ASICS lives in this really interesting area right now and we could even see it at last year’s Running Event more than ever. On one hand, they are tied to the models that people swear by and have become their tried and true, but on the other hand they still need to innovate to not get left behind. The GEL-Nimbus Lite is kind of an interesting halfway point in that it is built upon their traditional Nimbus platform, but it has been lightened up and their midsole tech has been added. Let’s see how they run…
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- A lighter version of the Gel Nimbus, but with ASIC’s new Flytefoam midsole
- Weighs in at 9.7oz or 275g for a US Men’s 9
- Has 25mm of cushion and a 10mm heel/toe drop
- Retails at $150.00 USD and comes in 1 color for Men and Women
Run Test
Seeing a lot of what was coming from ASICS back at TRE in December left most of us really curious about where they might be headed as a brand. Behind closed doors we got to see newer products like the Novablast and Metaracer, but we also saw all the original models that ASICS fans rave about. When the Nimbus Lite showed up, we kind of perked up a bit because we saw real innovation on an existing platform.
On foot, the shoe feels great. Soft at first, but with a decent amount of underfoot flex. The upper is very comfortable and the heel holds you pretty well. The laces are really beefy in size and the upper mesh material kind of shares this odd “puffed” appearance. They did feel like ASICS of old in terms of fit, but a bit lighter than most things we have seen before. The shoe fits true to size and that 10mm drop is very apparent.
Out in the run, it is kind of hit and miss. First, the shoe runs much faster its parent Nimbus model so you can really turn these things on when you want to. The upper is comfortable and breathes well enough and the Flytefoam is doing what they want it to do. It satisfies exactly what ASICS was looking for in that it slightly deviates from the known model and makes subtle improvement tweaks which definitely sends them in the right direction. If you are an ASICS fan, then no complaints at all and you will love it but if you aren’t, then probably not a compelling transition shoe.
Construction: Upper
The upper is all about sustainability. The majority of the upper mesh is recycled goods and the tongue and laces are also 100% recycled. The upper is breathable and has a solid level of padding in the heel cup. The laces are super beefy which is a little weird. The external heel counter is very visible and holds you in place well.
The padding on the collar is plush and comfortable The bulbous lacing is a little off-putting for us The upper material breathes well, but . Expect them to get dirty very fast Asics GEL-Nimbus Lite – front Asics GEL-Nimbus Lite – back
Construction: Midsole
The midsole is really where this she is dialed in. It used ASICS new Flytefoam which is supposed to provide bounce and responsiveness. Effectively this means you should feel like you are landing softer and then the shoe should rebound faster. They have also implemented GEL tech in both the front and rear of the shoe which should help with more shock absorption and also help a bit with toe off.
Midsole – lateral heel Midsole – lateral toe Midsole – medial toe Midsole – medial heel
Construction: Outsole
The outsole on the Nimbus Lite is a ASICS proprietary high abrasion rubber blend they call AHAR and there is a decent amount of it which improves traction, but also contributes to weight. They have placed grooves at varying intervals which allows for more flexibility during foot transition.
Overhead of the outsole, lots of rubber and flex grooves clearly visible
Style & Aesthetics
It looks like just like an ASICS that you have seen before, so it hits on all the traditional points. That being said, the color option is a touch underwhelming if we’re honest. If you are honestly only making one color option of a shoe, one would hope for a little more pop than this light grey. The green accent is solid though and the silver plate on the heel counter jumps out as well.
Overall Conclusion
ASICS did a really good job with the GEL-Nimbus Lite. The shoe sits right at this spot of evolution as they transition these older platforms to newer tech. The Flytefoam midsole has a decent level of pop and while there are some great new updates, it still feels like an ASICS shoe. This is probably one of the biggest negatives as well because if you haven’t enjoyed them in the past… this doesn’t feel entirely new. ASICS fans should check it out without question because it draws a nice line to the future of the brand.
Learn more on the ASICS website
Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
