The Asics Gel Nimbus 22 is the latest in Asics Gel Nimbus series of marathon running shoes. These sneakers are made for high mileage and are aimed for those looking for a great training and running pair.

To be clear, they’re not really “racing” shoes because they are not entirely built for speed. The Nimbus 22 is a neutral running shoe that applies to all levels of runners. This means anyone from starters who just run on weekends to anyone who goes on proper, long distance runs.

To quickly introduce the Gel Nimbus series, many Asics fans will tell you that this is the Gold Standard in a road-running shoe. Its comfort is almost second to none in the Asics line.

With every update, Asics has listened to consumer issues and fixed them. This gives the Gel Nimbus series quite a reputation in the running community.

The Nimbus 22 now offers better cushioning than its predecessor, the Gel Nimbus 21.

There’s the same FlyteFoam Propel midsole but there’s more of it this time around. There’s also the same gel cushioning in the heel which is soft and absorbs impact really well.

The shoe is still lightweight. It’s not light enough to be considered a true racing shoe, but it is enough to not feel heavy even after miles of running in a marathon. The men’s model weighs approximately 10.2oz or 290g, while the women’s weighs approximately 8oz or 235g.

In addition, the shoe maintains its stable ride thanks to the Asics signature Trusstic system under the arch. Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into this sneaker but I’ll talk about that later on. With the intro out of the way, let’s talk about design!

Breathable material, plenty of colorway options

The Gel Nimbus 22 is visually appealing. There’s a bunch of different colorways available and for the most part, the colors are not too bright or in your face.

I got the special limited edition Tata Mumbai Marathon colorway to check out — which makes sense because this sneaker is geared towards marathon runners as well. This colorway is a little loud but the usual colorways of the Nimbus 22 are actually quite nice, in case you’re into something more minimalistic.

The Gel Nimbus 22 comes in plenty of colorways

Starting with the upper, the Nimbus 22 has a pretty breathable, lightweight material. This was especially appreciated in the hot 32-degree Celsius weather I was running in.

That being said, if you’re going to wear this in colder weather, you’ll probably want to wear thicker socks or just wait until your feet get warmed up on your run.

The Nimbus 22 allows for air-flow to keep your feet cool while on a run. Personally, it’s already a huge win for me, so the lightweight mesh material that makes up the upper, is definitely appreciated.

But remember, it is lightweight, so it probably won’t survive any encounters with thorn bushes or rogue sticks when you’re on a hike or running in a trail, so be careful in those scenarios.

Apart from that, the updated mesh upper has a sleeker new look with minimal overlays and has a soft but secure fit. The toe box is a little wide which I actually really liked, while the heel is noticeably structured and slightly narrow. I’ll talk more about fit later on.

Flexible and responsive cushioning

The most appealing feature of the Nimbus 22 is its sole unit. The Gel cushioning wraps around the rear of your foot, and does a great job at shock absorption. This makes running in these sneakers way more comfortable.

Underneath that sole unit that runs the full length of the midsole is the FlyteFoam which brings in the flexibility and responsiveness you feel on these sneakers.

Asics says this has an additional 2mm of the FlyteFoam Propel midsole foam compared to the Nimbus 21. This allows the sole to compress a bit more when your foot first hits the ground for improved softness.

The FlyteFoam Propel is Asics’s bounciest foam to date. While it doesn’t really have the same kind of pop energy return as Adidas’ Boost, it’s still really good and is perfect for everyday runs.

With the Gel cushioning, and FlyteFoam altogether, this just makes for a really comfortable running shoe with plenty of cushioning. This means you also have a lot of underfoot protection against rocks or other small objects that you might encounter. You just have a really plush step-in underfoot feel that maintains its softness throughout your stride.

Coming to the outsole, the Nimbus 22 has a lightweight Asics High Abrasion Rubber (AHAR) which reduces the overall level of wear and tea. I have to say, I really appreciate the tread here.

The Nimbus 22 has great traction even on wet roads  and the depth of the tread isn’t too deep so it won’t pick up rocks on your run.

The updated outsole with an increased number of flex grooves allows for a smoother ride. I know threads on the outsole are not normally a topic we talk about, but hey, I was pretty impressed.

Lastly, there’s the Trusstic system found under the arch of the shoe. This thermoplastic piece provides stability, reduces weight, and helps extend the life of the shoe.

For women, this piece offers added support for forward motion. In the men’s model, this piece provides added support toward the inside of the arch. In addition, the 10mm offset helps prevent strain in the Achilles and calves.

All in all, the sole of the Asics Gel Nimbus 22 is pretty much the main reason why this is such a comfortable pair. I’m all for it.

True-to-size even or wide footers

In terms of fit, the Gel Nimbus 22 fits true-to-size, and I’m saying that as someone who has pretty wide feet. Although I always recommend you try them on in a store if you can, just to make sure.

It’s a secure but comfortable fit that isn’t too snug. It feels great while running which is something you’ll definitely notice and appreciate on your first run. I had no side-to-side movement or sliding in the shoe while running.

You can feel the comfort and responsiveness in each stride and there is enough room in the toe box area for your toes to feel secure but not too restricted.

Is this your SneakerMatch?

At the end of the day, the Asics Gel Nimbus 22 might just be my favorite running shoes right now. It’s a comfortable, very-well-cushioned run that you’ll love running in for miles. The cushioning is well-balanced and doesn’t feel heavy or dead underfoot. While the shoe is slightly heavier than racing shoes, the weight is well distributed throughout.

Asics has made small but appreciated updates with the Nimbus 22, especially with the thicker midsole which really adds to the whole responsiveness of the shoe. Even the updated upper is nice and soft which feels secure and adaptable at the same time.

I wore the Gel Nimbus 22 to the gym a couple of times, while lifting, running on a treadmill, and even running outdoors. I was really impressed with how comfortable these shoes were, and they didn’t lose any bounce in the two weeks I tried them out.

While it is priced on the higher side, it’s still kind of a steal when compared against other premium running sneakers. This makes it a truly great value for money pair.

The Asics Gel Nimbus 22 lives up to its reputation as a great premium neutral all-around running and training sneaker with even more comfort to boot. Definitely recommended. The Asics Gel Nimbus 22 is hands down my favorite running shoe at the moment.