Please excuse the clickbait headline; I couldn’t think of anything more creative. I’ll save you the time and declare it right away: The ASICS Gel-Cumulus 25 is not better than the Nimbus 25, yet it’s still a great shoe. I never would have thought that a couple ASICS shoes named after clouds would be two of my favorites of the year, but here we are. Understandably, the Cumulus 25 has been overshadowed this year by its more cushioned, bigger sibling, the stellar Nimbus 25 — my current choice for daily trainer of 2023. After 100 miles, how does it stack up to the Nimbus 25? Find out in this ASICS Gel-Cumulus 25 review.
ASICS Gel-Cumulus 25 Review
Weight: 9.3 oz., 264 grams (US M9) and 8.1 oz., 230 grams (US W8)
Stack height: 37.5/29.5 mm (8 mm drop)
Price: $140
Background
The ASICS Gel-Cumulus is a neutral daily trainer comparable to shoes like the New Balance 1080 or Saucony Ride. It’s got a firmer ride than the 1080 and it’s softer than the Ride. All three are very versatile shoes and great buys for daily training workhorses. Just don’t expect to do speed work in them.
The Gel-Cumulus 25 undergoes a total transformation from the 24: there’s a lot more cushioning, less weight, and an even more comfortable upper.
Ride and midsole
Similar to the Gel-Nimbus 25, ASICS combines their new PureGEL technology with their excellent Flytefoam (FF) Blast+ foam. The PureGEL in the midsole delivers enhanced shock absorption and smoother transitions. The FF Blast+ foam and new PureGEL technology pair together nicely to provide a softer ride and more energy return than the Cumulus 24. I used this shoe for runs up to 12 miles and had no issues. With a wider outsole platform than the 24 and sidewalls around the heel, the shoe offers up a quite a stable ride.
The stack height increases quite dramatically from 24/16 mm in the Cumulus 24 to 37.5/29.5 mm. That’s a huge change! I’ll never say “no” to more cushion. I can certainly feel the big increase in stack. It’s a shoe that will keep your legs feeling fresh for miles and miles. While it’s softer than the previous edition, there’s still some noticeable stiffness to the shoe. I wouldn’t consider it a firm shoe, but it’s certainly not as soft as the luxurious Nimbus 25. Then again, no shoe is.
Upper
Up top, you have an extremely comfortable engineered mesh upper, 90 percent of which is made from recycled materials. The tongue is plush, secure, and gusseted. While the breathability could be better in both, the Cumulus and Nimbus have two of the dreamiest uppers I’ve tried this year. But in summer running, your feet may accumulate more sweat than usual. There’s a pull tab on the heel, if you’re into that sort of thing. True story: I’ve never used a pull tab on any shoe.
Outsole
On the bottom, you’ve got plenty of high-abrasion AHAR LO and AHAR PLUS rubbers which add grip and reduce weight, according to ASICS. Traction will be the last thing on your mind in this shoe that performed well in wet conditions for me. As mentioned, there’s quite the wide outsole for a more stable ride than the 24. There’s some exposed Flytefoam Blast+ foam in the midfoot, but after 110 miles, there’s not much deterioration. You can expect to get 500 miles or more out of this shoe.
Weight
Despite increased cushioning, the new outsole rubber and redesigned upper help shed weight from the Cumulus 24. At just over 9 oz for a US M9, the shoe is on the lighter side for a daily cruiser, and about a whole ounce lighter than the Cumulus 24 and the Nimbus 25. Even with a not so breathable upper, I definitely notice the significant weight drop on my runs.
Appearance
The Cumulus 24 looks hideous in comparison to the 25; that’s reason enough to upgrade! The Black/Electric Red colorway electrifies my eyes and ride, boasting my favorite color combo of red and black. And no, I’ll never shut up about that color pairing. Additionally, I love the look of the grooves on the side of the midsole foam. Just like in the Nimbus 25, ASICS nailed the design of the Cumulus.
Price
The price increases $10 from the 24, and while I’d be more comfortable paying $130 for this shoe, for a highly cushioned FF BLAST PLUS midsole in a durable daily trainer that will last a while, you could do far worse than $140. Most daily trainers these days are $150 or $160. If you’re looking for an above average trainer to conquer daily miles, you can’t go wrong with the Cumulus 25. The shoe is available to purchase on ASICS site or Running Warehouse.
ASICS Gel-Cumulus 25 Conclusion
While I’d take the Nimbus over the Cumulus any day, the Cumulus 25 is an unquestioned upgrade over the Cumulus 24 in every category. It’s a very solid, dependable daily trainer that you confidently count on for daily runs or long runs. It’s got a reliable spot in my running shoe rotation as I train for the Marine Corps Marathon.
With the substantial overhauls to the shoe this year, I highly recommend opting for the 25 instead of the 24 at a discount. It’s a very different shoe. While the Cumulus won’t be mistaken for one of the most exciting shoes out there, it’s still a reliable pair that might not offer any frills but will give you just enough thrills over the training long haul.
I bought the ASICS Gel-Cumulus 25 with my money and ASICS had no input or influence on what I wrote. I was not compensated for this ASICS Gel-Cumulus 25 review.
