Gel Nimbus 28 vs Fresh Foam X 1080 13

The Gel Nimbus 28 is ASICS at its plushest: a max-cushion neutral daily training shoe built to soak up the miles and protect your legs, not to chase pace. This is the shoe you reach for on easy days, recovery jogs and long steady runs when comfort matters more than speed. At 278g it is on the heavier side, and with a tall 39.5mm heel and a moderate 5.2mm drop the ride is soft, planted and forgiving rather than quick. If you loved the Gel Nimbus 27, the 28 keeps the same brief and refines the feel. We rate it as one of the most dependable premium daily trainers for higher-mileage runners who want a cushioned running shoe that simply gets out of the way. It is not a do-everything shoe and it is not cheap, but for what it sets out to do it is very good.

The Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is New Balance's plush daily training shoe, a max-cushion running shoe built to soak up the miles rather than chase a personal best. At 285g with a 6mm drop it is not light, but that is not the point. This is the shoe you reach for on easy days, long runs and recovery jogs when you want a soft, forgiving ride and a bit of luxury underfoot. The Fresh Foam X midsole is on the softer, bouncier end of the daily-trainer scale, and the knit upper is one of the most comfortable New Balance has made. It is a neutral shoe with no plate and no stability posting, so it leans into cushioned comfort over speed. If you want a do-everything cushioned trainer for steady mileage, we rate it highly. Just know that the newer 1080v14 has since taken over the line, so v13 is often the smarter buy on price.