ASICS Nimbus 25 TR Review: ASICS Gets Grippy

The depth of PureGEL and FF Blast+ delighted many runners when the Nimbus 25 came out. The outsole did not. Has this update fixed that?

ASICS Nimbus 25 TR: What’s changed?

Josh: The latest version of the Nimbus 25 sees the same geometry, midsole and upper which was scientifically ranked as the comfiest shoe in 2023. Although this time, with additional traction to help keep you upright during the wet winter months.

In this case, TR stands for traction, not trail, and for good reason. While this shoe is able to handle gravel paths and light trails with ease, the high stack height and their heavy and slightly cumbersome size and shape makes them feel rather out of place on some of the more technical trails, especially on uneven ground. Where these shoes really shine, in my eyes, is on leaf covered surfaces and on gravel/dirt paths. Personally, this shoe has made the perfect training companion during the winter months in the UK. Especially when conditions are constantly changing and I find my usual running routes are made of less pavement and more semi-decomposed leaves.

Specs:

Drop: 8mm

Weight: 310g/10.9oz

MSRP: $170 / £170

ASICS Nimbus 25 TR Upper: Comfortable, Thick, Warm

Josh: Anyone who has tried the standard Nimbus 25 will understand when I say that these are one of the comfiest uppers I’ve put my feet in. Highly padded, the shoe feels almost as if it moulds to your foot when you first put it on. I have found no issues with hot-spots or blisters in this shoe. The heel is heavily padded and holds the foot in place meaning there is no heel slippage. However, one thing to mention is that I would recommend sizing half a size down in these shoes.

One drawback to the highly cushioned and comfortable upper is that it is heavy, highly insulating, and thick. These were all welcomed characteristics during the cold winter months here in Brighton. However, during the summer months or in warmer climates I can see overheating in this shoe becoming a big issue. This is an issue I faced when training in more clement weather.

One of the few downsides to the upper of the Nimbus 25 TR is the weight. Having predominantly used this shoe for easy and long runs, the weight hasn’t necessarily been an issue. Although, it has definitely been noticeable, especially when running on tired legs. However, designed as a max-cushioned shoe, weight is never going to be a strength of the shoe because of the additional material. Extra weight and cushioning and support come hand in hand with most shoes on the market at the moment. This is especially true with such a dense foam as ASICS’ FF Blast Plus. For this reason, I don’t necessarily think the added weight is a detriment to the shoe. The heavy upper tied together with the heavy midsole (more on this later) is my only gripe with the shoe.

Midsole: A Heavyweight Contender

Josh: The midsole of the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 TR is a combination of ASICS FF Blast Plus with PureGEL technology. ASICS have really hit gold with this combination. The shoes have the perfect level of cushioning. This results in a ride which feels extremely well balanced. It’s a soft landing, however, unlike many other shoes it’s not a sinking sensation which feels like you’re running on sand. The transition from midfoot to forefoot is very smooth and toe-off feels very responsive and controlled.

ASICS’ PureGEL technology sits strategically and conservatively just under the heel in the midsole. This contributes to the smooth and “squishy” feel of the shoe. However, the limited use of it means that the shoe achieves a great balance between responsiveness and comfort. On the other hand, as mentioned earlier, these are not a light pair of shoes. The generous use of FF Blast+ means that the shoes both feel and look large and heavy.

An issue which I find myself having with many max-cushioned shoes is the stability. When running in the Invincible with Nike’s ZoomX there felt as if there was no directional focus on the momentum I had in the shoes. However, this is not the case with the Nimbus 25 TR. Since the midsole is slightly firmer than other max cushioned shoes I’m not worried of rolling my ankle when running over uneven or loose terrain. This adds greatly to the traction aspect of the shoes because this added confidence allows you to use the shoes on almost all surface conditions.

Having put over 200km in my pair of Nimbus 25 TR with very minimal wear in the midsole, I can see these shoes lasting well over the 700 km mark. The feel of the shoe has been consistent throughout my experience with them.

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ASICS Nimbus 25 TR Outsole: Confidence Inspiring Update

Josh: The outsole is the only change between the standard Nimbus 25 and the TR version. This update sees lugs added on the outsole to improve traction on wet, loose surfaces. While this doesn’t make the shoe an all out trail shoe, I have found it to be extremely useful and confidence inspiring when on wet dirt paths and light trails.

These have become my go-to daily trainer during the winter months. Furthermore, I know that I will continue to reach for them in the coming months when going for a run on the local unpaved paths. These shoes feel just as good on paths as they do on the roads. The low-profile of the lugs makes these shoes perfect for easy runs on roads. Personally, I don’t see how the outsole of the Nimbus 25 TR could replace the outsole of the standard Nimbus because of all the benefits, while not detracting from the overall experience with the shoes.

ASICS Nimbus 25 TR Conclusion: More Versatile Than You’d Think

Josh: Hats off to ASICS for designing another great shoe in the Nimbus lineup. The Nimbus 25 TR adds a winter training shoe to the line and I think anyone who is looking for an easy/long run shoe should pick up the Nimbus 25 TR because of the additional traction it offers on all surfaces while not detracting from the controlled, comfortable ride. At $170/£ they are well worth the cost. They are competitively priced in comparison with other max-cushioned shoes. Additionally, with the release of the Nimbus 26 I can see reductions being applies to this shoe and you should be able to pick them up for a great price.

While these shoes are best suited for more relaxed paces, they don’t feel terrible at faster tempo paces. I have done a few long tempo sessions in this shoe and have been able to use them at paces of roughly 3:30/km without feeling extremely uncomfortable. While the added weight and size doesn’t make them extremely nimble at these speeds, it is nice to know that they can handle the occasional session. Overall, the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 TR is a great shoe and I would recommend this shoe to people of all running abilities.

Josh

20 years old

178cm (5′ 10″) – 65kg (143lbs)

Mid/Forefoot striker – Stride runner

@joshua_buton

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