balanced swap|asicsnimbus22

Nimbus is one of the two most historic and highly regarded top-tier series under Asics. As a top-tier cushioning series, Nimbus has garnered countless fans over its 20-year history. At the end of 2019, Asics introduced the 22nd generation of Nimbus running shoes. Similar to other Asics series, this is a shoe that seeks change within consistency, offering more balanced performance and broader applicability.

Appearance Details

This gray-blue colorway of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 22 aligns perfectly with Nimbus's pursuit of an ultimate running experience above the clouds. The shoe shape is compact, slender, and efficient.

The upper uses single-fiber nylon mesh, which is more resilient and durable compared to traditional multi-layer engineered mesh. The support strength makes the upper fuller and more three-dimensional, and it is less prone to deformation when weaving large mesh holes, ensuring ample breathability.

On both sides of the midfoot, the highly recognizable Asics cross-line logo not only showcases the brand but also provides some support to the upper. The use of bronze color gives this running shoe a more metallic texture and a rustic charm.

Apart from the padded collar, the heel is almost entirely covered by internal TPU, which is much harder than the TPU of general running shoes. Combined with the external bronze TPU, it forms double support protection, aiming to enhance stability. Additionally, the five reflective points in the center of the heel provide some safety protection for night running.

Asics running shoes typically come with cylindrical laces, which are relatively easy to loosen after tying and are not the best choice. To prevent excessive tongue shifting during exercise, the tongue is equipped with anti-shift positioning perforations. The eyelets are reinforced with suede, and the bronze gradient lines add to the aesthetic details. The last two pairs of eyelets use rarely seen metal buckles, giving a strong retro vibe.

The Nimbus 22's collar is densely padded, and to achieve a more snug fit, the foam padding varies according to the shape of the inner and outer sides of the ankle, with more padding on the inside and less on the outside, rather than simple left-right symmetry. Additionally, the rear of the collar has an inward tilt, which is more conducive to heel locking. For the insole, the Nimbus 22 uses an EVA high-elastic insole.

Although the Nimbus 22 continues to use the FlyteFoam dual-layer midsole, the positions have been swapped. The lightweight FlyteFoam Lyte is placed on the upper layer, while the highly responsive FlyteFoam Propel is placed on the lower layer. Additionally, the visible GEL cushioning in the middle layer of the heel now surrounds the entire heel instead of just filling the outer side. The combination of three different cushioning materials in the heel is bound to unleash significant energy. From the appearance, the FlyteFoam Propel in the forefoot of the Nimbus 22 also reaches a sufficient thickness.

The Nimbus 22 has a TRUSSTIC stability piece embedded in the midfoot area, increasing the rigidity of this position to resist torsion during running, delay fatigue, and reduce the damage caused by torsion to the foot.

The full-length transverse groove rubber outsole facilitates bending, enhances flexibility, and improves the natural transition of the gait. The outsole thickness is close to 5mm, giving a solid feel.

Asics has never been known for lightweight shoes. The Nimbus 22 continues this tradition, with a single shoe weighing 315g in US size 9, which is very typical of Asics. So, does this weight affect the running experience?

Actual Test Experience

After a multi-dimensional analysis of the changes and constants of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 22 running shoes, there was a rough expectation of its performance. Upon wearing them, the comfortable fit and wrap-around feel were the first to make a strong impression. The tested shoe has a width of 2.5, matching a normal foot circumference. The compact design of the upper and last provides a snug fit without a sense of oppression, and there is enough room for the forefoot to move. Personally, the height of the Nimbus 22's collar feels slightly lower than that of conventional running shoes, but the inward tilt design of the heel and the targeted internal padding make the heel lock feel stronger.

The excellent 'stepping on poop' sensation has always been a hallmark of Nimbus. Although there have been occasional changes in recent generations, the overall cushioning feel has remained traditional. The Nimbus 22, through the rearrangement of the FlyteFoam dual-layer midsole, creates a cushioning feel different from its predecessors. After a week and nearly 50 kilometers of testing, the so-called 'stepping on poop' sensation has not been experienced yet. Instead, there is a balanced foot feel that covers both cushioning and rebound. The combination of FlyteFoam Lyte, FlyteFoam Propel, and GEL provides a resilient cushioning when the shoe lands, with a rebound force pushing back against the sole. The entire foot does not feel too soft or too hard, but rather a seamless process of cushioning and rebound.

During long-distance running, the support, stability, and heel lock advantages of the Nimbus 22 become more apparent. Pressing hard on the TPU area inside the collar hardly causes deformation, providing very rigid support and protection for the heel. The entire heel support system does not make one feel that the heel will twist excessively upon landing, even under the pressure of a 72-kilogram weight. Combined with the inward tilt design of the heel, the heel lock feels very secure, making the shoes feel very 'attached' to the feet. This allows for confident running without having to divert too much attention and energy to this aspect during the run. Therefore, the stability and heel lock provided by the Nimbus 22 are beneficial for long-distance running both physiologically and psychologically.

Another impressive aspect of the Nimbus 22 is the forefoot feedback. When using a forefoot running technique, the cushioning is not as strong as in the heel, but there is a noticeable upward push in the forefoot area, helping to quickly transition to the next movement. This upward push is quite addictive. Additionally, the transverse flex grooves in the forefoot make the running shoe easier to bend, and the rubber outsole provides a very stable grip. Therefore, the forefoot propulsion and speed increase are relatively effortless, making the stride feel very smooth and allowing for a good rhythm. As for the 315g weight, due to the excellent wrap and heel lock, there is no sense of heaviness when running. The overall foot feel is closer to that of a 250g training shoe.

Like many conventional running shoes, the Nimbus 22 has not solved the problem of tongue shifting. Although there is an anti-shift perforation design, it only limits the shift to a certain extent and does not completely solve the problem. The shift does not affect running performance but is visually uncomfortable. There are many ways to solve this problem, such as asymmetrical perforation design or integrated tongue.

Overall Evaluation

As the 22nd generation of Nimbus running shoes, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 22 continues the series' excellence in cushioning and rebound. The upper wrap, midsole cushioning and rebound, and stability all exhibit the characteristics of a mature product. The repositioning of the two midsole materials creates a more balanced midsole feel. The availability of 2.5 and 3.0 widths also provides more choices. From a comprehensive performance perspective, the strengths of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 22 make it more suitable for medium to slow-paced running, with better performance over longer distances. Additionally, users who are too lightweight may not fully experience the performance of this running shoe. A weight range of 65-80kg might be the most suitable target group for this shoe.

So far, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 22 is almost the best Nimbus running shoe in recent generations. This raises a subtle concern for its designers: what will be the breakthrough point for the next generation of Nimbus? What heights will it reach?