Asics Gel-Nimbus 26

£140|asics.com|Tester Laura F

The fit

Much of the updates to Asics’ latest iteration of the Nimbus have been in the upper of the shoe. Firstly, the lacing has changed, which meant I was able to get a snugger fit in the midfoot. The ankle collar and the knit of the upper have been updated too and I found this offered me a more supportive fit from the shoe. In terms of sizing, the Nimbus 26 fitted true to size for me in a UK size 6.

The comfort

When the Gel-Nimbus 25 launched last year, Asics boldly claimed it was the most comfortable running shoe ever and the Nimbus 26 keeps true to that mission statement. It is definitely still comfy but I’d say that underfoot it doesn’t feel a lot different from the 25. You still have the FF Blast cushioning in the midsole, which is super soft and comfortable to run on, and you also get an updated (and 65% softer) gel in the heel.

Who and what is this shoe for?

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 is a highly cushioned, neutral daily trainer. It’s designed for comfortable, easy-paced runs and will suit everyone from beginners through to more experienced runners. It can handle longer distances but you’ll mostly want to use it for midweek easy and recovery runs.

On the run

I was due to do an interval session the first day I tested these, and while I’d usually use a faster training shoe for such a run, I thought it would be good to put the new Nimbus through its paces and test it at different speeds. My planned run was seven miles with 5x 1 mile at half marathon pace, so not super speedy running and definitely a session these shoes should be able to handle.

My first mile was nice and relaxed to warm up – this is the sort of running the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 is made for and it was a nice comfortable mile. The shoe comes in a little heavier than the version 25 (262g versus the previous 255g) but it still feels a lot lighter than you’d expect from looking at its chunky stack.

The previous day had been very rainy, and the pavements were damp with a lot of soggy leaves about. But this was great testing ground for the other main update to the shoe: the outsole grip. The updated sole now features hybrid ASICSGRIP which did provide good traction throughout my run and I felt confident in my faster sections. The shoe also has a fairly wide base which adds stability.

I finished my run happy with the shoe, and I’ve continued to run in it in similar sessions and even some longer weekend miles. It’s comfortable and smooth during easier intervals and when I picked up the pace. I’d been a fan of the Gel-Nimbus 25 and the 26 is just as good, if not a little better.

Should you buy them?

It’s not a radically different shoe to the 25; the new model adds a grippier sole and an improved upper. If you’re looking to save some money, I’d suggest going for the 25, but both pairs are superb everyday runners.