ASICS Nimbus 27 Review: More Cushion, More Comfort, Familiar Ride

Introduction

The ASICS Nimbus 27 takes a familiar formula and nudges it forward. There is 2 mm more stack height, a new upper that makes the whole shoe lighter than last year, and slightly refined shaping in the midsole. The core question is simple: does adding more cushion make this shoe better? For the most part, yes, a little bit, though the improvement has as much to do with geometry as it does with the extra foam.

Specs at a Glance

The Nimbus 27 is a 43.5 mm stack height shoe with an 8 mm drop, which gives you 35.5 mm of FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole foam. The ECO label means the foam is made from at least 20% bio-based materials. The new jacquard mesh upper replaces last year’s knit upper, is lighter, and uses a dope-dyeing technique that needs much less water in the coloring process.

ASICS is fairly unique in printing the carbon footprint of each shoe right on the insole. The Nimbus 27 comes in at 10.6 kg of CO2 per pair, a reduction of 0.2 kg from last year. On the outsole, ASICS hybrid grip combines grippier rubber where traction matters with AHAR PLUS high-abrasion material where durability matters. The whole shoe weighs 10.7 oz or 305 g, slightly lighter than the previous version.

Fit and Upper

Sizing true to size worked comfortably. The jacquard mesh is reasonably breathable and very comfortable on foot, especially in the forefoot, and it is where much of the weight saving comes from. The comfort-oriented features carry over almost unchanged from last year: a super comfortable knit stretchy tongue, puffy memory foam-style padding along the heel collar, all bordered in soft knit material that ends in a pull tab at the back of the heel.

How It Runs

If you have been running in the Nimbus 25 or 26, the Nimbus 27 will feel very familiar. It is a highly cushioned, plush shoe that also stays relatively stable for a neutral trainer, thanks to a wide footprint that gives you plenty to land on if your foot comes down at an angle. That width helps correct the landing and keeps you from overpronating or over-supinating too much.

The main difference from last year is that the 27 feels less over-stabilized. The heel of the 26 was quite bulbous and wanted to block the foot from tilting, while the 27 has been molded and sculpted to go up taller and more directly. You experience more of the foam rather than feeling blocked by it. For some runners that will be a detractor, but it makes the shoe smoother and more enjoyable to run in.

The trade-off is that the midsole feels a touch mushy. It absorbs impact from the road exceptionally well, but it compresses and lingers there rather than decompressing with a strong sense of snappiness on toe-off. That makes it a poor choice for fast running or sprints, especially with the wide footprint limiting quick turnover. For easy runs, recovery runs, walking, and everyday wear, though, it is a very comfortable, highly cushioned option.

One caveat worth flagging: after about the 10K mark, around 45 to 50 minutes of easy running, a hot spot developed on one foot, consistently in the same spot at the same point in the run and not appearing in other shoes tested at the same time. The sweet spot for this shoe is roughly the 60 to 90 minute range, and it may not be the best pick for runs much longer than 90 minutes.

Price and Value

At $165, the Nimbus 27 feels a touch expensive, though that is broadly where max cushion shoes sit these days. It is still a good buy if you want its exact blend of plushness and stability. Two alternatives are worth checking first: if any Nimbus 26 inventory remains at a reputable retailer, a discounted pair is a sensible pick because the two shoes are so similar. And if you want something more responsive and less mushy, the ASICS GlideRide Max is the preferred max cushion option, though it costs even more at $170.

Alternatives Worth Considering

The Saucony Triumph 22 stacks up very well against the Nimbus 27. It uses a beaded PEBA foam, PWRRUN PB, but geometry makes the experience stout, stabilized, and muted rather than bouncy. The result is a lot of shock absorption with limited responsiveness, which ends up feeling similar to the Nimbus. The puffy upper will be warm in summer but cozy in winter and for casual wear, and it undercuts the Nimbus at $160.

The Brooks Glycerin 21 is the other natural comparison. The Glycerin and Nimbus used to be nearly identical shoes targeting the same runner. Since ASICS diverged at the Nimbus 25, Brooks has been gradually responding, and the two are converging again. The Glycerin 21 offers a comfy stretchy upper and a stable, highly cushioned midsole, but the foam plus stout geometry make it feel firmer, more like glancing off the surface rather than sinking in. Softness is subjective, so what reads as firm here may feel plenty cushioned to Glycerin fans. Normally $160, the Glycerin 21 can now be found for $130 now that the Glycerin 22 is out, which is a solid deal.

Conclusion

The Nimbus 27 is a comfortable, stable, and plush max cushion shoe that shines on easy and recovery runs and doubles as a great all-day shoe. The lighter upper, extra stack, and smoother heel shaping are genuine improvements, while the mushy foam feel and the occasional hot spot beyond an hour give it clear limits. If you value comfort above snap and mostly run easy, it is a confident pick, with last year’s Nimbus 26, the GlideRide Max, the Triumph 22, and the Glycerin 21 all worth a look depending on your budget and preferences.