Asics Nimbus 24 Review

Pros	Cons
Great comfort	The 13 mm drop for the women’s version really does a lot
Stable ride for runners who want more support	Slightly sluggish transitions
Spacious and comfortable fit	The high level of support for a universal shoe may not appeal to everyone
Light rebound thanks to FF Blast foam
Still a solid shoe
Less heavy than in the past (finally less than 300 g!)

About

The Asics Gel Nimbus 24 has had a makeover and returns with a new, lighter configuration (20g lighter). It now features FlyteFoam Blast+ instead of FlyteFoam Propel for a more responsive and smooth ride.

Without being exceptional or perfect, the testers note that the Nimbus 24 marks a major and very positive evolution in the range. Comfort is still there and the race is much more dynamic than in the past. In addition, the new gusseted tongue of the upper allows a snug fit of the foot. Runners with wide feetwill appreciate the space inside the shoe.

Clearly, the N24 is a good surprise and will delight athletes looking for a stable, robust and comfortable shoe for their daily sessions.

Introduction

It was time to dust off the Nimbus collection and it looks like that’s exactly what Asics decided to do with this 24th release. Because if the Gel Nimbus are the most popular high-end shoes from the Japanese brand, the latest versions were sluggish with a dated and rather heavy design.

Thus, this Asics Gel Nimbus 24 (2022) now displays the flashy FlyteFoam Blast Plus foam , normally reserved for the brand’s competition models. But is it enough to renew the range? We tell you everything in our analysis!

Cushioning

Despite its imposing look, the total thickness of the sole remains moderate with 26 mm under the heel and 16 mm under the front of the foot for men ( 10 mm drop ). For women, the drop is even greater with 13 mm (28 mm at the back and 15 mm at the front). Asics wants to customize the configuration to better adapt to differences in morphology. However, honestly, we do not really see what can justify a drop of 13 mm!

As we mentioned in the introduction, we now find FlyteFloam Blast+ foam in the midsole. It takes the form of a dual density materialwith a soft part and a firmer part, especially on the medial part of the foot. According to Asics FF Blast+ is 15% softer and lighter than the Novablast 2 FF Blast . And 15% more responsive. We will come back to dynamism later. Runners rate the underfoot feel as medium density .

In terms of weight, the shoe is now around 290g for men and 255g for women, which is almost 20g less compared to the Asics Gel Nimbus 23 . Not bad !

Finally, note that the midsole now offers the Trusstic System unit under the arch of the foot, normally reserved for shoes for pronators.

The Asics Nimbus 24 is indeed a universal shoe but let’s say that it offers greater stability than its direct competitors. On the one hand, it may bother runners who like shoes without too much structure. Conversely, it could reassure runners who want better foot support without opting for stability shoes.

Foot support (upper)

The upper of this new Asics Gel Nimbus 24 offers a simpler, refined design , with fewer reinforcements than before. There are also more vents for better foot breathing during exercise.

The big novelty here is the thin, knitted gusseted tongue that wraps the foot perfectly like a slipper.

The testers were very satisfied with the maintenance of the shoe. The foot stays in place while having enough space to be comfortable. The N24 is also suitable for people with wide feet thanks to the generous volume of the toe box.

Finally, note that this upper is made of recycled materials to reduce the carbon footprint of the shoe.

Adhesion and durability

The outsole combines two rubbers: ASICS LITE (new) and the good old AHAR. All important areas exposed to bitumen abrasion are well protected to extend the life of the shoes.

The traction is also effective and helps prevent slipping when the road surface is wet.

Testers were happy with this setup overall, though some would have preferred more flex under the toes for easier transitions.

Foot sensations

First, you have to put things in context. The Asics Gel Nimbus has always been a workhorse for daily outings. It is therefore a shoe made to cover the kilometers comfortably and surely at a moderate pace.

Even if this 24 version is much more dynamic and more fun than its predecessor, it hasn’t become a competition shoe. Thus, the testers note that the cushioning offers a slight rebound but that the transitions are not always easy. Indeed, some complain that the unfolding is quite “flat”.

It must be said that the current trend towards rockers (rocker design) and carbon plates make traditional shoes pale in comparison.

However, overall the Nimbus does quite well when it comes to providing a stable ride with good structure and comfortable shock absorption for long distances . In addition, the improvement is clear compared to the Nimbus 23 so fans of the collection will necessarily find themselves there.

Conclusion

The new configuration of the Asics Nimbus 24 promised a lot, and overall it does very well, meeting many runners’ expectations.

The cushioning remains very comfortable for a pleasant and stable run with even a slight rebound. The shoe lends itself particularly well to daily training and long outings (15 km+).

Foot support is impeccable and the new tongue further improves the already very good comfort.

Finally, the new FF Blast+ foam has the merit of considerably lightening the shoe even if the impact on the race itself is perhaps not as impressive as one would have hoped. Maybe for 2023 with the Nimbus 25?