ASICS

Gel-Nimbus 27

Recovery / easy · FF Blast Plus Eco · no plate

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ASICS

Gel-Nimbus 28

Recovery / easy · FF BLAST PLUS · no plate

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ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 vs ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28

A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 7 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.

Reviewers cited 7
EDDBUD, The Run Testers, Doctors of Running, and others
Methodology →

Specs at a glance

43 / 35 mm heel / forefoot

Stack

42 / 34 mm heel / forefoot

8 mm

Drop

8 mm

10.4 oz 295 g

Weight

9.6 oz 272 g · −23 g

FF Blast Plus Eco EVA

Midsole

FF BLAST PLUS EVA/OBC bio-based blend

None

Plate

None

Engineered jacquard mesh

Upper

Engineered knit

$165

MSRP

$170

Reviewers who wore both

Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.

Softer, smoother, heavier, earlier rocker; better for easy/recovery

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27, source

27 is heavier and a touch narrower; 28 fits and runs better

— Run Moore on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27, source

The 27 was firmer, more stabilized, and blockier; Kofuzi prefers the lighter, airier, more flexible 28 for running, though the 27 is cheaper on sale.

— Kofuzi on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, source

V28 is about 40g lighter, narrower platform, slightly softer, more nimble and versatile; v27 often felt like too much of a landing platform

— EDDBUD on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, source

Nimbus 28 is lighter, more balanced, and slightly more versatile; testers preferred the 28's ride and transition.

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, source

Version 28 is about 30g lighter, feels livelier and picks up the pace better while offering a similar overall ride.

— FORDY RUNS on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, source

Nimbus 28 feels lighter, bouncier and more daily-capable than the sluggish 27

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, source

28 is substantially lighter and fits slightly wider; 27 felt like a bit too much overall

— Run Moore on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, source

Nimbus 28 is lighter with slightly more energy and better roll-through than the chunky, heavier Nimbus 27

— The Run Testers on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, source

Firmer, lighter, snappier, later rocker, more stable; less plush

— Doctors of Running on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, source

ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 — what reviewers say

Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .

A well-cushioned long-range cruiser with improved outsole traction over previous versions and resilient foam that won't break down easily, making it a solid value pick for steady running.

In their words: "a good long range cushioned cruiser" · "plush materials in the heel" · "more ridges and better traction here in wet weather"
— EDDBUD , source
A softer, smoother, maximally cushioned shoe built for all-out easy-mile comfort, but heavy and limited to slower paces.

Ride:Soft, highly cushioned max-stack ride with a wide stable base and good heel bevel for smooth heel-to-toe transition; can feel slappy and heavy, lacks agility and pop for faster paces

Fit:True to size with a roomy, accommodating toe box and slightly more width than the Ghost; good midfoot and heel lockdown with well-padded heel collar

In their words: "softer, smoother, protective road eating comfort" · "a bit slappy from time to time" · "wide, high volume"
— The Run Testers , 35 mi tested , source
Dr. Klein prefers the Nimbus 27 over the Diadora Cellula — the foam change made it firmer and more resilient, what he wished the Cumulus could be.

Ride:Bigger direction change: v25/26 were soft, now v27 feels more resilient and slightly firmer; rolls really nicely and feels balanced; approaching stable-neutral without being full stability shoe

In their words: "very different than Nimbus 26 and 25" · "it's not soft anymore" · "broke in very nicely"
— Doctors of Running , source
A cool-looking max-cushion trainer that the reviewer liked aesthetically, but it felt heavier and like a little too much compared to the 28.

Ride:Looks more voluminous but felt like a bit too much all over; heavier than the 28

In their words: "just too much all over"
— Run Moore , source

ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 — what reviewers say

Ride profile: high cushion , firm_responsive feel , low energy return , neutral stability , moderate rocker.

An ultra-comfortable, max-cushioned easy-day shoe that doubles as an all-day casual/walking shoe, at the cost of being heavy and pricey for what is now dated foam.

Ride:A big slab of FF Blast Plus foam that prioritizes comfort over speed; amazingly stretchy knit tongue and heavy heel padding.

In their words: "definitely one of the most comfortable shoes out there"
— Ben Parkes , source
Grouped with shoes the hosts wouldn't personally pick in any category, viewed as unable to function well outside easy cushioned running.

Ride:Very cushioned but seen as limited to pure easy-day use

In their words: "wouldn't pick in any category" · "don't think they're winners for me"
— The Run Testers , source
Briefly mentioned as a very good ASICS daily trainer option alongside the Kayano.
— Ben Is Running , source
Maximum comfort shoe for heel strikers featuring FF Blast Plus, a knit tongue, and plush memory foam heel cup padding; provides similar ride to Cumulus but with more cushioning.

In their words: "maximum level of comfort" · "plush, comfortable memory foam type padding" · "knit tongue just like in the Cumulus, which I absolutely love"
— Kofuzi , source

Who should buy which

Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.

Consider the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 if

Neutral runners wanting max cushion for easy runs and long runs, especially heel strikers who want extra protection and forefoot cushion. — The Run Testers
Easy runs, long runs, recovery for neutral runners wanting soft premium cushion — Doctors of Running
Runners prioritizing all-out comfort and protection on easy and recovery miles, particularly heel strikers and heavier runners — The Run Testers
Runners who want a stable, firmer-feeling max-cushion comfort shoe, or walking — The Run Testers
Easy/long runs for most runners, including those who want one cushion shoe that can also handle some faster running — The Run Testers

Consider the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 if

Max-cushion easy daily training, recovery runs, treadmill miles, and all-day comfort. — Kofuzi
Easy runs, recovery runs, and longer runs at easy pace for neutral runners who want plush cushioning with moderate stability. — The Run Testers
Club runners wanting a do-it-all daily trainer — easy runs, long runs, aerobic efforts, and even marathons for lighter runners. — EDDBUD
Plush, comfortable easy and recovery runs, long base-building miles, and beginner-friendly cushioned daily use. — The Run Testers
Runners who liked recent Nimbus versions (25, 26, 27) and want a lighter, faster-feeling max-stack daily trainer. — FORDY RUNS
Easy runs for runners wanting cushioned comfort — The Run Testers

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28?

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 is a recovery / easy and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 is a recovery / easy. By the numbers, the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 weighs 295g, has a 43mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 weighs 272g, has a 42mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. MSRP is $165 for the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 and $170 for the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28.

Should I buy the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 or the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28?

The Run Testers on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27: Neutral runners wanting max cushion for easy runs and long runs, especially heel strikers who want extra protection and forefoot cushion. Kofuzi on the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28: Max-cushion easy daily training, recovery runs, treadmill miles, and all-day comfort.

Per The Run Testers, Kofuzi.

Has anyone reviewed both the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28?

Yes — Doctors of Running, Run Moore, Kofuzi, EDDBUD, The Run Testers, and FORDY RUNS directly compared the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 in their reviews.

Per Doctors of Running, Run Moore, Kofuzi, EDDBUD, The Run Testers, FORDY RUNS.

Which is lighter, the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 or the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28?

The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 is lighter, at 272g versus 295g (men's 9) — about 23g less.

Methodology. Specs come from manufacturer data and authoritative third-party catalogs. Reviewer verdicts are summarized, not copied verbatim, and each links to its source. We weight reviewer voices differently based on testing methodology and credentials — clinical and lab-verified sources carry more weight than community commentary — but the specific weights stay internal. Never sponsored, never paid placement.