ASICS Gel Nimbus 28 Review: Lighter, Firmer, Still an Easy-Day Cruiser

Introduction

ASICS has had a very strong run of releases, and the Gel Nimbus 28 arrives as the latest update to the brand’s flagship comfort shoe. For years, the Nimbus has been built as the most cushioned, most forgiving option in the lineup: the shoe you reach for on easy runs, recovery days, and long sessions where comfort matters more than pace.

This generation, though, is genuinely different. It is significantly lighter, the upper has changed, the platform feels narrower, and the ride is slightly firmer. That raises a fair question: is the Nimbus 28 still the supremely comfortable shoe it has always been, or is it starting to lose ground in a very crowded segment of the running shoe market?

Who This Product Is For

The Gel Nimbus 28 is aimed squarely at easy-run and recovery-run duty, and it also makes a lot of sense as a long-run shoe. ASICS positions it as the most comfortable shoe in its range, built for spending long amounts of time on your feet. Heavier runners looking for a forgiving daily option will also find a lot to like here, as will anyone who wants a slightly firmer ride with genuinely good stability.

If you prioritize comfort over speed above everything else, this is the natural starting point in the ASICS lineup.

What’s New Compared to the Nimbus 27

The headline change is weight. At 335g, the Nimbus 28 is a full 49g lighter than the outgoing Nimbus 27, which came in at 374g. That is a very welcome reduction, and it makes the shoe feel noticeably more nimble and easier to pick up the pace with. You no longer feel like you are carrying big weights on the ends of your feet on slow jogs.

The upper has also switched from the 27’s jacquard mesh back to a more traditional engineered knit. The shoe feels slightly narrower through the front, and the outsole rubber placement is more stripped back than before. The overall result is a shoe that feels a little firmer and a little more stable. Stack height, drop, and pricing remain unchanged in the UK and Europe, although the USA has seen a $5 price increase.

Specs and Construction

Here are the key figures for the Gel Nimbus 28:

• Stack: 43.5mm at the heel
• Drop: 8mm
• Weight: 335g (Nimbus 27: 374g)
• Midsole: FF Blast Plus foam with ASICS PureGel in the heel to absorb impact
• Outsole: ASICS hybrid grip pads at the forefoot and AHAR Plus at the rear
• Upper: Engineered knit
• Widths: Standard and wide, with an extra wide option available in the USA
• Sizing: True to size

The minimal outsole coverage is worth a second look. Despite the stripped-back rubber layout, grip proved surprisingly good during testing, and given the Nimbus 27’s reputation for durability, this version looks likely to hold up similarly well.

Main Strengths

Comfort remains the calling card. Right from the first step-in, this is a shoe that simply does not cause problems. The gusseted, very stretchy tongue, carried over since the Nimbus 25, hugs the top of the foot beautifully, and the padded heel collar holds the heel securely and comfortably in place. Even with the shoe stripped back a little, it is still every bit as comfortable as version 27.

The weight drop and narrower platform are the second big win, making the shoe far easier to move in than before. The foam itself is not especially soft, sitting more on the firm side, but it still absorbs impact well and the stability is excellent. For a shoe of this size, there is no rolling or wobbling to worry about. If you have tried the Novablast and found it too soft, this firmer character could be exactly what you are after.

Beyond running, it works brilliantly as an everyday shoe. Commuting, traveling, or being on your feet all day: the Nimbus 28 handles daily wear very well. It also simply looks better this generation, with the slimmer shape doing away with the big-canoe-on-your-feet feeling of previous versions.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The price is the obvious sticking point. At £180, this is a lot of money for a shoe using foam technology that feels somewhat dated at this point. The midsole simply does not deliver much energy return, and while you can pick up the pace slightly better than before, this remains a shoe best suited to easy and recovery running only. If you loved the Nimbus 27, stocking up on the outgoing version at around half price may be the smarter play than paying full launch price for the 28.

There is also a potential warm-weather concern. Testing took place in cold conditions, so it is hard to confirm, but the knit upper could potentially run warm in summer. Right now, breathability has been completely fine.

How It Compares to the Alternatives

New Balance More v6

The New Balance More v6 is one of the softest, squishiest shoes available right now, and it comes in significantly cheaper than the Gel Nimbus at £150 versus £180. The trade-off is weight: the More v6 is around 30g heavier, which you will notice out on the run. It delivers a genuine running-on-clouds sensation, so it is the one to choose if you are craving a very soft, bouncy, pillowy ride. The Gel Nimbus is firmer but far more stable, and between the two, the Nimbus is the quicker shoe.

Nike Vomero Plus

The Nike Vomero Plus is around 25g heavier than the Nimbus, but it disguises that weight remarkably well, so you barely notice it. It is a far more responsive and bouncier shoe, holds faster paces considerably better, and simply works better as a true daily trainer with more usable pace range. The ASICS wins the comfort contest thanks to its upper and tongue, but if you want a high-stack shoe that can do more, the Nike is the stronger pick.

Buying Advice

If you loved the Nimbus 27, you will really like this update: it keeps everything good about the old shoe while shedding meaningful weight. If comfort outranks speed on your priority list, the Nimbus 28 is where your search in the ASICS lineup should start. Heavier runners will find it a very capable daily option, and anyone who prefers a slightly firmer ride with excellent stability will be well served too.

If your budget is tighter and maximum softness is the goal, the New Balance More v6 is the cheaper, squishier route. If you want one shoe that can cover everything from recovery jogs to faster days, the Nike Vomero Plus is the more versatile choice.

Conclusion

The Gel Nimbus 28 is a genuinely improved version of a shoe that was already a comfort benchmark. The 49g weight saving and slimmer shape are big positives, and it remains as comfortable as ever. It will never be a performance-oriented shoe, and the dated midsole and high launch price hold it back, but as an easy-day cruiser and everyday comfort shoe, it has a lot to offer and remains easy to recommend.