ASICS Gel Nimbus Lite 3 Shoe Review
Published: March 28, 2022
Lite on the Feet, Smooth on the Street
The ASICS Nimbus Lite 3 delivers heightened comfort for your daily training runs
Likes
- Comfortable and light on-foot
- Smooth transitions
- Versatile
- Sleek, stylish aesthetic
Dislikes
- Forefoot was firm and not very resilient
- Midsole was not very responsive
What's New
The Nimbus Lite 3 is almost identical to its older sibling aside from some slight reconfiguring of the shoe's upper design. Runners will still be able to enjoy a full-length FLYTEFOAM midsole, signature GEL cushioning system, and Lite rubber outsole, along with an improved fit that snugly wraps around the foot. To get everything you need for daily training all in a lightweight package, the Nimbus Lite 3 remains a top choice.
When our team tested the Nimbus Lite 2, they highlighted its comfortable, lightweight feel and soft midsole cushioning. That said, there was room for improvement, and runners were left with high hopes for version 3. In this respect, the Nimbus Lite 3 is a little bit of a letdown, as updates to the shoe are minimal, and it mirrors its older sibling closely, aside from tweaks to the upper design. But just because the shoe wasn't overhauled, that doesn't mean that it performed poorly. On the contrary, the Nimbus Lite 3 is a quality lightweight trainer with high-performing characteristics, which will once again make it popular among the running community.
The Nimbus Lite 3's FLYTEFOAM midsole offers a plush softness that is protective on a wide variety of runs, and the Nimbus proves itself to be a reliable option for anything from short runs to easy long runs. That being said, our testers did note that the forefoot felt firm, especially as the miles began to pile up over the testing period. While the Nimbus Lite 3 may not be a responsive enough option for speedier runs, with the shoe's firmer forefoot and slight bounce, it does work well at a variety of paces. Runners should not expect explosive speed, but instead, they can be ready for smooth transitions with a light-on-foot feel.
Finally, the Nimbus Lite 3's updated upper design is the real star of this shoe, and the minor updates have made a noticeable improvement over version 2. The shoe's polyester upper is highly adaptable and should be comfortable on almost any foot. So, though the running world may still be waiting for the next big evolution of the Nimbus Lite, version 3 is a high-quality daily trainer perfect for keeping things "lite" and fun out on the roads.
The Bottom Line
When our team tested the Nimbus Lite 2, they highlighted its comfortable, lightweight feel and soft midsole cushioning. That said, there was room for improvement, and runners were left with high hopes for version 3. In this respect, the Nimbus Lite 3 is a little bit of a letdown, as updates to the shoe are minimal, and it mirrors its older sibling closely, aside from tweaks to the upper design. But just because the shoe wasn't overhauled, that doesn't mean that it performed poorly. On the contrary, the Nimbus Lite 3 is a quality lightweight trainer with high-performing characteristics, which will once again make it popular among the running community.
The Nimbus Lite 3's FLYTEFOAM midsole offers a plush softness that is protective on a wide variety of runs, and the Nimbus proves itself to be a reliable option for anything from short runs to easy long runs. That being said, our testers did note that the forefoot felt firm, especially as the miles began to pile up over the testing period. While the Nimbus Lite 3 may not be a responsive enough option for speedier runs, with the shoe's firmer forefoot and slight bounce, it does work well at a variety of paces. Runners should not expect explosive speed, but instead, they can be ready for smooth transitions with a light-on-foot feel.
Finally, the Nimbus Lite 3's updated upper design is the real star of this shoe, and the minor updates have made a noticeable improvement over version 2. The shoe's polyester upper is highly adaptable and should be comfortable on almost any foot. So, though the running world may still be waiting for the next big evolution of the Nimbus Lite, version 3 is a high-quality daily trainer perfect for keeping things "lite" and fun out on the roads.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.2 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.3 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 32 mm (Heel), 24 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Matt:"The ASICS Nimbus Lite 3 has the same midsole as the previous version and offers a comfortable underfoot feel. Overall, this foam is soft without feeling plush, and when training in this shoe, I always felt protected, but I was also able to pick up the pace when needed. I never felt like the softness was holding me back."
Kaleb:"The heel had a nice give to it and was surprisingly soft. The forefoot is notably firmer, which helps runners who want to push the pace a bit, but it sacrifices a little comfort over longer distances."
Ride/Energy Returni
Matt: "In terms of energy return, the only true benefit from the Nimbus Lite 3 is that the shoe feels light on the foot. The midsole isn't necessarily bouncy, and in all honesty, the foam started to feel dead over longer efforts. I see this shoe as a lightweight comfort option and not a spring-loaded fast option."
Kaleb: "The FLYTEFOAM midsole was not the most responsive, but I enjoyed the slight speed boost produced by the firmer forefoot. The shoe transitions smoothly from heel to toe, and I could run comfortably at a wide variety of paces. With the lighter on-foot feel, I prefer the Nimbus Lite over the regular Gel Nimbus, especially for faster, more uptempo workouts, though there are more responsive options if you truly want to hit top speeds."
Underfoot Protectioni
Matt:"The Nimbus Lite 3 doesn't have the same stack height that we have grown accustomed to seeing in daily trainers, but that doesn't mean that it won't protect runners. I grabbed this shoe for the majority of my long runs and easy days because it was light and comfortable. It has enough foam to handle high mileage, and I could always grab it for the next day's run. The only reason this isn't a perfect protection score is because of the lower stack, which caused the foam to feel like it was bottoming out as I accumulated miles on the shoe."
Kaleb:"By today's standards, the Nimbus Lite 3 has a modest 32-mm stack in the heel and 24-mm stack in the forefoot, which is awesome for shorter, quicker-paced runs. I do wish I had a little more cushioning for my longest efforts, but these shoes had more than enough protection for daily training."
Flexibilityi
Matt: "There's a healthy amount of flex in the Nimbus Lite 3. The ride was consistently smooth, and I never felt restricted."
Kaleb: "The forefoot is very flexible, but the heel barely moves. That said, the transition from soft heel to firm yet flexible forefoot created a smooth ride that allowed a full range of motion."
Upper Supporti
Matt: "The upper on the Nimbus Lite 3 is one of the best aspects of the shoe. It's super lightweight, which allows the Nimbus to truly shine. The tongue is super thin and gusseted, making the lockdown adaptable while still securely hugging the forefoot comfortably. The upper is an engineered mesh that almost feels like a knit design with its soft and adaptable hold."
Kaleb: "The mesh upper was very comfortable, and the lockdown was solid. If you like more structure in your upper, you may find the Nimbus a little unstable. That said, it adapted to my foot nicely and was surprisingly spacious. I think a lot of runners will appreciate how light it feels on-foot as well."
Individual Thoughts
MattOverall Score: 9/10
The Nimbus Lite 3 is one of my favourite daily trainers so far this year. Its lightweight design, paired with its just-right level of cushioning, made me want to grab it for every run. The midsole doesn't have the same stack height that we typically see in a daily trainer nowadays, but the FLYTEFOAM still performs well. On my easy days and long runs, I could trust this shoe to protect me and keep me comfortable mile after mile. When I needed to pick up the pace, the Nimbus Lite 3 seamlessly transitioned to those faster clips.
The upper adds to the shoe's refreshing design, and the super-thin tongue worked well with the engineered mesh. Runners might think that it is a knit upper because of how it hugs the foot, allowing for structured adaptability. My only issue with the Nimbus Lite is that the FLYTEFOAM midsole is a few years old at this point, and the foam was not very resilient, dying much sooner than I would have hoped. Ultimately, this makes sense given the shoe's slightly lower stack height. Overall, I think that the Nimbus Lite 3 is an excellent option for neutral runners, and if you are looking for a shoe that you can use for all your weekly runs, then the Nimbus Lite would be one of my top recommendations.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
KalebOverall Score: 8.5/10
Upon initial step-in, I was very excited about testing out the Nimbus Lite 3, and I was not disappointed. The shoe lived up to its name, providing a very light and airy on-foot feel that was also versatile on the roads. The FLYTEFOAM midsole was soft in the heel and firmer in the forefoot, which helped create very smooth transitions as I progressed through my gait cycle. The foam is not especially responsive, and the Nimbus Lite isn't the shoe for training at race pace, but it could accommodate faster tempos when desired. It just lacks the pop I enjoy for faster workouts, and I am a bit surprised that ASICS didn't outfit the midsole with an updated foam compound. The Nimbus Lite 3 has enough protection to meet daily training needs, but I was left wanting in this area late into my runs, especially as I started to put more miles on the shoe. In terms of fit, the Lite 3 was awesome. The mesh was soft and adaptable, providing a light on-foot feel that always felt comfortable out on the run.
Overall, I have enjoyed testing the Nimbus Lite 3 and will keep it in my shoe rotation for daily training runs as I move forward. Even though I believe that improvements could be made moving forward in regards to responsiveness, protection, and resilience of the foam, the Nimbus Lite was well balanced, offering everything I needed from a daily trainer. Runners who are looking for a lightweight shoe that can handle a variety of paces and distances will benefit a lot from the Nimbus Lite 3.
