Asics Gel-Nimbus 29: a softer update, with a little more weight
The Gel-Nimbus 29 keeps Asics’ long-running max-cushion trainer focused on comfort, but the headline change is more specific: new foam and a softer Gel layer. Runners who want a plush shoe for long miles may welcome that shift, especially if they’ve found earlier versions comfortable but wanted a gentler landing. The trade-off is a slight weight increase over the previous version, and Asics hasn’t yet published a complete spec sheet. That leaves some practical questions unanswered, including how the revised cushioning behaves over a full run.
What’s changed underfoot
The new FlyteFoam Luxe Plus midsole is described as softer than the FlyteFoam Blast Plus foam in the Gel-Nimbus 28. Asics also says the heel Gel is 65 percent softer. Those claims point to an update aimed at changing the feel of the shoe, rather than its basic role as a cushioned trainer. The 29 retains the series’ broad sole shape, which gives it a planted feel, and adds a little more outsole coverage for grip and durability. Those are manufacturer claims; how the changes feel on a run remains to be seen.
That distinction matters with cushioning. Foam names and softness comparisons can help explain what a brand has changed, but they don’t tell you exactly how a shoe will feel at your pace or over your usual distance. A softer heel could make initial contact feel more forgiving, while the broad sole may help keep the ride feeling stable. But those are expectations, not a substitute for running in the shoe. Here’s the thing: until independent testing is available, the 29 is a promising update on paper rather than a proven improvement.
Weight and price in context
Asics lists the men’s shoe at 9.8 ounces and the women’s at 8.4 ounces. That’s up from 9.3 and 8.1 ounces, respectively, for the Gel-Nimbus 28. The increase is modest, but it runs against the expectation that a new version will feel lighter or more efficient. For a shoe built around comfort on long runs, some runners may accept a little extra weight in exchange for a softer ride. Others may notice the difference more as miles accumulate.
The 29 is heavier than the men’s New Balance 1080v15 at 9.2 ounces, but lighter than the Brooks Glycerin 23 at 10.6 ounces. The comparison offers some context, though weight alone won’t tell you which shoe will feel better underfoot. Fit, cushioning response, and how the shoe feels late in a run all matter too. If you’re working in this space, the useful takeaway is that the Nimbus remains in the range of cushioned road shoes where comfort can come with some heft. Not a featherweight.
The Gel-Nimbus line has been part of Asics’ core trainer range for nearly three decades. That history gives the 29 a familiar brief: deliver a cushioned ride suited to long runs. A long-running series also carries expectations; buyers may be looking for a dependable update, not a radical change in how the shoe works. The 29’s new foam and softer Gel are meant to refresh that ride, but the available details don’t establish how large the difference will feel in practice.
Who should consider waiting?
The shoe costs $170, the same MSRP as the 28, and is available for preorder ahead of its Dec. 1 sale date. That keeps the listed price stable between versions, though it doesn’t make the new model an automatic choice. The previous version is currently offered for less, and it has already earned favorable feedback from Runner’s World testers. That said, a discounted shoe and a newly updated shoe answer different needs: one is available now at a lower price, while the other promises revised cushioning.
The previous version looks like the better buy if you want a Nimbus now. The Gel-Nimbus 28 is $130 at REI, Amazon, Nordstrom, and ASICS—a 23 percent markdown. It doesn’t get the revised midsole in the 29, but the 28 remains a strong long-run shoe. It earned a place in our best ASICS shoes guide, with Runner’s World testers praising its light feel and soft, supportive ride from FlyteFoam Blast Plus and heel PureGel. One tester summed it up as “a real pleasure to run in.” That’s useful evidence for the 28’s appeal, even if it can’t tell us how the new model compares.
What the update means for buyers
This is more significant than it looks for runners who already like the Nimbus formula: Asics has changed the cushioning materials while keeping the shoe’s basic purpose intact. The harder question is whether that change justifies paying full price or waiting for the 29. The numbers here are underwhelming as evidence of a major leap; they describe softer components and a small weight increase, but don’t establish a better ride. The practical decision depends on how much you value trying the latest version.
For the specifications Asics has released so far, see the brand’s announcement. The New Balance 1080v15 and Brooks Glycerin 23 provide weight comparisons. If you’re choosing between these models, those figures can narrow the field, but they won’t replace trying on the shoes or considering what has worked for you on long runs.
Here’s the practical choice: preorder the Gel-Nimbus 29 from ASICS for $170 if you want the updated model, or pick up discounted Gel-Nimbus 28s to run in now. The 29 is also available to preorder in men’s and women’s versions. The upgrade may appeal to runners set on the latest cushioning; for everyone else, a proven shoe at a meaningful discount is a persuasive reason to skip the wait.
Michael Charboneau is a freelance writer who covers gear and the outdoors for Runner’s World and other publications. He lives in Los Angeles, where he spends his time biking, hiking, and running in the nearby mountains.
