Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Introduction
If it doesn’t have any seen gel, is it nonetheless a Gel-Nimbus? Gel was once the Nimbus’ foremost, standout function however over time, the Nimbus sequence has lowered its gel content material an increasing number of, to the purpose the place the Nimbus 25 now solely has a small, hidden gel unit within the heel.
This can be a signal that ASICS is progressive- prepared to let go of the previous and concentrate on different practical options that add worth to the shoe. Gel doesn’t make an enormous distinction to the journey and many of the cushioning softness comes from the midsole foam anyway. Maybe the Nimbus 26 gained’t have any gel in any respect? The ASICS Novablast doesn’t have any gel and it sells like hotcakes.
The Nimbus is a shoe that I stay up for yearly as a result of it will get an entire (midsole, outsole and higher) redesign yearly, in contrast to most trainers which get upper-only updates each second yr.
I examined the Nimbus 24 final yr and I liked how gentle but energetic its journey felt. It was the softest Nimbus I had tried so far and in addition essentially the most versatile. The issues that I didn’t like about it have been its midsole that was inclined to cuts and its tremendous slim toe field however it was nonetheless my favorite Nimbus so far.
2023’s Nimbus refresh has a model new, by no means earlier than seen midsole foam in FF Blast+ Eco. Its midsole is way thicker than any earlier Nimbus- so thick that it’s now above the 40 mm World Athletics racing restrict.
It weighs 10.3 oz for a males’s US 9 which is nearly precisely the identical as final yr’s model, solely 0.1 oz (3 g) heavier. The worth stays 160 USD which is the common worth for max-cushioned trainers.
That is the Platinum colourway which has an accentuated silver end that sparkles within the daylight.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 First Impressions
Once I noticed footage of the all-white Nimbus 25 with no logos (which was a intelligent advertising stunt), the midsole appeared so thick that I assumed it was the brand new Metaspeed Sky 2.
The primary time I attempted the Nimbus 25 in my common measurement within the retailer, the toe field felt approach too slim and uncomfortable so I needed to buy it a half measurement greater.
My first run was a protracted, sluggish 30 km straightforward run. The journey of the Nimbus 25 felt firmer than final yr’s Nimbus however the cushioning stage felt increased and extra substantial. I additionally seen that journey transitions felt smoother than in any earlier Nimbus.
I felt some higher discomfort inside, on the midfoot in the course of the first 15 km however after some lace adjustment, it didn’t trouble me anymore. I used to be glad that I went up a half measurement as a result of the match was good with simply sufficient toe-splay house within the toe field.
The shoe that it jogged my memory of most was the GlideRide 3 however landings felt softer and extra padded within the Nimbus 25. Each footwear felt like long-distance cruisers with bottomless cushioning.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Higher
The Nimbus 25 has a model new, engineered, knit mesh higher. It feels easy, gentle to the contact and it stretches so it conforms to your ft. It has an identical, flat, knitted tongue to the Nimbus 24 however now the tongue doesn’t really feel misplaced as a result of the remainder of the higher can also be knitted.
To me, it nonetheless feels bizarre having a flat tongue on a max-cushioned trainer- I choose thick, padded tongues which make the higher really feel extra plush.
I really feel that ASICS bought the match of the Nimbus 25 flawed once more. The toe field feels approach too slim and doesn’t depart any room in your toes to splay so you must go a half measurement up out of your common measurement or get the large model.
In a half measurement up, the higher is extraordinarily snug with wonderful foot lockdown. The padded collar has beneficiant padding and an inside heel counter ensures there’s enough assist within the rear of the shoe.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Sole Unit
The Nimbus 25’s new midsole makes it extra of a real max-cushioned coach for simple and restoration days. The brand new FF Blast+ Eco feels noticeably denser and fewer bouncy so the result’s a shoe that’s not as versatile as its predecessor.
When standing and strolling round, the Nimbus 25 feels gentle and squishy within the forefoot however while you run in it, it feels firmer.
My favorite kind of run utilizing the Nimbus 25 for is brief or middle-distance, sluggish runs above 5 minutes 30 per km (8 minutes 52 per mile) common tempo. Something sooner or longer, and I discover it not energetic or responsive sufficient.
The older FF Blast+ foam within the Nimbus 24 had extra vitality return than FF Blast+ Eco however the benefit of the newer foam is that it’s lighter to allow them to cram extra stack top into the Nimbus 25 and hold it on the identical weight.
There’s an extra 5 mm within the heel, and an extra 7 mm within the forefoot so the Nimbus 25 doesn’t backside out. Some runners complained of the Nimbus 24 midsole bottoming out however I’m a light-weight runner, so I didn’t have that downside.
The drop is now 8 mm in comparison with 10 mm within the Nimbus 24 however I didn’t discover a major distinction. The ladies’s model has modified considerably from 13 mm to additionally 8 mm so girls coming from the Nimbus 24 usually tend to discover a distinction.
With the additional 7 mm of stack top within the forefoot, the Nimbus 25 has a stiffer forefoot which doesn’t flex as a lot. The stiffer forefoot permits the rocker to work far more successfully so that you get a rockered journey, much like trainers just like the Hoka Clifton and ASICS Superblast.
The Nimbus 25’s base is so large and secure that it doesn’t want a midfoot plastic Trusstic shank anymore. This is among the huge variations between this yr’s model and all earlier versions- I don’t miss the plastic shank in any respect.
There’s now a silicone-based Pure gel pad straight underneath the heel within the Nimbus 25 and there’s now not a forefoot, coin-sized gel unit. In earlier variations, the gel was located alongside the edges of the heel with a small gel unit within the entrance. Whereas I can’t say that I really feel the gel within the heel of the Nimbus 25, I do consider that it gives some shock absorption upon influence.
The redesigned outsole has gentle ASICS Lite rubber on the forefoot and AHAR (excessive abrasion rubber) on the heel. There’s a whole lot of uncovered midsole foam within the midfoot space however this firmer variant of FF Blast+ is harder so it doesn’t get lower into by stones and different sharp objects on the highway just like the Nimbus 24.
Sturdiness has been spectacular up to now and I haven’t seen a considerable quantity of wear and tear on the rubber. The Nimbus 25 has above common outsole sturdiness. The outsole has a flatter design and is now full floor contact so journey transitions are the smoothest of any Nimbus so far.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Conclusions
It’s spectacular that ASICS managed so as to add a lot additional stack top to the Nimbus 25 but it’s nearly the identical weight because the Nimbus 24. That is each model’s dream in terms of their max-cushioned coach. Additionally they managed to maintain it at $160 this yr.
On account of the added foam and width, the Nimbus 25 feels clunkier and never as agile because the Nimbus 24 so it’s more durable to select up the tempo in it- it’s not as versatile as its predecessor. This isn’t essentially a foul factor as a result of that is ASICS’ max-cushioned coach for sluggish, straightforward mileage solely.
I love ASICS for taking such an enormous threat, making so many adjustments to considered one of their hottest trainers. We regularly see manufacturers making actually minimal adjustments (to their standard trainers) from iteration to iteration as a result of they’re fearful of dropping prospects; the Ghost, Clifton and Pegasus come to thoughts.
I feel ASICS wants to enhance the FF Blast+ Eco midsole. It’s impressively mild however it lacks the bounce, vitality return and pleasure that you just get from different fashionable tremendous foams. Additionally they want to repair the slim toe field in order that it’s extra snug if you happen to go true to measurement.
I do miss the tremendous gentle FF Blast+ midsole of the Nimbus 24 however the Nimbus 25’s stiffer forefoot and firmer journey present extra environment friendly rockered transitions. The Nimbus 25 additionally has a smoother journey with improved outsole sturdiness so I feel it’s an enchancment over the Nimbus 24.
Lastly, the Gel-Nimbus 25 with none seen gel doesn’t appear like a standard Nimbus anymore however I’m completely high-quality with that.
