Fashion & Footwear › Running Shoes
Gel-Nimbus 28
Model timeline
Gel-cushioned running shoes
More about it ↓Quick take
In short: what each side says
AI panel · Reviewers — each opened up in full further down ↓
Best on ChatGPT (avg #9.0), weakest on Perplexity (#13.0)
The Gel-Nimbus 28 is a lighter, slightly firmer update to a long-running max-comfort daily shoe, and most reviewers see the changes as a net improvement despite a few losses in plushness.
Every side lands high — Holds up.
Quick read · who it’s for
Main competitors
Top rivals in Running Shoes.
About
What it is.
Gel-Nimbus 28 sits within ASICS's long-running Gel-Nimbus lineage of cushioned neutral trainers, built for road running rather than trail or racing use. The engineered knit upper and knit tongue construction wrap the foot for a supportive, adaptive fit, while FF Blast Plus foam forms the midsole cushioning platform. PureGEL units are placed at the heel to manage impact, and a Hybrid ASICSGRIP outsole handles traction across surfaces. Upper materials include recycled polyester, with bio-based content used in the midsole.
It suits runners who already know the Gel-Nimbus family and want that established comfort profile without reassessing fit or ride, and those who default to ASICS as a trusted running brand for straightforward, dependable everyday mileage.
The verdict
The Gel-Nimbus 28 offers strong cushioning and support for daily running, backed by broad buyer approval (4.6/5), though some owners report durability issues and note it underperforms compared to its predecessor. At $170, it's a reliable choice for runners seeking a proven shoe with solid consensus support, despite mixed feelings on longevity.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Model by model?
How each AI sees it.
Best on ChatGPT (avg #9.0), weakest on Perplexity (#13.0) Averaging across the AI panel, Gel-Nimbus 28 sits around #10.6 this snapshot.
GPT
#9.0
3 appearances · best #5
Perplexity
#13.0
2 appearances · best #9
Gemini
—
Didn’t rank Gel-Nimbus 28 this snapshot.
Grok
—
Didn’t rank Gel-Nimbus 28 this snapshot.
AI Mode
—
Didn’t rank Gel-Nimbus 28 this snapshot.
Claude
Didn’t rank Gel-Nimbus 28 this snapshot.
Footprint?
Every intent it shows up in.
sorted by current rank · weakest: Best Running Shoes for Beginners (#13 of 30)
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of Aug 2026
The Gel-Nimbus 28 is a lighter, slightly firmer update to a long-running max-comfort daily shoe, and most reviewers see the changes as a net improvement despite a few losses in plushness.
What they praise
- Noticeably lighter than the prior version
- Comfortable, well-padded heel collar and stretchy gusseted tongue
- Roomy, accommodating fit through the forefoot
- Good all-day and standing comfort, not just for running
- Reliable grip and durability from the outsole rubber
What they knock
- Midsole foam feels firmer and less plush than the previous version
- Thinner tongue padding is a step too far for some reviewers
- Outdated foam formula compared to newer cushioning tech on the market
- Not a shoe for picking up pace or workouts
Synthesised from: Ben Parkes · kofuzi · The Run Testers · Believe in the Run · Tênis Certo
MOST COMFY SHOE OF THE YEAR! Asics Gel Nimbus 28 review (100% honest!)
Ben Parkes
ASICS Nimbus 28
kofuzi
Asics Gel Nimbus 28 Review | The popular cushioned daily gets a bit lighter
The Run Testers
Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 | Full Review
Believe in the Run
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28 // Full Review
Tênis Certo
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the machine's rank and the owners' score in one frame, settle it with a verdict, and answer the only question that matters: should you buy it?
The bottom line
So should you buy it?
The AIs’ #5 pick in Running Shoes. Critics back it at 4.0 / 5.
Find your situation?
Made for some — wrong for others.
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
You've run before and want a proven shoe with broad consensus backing.
1421 ratings show strong consensus, ASICS is mature and established, and Gel-Nimbus is a settled product line with consistent buyer trust.
You trust ASICS as an established running brand and value its heritage.
ASICS is a tier-3 brand with flagship positioning; Gel-Nimbus is a recognized line, though the price sits mid-premium rather than ultra-luxury.
You want to lace up and run without learning curves or adjustments.
Running shoes are inherently simple to use; no setup required, and ASICS's reputation supports straightforward out-of-box comfort.
You care how your shoes feel and look, not just their specs.
Gel-Nimbus has a passionate following for its cushioning feel and aesthetic heritage, though reviews focus more on function than sensory delight.
You want a trusted running shoe without overpaying for features you won't use.
Mid-range price with strong 4.6/5 rating covers the basics well, but durability concerns and mid-tier support suggest better value exists at lower price points.
You demand the absolute best running shoe with no compromises.
Strong cushioning and comfort ratings are offset by low durability marks and low consistency vs. previous models—clear quality gaps for a perfectionist. Consider Fresh Foam X 1080v14.
Grounded in our buyer-review, reviewer-video, price and successor signals — a poor fit names a closer pick · as of Jul 20.
Frequent rivals?
What it competes against.
- Fresh Foam X More v6New BalanceASICS leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Triumph 23SauconyASICS leads 3–0 · 3 shared$135–$170Read
- Cloudmonster 2OnASICS leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Paradigm 8AltraASICS leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Cloudmonster 3OnASICS leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Paradigm 7AltraASICS leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Phantom 3Topo AthleticASICS leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
Alternatives by price · Same field?
Same field, less money.
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
What are the Gel Nimbus 28's strengths?
Buyers rate the cushioning and support highly, with 4.2/5 for cushioning and comfort and 4/5 for support and stability. Owners say the cushioning feels soft but still stable, giving confidence during daily wear and longer runs.
Gel Nimbus 28.. Thoughts?r/asics
The shoe has strong overall approval at 4.6/5 across 1,421 buyers and is known for dependable cushioning and support for everyday running. However, some owners report durability concerns, and a notable segment found it significantly less bouncy and comfortable than the previous Gel-Nimbus 27 model.
Who is the Gel Nimbus 28 designed for?
It suits runners who already know the Gel-Nimbus line and want that established comfort without reassessing fit, and those who trust ASICS as a running brand for straightforward daily mileage. It works best for runners with some experience who value proven consensus over trying something new.
Gel nimbus 28 distances—how far can you run in them?r/AskRunningShoeGeeks
Reviewers and the AI ranking point to these as suited for long runs and everyday training rather than racing. Buyers praise them as reliable for daily wear, though durability concerns suggest they may not hold up as well over extended heavy use as some alternatives.
Any review on Gel Nimbus 28?r/asics
Buyers highlight comfortable cushioning and true-to-size fit, with one noting the shoe provides soft yet stable support for walking and daily confidence. The main complaint is that this generation feels firmer and less bouncy than the Gel-Nimbus 27, and some owners experienced foot pain during work shifts where the pr…
Should I size up or down in the Gel Nimbus 28?
The shoe runs true to size. Buyers recommend going 0.5 size up if you prefer a roomier fit or extra comfort.
Source-tagged questions come verbatim from public forum threads · answers are ours
The recap
Where it stands today.
- PositionBest rank #5 across 3 intents tracked (no change vs last snapshot).
- FootprintStrongest in Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet (#5). Weakest in Best Running Shoes for Beginners (#13).
- TraitsMost often described as “impact protection” (3 mentions).
- Closest rivalFresh Foam X More v6 (3–0 across 3 shared intents).
- MakerBy ASICS — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.
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