ASICS Gel Nimbus 24 Shoe Review

Published: March 17, 2022

New Age of the Nimbus

The new upper and midsole are welcome updates to this classic trainer

Likes

Soft, bouncy cushioning
Breathable upper
Energy return

Dislikes

Heavier than preferred
Required break-in period

What's New

The ASICS Gel Nimbus is a well-established staple in the brand's long line of quality training shoes. Designed as a premium, highly cushioned, neutral running shoe, the Gel Nimbus 24 can take on your high-mileage runs and shorter up-tempo jaunts alike.

The newest iteration is a top-to-bottom update that maintains the shoe's classic comfort while making it softer, smoother, and lighter than ever before. The most notable update is the inclusion of ASICS' newest Flytefoam Blast+ foam in the midsole. This soft and bouncy foam helps to make the shoe lighter and provides higher energy return while running. Meanwhile, the stylish new upper has a slight stretch to accommodate a variety of foot shapes while still providing the lockdown needed for faster paced running. The Nimbus 24 is an option that any runner can rely on to provide a soft and fun ride for any distance.

The Bottom Line

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 24 is a great update from the past models. This newest iteration includes a reworked upper with strategic stretch incorporated and an energized midsole that brings the Nimbus 24 up to speed with other modern running shoes.

The new Flytefoam Blast+ midsole provides plush cushioning but without the "marshmallow" softness that feels dead when you want to pick up the pace. Our reviewers thought the new midsole provided a bouncy and fun ride that they could see themselves using for a broader range of runs than previous models. Additionally, the new upper has a sleek updated look and feel, offering an almost sock-like wrap of the foot that our testers loved.

Despite these huge updates, longtime fans will be happy to hear that the shoe sticks to its roots as a reliable and comfortable daily trainer. But with its new softer, smoother, and more responsive ride, even fans of modern running shoes will enjoy the ASICS Gel Nimbus 24 if they can look past its slightly heavy weight.

Shop Men's Shop Women's

Shoe Performance

Shoe Softnessi

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Returni

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protectioni

LowHigh

Flexibilityi

RigidElastic

Upper Supporti

StructuredAdaptable

Specifications & Fit

How It Fits

Toe Box	Width: Medium \| Height: Medium
Midfoot Volume	Medium
Heel Width	Medium
Arch Height	Medium

Shoe Specs

Weight	Men's: 10.2 oz (size 9) \| Women's: 9.0 oz (size 8)
Stack Height	36 mm (Heel), 26 mm (Forefoot)
Terrain	Road
Stability	Neutral
Sizing	True to Size

Our In-Depth Look

Shoe Softnessi

Ben: "The ASICS Gel Nimbus 24 feels very soft, in my opinion. It is cushioned enough for longer runs but does not feel too mushy for shorter runs either. I could easily wear the Nimbus 24 all day comfortably."

Brycen: "These shoes were fairly soft, but I have felt softer on other shoe reviews. The cushioning was somewhere in the middle for me — not too soft and not too hard."

Risa: "The cushioning of the Nimbus 24 is soft and springy, which for me is the perfect combination. It's not a sink-in, 'marshmallowy' softness, and I can feel a nice rebound as I progress through my gait."

Ride/Energy Returni

Ben: "The Flytefoam Blast+ midsole offers a noticeable bounce in every stride, and I was impressed considering the shoe's high amount of cushion. I had no difficulty running at faster paces, though the Nimbus is not my choice for anything racing-related. This is in part a result of the Nimbus 24's weight."

Brycen: "These shoes delivered a fantastic energy return. I noticed it more when I pushed the pace a bit and increased my stride length, and the Nimbus helped carry me through the home stretches of my longer testing runs."

Risa: "The energy return was a big surprise, and it ended up being my favorite thing about the Nimbus 24. With the Flytefoam Blast+ midsole, the Nimbus 24 provides a really fun ride, especially for a daily trainer. Compared with the Cumulus 23 (the first ASICS shoe I tested), the Nimbus unquestionably takes the cake."

Underfoot Protectioni

Ben: "I was able to wear the Nimbus 24 over a variety of different runs, including a 15-mile run and a multitude of shorter runs. The Flytefoam Blast+ absorbs a lot of the impact from the ground, which gave my joints some much-appreciated protection and relief. I found the Nimbus 24 to be more cushioned and more protective than the previous model."

Brycen: "I prefer maximally cushioned running shoes, so this is the category where I thought the shoe was lacking for my needs. I would have preferred a few more millimeters of cushioning underfoot."

Risa: "Yes, there are trainers with more cushioning out there, but there is plenty in this shoe to keep comfortable on long runs. I like a little ground feel in my shoes, so I was happy with the level of underfoot protection offered by the Nimbus 24."

Flexibilityi

Ben: "The heel is fairly rigid, but the flexibility increases as you roll toward the forefoot and toe. My feet can go through the full range of motion without any difficulty. However, it took about 30 miles to break in the Nimbus to a level I found comfortable."

Brycen: "These shoes were very flexible and moved with my foot no matter what I did. They adjust to the motion of the foot, and my gait cycle was not affected at all."

Risa: "The TRUSSTIC system provides inherent stability and limits the flexibility of the shoe. However, the Nimbus wasn't too rigid, and I experienced smooth transitions."

Upper Supporti

Ben: "The Nimbus' upper provides a very close and comfortable fit. I had enough support to accommodate all my testing runs. I did notice that the tongue felt thinner compared to the average shoe, and I found it to be very comfortable on foot."

Brycen: "The shoe's stretchy upper was very secure and adapted to my feet nicely. I had no issues with rubbing or irritation."

Risa: "As a runner with a narrower foot, I'm a big fan of ASICS' snug-fitting uppers. That said, I would recommend that runners with wider feet choose the wide-width option for this shoe. Overall, I appreciated the Gel Numbus' breathable mesh design, and I did not get any hot spots."

Men's ASICS Gel Nimbus Running Shoes

The ASICS Nimbus Line is a collection of daily training shoes that offer plush cushioning and a smooth ride.

Women's ASICS Gel Nimbus Running Shoes

The ASICS Nimbus Line is a collection of daily training shoes that offer plush cushioning and a smooth ride.

Individual Thoughts

BenOverall Score: 9/10

For the runner seeking a versatile trainer to put a lot of miles on, the ASICS Gel Nimbus 24 is an excellent option. From shorter outings to longer road runs, the midsole always provided enough cushioning to run comfortably with ease. Also, the midsole was responsive enough to accommodate anything from an uptempo daily run to a slow recovery jog. Runners might find the Nimbus a bit stiff at first, but after a short break-in period, it felt nice out on the roads.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

BrycenOverall Score: 8/10

I enjoyed running in the Gel Nimbus 24 overall. It felt comfortable, and the upper's wrap was very sock-like, which was a positive in my opinion. The Nimbus' engineered mesh upper was also very breathable.

In terms of the midsole, I got a fair amount of energy return from the Flytefoam Blast+ foam, and as I pushed faster paces, I began bouncing from one stride to the next.

My only complaint would be the shoe's level of protection. I experienced shin pain while out on my longer testing runs, and I would have appreciated more protection from jarring impacts. All that said, I would recommend the Nimbus 24 to my friends who are new to the running scene, as the shoe has everything to cover your daily training needs. As an added little benefit, the Nimbus is stylish for everyday wear.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

RisaOverall Score: 8/10

The ASICS Gel Nimbus 24 is a daily trainer that I would happily recommend to a lot of different people. There is plenty of cushioning for a variety of runs, including high-mileage efforts. Thanks to the Flytefoam Blast+ midsole, there is also some snappiness to the midsole to support your faster endeavors. This shoe can practically do it all. My only negative point (which is minor) would be the slightly heavier weight, but that said, runners can always try out the Nimbus Lite if they are concerned about that. Ultimately, I enjoyed running in the Nimbus 24 more than expected, and I'll be adding this daily trainer to my rotation moving forward.