ASICS Men’s Gel Nimbus 9
First off, this is my first Asics shoe. My usual running shoe is either a Nike or Adidas. My last shoe I used for running was a Nike Air Zoom 360 which was about 200 dollars. It was a coolness factor buy I admit, but before that I had their zoom running shoes which I found light and soft on impact as well.
When my Nike air zoom 360 needed retirement (the sole was one big air pocket and had been ruptured on both shoes, making it pick up rocks and dust), I decided that my next running shoe would be softer and less style over function. It had to be light but very stable ( I don’t want to twist my ankle again.)
The only other shoe available at the time of window shopping was an Adidas CS running shoe, white with a yellow stripe. It was about 20 dollars less than the Nimbus 9, was lighter and cooler to run around with because of the mesh the upper part was made of but not as soft on impact. The shoe is very good for our climate which is very hot and humid and the mesh doesn’t look like it will rip. It was pretty stylish as well.
I am not flat footed, I’ve got a regular arch and I have no qualms running around the shoe store with the shoes on to test how they feel.
After a few jogs and 3 jumps between stores, I decided on the Nimbus 9 because the soles of the shoe was notably softer than any other shoe I’ve had so far. Its well balanced and for about 120 dollars, was a lot less than I normally spend on running shoes. It felt like a good deal and it was pretty cool to find it outside the more common brands I’m used to.
The gel they talk about which comprises the sole is no joke. Normally, poking inside the shoe won’t give you a good idea of how it’ll feel on your feet when you walk, but for the first time in my shoe buying experience, the inner sole was just as soft to the touch as it is on my feet.
The design wasn’t something I totally fancied, but thats subjective and for the function the shoe gives; soft cushioning for the feet, stability and fit around the ankle, you can’t go wrong.
