No one really wants to hear this, but running shoes are terrible for the environment. One of the biggest reasons why is that they’re difficult—and therefore uneconomical—to recycle, so they’re either sent to landfill or incinerated.

A few brands have made strides to improve this situation and one of the main players is Asics, which began to print the carbon footprint of its shoes on insoles last summer.

Today, Asics announces the Asics Nimbus Mirai, a performance running shoe designed to be returned and recycled. It goes on sale on April 12 in limited quantities in limited markets, to better manage the untested process of taking the shoes back to be recycled. The shoes cost $180 in the US, £180 in the UK and €200 in France and the Netherlands, making it more expensive in the US (and as expensive in the UK) than the popular Asics Nimbus 26 cushioned shoe.

What Makes This Shoe Different?

The development that enhances the ability of the shoe to be recycled is a new one-piece upper and glue that melts away at high temperatures, leaving the material of the upper unaffected and able to be recycled. 

In 2021, Coach spoke to Dr Mark Sumner—a lecturer at the University of Leeds School of Design who specializes in sustainability—about recycling running shoes and he highlighted the elements of running shoes that are particularly problematic. “What makes it hard to recycle shoes is you've typically got a complex mixture of different materials,” he says, and that’s before you get to the bonding methods. “This makes it difficult to deconstruct, to extract those individual materials to try and work out how you can recycle them.”

Asics’ tests show that 87% of the upper can be turned into usable polyester material. It intends to collect returned Mirais then share with its recycling partner TerraCycle, which acts as a broker, moving them on to recycling centers.

It’s a first step, but Rohan van der Zwet, senior product marketing manager for Asics EMEA, said that the aim is to be able to say, “all our shoes can or should return because we can repurpose most parts”. While he couldn’t say when Asics would achieve that, his horizon was a few years.

What’s It Like To Run In?

Asics isn’t the first brand to launch a more recyclable shoe, or one that is designed to be returned, but we haven’t tested a more sustainable shoe that can match the performance of the best running shoes—that’s been the upshot of our testing of the On CloudNeo and AllBirds Tree Dasher 2.

That looks to be the case again here, although Asics is confident enough of its performance that it’s placed the Mirai in its popular Nimbus line of cushioned shoes. 

“In terms of pure shock absorption technology, the current Nimbus [26] would win,” says Van der Zwet, “but this is still up there. That’s why we were able to give it the Nimbus name because it’s still a comfortable shoe to run in.”

Where Can You Buy The Asics Nimbus Mirai?

In the US, the Mirai will be available in Asics stores, online from Asics as well as in the following specialty stores:

• A Runner's Mind, CA 
• Athletic Annex, IN 
• Big Red Running, CO 
• Charm City Run, MD 
• Farley Enterprises, VA 
• Fleet Feet Rochester, NY 
• Gazelle Sports, MI 
• Mill City Running, MN 
• Naperville Running Co, IL 
• Palmetto Running Company, SC 
• Playmakers, MI 
• Potomac River Running, VA 
• Road Runner Sports Shop, NJ 
• Running Logistics LLC 
• Skinny Raven Sports, AK 
• Sope Creek Enterprises, GA 
• The Exchange Running, TN 
• Three Amigos Running Co.

In Europe the shoe will only be available in three Asics stores and won’t be sold online.

• Paris, France 
• Amsterdam, Netherlands 
• London (Oxford Street), UK

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 was a major update for the long-running Asics Gel-Nimbus line, with Asics increasing the midsole stack height and changing the foams used to make it a more comfortable shoe than ever. I rated it among the best cushioned shoes and didn't expect Asics to make sweeping changes with the Gel-Nimbus 26. On paper the minor updates look good: the 26 has a new outsole material to improve its grip and the upper has been adjusted to create a more secure fit around the midfoot.

However, having run 40-50 miles in both sets of shoes, as well as doing a short run with one on each foot, I can't say that the changes have improved the shoe. I found the Gel-Nimbus 25 a little slippery on greasy paved surfaces in my first couple of runs in it, but after that the outsole roughed up a little and I had no grip concerns when running on asphalt.

The fit of both shoes in my usual running shoe size was equally good for me. Both are comfortable and great for long and easy runs, with a smooth and soft ride that helps you to tick over at relaxed paces. It's one of the best marathon running shoes thanks to the way it helps you roll through long distances.

Given how similar the shoes are, the improved grip on the Gel-Nimbus 26 should make it a better shoe, yet the added traction doesn't come without drawbacks. I found the outsole material on the 26 felt harder than the rubber on the 25, which made the ride “slappier” because the impact of the shoe on the sidewalk felt harder, and was louder.

I also noticed forefoot discomfort with the newer shoe when I did a fast intervals session in it, and the ride was a little less comfortable than the 25 on long runs as well. The Gel-Nimbus 26 is still a comfortable shoe for long runs, but I prefer the feel of the Gel-Nimbus 25.

Since the shoe's main purpose is to be a comfortable cruiser, the Gel-Nimbus 25 is arguably a better shoe since it did that role better for me. I'd have no qualms in recommending that you look to buy the older shoe at a discount rather than the Gel-Nimbus 26.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 vs Asics Gel-Nimbus 25: Price And Availability

The Gel-Nimbus 25 launched in January 2023 and cost $160 in the US and £175 in the UK at launch, but is available for significantly less in sales: it's $130 at Asics right now, for example. The Gel-Nimbus 26 went on sale in January 2024 and is also $160 in the US, but the price increased to £180 in the UK. It's one of the most expensive cushioned shoes, especially in the UK.

The best deal I can see on the Gel-Nimbus 25 at the moment is the $30 saving at Asics, which has a range of colors and sizes of the shoe available for $129.95. 

In the UK the shoe has been widely reduced to around £122, with Asics, SportsShoes and Pro:Direct all offering the Gel-Nimbus 25 for this price.

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 was a substantial update for the Nimbus line and so the Gel-Nimbus 26 was always likely to receive a relatively modest update. Asics has mostly stuck to the same max-cushioned design of the 25, with a new outsole designed to improve grip, and a tweaked upper modifying the fit.

Given that the Gel-Nimbus 25 was one of the best cushioned shoes available, I expected these minor changes would only more firmly establish the 26 as a top option. However, I’ve found the new outsole on the shoe “slappy”—distractingly noisy when it hits the ground—and the Gel-Nimbus 26 is less comfortable than the 25, which means I’d recommend trying to find a deal on the older shoe myself.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 26: Price And Availability

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 will be available from January 15, 2023 and costs $160 in the US and £180 in the UK. The US price, while expensive, is on par for a max-cushioned shoe that’s at the top of Asics’s training range. However, the UK price is above par, and a £5 rise on the list price of the Gel-Nimbus 25.

How I Tested This Shoe

I’ve run about 50 miles in the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26, using it mostly for easy runs, along with one 90-minute long run and a hard interval workout. I have also tested the past two versions of the Asics Gel-Nimbus line, along with a range of the best running shoes from other brands.

Design And Fit

The big change Asics made with the Gel-Nimbus 25 was to increase the stack height and turn it into a max-cushioned shoe. The midsole on the Gel-Nimbus 26 is mostly the same, with a big chunk of FF Blast Plus Eco foam and a little PureGel under the heel, but the stack height is 0.5mm higher than on the Gel-Nimbus 25: 42mm at the heel, 34mm at the forefoot.

This keeps the drop at 8mm, the same as on the previous version of the shoe, but the weight has increased slightly with the Gel-Nimbus 26. It weighs 11.2oz/318g for my UK size 9, compared with 11.1oz/315g for the Gel-Nimbus 25 in the same size.

Asics has made adjustments to the upper on the new shoe, which features redesigned eyelets to create a more secure hold around the midfoot. It’s an engineered knit upper with a stretchy tongue. I found that the shoe fitted well in my usual running shoe size, but didn’t notice an improved fit or more comfort compared with the Gel-Nimbus 25.

The most noticeable change with the new shoe is the outsole, which is now a blend of Asics AHAR and ASICSGRIP materials, with the aim of creating a better grip than with the Gel-Nimbus 25. I found the Gel-Nimbus 25 a bit slippery on greasy paved surfaces when I first used it, but didn’t have any substantial problems with grip after that. The Gel-Nimbus 26 is tackier on slick paved surfaces.

However, this improvement in traction doesn’t come without a cost. The new rubber on the outsole is firmer and I found I could hear the shoe hitting the ground more; it’s less comfortable under the forefoot as a result of this.

Running Performance

For the most part, the Gel-Nimbus 26 performs like the Gel-Nimbus 25 on the run: It’s a great cushioned cruiser for easy and long runs. The ride is soft and comfortable, but not squishy in a way that makes the shoe feel unstable, and the slight rocker profile helps to roll you through your footstrike.

It’s at its best for slowly ticking off long runs and easy daily training runs, but it’s too heavy for fast sessions. I used it for one hard workout while on vacation, since I didn’t have a speedier shoe to hand, pushing through two miles in 11 minutes, followed by timed intervals and another hard mile.

It didn’t feel great for this, not only because it’s a heavy shoe designed for slow runs, but also because I started to feel significant forefoot discomfort because of that slappy ride. I also noticed this a little on an easy long run, though it only became pronounced during the session when I was running hard and putting more force through the shoe.

I haven’t experienced this discomfort with the Gel-Nimbus 25 on any of the several long runs I’ve done in the shoe, though I haven’t done a fast session in it. I think the new outsole on the Gel-Nimbus 26 reduces its comfort, marginally—though what it takes away there, it gives back in improved grip.

Is The Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 Worth It?

Early in my testing of the Gel-Nimbus 26 I considered it only a small improvement on the 25, in that it was the same with slightly better grip. I’d have recommended getting the older shoe in a deal as a result. Now that I’ve done more running in the new shoe, I’m clearer about why I feel the Gel-Nimbus 25 takes precedence. I found it more comfortable, as well as being the better-value option.

There are many other great cushioned shoes you should look at, with the Puma Magnify Nitro 2 and Brooks Ghost Max being similarly comfortable shoes that are cheaper than the Gel-Nimbus 26. The Saucony Ride 17 is another good shoe that is more versatile than the Gel-Nimbus 26 because it has more pop for faster runs. 

I also suggest checking out the Asics Novablast 4, which is cheaper and lighter than the Gel-Nimbus 26 and a better all-rounder, and proved just as comfortable during my testing. 

Asics has released details of the 26th edition of its popular Gel-Nimbus line. 

The current shoe, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25, is one of the best cushioned running shoes, and it appears Asics has broadly stuck to the design of the 25, which had a much higher stack height and a softer, more comfortable ride than the Gel-Nimbus 24.

The midsole on the Gel-Nimbus 26 (and Gel-Nimbus 25) is a high stack of FF Blast Plus Eco foam, with some PureGel under the heel. The shoe has a mild rocker shape too.

I found the overall ride of the Gel-Nimbus 25 was excellent for easy runs—smooth and soft without being too squishy or unstable. It’s not a particularly versatile shoe, being a bit heavy and lacking the bouncy ride I want for faster runs, but as an easy run cruiser in a running shoe rotation, or a comfortable all-rounder for newer runners, it’s up there with the best running shoes (I also named it the best for beginners in my selection of the best Asics running shoes).

One complaint I had about the Gel-Nimbus 25 was the grip. While the Gel-Nimbus 25’s outsole was OK, it didn’t grip perfectly for me out of the box and I found it slippery on greasy pavements, although this improved after a few runs. 

Asics has added ASICSGRIP rubber on the outsole of the Gel-Nimbus 26, in combination with the AHARPLUS rubber used on the Gel-Nimbus 25, which should result in better traction in wet conditions in particular.

Asics also says the fit of the new shoe has been improved, with a better hold around the midfoot, though the Gel-Nimbus 26 still uses an engineered knit material like its predecessor. 

One thing I don’t love about the Gel-Nimbus 25 was its high price of £175 in the UK, though it is a more reasonable $160 in the US. The price of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 has risen in the UK to £180. I haven’t had the US price confirmed yet, so I’m not sure if this is a UK-only increase.

It’s a high price for a cushioned shoe, no matter how good the Gel-Nimbus is, though you can wait for it to be reduced in sales—the Gel-Nimbus 25 was reduced to $120 for Black Friday 2023 (in fact, it still is).

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 will be available from January 15th, 2024.

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is exactly the kind of running shoe to look for in the Black Friday sales. It’s one of the best running shoes available, with a cushioned and extremely comfortable ride, and it’s very expensive at full price, two factors that make it especially attractive when there are discounts available.

Right now you can get $40 off the Gel-Nimbus 25 at both Amazon and Asics, bringing the price down to $119.95. It’s the pick of Amazon’s early Black Friday sales on running shoes, and there is a wide range of colors available on both sites.

I enjoy using the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 for long easy runs in particular, and have kept it in my running shoe rotation for that purpose even after I finished testing it for my review on Coach. I’ve run over half marathon distance three times in it and it’s perfect for relaxed long runs thanks to the high stack of FF Blast+ cushioning, which is comfortable but not so squishy as to be unstable.

At its full price there are some max-cushioned shoes I rate as better value than the Gel-Nimbus 25, like the Puma Magnify Nitro 2, but with this discount the Asics is now great value and worth considering. If you’re a fairly new runner it’s a shoe that will handle all your runs while protecting your legs as you get used to the impact of the sport, while experienced runners will find it best serves in a rotation as an easy run shoe that can handle a lot of mileage.

If the choice of colors overwhelms you, one last recommendation I have is to get the Lite Show version of the Gel-Nimbus 25. Not only is it more expensive at MSRP so your savings are bigger—it drops from $170 to $119.95—but it’s a great color and has lots of reflective sections that will make you a little more visible on night runs.

Shopping around? Me too, and I’m collecting the best Nike Black Friday deals and the best On Running Black Friday deals. 

The Asics Gel-Nimbus has been a popular pick with runners for a quarter of a century, which usually means that new versions stick to the formula – why risk alienating the existing audience? 

However, Asics has come out swinging with the Gel-Nimbus 25, launching it with quite a fanfare and calling it “the most comfortable shoe in the world”. The shoe has been overhauled to turn it into a max-cushioned shoe with 20% more foam in the midsole than the Gel-Nimbus 24, as well as a new upper. 

For the most part the changes are positive – the Gel-Nimbus 25 is one of the best running shoes thanks to the improved ride, and stands out far more than the Gel-Nimbus 24 in a busy shoe market. However, the high price and lack of versatility mean that it won’t suit all runners.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Review: Price And Availability

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 launched in January 2023 and will be available to buy from 1st February. It costs $160 in the US, the same price as the Gel-Nimbus 24, but it’s £175 in the UK, a £10 price rise on the 24.

Design And Fit

The biggest changes made to the Gel-Nimbus 25 are in the midsole, which is higher and wider than on the Gel-Nimbus 24. The 24 used a mix of FF Blast+ and Flytefoam in its midsole, while the 25 only uses FF Blast+, which is softer and bouncier than Flytefoam. 

Asics has also ditched the Gel that gives the Gel-Nimbus line its name, and replaced it with PureGel. This isn’t visible from the outside of the shoe, but is a softer material than the original Gel and a slab of it sits on top of the FF Blast+ foam under the heel.

With a midsole that’s now 41.5mm high at the heel, and 33.5mm at the forefoot, the Gel-Nimbus 25 now firmly falls into the max-cushioned category. Despite this increase in midsole size the shoe isn’t much heavier than the Gel-Nimbus 24. The 25 weighs 11.1oz/315g in my UK size 9 compared with 10.7oz/304g for the Gel-Nimbus 24.

The shoe’s upper has also been completely changed from an engineered mesh to a stretchy knit material with a large padded strip running around the heel to cradle the back of the foot. I found that the Gel-Nimbus 25 fit me well in my normal size.

On the outsole there is good rubber coverage under the forefoot and heel, and the rubber at the heel is harder, which should increase the durability of the shoe for heelstrikers. I found that the shoe slipped a little on greasy pavements straight out of the box, but after around 16km of running the outsole had roughed up a bit and gripped fine.

How I Tested This Shoe

I have run 55km in the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 including a 24km long run. I’ve used it mostly for easy runs with one progression run ending at a faster pace. I have also tested the Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 and the Asics Novablast 3, but not the Superblast – another max-stack shoe in the Asics range.

Running Performance

Given the bold claims from Asics at launch, I expected something fairly dramatic from the ride. However, that wasn’t really the case on my first run. It’s a comfortable shoe for sure, and much more so than the Gel-Nimbus 24, but didn’t feel especially novel.

Over time and more runs, however, the ride has grown on me greatly. It’s well balanced as well as notably soft and protective, but still stable and quite smooth rather than being so squishy you sink into the foam. 

I’m not a big user of max-cushioned shoes even for easy runs, because I find them a bit heavy and cumbersome, but I did enjoy using the Gel-Nimbus 25 whenever the pace was slow, and on one longer run the day after a brutal 16km cross-country race the high stack of cushioning was just what my aching muscles needed.

It runs lighter and feels smaller than it is when you are cruising along, but it isn’t a versatile shoe. Whenever I tried to significantly up the pace it started to feel a bit awkward and large. This is a shoe built for easy daily training and long runs, whereas the Gel-Nimbus 24 did have a bit more snap to it for faster runs.

Is The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Worth It?

The Gel-Nimbus 25 is one of the best cushioned shoes available and while it’s not as versatile as options like the Brooks Glycerin 20 or Saucony Triumph 20, if you just want a comfortable cruiser it’s excellent.

I would say it matches the performance of other great max-cushioned shoes like the New Balance More V4 and Nike Invincible 2 but has a different ride feel. The Invincible is supremely squishy and bouncy but more unstable, while the More V4 has a firmer, more rockered ride than the Nimbus.

The high price is definitely a concern. You’re splashing out a lot of money on a shoe that I would say works best in a rotation with a faster option, when you could get a more versatile cushioned option for less, like the Glycerin or Triumph, or even the Asics Novablast 3, which isn’t as comfortable but is still well cushioned and far lighter than the Gel-Nimbus 25.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Vs Asics Gel-Nimbus 24

The Gel-Nimbus 25 is a more enjoyable shoe to use than the 24, and it’s much better for easy and long runs thanks to the added comfort of the higher midsole. The Gel-Nimbus 24 has more pace in it if you do want a versatile daily trainer, though I would say it loses out to many shoes from other brands in that category. 

I’d say most people will prefer the new and improved Gel-Nimbus, but if you’re a long-term fan of the line and find the new shoe too soft and cushioned, the Novablast 3 might be a better alternative from Asics.

It’s rare that a long-running line of shoes like the Asics Gel Nimbus gets an overhaul, because so many runners already like the shoe and want updates to provide a similar feel. However, occasionally, it’s worth breaking the mould because a shoe line can start to feel stale and fall behind the times.

With the Gel Nimbus 24, Asics has made a substantial change by introducing a new midsole foam that’s lighter, softer and bouncier than the materials used in previous versions. While some may find it less stable than in the past, the new model is now a more exciting daily trainer, if not quite one of the best running shoes.

• NEWSFLASH: Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 Vs Asics Gel-Nimbus 24: First Look At The All-New Nimbus

Asics Gel Nimbus 24: Price And Availability

The Gel Nimbus 24 is available on the Asics website and costs £165, which is £10 more than the Gel Nimbus 23.

Design And Fit

The Gel Nimbus 24 has the same stack height and drop as its predecessor. The men’s version is 26mm in the heel and 16mm in the forefoot for a 10mm drop, and the women’s 28mm in the heel and 15mm in the forefoot for a 13mm drop. 

However, the new foam in the midsole has brought the weight down, with my UK size 9 weighing 304g compared with 324g for the Gel Nimbus 23. It’s still not a lightweight shoe, but the decrease in weight and updated midsole make it more versatile.

The upper is mesh with a stretchy tongue that holds the midfoot comfortably and securely. There is plump padding around the heel, though it’s not as plush as on some cushioned shoes like the Brooks Glycerin line.

In the midsole there are two layers of Asics’s new Flytefoam Blast+ (FF Blast+) foam, which is a softer and springier version of the material used in the Novablast line of shoes. The top layer of the foam is firmer than the bottom, which combines with a plastic Trusstic plate in the midfoot to ensure the ride of the shoe is stable despite the introduction of the new soft foam. The women’s version of the shoe has a softer top layer of FF Blast+ and the plastic plate is a different shape tailored to women’s feet.

There is also some of Asics’s Gel material around the heel and inside the forefoot of the shoe. This has a slightly firmer feel than the foam around it.

The outsole has thick rubber sections in all the key wear areas to make the Nimbus 24 a durable shoe, and I had no problems with grip on the road in wet conditions.

How I Tested The Asics Gel Nimbus 24

The Nimbus 24 is built to be a workhorse that can handle miles of daily training. I mainly used it for my base runs at easy or steady paces, which ranged from 14km to 24km in length. I also took it down to the track for one hard session doing 800m reps to see how it handled faster running.

Running Performance

I found the Gel Nimbus 23 to be a solid but unremarkable daily trainer, but it was clear from the first few steps in the Gel Nimbus 24 that the new shoe offers a more exciting ride. While it’s not as bouncy as the Asics Novablast 2, it provides a springy, protective ride that makes it more enjoyable than its predecessors for daily training.

It was not as soft as I expected though, and over the course of my first run in the shoe – a fairly miserable 24km slog through the strong winds that hit the UK in mid-February – I started to experience discomfort under the forefoot of my left foot. This didn’t come back as strongly in shorter runs in the shoe, but overall I’d say that the Nimbus 24 is not as all-out comfortable as something like the Brooks Glycerin 19, and is more of a daily trainer rather than a cushioned shoe purely designed for easy runs.

During longer runs I found that the shoe lost some of the bounce you can feel when you first put it on. The firmer layer of foam on top might contribute to the slightly flatter feeling that emerges once you pass around 8km, and the plastic wedge in the midsole becomes more noticeable. 

While the shoe is lighter and sleeker than many cushioned shoes, it is not versatile enough to be a great pick for fast training. During my track session, I ran eight 800m reps alternating 2min 30sec/km and 2min 40sec/km pace and while it got the job done, it was noticeably more of a drag than a lighter, more speed-focused shoe. The foam didn’t produce any extra bounce at those higher speeds.

After that run, I stuck to my base training runs in the Nimbus 24 and it proved a good workhorse for rolling through those. It’s still stable despite the updated midsole, though it lacks the versatility of daily trainers I enjoy running in more, such as the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2, Hoka Mach 4 or New Balance Rebel v2.

Is The Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 Worth It?

The Nimbus 24 provides an enjoyable and reasonably bouncy ride for daily training, yet it falls in between what I look for in a trainer: not comfortable enough to use on recovery days and not versatile enough to be a good workout or even tempo shoe.

However, if you’re looking for a durable daily trainer that has cushioning (without going overboard) while remaining stable, then it is worth considering. It has a more enjoyable ride than previous versions of the shoe, especially if you mainly stick to runs up to around 10km.

I think long-term fans of the Nimbus line will enjoy the updates, and it might bring in new converts as well. It would also be a good pick for those new to running who want a protective shoe that’s comfortable but versatile enough to use for faster running.

The rise in price is a shame on that front, because at £165 the Nimbus 24 will be a shoe that many beginners don’t consider. If you’re looking for better value, the Puma Velocity Nitro or Reebok Floatride Energy lines are fantastic options for less than £100.