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The Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 is a sturdy daily trainer with a traditional ride that offers a cheaper alternative to the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27. It’s a solid generalist, but lacks the spark of the best running shoes in this category from other brands, and the Asics Novablast 5 is also a shoe we prefer for daily miles at the same price from the Asics range.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £140/$140
- Weight: 274g/9.7oz (men’s UK 9 / US 10)
- Drop: 8mm
- Upper: Engineered mesh
- Midsole: FF Blast+ foam with PureGel insert under heel
- Outsole: Fluidride rubberised EVA
Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 review
How’s The Fit
Nick, Tom and Kieran tested the Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 for our review and all found that it fit well in their normal running shoe size. It has a comfortable upper that might be a little hot for daily miles in some countries, but was fine in the UK, and the padding around the heel cradles the Achilles without causing irritation.
The Run Test: Likes
The trend in cushioned shoes these days is to opt for maximal stacks of cushioning and wide bases to create stability, so it’s a little refreshing to run in a shoe like the Gel-Cumulus 27 which has a more traditional design with a lower stack height.
This makes it feel a bit more connected to the ground, and nimble than wide shoes like the Gel-Nimbus 27. Even though it does sacrifice some comfort under the forefoot in particular, it’s still a cushioned shoe that protects the legs well for easy and long miles.
The balanced ride means that the shoe will suit a wide range of runners. It’s not very soft or springy, but provides a reliable base with some natural stability, and it compares well to some of the best running shoes for beginners as a fairly affordable option.
We also liked the Fluidride outsole on the shoe, which creates a smooth ride. The rubberised EVA might not be as durable as a full rubber outsole, but the grip has been good for us and the Cumulus 27 is less slappy than other Asics shoes like the Nimbus 27 because of it.
The Run Test: Dislikes
The Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 is not the most exciting or fun shoe to run in, and the competition around its price point includes some more energetic daily trainers that provide a softer and springier feel, including the Asics Novablast 5.
It’s also not particularly versatile despite being quite lightweight for a cushioned shoe. The lack of energy return from the foam means that we didn’t enjoy using it for faster runs, and it also has a fairly lifeless feel on longer runs.
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Verdict And Alternatives
The Asics Gel-Cumulus 27 is a solid daily trainer at a decent price and could be a good option for those who like a more traditional running shoe with a lower stack height.
However, it doesn’t stand out in a crowded part of the market, and there are shoes we prefer available for the same price or less. The Novablast 5 is a more fun and versatile daily trainer if you don’t mind a max-stack shoe, while the Nike Pegasus 41 and Puma Velocity Nitro 3 are more affordable options with livelier rides that also have lower stacks.
Compared to the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, the Gel-Cumulus 27 is a little less cushy and we also found the Nimbus to have a smoother transition from heel to toe. The Cumulus is cheaper though and still a very capable daily trainer, so if you’re happy with the lower stack height it’s a good alternative to the Nimbus.