ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28: the comfort queen returns, lighter than ever

In running, some shoes stand the test of time without aging a day. At ASICS, the GEL-NIMBUS is one of those legends: the shoe you instinctively recommend to a colleague taking up running, a marathoner piling on the miles or anyone who refuses to compromise on comfort. First unveiled in 1999, this iconic model has accompanied generations of runners. For its 28th edition, the Japanese brand has made it lighter without compromising the shoe’s DNA: maximum cushioning and maximum enjoyment.

20 g lighter: XXL comfort, minimal weight

Studies on running economy tend to reach the same conclusion: a lighter shoe requires slightly less energy with every stride. That has become one of the market’s key challenges, with brands competing to shed grams without sacrificing cushioning. On that front, the GEL-NIMBUS 28 delivers: it drops almost 20 grams compared with the previous version. It may look like a small difference on the spec sheet, but you notice it as soon as you start moving. The ride feels more natural, transitions are smoother and the lighter feel works perfectly with the Nimbus’s soft cushioning, so popular with runners.

ASICS did more than simply remove material. Every element was reworked to reduce the shoe’s weight:
✔ New HYBRID ASICSGRIP™ outsole, optimised while retaining reliable traction
✔ New engineered mesh upper, softer and more breathable
✔ Redesigned heel, modern, streamlined and lighter

The result: the Nimbus DNA is still there, but this Nimbus bounces even more readily off the tarmac.

ASICS unveils the GEL-Nimbus 28: lighter, softer and just as comfortable. Featuring FF BLAST™ PLUS and PureGEL™ technologies, a redesigned upper and a smooth ride. Ideal for easy runs and long outings.

FF BLAST PLUS + PureGEL: the Nimbus comfort-and-cushioning combo

The Nimbus represents comfort, Japanese-style: absorb every impact, smooth out the stride and make the shoe disappear. This 28th version pushes that philosophy even further.

FF BLAST™ PLUS
ASICS’s flagship foam forms the foundation: soft bounce, maximum protection and smooth transitions. Here, the brand has found an ideal balance between a plush feel and well-controlled rebound.

PureGEL™ under the heel
A direct evolution of the iconic GEL™, this version is lighter while remaining just as effective at absorbing impact. As usual in an ASICS shoe, the Gel is strategically placed under the heel to provide a soft landing, reduce muscular stress and absorb impact over long training sessions.

In short: the classic Nimbus comfort, updated, better distributed and even smoother.

Our approach to the GEL-NIMBUS™ reflects ASICS’s Kaizen philosophy: continually refining every detail to create better experiences for runners. By revising the outsole, upper and cushioning, the GEL-NIMBUS™ takes comfort to an even higher level. This process helps every runner move both body and mind with greater ease and enjoyment.
Keita Ozawa, Performance Running Footwear Developer at ASICS

An improved mesh upper for a softer feel

To create a comfortable fit from the moment you put it on, ASICS has made several improvements to the mesh upper:
✔ More breathable engineered mesh
✔ Softer, more welcoming fit
✔ Redesigned tongue for easy entry and dependable lockdown
✔ Fewer eyelets for a more modern, streamlined design

The Nimbus’s purpose remains unchanged: to support runners over the long haul without irritation, rubbing or pressure points.

Who is it for, and what kind of training?

The GEL-Nimbus 28 is not intended to be a pure performance shoe. It is not a Metaspeed Sky, nor is it the shoe for setting a 5K PB or hammering all-out 400s on the track.

Its natural territory is everyday running, where 90% of a runner’s training is built:
➜ Easy runs
➜ Recovery runs
➜ Long runs at a relaxed pace
➜ High-mileage weeks
➜ “Just for fun” sessions where feeling good is the main goal

With previous models, runners could reach 800 to 1,000 kilometres in a pair. The 28th version should be just as durable, thanks to the new Hybrid ASICSGRIP outsole.

It can pick up the pace if asked, but it is not built to run fast. It is built to run long, often and without excessive fatigue.

That is why it works for just about everyone, whatever their level:
➜ Beginners looking for comfort and protection
➜ Regular runners logging mile after mile
➜ Marathoners wanting a dedicated training shoe
➜ Runners prone to joint pain

Technical specifications

Category: Comfort running shoe / premium daily trainer
Foam: FF BLAST™ PLUS + PureGEL™
Weight: 281 g
Stack height: 43.5 mm heel – 35.5 mm forefoot (8 mm drop)
Use: Easy runs, recovery runs, long runs
Gait type: Neutral
Runner level: Beginner to advanced
Available December 4, 2025
Price: €200

Lighter, sleeker and just as comfortable, the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 carries on the tradition of a shoe designed to look after the runner. This is not a shoe for breaking records. It is a shoe for running again and again, enjoying every mile without pain or excessive fatigue. A safe bet. A daily ally. With this new Nimbus, ASICS has produced a compelling update that is sure to win over plenty of road runners.

✔ Find the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 28 from December 4 at ASICS.com for €200.