Lifestyle

Asics Gel Cumulus 21: Your everyday training sneaker

This lite-show edition is perfect for evening runs

Published

November 25, 2019

Clinton Jeff

The Asics Gel Cumulus 21. That 21 isn’t just some random number. We’ve been through 20 previous versions of this everyday trainer sneaker, and if a sneaker line has survived over 20 iterations, they must be pretty good, right?

According to Asics, these are neutral running shoes designed to cushion and support your feet over runs. It’s a neutral every day trainer with a 10mm drop, that competes with other sneakers like the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus.

Unlike the Asics Nimbus which is more premium and made for distance, the Cumulus 21 is intended to be a go-to shoe.

Can they deliver on this promise? Let’s see!

Made for day-to-day comfort

The Asics Gel Cumulus 21 has a similar design to its previous version, the Gel Cumulus 20, which is probably a good thing because it was already a pretty good looking shoe considering how this classic design is in style right now.

It’s a pretty mature, balanced, and the Cumulus series also includes some of the top tech in running shoes from Asics which includes enough cushioning for runs.

The first thing I noticed when I took them out of the box was that the Cumulus 21 is a really well-built pair of training shoes. They’ve got a little bit of weight to them but that’s not a surprise since these aren’t really meant to be racing shoes. I’ll talk more about the weight later on.

At the top of the Cumulus 21, there’s the breathable Jacquard mesh — a welcome choice and will be much appreciated during hot summer runs. Plus its a nice, flexible mesh, so it’s pretty comfortable.

Speaking of flexibility, the toe box has a lot of space, and I’m saying that as someone that has pretty wide feet. The Asics Cumulus 21 fit true-to-size so you won’t have to worry about the sizing.

There’s also a stronger overlay over the mesh in the parts of the upper where you need stronger materials. Places like the front of the shoes, toe caps, and the eyelets for the laces. This is all so that the mesh does not tear because of your toenails.

Undeniably Asics

There’s also prominent Asics branding on the sides but this isn’t just aesthetic. There’s a functional role since it helps you secure and tighten the shoes.

Coming to the collar, its thick but soft, just like the tongue. They’re a bit larger than on most running shoes but the thicker layers do help with comfort.

There’s also an internal heel counter. It keeps the heel area stiff so that your heel doesn’t slip. This definitely helps with the stability of the shoe. Also on the inside of the shoe, is an eva sock liner which offers a nice amount of cushioning.

Overall the design of the Cumulus 21 is pretty nice, and it certainly looks like an Asics sneaker, for sure. They’re available in a variety of colors, so you should be able to find one that’s your style.

This particular sneaker is the new lite-show version of the Cumulus 21 which has reflective elements on the upper and midsole to help with those evening runs.

This was shot with flash on to show how it reflects light

Cushioning great for absorption with a modest return

I wore the Cumulus 21 for quick morning runs, and at the gym for my boxing, crossfit, and dance fitness classes, so that I could really put them in a variety of situations.

The shoes are really comfortable to jog in, and the excellent cushioning on the sole means you can probably wear them for hours.

As you walk in them, you can feel how the gel sole compresses under your foot and absorbs all the pressure. As you start to run, you won’t feel the same kind of soft cushioning, but its still really comfortable, with the forefoot area nicely cushioned off as well.

I should make it clear that there is very low energy return on this sole. The Gel sole just absorbs pressure but unlike Boost from Adidas or React from Nike, there’s not much energy returned to bounce back as you stride. But it’s also what makes the Cumulus 21 really comfortable to wear.

The sole is made of a combination of different cushioning tech — There’s the forefoot which is a bit more stiff but still has a bit of cushioning, there’s the rear gel cushioning, and then there’s the Flytefoam propel technology.

The Flytefoam offers additional cushioning, with some amount of energy return to help push you forward.

Coming to the outsole, there’s a thick layer of Asics High Abrasion Rubber, or AHAR, as they call it. This hopefully means the shoe will last a while and won’t get worn out too fast, which is appreciated since this is meant to be a daily training sneaker.

The outsole is pretty grippy and I never felt like it was slippery, even on wet surfaces.

All in all, the Asics Gel Cumulus 21 is made to last, with good quality materials, and offers about medium-to-high levels of comfort as an everyday training sneaker.

Perfect for short runs at any time of the day

The Asics Gel Cumulus 21 is pitched as a pair of running shoes but also everyday training shoes, and the exceptional cushioning and support definitely does help.

That being said, I do feel like they’re too heavy to be used for a race or long distance running. I found them a little too heavy and maybe a little stiff after a while on a long distance run. Don’t get me wrong, this sneaker is great for short distance runs and that cushioning is good, but it has a sweet spot in terms of distance before it does start to feel a little bottom heavy.

So yes, short distances, there’s no problem. However, these are just not built for long distances where you’ll really start to feel that weight. For that, the Asics Gel Nimbus might be a better option.

But for your morning jogs, or as everyday training sneakers, these are pretty great. They perform as expected, and you never really feel like you want any more from them.

If you’re just starting out with a fitness routine and you’re looking for an all-around fitness sneaker, the Gel Cumulus might be the best choice around because they offer good cushioning, great build quality, and solid stability.

Is this your Sneaker Match?

The Asics Gel-Cumulus 21 is a slightly tweaked update to a very successful line of neutral everyday workhorse shoes. It is priced well for the amount of tech packed into this shoe, and they’re nice enough that you could wear them around casually, at the gym every day, and even for your morning and evening runs.

It’s a great pair of all-around shoes. If you could only own one pair of running shoes, the Asics Gel Cumulus 21 is worth considering.

Related Topics:Asics Asics Gel Cumulus 21 featured

Lifestyle

adidas debuts ENERGYRIM carbon tech in the Adizero Adios Pro 5

A lighter super shoe with more foam underfoot

Published

October 27, 2026

MJ Jucutan

For runners chasing a new personal best, every gram and every stride counts. adidas is bringing its latest marathon-winning innovations to the next generation of its racing lineup with the Adizero Adios Pro 5, a race-day super shoe built to help athletes hold their pace over long distances.

Inspired by the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, the new Adios Pro 5 translates elite racing technology into a shoe for a wider group of runners.

It arrives after a landmark year for adidas, with athletes in Adizero footwear posting historic performances, including Sabastian Sawe’s sub-two-hour marathon.

The Adios Pro 5 weighs an average of 177 grams, about 23 grams lighter than the Adios Pro 4. The lighter build comes with a redesigned midsole and carbon technology, which improves energy return by 9 percent over the previous generation.

The tech behind

At the center of the shoe is ENERGYRIM, a carbon-infused structure that debuts in the Adios Pro series. It replaces the ENERGYRODS system and makes room for a greater volume of LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam underfoot, while still providing the stiffness needed for propulsion and stability with each stride.

The latest-generation LIGHTSTRIKE PRO foam works with ENERGYRIM to give the shoe a responsive ride. On paper, this pairing should help runners preserve speed deeper into a marathon while staying comfortable over the miles.

The outsole combines LIGHTTRAXION technology with Continental rubber, which adidas says delivers lightweight traction and better durability. The redesigned LIGHTLOCK 2.0 upper adds engineered ventilation zones and internal support bands, along with an updated heel construction, for a more secure fit that doesn’t add unnecessary weight.

Blueprint of Adizero

Visually, the Adios Pro 5 takes cues from the Evo 3, with premium lightweight materials and ENERGYRIM carbon visible around the midsole. A reflective zone at the heel highlights the shoe’s performance-focused construction.

adidas developed the shoe with more than 25 athletes across Kenya, Ethiopia, and the United States, and combined long-term wear testing and in-house performance validation with independent biomechanical research.

Sawe, the men’s marathon world-record holder, also contributed to the process, and athlete feedback shaped how the shoe evolved.

The launch builds on the growing legacy of the Adizero franchise, which has helped athletes secure more than 30 victories at major road races and break 12 world records.

In 2026, adidas athletes wearing Adizero shoes have set world records across the men’s and women’s marathon and half marathon distances.

Price, availability

For everyday runners, the Adios Pro 5 brings some of the technology developed for elite competition into a shoe built around the demands of race day.

Its lighter construction, updated cushioning, and revised carbon system are designed to support runners working toward their next personal best, whether that means chasing a faster finish or finding the confidence to hold their pace through the final kilometers.

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5 is now available in the Philippines through adidas.com.ph, the adidas app, and selected retail partners. It retails for PhP 15,000.

Lifestyle

MediCard’s MedGo app can scan your face for health risks

AI-powered Face Scan previews your vitals, cardiovascular risks, and mental wellbeing in one go.

Published

October 21, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Most people know when they should be looking after their health. The harder part is acting on it.

AIA Philippines’ 2026 Rethink Healthy study found that 70% of Filipinos reject a “bahala na” attitude toward their physical health, yet 83% only act after a personal or family crisis.

MediCard, the healthcare arm of AIA Philippines, is aiming at that gap with MedGo, its upgraded digital healthcare platform.

Two features stand out for anyone interested in getting ahead of a health concern: Face Scan and the EASE mental wellbeing program.

Face Scan reads your vitals from your face

Face Scan uses AI to scan your face and pick up on the blood vessels beneath the skin, which works best with proper lighting. From there, it assesses your vitals, flags possible risks such as cardiovascular ones, and gives you a read on your mental wellbeing.

The results work as a preview of where your health might be heading, which makes the data useful even when the numbers look good.

Face Scan is a screening tool, though, and a good result is a reason to feel encouraged rather than a replacement for a regular check-up.

If a result raises questions, the feature includes a link to a teleconsult, so you can talk to a professional right after seeing your data. Face Scan is currently available for select accounts only.

EASE puts mental health support a few taps away

EASE is MediCard’s mental health and wellbeing program. It lets members quickly talk to a mental health professional, a dietitian, or a fitness coach.

It also comes with resources on mental health and wellbeing, so you can read up on your own before or after a conversation.

In photo: MediCard CEO Julian Mengual

The answer to the usual healthcare headache

MedGo also covers the everyday tasks of being a MediCard member. You can pull up your Digital ID, check your benefits and coverage, request a Letter of Authorization (LOA), book appointments, and search for MediCard clinics, doctors, hospitals, and other accredited providers. Online consultation services are available as well.

Reimbursements follow a simpler path. Members can file a claim, upload the required documents, and follow the status of the request in the app. MediCard says this works through automated case creation and better tracking.

MediCard also says the redesign responds to common healthcare app complaints like downtime, login trouble, and slow performance.

On speed, the company says applicable automated LOA submissions now get a response in under three seconds. That figure comes from MediCard and covers only the submissions that qualify for automation.

Built around your existing doctors

MedGo works alongside the clinics, doctors, and hospitals members already use. MediCard’s physical clinics and nationwide provider network remain central to the experience, and the app is a more convenient way to reach them.

The platform was also built for easier integration with third-party partners, and MediCard says a dedicated team will keep expanding services through regular updates shaped by member feedback.

The launch is part of MediCard’s evolution since AIA Philippines acquired it in 2023.

Entertainment

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 now streaming, Cyberpunk 2077 update coming

Edgerunners returns to Night City

Published

October 21, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is now streaming on Netflix, with all 10 episodes available to watch. CD PROJEKT RED and animation studio TRIGGER have also announced a new update for Cyberpunk 2077, bringing content inspired by the anime to the game.

The Edgerunners 2 Update (Update 2.5) launches on October 22, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A Nintendo Switch 2 release will follow shortly.

Edgerunners returns with a new cast

Set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 tells a standalone story through an entirely new cast of characters. The series follows a veteran edgerunner, a young cinephile, a chrome-obsessed delinquent, and a Snake Nation netrunner as their stories explore vengeance and redemption in Night City.

Director Kai Ikarashi leads the new installment, with Kanno Ichigo serving as lead character designer. Masahiko Otsuka returns as a collaborator, while Bartosz Sztybor serves as showrunner, story writer, and producer.

Both Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 are available exclusively on Netflix.

Cyberpunk 2077 gets a new update

CD PROJEKT RED announced the Edgerunners 2 Update alongside the anime’s premiere on October 20. The free update will introduce new items and features to Cyberpunk 2077, including content inspired by the new series.

The update launches on October 22 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. CD PROJEKT RED has yet to announce the Nintendo Switch 2 release date beyond confirming that it will follow shortly.

The studio will reveal more details during a special episode of REDstreams on October 21. The broadcast will air on Twitch, YouTube, and Steam, with official patch notes scheduled for release on the same day.