather than long marathon-pace efforts or tempo work.

The Cumulus 27 chases the same cushioned comfort with a lighter, lower stack. That makes it a bit more versatile: there is more of a heel-to-toe transition, a nimbler feel on the foot, and a more traditional ride that is closer in character to shoes like the Nike Pegasus or Brooks Ghost. It can cope with a reasonable range of paces, from easy up to endurance pace, though it does not truly excel at any one job. One tester note worth flagging: on a 30k run, the forefoot cushioning felt thin in the later kilometers, so very long runs may expose that lighter foam platform.

Uppers, Fit and Sizing

Both shoes use engineered mesh uppers that feel premium: thick, soft and flexible, balancing breathability with a snug, supportive fit. Both also have generously padded heel collars, gusseted tongues and a thinner flat wrapping design that saves weight. The Nimbus 27 tucks the padding behind a slightly raised heel collar with a soft, knitted tongue, while the Cumulus 27 keeps a more traditional collar with a bit more structure and two pads to prevent lace pinch.

Fit is consistent across both. Multiple testers found them true to size and recommend sticking with your normal ASICS size. The Nimbus 27 is roomy and accommodating with plenty of length and wiggle room in the toe box, easy to lock down for a secure fit. The Cumulus 27 offers a comfortable, almost disappearing fit with good midfoot lockdown and slightly more length in the toe box. Both hold the heel comfortably without being overbearing, and both are well suited to longer, easier miles. One caveat: the thick padding may feel warm in hot weather.

Outsoles and Durability

The Gel Nimbus 27 uses a good covering of ASICS Plus, the brand’s grippiest outsole compound, placed strategically in all the key impact areas. There is a fair amount of exposed midsole, but the rubber is thick, so it should take a while to wear through. Testers ran it on roads, footpaths and mixed ground, including in wet conditions, with no issues.

The Cumulus 27 takes a different approach with what ASICS calls the Fluid Ride outsole: a thick layer of rubberized EVA covering almost the entire sole, with grooves cut in for flexibility. It delivers a quieter, softer landing and roll-through compared to the Nimbus, which can sound and feel a bit slappy on ground contact. Durability was a concern given how delicate the Fluid Ride layer looks, but after the test mileage there were no problematic signs of wear. Both midsole foams are built to last, and both shoes should keep going for hundreds of miles as daily trainers.

Real-World Run Testing

Testers logged well over 30 miles in the Nimbus 27, including a two-hour long run to probe its long-haul comfort, and slightly less in the Cumulus 27, including a 90-minute effort. Testing covered easy runs, short recovery jogs, long runs and some faster paces on progression runs.

The pattern was consistent: both shoes do a solid, equally good job on easy miles, and neither stands out when the pace picks up. The Cumulus is a fair bit lighter with a nimbler feel, but it does not give much back in energy return, so fast running feels about the same in both shoes. The Nimbus is more stable and a standout within the max-cushion category, but the slappy outsole takes away a little of the midsole’s comfort. The Cumulus offers more ground feel and a smoother, more traditional ride, though some runners may find it lacks cushion for their very longest runs.

Which One Should You Buy?

If your top priority is a softer, smoother, maximally protective ride for your easiest miles, the Nimbus 27 delivers more of that. It is one of the better max-cushion shoes on the market, with a natural, smooth feel aside from the outsole slap, plus inherent stability from the wide base. That makes it a strong pick for new runners and heavier runners who want comfort and support, and it may offer a bit more forefoot comfort over very long distances.

If you want a shoe that cushions easy runs but also moves through the gears a little more, the Cumulus 27 is the more capable choice for overall versatility. It is lighter, nimbler, smoother and cheaper, and it covers the same easy-day role well. If your tastes lean lightweight and you are happy to trade some max-cush for agility, the Cumulus makes the saving hard to argue with.

Conclusion

These are two capable cushioned daily trainers, and neither is clearly better than the other. The Gel Nimbus 27 is the standout within the max-cushion category: more foam, more stability and more protection, at a higher price and weight. The Gel Cumulus 27 counters with a lower, lighter, more versatile package and a friendlier price tag. Choose the Nimbus if maximum cushion and stability matter most; choose the Cumulus if you want slightly more agility and a more traditional ride while keeping everyday comfort. Alternatives worth considering in this space include the Saucony Ride 17, ASICS Novablast 5, Nike Pegasus 41 (a favorite for these kinds of runs), Puma Velocity Nitro 3, New Balance 1080 v14 and Brooks Glycerin.