I ran 40 miles in the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 and it impressed me as a comfortable cruiser

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 is a max-cushioned running shoe designed to deliver comfort and protection as a priority, but I also found it to have more versatility than I expected. That’s largely down to the stiffer and smoother ride of the shoe compared to the last two models in the line, and it means the Gel-Nimbus 27 is a good daily training option.

It’s not as versatile as some of the best running shoes though, lacking speed because of the heavy design, and while I do prefer the Gel-Nimbus 27 to the 25 and 26, it’s pretty close and you might get better value by finding deals on the older shoes.

In my Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 review I’ll explain why I think it’s one of the better max-cushioned running shoes you can get and compare it to rivals from other brands, plus other Asics options like the Asics Novablast 5 and Asics Gel-Kayano 31.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 review: price and availability

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 launched in January 2025 and costs $165 in the U.S. and £180 in the U.K.. It’s $5 more than the Gel-Nimbus 26 at launch, and the older shoe is also now often available in sales.

The price is similar to top cushioned shoes from other brands like the New Balance 1080v14 and Saucony Hurricane 24, while the Asics Novablast 5 is a cheaper daily training option within the Asics range.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 review: design & fit

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 is available in 12 colors at launch, including the teal version of the shoe I tested, and it comes in three widths including an extra wide option. I found that the shoe fit me well in my normally running shoe size, which is the same size I used for the past three models of the shoe.

Asics has added 2mm to the stack height of the Gel-Nimbus 27 compared with the 26, and the new shoe stands 43.5mm tall at the heel and 35.5mm tall at the forefoot for an 8mm drop.

That extra cushioning hasn’t made it heavier though, with the Gel-Nimbus 27 weighing 11oz in my US men’s 10, which is actually slightly lighter than the Gel-Nimbus 26 in the same size.

Upper

The upper on the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 is made from a Jacquard mesh as opposed to the engineered knit on the Gel-Nimbus 26, and as you’d expected from a cushioned cruiser like this it is plushly padded, especially around the collar.

I found the upper to be breathable enough despite this padding, though it’s worth noting I was running in fairly cold conditions when testing the shoe, and the padding around the heel held my foot in place without irritating my Achilles tendon.

Midsole

The midsole of the Gel-Nimbus 27 is made from Asics’ FF Blast Plus Eco foam, which was also the case with the Gel-Nimbus 26 but it has apparently been modified with the new shoe to make it lighter.

I found the ride to be a little stiffer than with the Gel-Nimbus 26, which makes the transition from heel to toe a little smoother and faster. As a result the Gel-Nimbus 27 is surprisingly capable at faster paces, even if speed is still not its strongest suit.

Overall the midsole is mainly focused on delivering comfort and stability, with the PureGel insert under the heel boosting the comfort while the wide base of the shoe and sidewalls of foam your foot sits within aiding with stability.

Outsole

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 uses hybrid Asicsgrip rubber on its outsole, with all the key impact areas on the bottom of the shoe covered, even if there is also some exposed foam.

During my testing the grip has been reliable on wet and also slightly icy pavements, and I’ve seen no signs of wear and tear on the rubber as yet.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 review: running performance

The last big update to the Asics Gel-Nimbus line was with the 25th edition of the shoe, when it became a max-cushioned shoe with a stack height over 40mm.

The Gel-Nimbus 26 was very similar to the 25, and on paper I thought that would be the case with the Gel-Nimbus 27 as well, since the only notable change was an extra 2mm of foam in the midsole.

However, I noticed a change in the ride feel of the shoe as soon as I ran in the Gel-Nimbus 27, and also when I did a short run wearing it on one foot and the Gel-Nimbus 26 on the other.

The new shoe has a stiffer and smoother ride, and as a heel striker I found I rolled through more naturally onto my forefoot when using it. This resulted in a more enjoyable feeling on easy runs, when the Gel-Nimbus 27 ticks over nicely and protects the legs without feeling like a large block on the end of your foot, and also made it more suitable for faster runs.

I’d always prefer to use a more speed-focused shoe for workouts myself, or even a lighter cushioned shoe like the Asics Novablast 5, but when doing a progression run in the Gel-Nimbus 27 I found I was able to run comfortably at sub 6min/mile pace for the final 15-20 minutes.

When running at speed it’s also less ‘slappy’ than the Gel-Nimbus 26, which I found actually became uncomfortable when running at faster paces for long stretches because of the way my forefoot slapped down in it.

The Gel-Nimbus 27 impressed me and would certainly be a good cushioned option to add to a rotation to use for easy runs, and also would work well as an all-rounder for newer runners. It’s also a stable shoe and one that works well for walking and standing for long periods, as well as running.

That said, it isn’t as soft as some cushioned shoes, so if you crave a really plush feeling underfoot shoes like the New Balance 1080v14 or Saucony Hurricane 24 might suit you better.

Should you buy the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27?

I enjoyed running in the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 and think it’s one of the best running shoes in its category of max-cushioned cruisers, along with the Saucony Hurricane 24, which I also found highly comfortable and protective.

If you pick it up, you won’t be disappointed in the Gel-Nimbus 27, but at the same time it’s not a shoe that’s likely to wow you. It’s a balanced and reliable option for runners of all levels, but not as lively as more versatile shoes like the Asics Novablast 5 or Hoka Skyflow, or as plush underfoot as the Hurricane 24.

Even though I preferred it to the Gel-Nimbus 26, there is also still a case for looking at the older shoe in sales, because it is still a comfortable option that can handle the same kind of runs and you might well find it reduced to around $100.