When I started training for my first marathon 20 years ago, ASICS were the brand of shoes that took me the distance. Though I have run in many different brands over the years since those early days, ASICS has always been a reliable “go to” for me, and I was thrilled to get the chance to slip on the Gel-Nimbus 28.
Free People is a Japanese brand that has created an activewear sub-label FP Movement, and they have launched a first-ever footwear collaboration with ASICS. The collaboration is inspired by the Golden Hour, celebrating “the rituals of early runs and evening matches.” The blend of the athletic reputation of ASICS and the expressive aesthetic of FP Movement, we now have a shoe that’s both beautiful and functional.
Looks
The color of the Gel-Nimbus 28 sneakers is called “Pearled Ivory/Pure Silver.” As mentioned above, the inspiration for the shoes is Golden Hour, which is the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset, and these shoes are reminiscent of that gorgeous orange/pink glow you’ll see take over the sky.
The shoes look off-white upon first glance, but they are a very light peach color. The logo on the sides is a soft metallic silver and the sole is a deeper tangerine color. The shoes are so pretty that I felt guilty taking them outside for those first miles because I really didn’t want to get them dirty.
Function & Fit
The Gel-Nimbus is a perfect shoe for those long-distance runs. These shoes are lightweight and breathable when your feet start to sweat and the FF BLAST PLUS through the midsole will ensure that there will be bounce in your step even as your legs begin to fatigue. I immediately felt the cloud-like energy return the first time I put them on. They also did not weigh me down like many other running shoes do.
The Gel-Nimbus comes in a standard width. I got them in my typical size, which is a full size larger than my every day shoe. ASICS does a really great job of offering a shoe that is not too narrow nor too wide and the Gel-Nimbus fit like a glove when I put them on.
I have a wider footbed and I’m also nursing a couple of pinkie toe blisters that I acquired on a dog walk in a different pair of shoes a few days prior to my first run in these, and they did not aggravate those hot spots in the least.
Construction
I love the engineered knit upper for the gentle hug it offers around my feet. Also the stretchy, lightweight tongue and pull tabs make sliding these babies on and off a breeze. The OrthoLife X-55 sockliner helps with moisture management and the ASICSGRIP outsole and rubber will give you plenty of grab on the roads ahead.
Even better, the new Gel-Nimbus 28 is approximately 20g lighter than the previous version, which means less weight to turn over when you’re out there for a long time. The PureGEL technology that ASICS is known for is approximately 65% softer in these that the standard GEL technology, so that will translate to a more luxurious ride from beginning to end.
Adding the new Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 to my current line-up is a no brainer!
