The Asics Gel-Nimbus 23 is the premium road running shoe Asics offers. Asics focused on comfort and wearability with this model, resulting in a shoe with maximum cushion.
If you liked the Nimbus 22’s, you’ll love the Gel-Nimbus 23’s. The new version is largely a continuation of Asics’ Gel-Nimbus line. Although these aren’t the most popular shoes among avid runners, they get the job done and do it quite well!
Gel-Nimbus 23 First Impressions
My first impression of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 23 was how heavy they are. For a daily running shoe, they felt too heavy for me. I like lighter trainers because I usually go for longer runs, so making sure my legs don’t get tired is important for me.
Other than their weight, this running shoe has various designs you can choose from. I like bright-colored shoes because they’re more reflective, and Asics has options like yellow or red to suit those who enjoy reflective shoes.
This Asics Gel-Nimbus 23 has men’s and women’s versions. Their dimensions differ, with the men’s shoe having a wider toe box and the women’s having a narrower sole and slightly higher heel-toe drop.
Sole
The Gel-Nimbus 23’s sole unit’s primary benefit is its gel technology. Located at the heel, a generous amount of gel supports the heel with every strike. The gel disperses the impact throughout the sole instead of the impact focusing on the strike location.
The gel helps alleviate any impact-related discomfort and creates a soft, cushioned feel. The gel heel in this shoe is softer than previous versions, so it absorbs even more force with each impact.
The sole finds a perfect balance between cushioned comfort and strength. Sometimes I find that my cushioned trainers feel mushy or overly soft, which means less support for my heel and midfoot. The gel in these Asics’ is firm enough to provide support while keeping comfort in mind.
The sole is also ultra-flexible. When you pick up a Gel-Nimbus 23, you’ll notice how easy it is to maneuver with your hands. When you’re wearing them on your feet, you’ll notice that your feet can move and flex the sole. You can basically see the comfort!
Upper
Asics makes their Gel-Nimbus 23’s upper from a single knit piece that you slip your foot into like a sock. It gives you ankle support and a snug fit to keep your feet safe from injuries. The sock-like fit also helps you reduce the likelihood of rolled or sprained ankles.
Asics makes their knit upper from a breathable, synthetic material. The material is light enough to not cause issues but still strong enough that my ankle doesn’t feel like it could easily roll.
The Nimbus 23’s have neutral support, which means these shoes promote neutral pronation. Neutral pronation is the way the vast majority of runners operate. The heel strikes first, then rolls slightly so that the outside of your foot strikes before the arch of your feet.
Neutral support and pronation give wearers minimal chance of injuring themselves because this is the natural foot movement in runners. By supporting the way your feet and ankles move naturally, the chances of an injury occurring are extremely low.
After using the Asics Gel-Nimbus 23’s for a few runs, one of the primary aspects of the shoe I noticed was its breathability. My feet never felt warm, even when I was running on a treadmill in my gym. I didn’t notice my feet getting sweaty, but if they did, they allowed the sweat and warm air to escape before I noticed.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a shoe for your low-intensity training, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 23 is for you! The sole has maximal cushioning that provides wearers with support while being comfortable on their feet.
These shoes are great for experienced or new runners. Their gel technology gives their shoes support and comfort in one package. That can be an advantage for new runners since wear and tear affect new runners to the greatest extent.
