Photo shows one example colourway
Gel Nimbus 28
Today's tracked prices
- 01365Rider9d ago£139.38£180.00−23%
- 02Alpine Trek10d ago£171.95£180.00−4%
- 03Greaves10d ago£180.00
- 04ASOS10d ago£180.00
Prices and sizes can change, so always check the latest availability at the retailer. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Price history
Our verdict
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.
Key features
- Max-cushion stackSoaks up impact mile after mile so your legs stay fresher on long and easy runs
- Plush, structured upperWraps your foot in comfort with a secure midfoot hold and a padded heel that grips cleanly
- Wide, stable baseKeeps the tall platform planted and settled at easy paces even though it is a neutral shoe
- Smooth heel-to-toe transitionRolls you through each stride comfortably rather than forcing a fast turnover
- Durable daily buildStands up to high weekly mileage so it earns its place as your everyday trainer
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- High-mileage runners who want maximum comfort and leg protection on daily miles
- Heel strikers who need a deep, well-damped landing
- Runners doing easy, recovery and long steady runs as the bulk of their training
- Neutral runners who want a plush, dependable everyday trainer
Who should not buy it
- You want a light, fast shoe for tempo runs or racing
- You overpronate and need built-in stability or motion control
- You prefer a firm, springy, responsive ride over soft cushioning
- You are on a tight budget and the RRP is too steep
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Nimbus 28 comes up true to size for most runners, so order your usual ASICS fit and you should be fine. The forefoot is medium width with enough room to splay over a long run without feeling sloppy, and ASICS offers wide options if you need them. Midfoot lockdown is secure thanks to a well-structured upper, and the heel hold is excellent with a padded collar that grips without pinching. There is generous toe box height, which helps on longer efforts when your feet swell. If you are between sizes or like a little extra room for thicker socks in winter, sizing up a half is reasonable, but most people will not need to. Runners with very narrow feet may find the standard width a touch roomy and should consider lacing down or trying the narrow fitting. Overall this is a comfortable, accommodating fit that suits the high-mileage runner it is built for.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The ride is soft, smooth and unhurried. Step in and you feel the depth of the cushioning straight away, and that protective, cosseting feel carries through every mile. The transition from heel to toe is rolling rather than snappy, which suits easy and steady running beautifully but means it never feels eager when you try to push the pace. At 278g there is real shoe underfoot, and you notice the weight if you ask for a turn of speed. Hold an easy effort and it is one of the most comfortable rides out there. The tall stack stays composed at slower speeds and the wide base keeps things settled. This is a shoe that rewards patience, not aggression.
Cushioning
Cushioning is the whole point of the Nimbus, and it delivers. With a 39.5mm heel stack this is genuinely max-cushion, and the protection from the ground is excellent over long distances. The feel is plush and a little soft rather than springy, so it absorbs impact and saves your legs late in a run rather than returning energy to push you forward. Heel strikers in particular get a lot of comfort here, and the landing is smooth and well damped. If you want bounce and pop you will not find much of it, but if you want a shoe that keeps your legs fresh across high weekly mileage, the Nimbus 28 is one of the best in its class. It is forgiving on tired legs and ideal for time on feet.
Stability
This is a neutral shoe, so there are no medial posts or guidance rails, but the Nimbus 28 still feels reassuringly planted for something this tall. A wide, flat base and a deep heel give it a stable, settled landing that suits neutral runners well, even those who are not the lightest. The softness of the midsole means it is not the most locked-down platform at speed, and runners who actively need motion control will not get it here. If you overpronate or want built-in support, look at the Gel Kayano 32 instead, which takes a similar cushioned brief and adds stability structure. For neutral runners the Nimbus offers plenty of inherent stability for everyday miles.
Upper & comfort
The upper is a highlight. It is soft, well padded and finished to the premium standard you expect at this price, with a plush tongue and a comfortable heel collar that locks the foot without rubbing. Breathability is good for a daily trainer, so it copes well in milder conditions, though the cushioned build means it leans warm rather than airy on hot days. The materials feel durable and should hold up across many months of regular use. Lockdown is secure across the midfoot, and there are no obvious hot spots out of the box, so it is comfortable from the first run with little or no break-in needed.
Reviews
No reviews yet, be the first to review this shoe.
Sign in to write a review.
FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Max Cushion |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 5.2mm |
| Heel Stack | 39.5mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 34.3mm |
| Weight | 278g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |