ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27

Real-World Performance

The Gel-Nimbus 27 is the perennial answer to 'what is the plushest neutral trainer ASICS makes,' and for high-arch runners that plushness is the draw. RunRepeat measured a 42.7mm heel and 34.4mm forefoot stack — among the tallest in the neutral category — and awarded an 85/100 CoreScore. Their verdict is that it remains a high-cushioned daily trainer made for comfort-focused runners, with an ultra-thick midsole that provides a stable, shock-absorbing ride, though they caution the bottom-heavy feel and firmer foam may not appeal to everyone.

Believe in the Run's three testers averaged it in the middle of their scale and described it as soft but with definite road feel, especially in the forefoot. The takeaway across reviews is consistent: this is a slow-miles shoe. It excels at recovery runs, easy long runs, and walking, where the deep cushioning soaks up impact a high arch would otherwise absorb poorly. Push the pace and the weight and bottom-heavy geometry remind you what it is built for.

The Nimbus 27 also carries forward ASICS's transition to PureGEL, the silicone-like compound tucked under the heel that replaced the old visible GEL window. Reviewers report it makes the initial heel contact noticeably softer than older Nimbus models, which matters for high arches that strike hard at the rear of the foot with little natural cushioning. Combined with the tall FF Blast Plus Eco midsole, the result is one of the gentlest landings in the neutral category — the shoe's defining quality and the reason it remains a default high-arch recommendation despite its weight.

Why It Suits High Arches

Despite being marketed as a neutral shoe, the Nimbus 27 is packed with quietly supportive features that high arches benefit from: reinforced midsole sidewalls, an extra-wide landing platform, and strong torsional rigidity. RunRepeat noted generous sidewalls along the midfoot that cradle the foot and supply a touch of arch support without a corrective medial post. For a supinating high-arch runner, that means a stable platform that does not push the foot to the outer edge.

The depth of cushioning is the other half of the equation. A high arch lands hard at the heel and forefoot with little natural give, so the Nimbus 27's tall stack and soft top layer of FF Blast Plus Eco foam directly address the strike zones that take the most impact. Reviewers with high arches repeatedly describe it as the shoe their feet stop complaining in on long days.

Build Quality and Design

The upper is a premium engineered stretch knit with a plush tongue and heel collar; step-in comfort is a recurring highlight. ASICS offers the Nimbus 27 in standard, wide, and extra-wide widths, which is a real advantage for higher-volume high-arch feet that need extra room. RunRepeat measured the shoe at about 10.5 oz, on the heavier end of the daily-trainer field.

The build feels durable and substantial, consistent with the Nimbus line's reputation for lasting through high mileage. The tradeoff for all that material is weight and a somewhat firm, bottom-heavy sensation underfoot that several reviewers flagged — the foam absorbs impact well but does not return much energy, so the ride is protective rather than propulsive.

What Reviewers Loved

The consistent praise is comfort and protection. RunRepeat's stability sub-scores and shock-absorption marks are strong, and reviewers agree it is one of the most protective neutral options for long, slow efforts. The width availability earns specific praise from testers with wider or higher-volume feet, a group that overlaps heavily with high arches.

Doctors of Running framed it as a highly cushioned, stable daily trainer for runners who prioritize comfort and protection on easy miles — essentially the textbook recovery-and-long-run shoe. For runners who value a luxurious, cosseting feel over a snappy one, the Nimbus 27 delivers exactly that.

Where It Falls Short

The two recurring criticisms are weight and a lack of versatility. At over 10.5 oz it is one of the heavier trainers here, and both RunRepeat and Believe in the Run note it lacks the range for varied paces — it is best suited for easy miles only. The foam, while deep, reads firmer and more bottom-heavy than the soft step-in suggests, which can disappoint runners expecting a marshmallow ride.

At $160 it is also the most expensive shoe in this group, and you pay that premium for cushioning depth rather than speed or bounce. A high-arch runner who wants one do-everything shoe will find the lighter, livelier Novablast 5 a better all-rounder; the Nimbus earns its place specifically for the plushest, most protective slow miles.

Who It's Best For

Choose the Nimbus 27 if your priority is maximum plush protection on easy days, recovery runs, and long slow distance, and you do not need the shoe to handle faster work. It is especially good for higher-volume or wider high-arch feet thanks to the multiple width options and roomy, cradling fit.

Skip it if you want a versatile single shoe (the Novablast 5), a firmer high-mileage workhorse (the Ghost 18), or anything light and quick. The Nimbus is a specialist in comfort, and for the high-arch runner who logs slow miles and wants to feel pampered, it is hard to beat.

Value at This Price

At $160 the Nimbus 27 is the most expensive shoe in this group, and the value question is whether the premium buys enough over the $140 Novablast 5 and Cumulus 28. The honest answer from the reviews is that you are paying for cushioning depth, a premium knit upper, the broadest width range (including extra-wide), and the Nimbus line's durability reputation — not for speed or versatility. For a high-arch runner who specifically wants the plushest, most protective slow-miles shoe and values that premium feel, the upcharge is justified.

For runners on a budget or those who want a more versatile single shoe, the value case weakens. The lighter, livelier Novablast 5 covers more of the weekly mileage for $20 less, and the Cumulus 28 delivers a similarly plush, heel-biased ride at the lower price point. The Nimbus earns its money only if maximum comfort and the premium build are your top priorities; otherwise the cheaper ASICS options offer better cost-per-mile for this category.