ASICS Gel Cumulus 27 Review: A Shoe For Everyone

ASICS Gel Cumulus 27 Introduction

The Cumulus 27 is the ASICS shoe which probably has the widest appeal to the widest base of runners. A lower stack daily option which offers stability, comfort and some level of versatility. While it doesn’t offer the stack height of the Nimbus or the bounce of the Novablast, it is the shoe in the comfort line which will probably sell the best. 

What does the 27th version of the Cumulus bring to the table? Read on to find out.

Colour aside, the upper offers great comfort

Andy: Upon opening the box, I was not blown away by the colour scheme which greeted me. I have a one year old at home and the overall paint job was rather reminiscent of the insides of one of his nappies. However, ASICS, I am sure, will be releasing many other colours of the Cumulus 27. Meanwhile, the colour doesn’t alter the performance of the shoe. 

The initial step in comfort of the Cumulus is excellent. Atop the foot, the jacquard mesh upper holds the foot in place well and gave me no issues with rubbing or hotspots. As far as breathability goes, I haven’t had the temperatures to really put it to the test. During my winter running, it has kept the feet at a good temperature. That said, the combination between padding around the heel counter and thick, gusseted tongue may lead to some overheating in the summer months. I can report that it does retain rather a lot of water and can take a couple of days to fully dry out after a soggy jog. 

As far as fit goes, I received the Cumulus 27 in my usual size and found that it fits true to size. Furthermore, the aforementioned gussetted tongue helps make the lockdown excellent. The foot is held firmly and comfortably in place. Additionally, the padding in the tongue is well placed and helps to avoid lace bite. Meanwhile, the laces themselves are fairly standard affairs which do the job well. 

Another good piece of attention to detail is the insole ASICS have chosen. Thick and removable, it adds an extra layer of sink in comfort when the shoe is on foot. Even if not running, the Cumulus 27 makes a comfortable, all-day walking around shoe. 

Overall, the upper does exactly what you want from a daily shoe. It holds the foot firm and in comfort while offering no rubbing or awkwardness. Unless you have a particular outlier of a foot volume, this should work in your usual size.

Tim: I can only agree with Andy’s comment about the look. I received the brown version of the Cumulus 27, which I didn’t find very appealing. But, let’s put the look aside, after all I guess you are here to read about facts and opinion, not to discuss color and taste.

The shoe is definitely true to size and falls in the standard width range. If you have rather wide feet, you may feel a bit squeezed inside. Otherwise, everything should be fine. If you know the latest Nimbus, you will clearly see some similarities in the Cumulus 27. You will find the same (or a very close) Jacquard mesh as on the Nimbus. Another similarity is a thin and unstructured tongue. Even though this one is thinner and less elastic than the one on the Nimbus.

In regards to the heel cup and all the padding, it is somewhere between the Nimbus and the Novablast. This means you get a very decent amount of cushioning for a good and secure lockdown. The laces are fine, especially for this price range. I have run quite a bit and walked for hours in these shoes and I have never had any issue with the lacing.

Regarding breathability, I had the occasion to run with them in both heat and sun (20-25°C) as well as in cold and snow. In the second case, I felt comfortable. However, the upper is absolutely not waterproof and can make your feet really wet if you run in the rain. For warm weather, as Andy feared, my feet did overheat a bit. So I would say this shoe has the perfect upper for autumn and winter. I would probably avoid using them in summer or for a very short run only.

Overall, it is a very solid upper that brings comfort and a good lockdown. The only thing to improve, in my opinion, is the breathability. But for this time of the year, and as long as you don’t live in a country close to the equator, it is totally fine. 

Ivan: I’d say the ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 is one of the most subtle updates of the year. The only real change is the new engineered mesh upper, but to be honest, it’s not a major departure from the Cumulus 26. While the update is meant to provide a better fit and improved breathability, the difference is barely noticeable. That said, the fit was already great, and I haven’t had any issues with breathability – though, to be fair, it’s currently freezing around here.

In terms of sizing, I agree with my fellow reviewers that it runs true to size. The upper remains comfortable all around, as expected from ASICS, with just enough padding that strikes a nice balance – cushioned, but not overly plush. This complements the overall simplicity of the Cumulus.

A dampening foam which lacks a little excitement

Andy: Despite its fairly low profile look, especially when compared to the Novablast and the Nimbus, it does pack a whopping 38.5mm of foam in the heel. In the case of the Cumulus 27, that foam is FF BLAST+. As I mentioned in the introduction, you shouldn’t be expecting wild excitement from the Cumulus. However, that is not the purpose of the shoe. This is a daily mileage muncher. This is where the FF BLAST+ and PureGEL technology combine to create a soft, smooth ride. 

As a forefoot striker, the 30.5mm up front offers enough cushioning to take it through my morning runs. Heel strikers will appreciate the addition of the gel in the heel to add even more softness. While testing the shoe, I have been playing around with landing further back and the roll from heel to toe is smooth and efficient. 

As far as versatility goes, the midsole is more dampening than offering energy return. It would never be my first choice for an uptempo shoe. It doesn’t offer the pop and bounce of the Novablast but it is capable of handling a range of paces. During the mileage I have put through the midsole in the last few weeks, I have used it from around 6:00/km to around 4:00/km. It has offered a balanced ride and the weight, 265g, has never impeded the runs. Despite the relatively high stack, the Cumulus 27 feels very stable. The Nimbus has rather a wallowy feel to it while the Novablast is not one for overpronators. Meanwhile, the Cumulus mixes softness and stability well. 

To conclude the ride section, I think I can say that the Cumulus 27 will be a good option for the vast majority of runners who are looking for a dependable, smooth rolling daily shoe. From heel strikers to those who are more up on their toes, the Cumulus offers a balanced ride which can help you through everything but the fastest of runs on your schedule.

Tim: This is the first Cumulus I tried, and when receiving them, I had no expectations. But in the end, I discovered a very solid daily trainer. Don’t be tricked by the flat look and strange outsole that looks more like a second piece of midsole than a real outsole. Thanks to FF BLAST+ foam and PureGEL the ride is softer and better than expected. It’s not as soft as the Nimbus 26, but it still remains in the soft category of daily trainer. I haven’t tried the Nimbus 27, but based on Meta Endurance’s review, it’s even softer.

Energy return is probably not the right word to describe the ride. However, it gives back much more than a Nimbus, making it quite enjoyable for daily training. In fact, it gives me everything I need to go from a recovery run (5:15min/km) to my endurance pace (4:15 min/km), which makes it very versatile. It’s pleasant to run in, adapts well to my gait cycle (heel to midfoot). Except when running under the sun, I almost forget about them, meaning they offer a very natural and smooth experience on foot.

To compare, it reminds me a lot of the Brooks Glycerin 22. A pleasant, reliable shoe, nothing extraordinary, but one you will trust for loading tons of kilometers. Also like the Glycerin 22, the Cumulus 27 rides super stable, thanks to a wide platform at the back, middle, and front, offering great support and confidence.

Ivan: The ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 is all about simplicity and versatility. It’s that classic neutral trainer capable of handling most runs for most runners. As already mentioned, the ride leans more toward dampened cushioning rather than a bouncy, energetic feel – but that’s perfectly fine, especially considering other options in the ASICS lineup, like the Novablast. The Cumulus stays out of the way in the best possible sense – lightweight, nimble, and comfortably cushioned, making it feel both smooth and agile in most situations.

That said, if you’re looking for excitement, this isn’t the shoe for you. It’s dependable and gets the job done though. I was slightly surprised that I didn’t notice much of the rocker geometry as a midfoot striker, despite the shoe’s visual design suggesting otherwise.

With so many thick and soft daily trainers nowadays with absolutely no ground feel, it’s refreshing to have an option that provides a more natural running experience – where you feel like you’re running in the shoe rather than on it. The ride should suit the majority of runners, and despite the 8mm drop, it doesn’t seem to interfere with any particular running style.

Compared to its big brother, the ASICS Nimbus, the Cumulus handles decently fast paces with ease – unless you’re a heavier runner with a strong push-off, in which case the Nimbus’ platform might offer a bit more “oomph” when driving off the ground.

A soft, silent outsole keeps you grounded

Andy: On the bottom of the Cumulus 27, we find FluidRide. I don’t own a durometer, but, to the touch, it feels very soft. This adds to the overall comfort of the Cumulus package. So far, I have had the chance to test the Cumulus in both frosty and very wet conditions. Aside from a few forays across muddy, wet grass with all the added sliminess, it has not given me too much cause for concern. While it lacks the bite of something like PUMAGRIP, it has never felt like running on banana skins. 

As far as durability goes, I have not noticed any degradation in the outsole over the past few weeks. That said, the softness of the FluidRide rubber does make me wonder how long it will last.

Tim: Nothing to add to Andy’s comment. Like him, after nearly 50 km of running and at least 20-30 km of walking, I noticed no signs of wear. Still, I’m very curious to see how they will hold up over time. They are already very soft and might become even softer with use. If I have the chance to take them beyond 200 km, I will probably come back here to update this part.

Ivan: The FluidRide 2.0 EVA-based outsole is supposedly a new formulation. But, to be honest, I can’t feel much difference from the previous version – and that’s perfectly fine with me. Grip in the Cumulus 27 has been solid, and I appreciate that the outsole remains quiet underfoot. Since the entire layer functions as one thick piece, I have no concerns about durability either. Even the outsole contributes to that seamless, almost weightless sensation while running – which is a compliment. It’s simplicity at its finest.

Simplicity and versatility make this a marvellous choice

Andy: If you want a simple, comfortable and easy shoe, the Cumulus 27 is a very good bet. It offers upper comfort, a smooth ride and ASICS’ usual build quality. If you want excitement in your runs, head for the Novablast. If you want a deep cushion for slow recovery runs, grab the Nimbus. However, if you are looking for a shoe which can give you a bit of everything, the Cumulus is your pal. At €160, it isn’t the cheapest shoe on the block but it does offer value with the quality and comfort. Unless you are a real outlier of a runner, the Cumulus will probably suit you. From beginner to seasoned veteran, this makes for a good daily option.

Tim: I’ve often recommended the Nimbus and the Novablast to people looking for a good daily trainer. But from now on, I will probably suggest only the Cumulus 27. It’s probably less fun than a Novablast and less comfortable than a Nimbus. That said, it’s the perfect mix between the two. I also see this shoe working for a wider range of runners, especially beginners. A Novablast can feel a bit unstable, and a Nimbus too clunky. On top of that, at €160 / $140 the price is good even if €10 less would have been a better price in my opinion. Nevertheless, it’s still a competitive price for such a shoe. This is especially true compared to the Brooks Glycerin 22, which, as mentioned before, is a very similar option.

Kudos, ASICS!

Ivan: I’ll conclude as I started – the ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 is all about simplicity and versatility. Not much has changed, and personally, I don’t mind. It’s reassuring to know that you can still find a daily trainer that offers some ground feel and doesn’t interfere with your natural running form.

If you’re looking for a more exciting, very fast, or ultra-cushioned ride, there are plenty of options out there. But the Cumulus remains a reliable workhorse, capable of handling most types of runs for the majority of runners. Its understated simplicity allows it to almost disappear on foot at times – something that many runners, regardless of experience level, can appreciate.