Here in the Nordics, we're in the midst of the year's darkest time. It's cold, it's wet, and for many, it suddenly requires a special mental effort just to get over the doorstep—quite different than when the sun smiles on a beautiful spring day. But just like last year, a bright spot is coming that almost fills the void the sun leaves behind: ASICS launches the latest , this time in its 28th edition.
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I was lucky enough to get my feet into ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28. And like last year, it builds on everything we already know works. Here are three really good reasons why you should choose ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 as your regular running partner.
- Foam: FF BLAST PLUS, PureGEL technology
- Heel drop: 8mm.
- Upper: Engineered Knit
- Weight: 281g. (US9), 242g (US7.5)
- Outsole: ASICSGRIP rubber and AHARPLUS materials
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 - 10% lighter, same comfort!
When
designs the GEL-NIMBUS collection, they prioritize comfort before anything else. So, when ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 is 10% lighter this year than its predecessor, I can guarantee it still has the same comfort it did when version 27 was introduced in 2024.
The midsole and GEL pad in the heel are almost unchanged. Just a few differences can be found around the heel, where GEL-NIMBUS has become more streamlined and less bulky.
The upper has received a similar adjustment. The tongue remains the same elastic and comfortable, but now with an adjusting loop in this year's version, the fabric in the heel is as soft as before, and the shoe fits just as well as it did last year.
Generally, I hardly notice the shoe is on when I run. The upper feels like a natural extension of my foot and provides comfort on both short and long runs.
With an upper and midsole that only have minor differences, the weight saving clearly comes from the outsole. Rubber is heavy, making the outsole an ideal place to optimize. ASICS has done just that by strategically reducing rubber in areas where most runners wear down the least—an easy but effective way to make the shoe both lighter and more comfortable.
Overall, NIMBUS 28 is a shoe that delivers the same familiar comfort as before, but now wrapped in a model that is 10% lighter. This means it hits the golden approximately 280 grams—a weight that makes the shoe more versatile and suitable for various training sessions.
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 - A dependable outsole
A few years ago, it was well known that ASICS' everyday running shoes had a somewhat slick outsole. The focus was primarily on durability over function. When NOVABLAST 4 was launched, ASICS shifted this focus and adopted a more holistic approach, combining durability with much better grip. The result is two strategically placed rubber compounds under the shoe, which together provide both longer durability and significantly better grip.
In the forefoot, right under the pads, there's a large amount of ASICSGRIP—a softer rubber compound that makes all turns on both dry and wet roads a breeze. However, this is not where the most wear occurs. In the heel and at the very front under the toes, you'll find a layer of AHAR+ (Asics High Abrasion Rubber Plus), an exceptionally durable rubber material that protects the areas typically worn fastest by daily runners.
The combination of the two materials is called Hybrid ASICSGRIP by ASICS, and it works excellently in practice. So if you want a shoe that can withstand everyday use and still maintain a secure grip on wet days, ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 is an obvious choice.
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 – Stability and durability for everyday
Unlike some other brands that primarily chase the softest possible midsole when developing comfort shoes, ASICS works with a more holistic perspective—something they documented back with the launch of ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 24. FFBlast+ ECO foam is neither too soft nor too firm; it sits right where you get both softness, stability, and a smooth transition from heel to toe.
And that's exactly what ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 delivers. The foam in the midsole has just the right amount of softness needed to provide comfort in every landing, while the shoe feels consistent from the first kilometer and well into its lifecycle. The result is a shoe you can rely on—a durable training partner ready for many kilometers ahead.
There is no doubt that ASICS has once again hit the mark with ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28. They continue an evolution where the model is refined and improved year by year, delivering a consistently better running experience without straying too far from the shoe that so many love to run in.
On the other hand, if you want an even softer shoe for everyday training, ASICS has that ready for you too. ASICS NOVABLAST 5, with softer FFBlast Max foam, offers a more lively shoe focusing on lightness and bounce. And if you want to go in the opposite direction and have something stable and supportive, is the obvious choice.
If you have room for two pairs, ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 and make an excellent pair. The combination offers both durability and liveliness—and that variation also makes your body more versatile, as you change stimuli from run to run.
