written by Keith Payne - Tech Kahuna, Running and Team Sports Lead, New Employee Wrangler at Sports Basement Campbell
 

 
It’s a new year, new resolutions, and guess what? I’ve made one—my feet will NEVER hurt again! And lucky for me, the new Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 is here to make that dream a reality. Let’s dive into Keith's Tech Talk...
 

What's the scoop on this chunk o' fun?

• Drop: 8 mm (Pretty standard, nothing too wild here)
• Heel Stack: 44 mm (Yikes!! That's some serious cushion!)
• Forefoot Stack: 36 mm (44-36 = 8 mm... yes, math still checks out!)
• Weight: 10.8 oz (Uh-oh, Asics... getting a little heavy there, aren't we?)
• Price: $165.00 (Everything's getting pricier, huh? Just $5 more than last time. Oof.)
   

Upper:

Say hello to the all-new engineered jacquard mesh upper with an Ortholite sock liner! Asics is thinking green by focusing on reducing their footprint—and yes, I see what they did there (shoe... footprint... clever). The Gel-Nimbus 27 gets a total makeover compared to the 26, swapping out the fully knit upper for a sleek, engineered mesh.

And here’s the cool part: Asics is serious about their environmental game. They’ve committed to reducing CO₂ emissions, and they’re doing it by using recycled materials for 75% of the upper and a water-saving dye process that cuts water emissions by 33%. So yeah, not only does your foot feel comfy, but the planet will thank you too.
 

Midsole:

The midsole foam might still go by the same fancy name – Flytefoam Blast+ Eco – but it’s got a new secret sauce. This version is lighter than ever before! Plus, there's a little extra cushion underfoot, and you know how much I’m here for more stack. The feel when you step in? Think of the previous versions – soft, but not so soft you’ll feel like you're sinking into quicksand. On the flip side, it’s not quite a trampoline bounce either. It’s like the perfect middle ground – just enough cushion for comfort without going overboard.
 

Outsole:

One upgrade from the 26 that’s sticking around is the grippier outsole, thanks to the Ahar+ rubber. Now, not everyone might feel the difference right away, but if you’re out there running in the rain or tackling a mix of road and gravel, you’ll definitely appreciate the extra traction. It's like a little insurance policy for your feet!

That being said, how about we compare to the Novoblast? We just got that one too.

Key Differences:

• The Nimbus packs a little more heft—about 1-2 oz heavier, so if you like that extra weight, it’s got you covered. Not sure why you would though...
• Both have the same heel-to-toe drop, so no surprises there.
• The Novablast is a touch firmer, which means it’s ready to go a little faster when you want to pick up the pace.
• Both are cushioned, but the Novablast gives you that ready to spring vibe—like it’s begging you to go faster!
• The Nimbus’ tongue sits a bit higher on your ankle, so if you like that snug fit around the top, it’s your friend.
• The Novablast gets a bit more of that rocker effect, giving you a smoother ride on the go.
• Same stack height for both—so it’s all about personal preference on the ride!
• The Novablast outsole has some extra grip, feeling a little stickier when you're hitting the road or trail.
• And if you're pondering the big one—the Nimbus vs. the Superblast, that's a whole other showdown for another time.

 
Final Thoughts:

In a nutshell... I’m into it. I’m not usually all about that supermax cushion life, but after the tweaks to the Bondi 9 and Nimbus 27, I’m actually feeling this one more than expected. It's a surprisingly responsive daily trainer, and with that skyscraper-like stack height, it’s surprisingly stable too. Just a heads up: this isn't your tempo or speed shoe, so don’t even try to race in it.

 
Who will love this shoe?

If you're all about crushing those long, comfy miles, this shoe is your new best friend. Recovery runs and tackling those longer distances? Yep, that's where it truly shines.