ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 25 review | Better than the Nike Invincible 3?
Here’s my honest review of ASICS’ latest max-cushioned road running shoe, the GEL-NIMBUS 25 and a comparison with the Nike Invincible 3, released around the same time.
Disclaimer: I was kindly gifted these shoes when attending an ASICS event, but was not asked to write this review. All my reviews reflect my own opinions, whether or not an item is gifted.
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 25: facts and figures
The GEL-NIMBUS 25 is a road running shoe offering neutral support and maximum cushioning for easy runs.
The shoe has an 8mm heel to toe drop. Anything over 7mm is considered to be best for runners who land on their heels or those who are prone to Achilles issues.
The Women’s GEL-NIMBUS 25 weighs around 260g (UK size 6) and the Men’s version weighs around 290g (UK size 8).
My shoes are UK 4.5 (I always go half a size up in ASICS) and they weigh 236g.
This shoe comes in 16 colours for the Men’s version and 14 for the Women’s in regular width. There is also a wide and extra wide version (single colourway) for those with wider feet.
Who are the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 25 for?
This shoe is especially designed for neutral pronators looking for max-cushioned road running shoes.
Neutral pronation is when you land on the outside of the heel then your foot rolls inward to absorb the shock.
How much does the GEL-NIMBUS 25 cost?
This shoe retails at £175, which is slightly more expensive than the outgoing Gel Nimbus 24 and also the Invincible 3, Nike’s max-cushioned equivalent which was launched around the same time (reviewed here).
Where can you find the GEL-NIMBUS 25 at the cheapest price?
Your highest chance of getting a discount is to visit e-retailers websites:
Main characteristics of the ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 25
The latest GEL-NIMBUS has been revisited to enhance comfort, for an even smoother ride. It’s been engineered and tested in ASICS Institute of Sports Science (ISS).
This shoe has even been elected “most comfortable running shoe” by Australian runners taking part in an independent test at The Biomechanics Lab.
New PureGEL™technology
The GEL-NIMBUS 25 features the brand’s new PureGEL™ technology, designed to deliver a softer landing than what the previous GEL-NIMBUS shoes offered.
The PureGEL™ technology is integrated in the midsole to help with shock absorption.
FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO foam
The shoe is equipped with the new and lightweight FF BLAST™ PLUS ECO cushioning. There is 20% more foam, making it the most cushioned GEL-NIMBUS shoe to date.
Combined with PureGEL™, this shoe aims to offer the most underfoot comfort and a “running on clouds” feeling.
Improved upper and collar construction
The stretch knit upper is designed to be both supportive and breathable, keeping the feet cool during the long runs.
Other characteristics
The OrthoLite X-55 sockliner offers added comfort
The AHAR outsole rubber helps prolong the outsole durability
A shoe designed with the environment in mind
ASICS made the GEL-NIMBUS 25 more environmentally-friendly via 3 ways:
Around 75% of the shoe's upper is made with recycled materials.
The foam is made with at least 20% bio-based material from renewable sources (for instance, waste from sugarcane processing)
The sockliner is produced with a dyeing process that reduces water usage and carbon emissions by respectively around 33% and 45%.
Honest ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 25 review
At the time of writing this review I have clocked over 150km in these shoes and tested them over several distances.
I mostly like to wear my GEL-NIMBUS 25 for my short easy runs (up to 10km) and I’ve also tried them for a handful of longer runs (15km and over).
What I like the most about the GEL-NIMBUS 25
These shoes are incredibly comfortable and plush. The improved PureGEL technology is definitely a step up compared to what was used in the GEL-NIMBUS 24.
It simply feels really nice to run in these. You run smoothly, you land softly and you’re getting a lot of benefits from all the cushioning. These shoes remind me a lot of the Invincible 2 in terms of comfort (although the Invincible are more springy).
I especially enjoy wearing the NIMBUS 25 on recovery runs the day after a session, as I feel like they really help absorb the impact of the pavement. Plus, there’s nothing like wearing max-cushioned shoes when your legs are not so fresh.
These shoes also have a good amount of padding around the collar which I personally really enjoy for comfort.
I wasn’t sure whether they’d be really breathable and feel good when it’s warm, as the upper felt a little thick. But I wore them for a week of running in Miami and my feet didn’t overheat in the hot and humid climate. There are small holes on the upper that seem to promote better airflow.
Finally, the outsole seems more durable than the outgoing version. My Nimbus 24 were showing more signs of wear after 150km than these ones.
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Any downsides?
The only thing I’d say about these shoes is that they look and feel a little bulky. Although they are incredibly comfortable and cushy, I wouldn’t wear them for really long runs (over 20km) due to their weight.
For comparison, my Nike Invincible 2 which I wore on many long runs were 30g lighter (208g) than the Nimbus.
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 25 vs Nike Invincible 3
Both shoes were released around the same time earlier this year and as they’re both max-cushioned, they’ve been compared a lot.
Having tested and reviewed both (find my Invincible 3 review here) I personally prefer the GEL-NIMBUS 25 by a long way.
I love how bouncy and comfy the Nike ZoomX foam is, but I was a little disappointed with some features of the Invincible 3 and like many other runners, the heel slip was a real issue. They also gave me toe pain if I was wearing them for too long.
I haven’t had any of theses issues with the GEL-NIMBUS 25 and I find them a lot more comfortable than the latest Invincible.
If you are on the fence (and if you can no longer find the Invincible 2 which are lighter and a bit more responsive), then I’d definitely recommend the GEL-NIMBUS 25 over the Invincible 3.
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