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The RW Takeaway: Lighter than the Nimbus 25, the 25th Cumulus has a comfy-cozy mesh upper and a soft, relaxed ride that’s best for easy days and long runs.
Preceded by: Asics Gel-Cumulus 24
Key Tech: Flytefoam Blast+ midsole, Pure Gel cushioning, OrthoLite sockliner, recycled polyester mesh upper, high-abrasion rubber outsole
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Pros
- Lighter than the Gel-Cumulus 24
- Smooth ride with excellent shock absorption
- Upper is roomy and soft without feeling sloppy
Cons
- Runs slightly long
- Upper mesh can trap heat and moisture
Key Specs
| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.4 oz (M), 7.7 oz (W) |
| Drop | 8 mm |
Gel-Kayano, Gel-Cumulus, Gel-Nimbus. These titans all have the same first name, and it just got an upgrade. Pure Gel is the lighter, softer version of the brand’s hallmark cushioning. It’s still a bit heavier than midsole foam, so you’ll see it used in workhorse trainers rather than racing models, but not much is needed to reap its benefits.
Asics puts a small wedge of the new material in the heel, just enough to smooth landings and absorb shock without weighing you down. Only, you won’t see the squishy gel peeking out like in prior versions of the shoe; Pure Gel blends in with the rest of the midsole, now made of Flytefoam Blast+. Swapping in the light and springy foam lets Asics add 4mm to the midsole, but actually reduces weight from the 24.
This is the most cushioned Cumulus we’ve seen yet. In fact, it feels a lot like earlier versions of its ultra-plush cousin, the Nimbus. (Asics added even more foam to that shoe in its most recent iteration, so the Nimbus remains the cushier of the two.) Still, neither cloud is geared for speed day. Testers said the Cumulus is surprisingly light for its “nice, thick, and foamy” workhorse sole, but it does sacrifice some pep underfoot.
“When I wear racers like Asics’s Magic Speed or Saucony’s Endorphin Speed, I feel like I’m being rocked onto my toes, making me more efficient and pushing me forward. While I didn’t feel that sensation in this shoe, it’s one of the most comfortable I’ve worn,” said one tester, while piling on double-digit weekly long runs for the Paris Marathon. “The inside feels plush and the secure lacing really hugs around your foot. I was more than happy to keep them on all day to grocery shop and run errands.”
More Tester Feedback
Christine D. | Tester since 2018
Arch Height: Flat | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“Like the Asics Gel-2000 series I used to run in, the Cumulus was comfortable right out of the box for my first six-mile run. The plush cushioning eased the impact of pounding on the road. (I usually experience some knee pain after about six miles on pavement. I went for a 10-miler in these shoes without my typical knee and hip aches.) These shoes don’t offer the frills and propulsion of a carbon-plated shoe, but they get the job done with great cushioning and shock absorption in the heel. There’s more than enough foam beneath the forefoot for joint protection—and a very smooth toe-off. They aren’t too heavy, but they certainly are not the lightest I’ve tested. This makes them more of a ‘distance-and-comfort’ shoe rather than a speed trainer.
“The Cumulus seemed to run a tad on the longer side. (The upper is a little warm, too. Even in cooler temps, my feet seemed extra sweaty.) But even when lacing them up a little tighter, I didn’t have any issues with hot spots. The way the shoe is designed, your foot sits deeper within the midsole; I felt that the shoe hugged my foot and provided good support and stability. My feet didn’t slip or slide, and I felt secure while running on wet roads and down hills.”
