Gel Cumulus 27 vs Gel Cumulus 28

The Gel Cumulus 27 is Asics at its most dependable: a neutral daily training shoe built to soak up easy miles week after week, not to chase a finish line. It sits one rung below the Nimbus in the Asics range, so you get a softer, lighter, more everyday feel rather than maximum cushioning. At 266g with an 8mm drop it is a true workhorse running shoe, the kind you reach for on recovery runs, steady aerobic miles and the long Sunday plod. The ride is cushioned but not mushy, with enough structure to feel honest underfoot. We would not pick it for sharp speed work, and at £140 it is priced like a premium daily trainer rather than a bargain. But if you want one neutral shoe that just keeps turning up and doing its job, the Cumulus 27 earns its place. The newer Gel Cumulus 28 is now out, so the 27 is often the smarter buy on price.

The Gel Cumulus 28 is Asics at its most dependable: a cushioned, neutral daily training shoe built to soak up easy miles without asking anything clever of your stride. It is not a max-cushion plush ride and it is not a tempo shoe, it sits in the sensible middle as a do-everything running shoe for the bulk of your week. The 13.3mm drop is high by modern standards, which makes it forgiving and natural if you land on your heel, and the gel cushioning under the rear foot takes the sting out of harder landings. At 252g it is no featherweight, but it carries that weight as stability and longevity rather than dead bulk. We rate it as one of the safest first running shoes you can buy, and a reliable second pair for more experienced runners who want a soft, no-drama trainer for recovery days. If you want more pop, look elsewhere. If you want miles, this is it.