ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 review
ASICS’ big-cushion neutral trainer: tall, steady and comfortable from the first step, with more structure than softness. Made for easy days and runners who want calm over bounce.
- Drop
- 8 mm
- Heel stack
- 43.5 mm
- Forefoot
- 35.5 mm
- Weight
- 306 g
- Support
- Neutral
- Plate
- None
Our verdict
Calm, steady, a lot of shoe.
The Gel-Nimbus 27 is a high-stack neutral trainer that rides firmer and steadier than its size suggests, with a premium upper and very little bounce. It suits neutral runners who land on the heel, like a planted platform and run mostly at easy pace, including those who need a wide or extra wide fit.
Strong points
- Smooth heel landing, a first for recent Nimbus models
- Stable neutral base with very high torsional rigidity
- Regular, wide and extra wide versions
- Strong shock absorption for easy and recovery days
Weak points
- Firmer than its stack suggests, not plush
- Low energy return, little bounce for faster running
- Very stiff, so it does not flex with the foot
- Heavy: about 305 g in a men’s US 9, and only 6 of the 149 neutral road shoes weighed in that size in our catalogue match or exceed it
Who it fits
- Heel landers who want a smooth touchdown
- Neutral runners who like a stable base
- Wide and extra wide feet
- Easy days and recovery runs
Who should skip it
- Runners who want a plush, sinking feel
- Runners who want bounce or speed
- Runners who want a flexible shoe
Shoe profile
Where the Gel-Nimbus 27 sits among the 395 shoes in our catalogue.
| Axis | Gel-Nimbus 27 |
|---|---|
| Cushioning | 87 |
| Lightness | 10 |
| Stability | 30 |
| Drop | 45 |
| Response | 20 |
Fig. 1 · How to read it. Each axis runs from 0 at the centre to 100 at the edge. Cushioning, lightness and drop are the shoe’s rank in the catalogue from listed figures; stability and response are scored from the support type, the plate, the rocker and the intended use. The dotted grey line is the catalogue median. Source: Strideprint catalogue (cat).
Where it sits in the catalogue
Weight306 g, heavier than 90% of shoes
Drop8 mm, higher than 45% of shoes
Heel stack43.5 mm, higher than 87% of shoes
Forefoot stack35.5 mm, higher than 81% of shoes
How it feels
Written from 3 published tests. We quote measurements, not impressions we did not have.
A lot of foam, not a lot of give. Tall reworked FF Blast Plus Eco with PureGEL: protective rather than soft, top shock absorption, firmer on the durometer than expected.
Stable for a neutral shoe. A broad base, rear sidewalls and an outer heel bevel keep it planted without guiding; RunRepeat gave top torsional rigidity.
Not the point. It rolls you forward rather than springing you forward: low energy return, a stiff sole, and no spark next to newer daily trainers.
A lot of foam, not a lot of give. Listed at 43.5 mm at the heel and 35.5 mm at the forefoot for men, it carries 2 mm more than the Nimbus 26, with a reworked FF Blast Plus Eco foam and a PureGEL insert at the heel.
The feel is protective rather than soft. RunRepeat measured top-tier shock absorption but a midsole that reads harder than expected on the durometer. One Believe in the Run tester summed it up as neither bouncy nor dead, neither soft nor firm. Another found it soft without the sense of sinking in.
Stable for a neutral shoe. This is where the Nimbus 27 earns its place. A broad base, sidewalls at the rear, sole flare and a bevel on the outer heel keep the shoe planted without guiding your foot.
RunRepeat gave it their highest torsional rigidity score, which matches that feeling of a shoe that resists twisting. Runners with a neutral stride who find tall, squishy shoes vague will likely feel at home here.
Not the point. The Nimbus 27 rolls you forward rather than springing you forward. RunRepeat recorded low energy return and a stiff sole, and Believe in the Run testers felt it lacked the spark of newer daily trainers.
Doctors of Running found it handles slight uptempo efforts and feels lighter than its weight. Treat that as a bonus: this shoe is built for steady, comfortable miles.
Read more
A lot of foam, not a lot of give. Listed at 43.5 mm at the heel and 35.5 mm at the forefoot for men, it carries 2 mm more than the Nimbus 26, with a reworked FF Blast Plus Eco foam and a PureGEL insert at the heel.
The feel is protective rather than soft. RunRepeat measured top-tier shock absorption but a midsole that reads harder than expected on the durometer. One Believe in the Run tester summed it up as neither bouncy nor dead, neither soft nor firm. Another found it soft without the sense of sinking in.
Stable for a neutral shoe. This is where the Nimbus 27 earns its place. A broad base, sidewalls at the rear, sole flare and a bevel on the outer heel keep the shoe planted without guiding your foot.
RunRepeat gave it their highest torsional rigidity score, which matches that feeling of a shoe that resists twisting. Runners with a neutral stride who find tall, squishy shoes vague will likely feel at home here.
Not the point. The Nimbus 27 rolls you forward rather than springing you forward. RunRepeat recorded low energy return and a stiff sole, and Believe in the Run testers felt it lacked the spark of newer daily trainers.
Doctors of Running found it handles slight uptempo efforts and feels lighter than its weight. Treat that as a bonus: this shoe is built for steady, comfortable miles.
Which runs it’s for
| Run | Fit | Why | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy runs | Made for it | Built for comfortable, steady miles. RunRepeat recommend it for slow to moderate paces. | RunRepeat |
| Recovery runs | Made for it | Strong shock absorption and a calm ride suit the day after a hard session. | RunRepeat, Believe in the Run |
| Long runs | Can do | Doctors of Running use it for long runs; Believe in the Run testers preferred other shoes for them. Try it on a medium run first. | Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run |
| Tempo | Can do | Handles slight uptempo efforts according to Doctors of Running, but the low energy return limits it. | RunRepeat, Doctors of Running |
| Intervals | Not for it | Heavy, stiff and low on rebound: not a shoe for fast repeats. | RunRepeat, Believe in the Run |
Source: RunRepeat, Believe in the Run, Doctors of Running
What the tests say
Reviewers agree the Gel-Nimbus 27 is stable, protective and smooth at the heel, but not soft or bouncy. They differ on how plush it feels and on the upper.
| Test | Type | Our reading | In one sentence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RunRepeat | Lab | Positive | RunRepeat scores it 85 out of 100: roomier toe box and good cushioning, but an easy-miles shoe without versatility. | Read |
| Doctors of Running | Review | Mixed | Doctors of Running mix B plus and A minus grades, praising heel bevel and durability, and call it a great walking shoe. | Read |
| Believe in the Run | Review | Mixed | Believe in the Run’s testers give 6, 10 and 12 out of 15: solid for easy days, but bland and no real step forward. | Read |
They agree
- Stable for a neutral shoeDoctors of Running call it a stable neutral ride, and RunRepeat gave it their top torsional rigidity score.
- Firmer than the stack suggestsRunRepeat measured a firmer midsole than expected, and Doctors of Running describe a slightly firm, snappy ride.
- Little bounceRunRepeat recorded low energy return and Believe in the Run testers felt it lacked the spark of newer daily trainers.
- Built for easy daysRunRepeat recommends slow to moderate paces, and Believe in the Run testers kept it for easy and recovery runs.
They split
- Soft or notOne Believe in the Run tester found it soft without any sinking, another found it neither soft nor firm, while RunRepeat and Doctors of Running lean firm.
- The upperOne Believe in the Run tester praised the hold at the heel collar, while another found the upper roomy and the new mesh stiff.
How it’s built
A tall, plate-free neutral build: full-length FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam with PureGEL at the rear, a jacquard mesh upper with a stretch-knit tongue, and Hybrid ASICSGRIP rubber with more exposed foam than before.
A tall, plate-free neutral build: full-length FF Blast Plus Eco with PureGEL at the rear, a jacquard mesh upper with a 1.5 mm stretch-knit tongue, and a 3.0 mm Hybrid ASICSGRIP outsole.
| # | Part | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UpperEngineered jacquard mesh | Breathability 4 / 5 |
| 2 | Tongue | 1.5 mm |
| 3 | Heel | Stiffness 4 / 5 |
| 4 | MidsoleFF BLAST PLUS ECO and PureGEL | Hardness 39.3 AC |
| 5 | InsoleOrthoLite X-55 | 4.7 mm |
| 6 | OutsoleHybrid ASICSGRIP and AHAR Plus | 3.0 mm |
Fig. 3 · Side profile. Stack heights to scale (listed: 43.5 mm heel, 35.5 mm forefoot; measured: 3 mm outsole); the split between the two foams is not measured and is drawn at mid-height. Dashed: insole, hidden. Sources: Fleet Feet, RunRepeat, Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run.
Upper. A new engineered jacquard mesh with more structure than the knit uppers of earlier versions, which Doctors of Running found improved security. RunRepeat scored breathability 4 out of 5, with most airflow at the toe box; one Believe in the Run tester found the mesh stiff.
Tongue. A stretch-knit tongue, kept since the Nimbus 24, only 1.5 mm thick, like a racing shoe’s. Doctors of Running describe it as gusseted. Believe in the Run call it one of the best tongues around; RunRepeat expects it to divide runners.
Heel. A fairly stiff counter, 4 out of 5 in RunRepeat’s test, inside a generously padded collar with an integrated finger-loop tab. A posterolateral bevel and less flare at the back give what Doctors of Running call the smoothest Nimbus heel transition they have tried.
Midsole. Full-length FF BLAST PLUS ECO in a reworked, lighter formulation, with 2 mm more stack than the Nimbus 26 and a PureGEL insert at the rear. Believe in the Run give the foam 24 percent bio-based content. The platform is extremely rigid: RunRepeat scored torsional rigidity 5 out of 5.
Insole. An OrthoLite X-55 sockliner, 4.7 mm thick in RunRepeat’s measurement.
Outsole. The same Hybrid ASICSGRIP and AHAR Plus rubber as the Nimbus 26, now cut into more pieces with more foam exposed to save weight, which RunRepeat says suits paved surfaces best. It is 3.0 mm thick and scored 0.84 in RunRepeat’s wet traction test.
Read more
A tall, plate-free neutral build: full-length FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam with PureGEL at the rear, a jacquard mesh upper with a stretch-knit tongue, and Hybrid ASICSGRIP rubber with more exposed foam than before.
1. Upper. A new engineered jacquard mesh with more structure than the knit uppers of earlier versions, which Doctors of Running found improved security. RunRepeat scored breathability 4 out of 5, with most airflow at the toe box; one Believe in the Run tester found the mesh stiff.
2. Tongue. A stretch-knit tongue, kept since the Nimbus 24, only 1.5 mm thick, like a racing shoe’s. Doctors of Running describe it as gusseted. Believe in the Run call it one of the best tongues around; RunRepeat expects it to divide runners.
3. Heel. A fairly stiff counter, 4 out of 5 in RunRepeat’s test, inside a generously padded collar with an integrated finger-loop tab. A posterolateral bevel and less flare at the back give what Doctors of Running call the smoothest Nimbus heel transition they have tried.
4. Midsole. Full-length FF BLAST PLUS ECO in a reworked, lighter formulation, with 2 mm more stack than the Nimbus 26 and a PureGEL insert at the rear. Believe in the Run give the foam 24 percent bio-based content. The platform is extremely rigid: RunRepeat scored torsional rigidity 5 out of 5.
5. Insole. An OrthoLite X-55 sockliner, 4.7 mm thick in RunRepeat’s measurement.
6. Outsole. The same Hybrid ASICSGRIP and AHAR Plus rubber as the Nimbus 26, now cut into more pieces with more foam exposed to save weight, which RunRepeat says suits paved surfaces best. It is 3.0 mm thick and scored 0.84 in RunRepeat’s wet traction test.
Durability. A strong point. The outsole lost only 0.8 mm in RunRepeat’s wear test, against a 1.1 mm average, the heel lining scored a perfect 5 out of 5 and the toe box 3 out of 5. Doctors of Running rate durability above average, though exposed foam may wear faster off-road.
Durability. A strong point. The outsole lost only 0.8 mm in RunRepeat’s wear test, against a 1.1 mm average, the heel lining scored a perfect 5 out of 5 and the toe box 3 out of 5. Doctors of Running rate durability above average, though exposed foam may wear faster off-road.
Specs, listed and measured
Every figure carries its source.
Drop, mm
Heel stack, mm
Forefoot stack, mm
Weight (men’s), g
| Spec | Listed | Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Drop |
|
|
| Heel stack |
|
|
| Forefoot stack |
|
|
| Weight, US M9 |
|
|
| Support |
| – |
| Plate |
| – |
| Surface |
| – |
| Release year |
| – |
Fig. 4 · Listed vs measured. Bars start at zero. Sources: Fleet Feet, RunRepeat, Doctors of Running.
Lab measurements
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Midsole hardness |
|
| Torsional rigidity |
|
| Heel counter stiffness |
|
| Traction coefficient |
|
| Breathability |
|
| Toe box width |
|
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Toe box height |
|
| Outsole thickness |
|
| Insole thickness |
|
| Tongue thickness |
|
| Flex force |
|
| Energy return (heel) |
|
Sizing and fit
True to size, with more toe room than past versions and three widths.
Length
True to size
Widths
standard, wide, and extra wide
Toe room
Roomier than past Nimbus models. RunRepeat measured a 73.8 mm toe box at the big toe and 26.4 mm of height, Doctors of Running find it far more open than before, and a Believe in the Run tester found the upper stretchy.
RunRepeat, Doctors of Running, Believe in the Run
Full sizing notes from testers
Doctors of Running and RunRepeat’s user poll both report a true to size fit. RunRepeat also notes the toe box is taller than on the Nimbus 26, which fixes a common complaint.
Doctors of Running describe an open toe box with a little narrowing from the toe guard, a normal to slightly snug midfoot and a normal to slightly wide heel. The stretch knit tongue stays, and one Believe in the Run tester praised the hold around the heel collar, while another found the upper roomy and the new mesh stiff.
Wide and extra wide versions are available for men, a real plus if standard trainers squeeze your forefoot.
RunRepeat, Doctors of Running, Fleet Feet, Believe in the Run
Vs Gel-Nimbus 26
More foam, a reworked midsole and a new upper, at about the same weight. The heel is the biggest improvement in daily use.
If the Nimbus 26 already fits you well and you rarely noticed the heel, the changes are refinements rather than a new shoe.
Version history: Gel-Nimbus 26 to Gel-Nimbus 27
2 mm more stack. ASICS added 2 mm of cushioning. RunRepeat measured the heel going from 40.4 mm on the 26 to 42.7 mm on the 27. (RunRepeat, Fleet Feet)
Reworked foam. The FF Blast Plus Eco midsole keeps its name but uses a lighter formulation that ASICS describes as softer. (Fleet Feet, Believe in the Run)
New jacquard upper. A lighter jacquard mesh replaces the previous upper, with more room in the toe box and a taller forefoot. (RunRepeat, Doctors of Running, Fleet Feet)
A better heel. A rear bevel and less rear flare make heel landings smoother. Doctors of Running call it the first Nimbus in a while with a decent heel. (Doctors of Running)
Alternatives compared
Each one fixes one thing the Gel-Nimbus 27 does not do.
| ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 |  ASICS Novablast 5 |  ASICS Superblast 2 |  ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 |  Hoka Bondi 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick it for | This page | Softer | Faster | Less cushion | Lower drop |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 5 mm |
| Heel stack | 43.5 mm | 41.5 mm | 45 mm | 38.5 mm | 43 mm |
| Weight | 306 g | 252 g | 247 g | 264 g | 297 g |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Questions runners ask
Is the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 good for heavy runners?
The Gel-Nimbus 27 has a lot of foam, a broad base, a stiff sole and strong shock absorption in RunRepeat’s lab test, all traits heavier runners often look for. It also comes in wide and extra wide. Comfort is personal, so judge it on how it feels, not on a label.
Is the Gel-Nimbus 27 good for flat feet?
The Gel-Nimbus 27 is a neutral shoe with no guidance system, but its broad base and rear sidewalls make it steadier than most neutral trainers. Flat feet alone do not decide shoe choice: how your foot moves while running matters more. If your foot rolls in a lot, a guidance shoe like the Gel-Kayano may feel more settled.
Does the Gel-Nimbus 27 run true to size?
Yes. Doctors of Running and RunRepeat’s user poll report a true to size fit. The toe box is roomier and taller than on the Nimbus 26, the midfoot slightly snug. Men’s sizes come in regular, wide and extra wide.
What is the difference between the Gel-Nimbus 27 and 26?
The Nimbus 27 adds 2 mm of stack, uses a lighter reworked FF Blast Plus Eco foam, and gets a new jacquard upper with more toe room. Reviewers found the heel much smoother thanks to a new bevel. Weight barely changed.
What is the drop of the Gel-Nimbus 27?
8 mm. The listed stack is 43.5 mm at the heel and 35.5 mm at the forefoot for men, 41.5 mm and 33.5 mm for women. RunRepeat measured 42.7 mm and 34.4 mm on a men’s pair, a drop of 8.3 mm.
Nimbus 27 or Novablast 5?
Pick the Nimbus 27 for a steady, protective ride on easy days, and if you need a wide or extra wide fit. Pick the Novablast 5 if you want a lighter, softer and bouncier trainer that can also handle the odd faster run.
Sources
- RunRepeat, Cut in half: ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Doctors of Running, ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 Review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Fleet Feet, Men's ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Believe in the Run, ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 Review. Accessed Oct 9, 2026.
- Strideprint, Strideprint running shoe catalogue (ranks computed on 2026-10-11). Accessed Oct 11, 2026.
- i-run.fr · Release year, listed
- cat: Strideprint catalogue, 395 shoes
How we review. We read published tests, brand and retailer pages and lab measurements, cross-check the figures and flag where they disagree. We did not test this shoe ourselves. Last updated October 13, 2026.