ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 vs Saucony Triumph 22: Two Big Cushion Cruisers Compared

Introduction

The ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 and the Saucony Triumph 22 are two of the most recognisable names in the cushioned daily trainer category, and in this generation they have grown remarkably similar. Both are big, protective, comfort-first shoes aimed squarely at easy and recovery miles, and both weigh the same 306 g (10.8 oz) for men in a size 8.

So which one deserves a place in your rotation? After putting both through a wide range of paces and a side-by-side mile with one shoe on each foot, the differences are subtle but real. Here is how they stack up.

Specs at a Glance

The ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 costs £180 or $165, weighs 306 g (10.8 oz) for men in a size 8, and has an 8 mm drop. The Saucony Triumph 22 is slightly cheaper at £170 or $160, weighs an identical 306 g (10.8 oz) in the same size, and has a 10 mm drop.

On paper they are near twins, and in practice the gap is not much wider. The interesting differences live in the midsole foam, the ride character, and the outsole.

What Changed in Each Shoe

The GEL-Nimbus 27 is not a drastic update to its predecessor, but it brings a couple of meaningful comfort improvements. The stack height of the FF Blast Eco midsole foam increases by 2 mm to add more cushioning, and a new engineered jacquard mesh upper improves comfort and breathability at the rear of the shoe. You still get the same Pure GEL technology in the heel for shock absorption, plus an OrthoLite X55 sock liner for extra step-in cushioning. The outsole uses a hybrid ASICS Grip rubber for traction and midsole protection.

The Triumph 22, by contrast, sees a major change to the line: a new PWRRD PB foam midsole, a PEBA-based material replacing the PWRRD+ in the Triumph 21. It is the same foam used in the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 and Speed 4. There is also a plusher updated upper and a noticeably wider base across the full length of the shoe for added stability, with a generous layer of outsole rubber on top.

Fit and Sizing

Both shoes fit very similarly and we recommend going true to size in each. Testers in both UK 8 and UK 9 found a super plush, comfortable fit with plenty of room in the toe box and good length, which suits longer mileage or long days on your feet. Midfoot lockdown is secure in both, with padded tongues that remove lace pinch and plush padded heel collars delivering excellent comfort with no heel slipping.

The uppers are stretchy rather than rigid, so both are easy to dial in a comfortable fit. If anything, the Triumph feels slightly more padded at the back of the shoe, almost a touch overbearing high up the heel, though it never became a real problem. Runners with narrow feet will find a lot of room in both, but not uncomfortably so.

Ride and Performance

In testing, with more than 50 km logged in each shoe across a range of paces, both consistently pulled testers back to easy pace. That is what these shoes are built for: big, cushioned, slightly heavier shoes that shine on the slowest miles.

There is an upper pace limit on both, with marathon pace roughly the ceiling, and both are arguably better below that. The Nimbus 27 offers marginally more softness and a whisper of extra bounce from its bigger stack, though it does not translate into faster paces. The Triumph 22 is arguably more plush than the Triumph 21 was, softer at the heel and more flexible overall, but it struggles to move quickly at faster paces with sluggish transition at times.

Run side by side, the two feel remarkably similar underfoot. The Nimbus is slightly stiffer and slightly slappier, with some slappy feeling under the forefoot at faster paces due to harder outsole rubber, but that stiffness gives it a quicker, more fluid heel-to-toe transition. The Triumph’s wide base and softer foam make it feel a touch sluggish through the foot strike. Neither delivers a lively ride or much energy return, and both feel heavy and a bit workmanlike when pushed.

For pure easy-mile comfort, the Nimbus 27 edges ahead: it feels a little more nimble and natural on the foot while still being big and comfortable, particularly for heel strikers.

Outsoles and Durability

Here the Triumph 22 clearly wins. It has a really solid covering of grippy outsole rubber, thick enough to protect the midsole well over the long term. It is one of the standout features of the shoe.

The GEL-Nimbus 27’s outsole is more of a mixed bag. It has a decent amount of rubber, but with a large exposed section in the middle, and the rubber it does have is thin and deeply inset into the midsole. That raises some concern that after around 100 km the rubber could wear down and expose the midsole more directly. It is not a bad outsole, just not in the same league as the Triumph’s.

Both shoes share wide, stable platforms and good big-mileage durability elsewhere, so stability is a genuine plus point for each.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you are choosing purely between these two for easy days and recovery runs, the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 is the slightly better pick. The midsole feels a touch more energetic, the transition is smoother and more natural, and overall it is the more enjoyable of the two on an easy run, while matching the Triumph for comfort.

The Saucony Triumph 22 still makes sense if you find it at a better price, since it comes in cheaper and delivers a largely identical experience. Long-time Triumph fans should know the line has moved closer to the Nimbus formula: softer, more protective, and less versatile than the Triumph 20 and 21, which handled a wider range of paces. If you want a shoe that gives back more through the foot strike, neither of these will fully satisfy.

If you are an experienced runner with a rotation, either shoe slots in at the easy end to hoover up slow mileage. Newer runners after a single protective all-rounder could also use either, with the Nimbus again the stronger choice if you want a touch more versatility from one shoe. Runners who want a similar level of cushioning with a livelier ride may want to look at alternatives such as the Brooks Glycerin Max or New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5, both of which offer more enjoyable transitions for the same comfort.

Conclusion

The GEL-Nimbus 27 and Triumph 22 are two capable cushioned daily trainers with very little to separate them: similar fit, identical weight, soft protective rides, and low pace ceilings. Both are low-gear shoes that eat impact on slow miles and do that job very well.

If guaranteed soft cushioning for easy miles is all you need, you cannot go wrong with either. If forced to pick one, the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 27 edges it for its smoother, more natural ride, while the Triumph 22 remains a worthy alternative if price is the deciding factor. Nimbus loyalists have no reason to switch, and vice versa.