Asics Gel Nimbus Lite 2

IT FEELS LIKE it wasn’t that long ago we were so impressed by the Gel Nimbus Lite but, never a company to stop innovating once they are on to a good thing, Asics will be ringing in the new year with a new iteration of this innovative shoe. The new version looks considerably more space-age-like and offers even more cushioning than the first version. The stylish looks aren’t all for show, either – the contoured lines of the midsole are designed to make it easier to compress the midsole, enhancing the comfort.

That helps the Gel Nimbus Lite 2 take the cushioned, lightweight feel of the original Nimbus Lite and cranks up the softness and compression qualities. You still have the Flytefoam technology in the midsole that uses cellulose nanofibre, a sustainable material that increases the durability of the shoe, while the softer rearfoot Gel technology provides increases shock absorption, too.

The Nimbus Lite 2 also offers a slightly flatter feel with a drop of 8 mm compared to the 10 mm drop in the men’s model, while the women’s version features a drop of 11 mm compared to the 13 mm drop in the Nimbus Lite. The men’s Nimbus Lite 2 is lighter, too – 259 g compared to 270 g in the men’s, while the women’s version remains the same at 220 g.

All that combines to make this a bit more of a distance-oriented shoe than the Nimbus Lite. Where that shoe felt like a complete all-rounder, the Nimbus Lite 2 definitely leans more towards longer, easier run days. Asics has designed this shoe for those who like to switch out their shoes dependent on their workouts – one for fast-paced training, another for longer days. What you get with the Nimbus Lite 2, though, is a lightweight, comfortable shoe that still feels quick, it just has a touch more cushioning and support so your legs won’t feel as battered after a longer effort.

There’s an Asics Lite Rubber outsole to increase durability, and the Impact Guidance System technology helps provide the support you’ll need to stay injury-free during those longer runs. The sustainable engineered mesh upper (the majority of which is made with recycled materials) is designed to wrap around your foot snugly, too – it’s so comfortable that you’ll definitely want to think about this shoe for longer races in addition to those longer training days.

Asics just won’t sit still on its innovative shoe designs, and that’s great news for triathletes. The Nimbus Lite 2 is sure to be a hit for triathletes – many will end up racing in the shoe, no doubt, while others will find it a useful addition to their training arsenal.