ASICS Men’s GEL-Nimbus 12 Price Review

Now in its 12th incarnation, this venerable trainer offers top of the line cushioning and a stable ride. Loaded with new features as well as Guidance Line for gait efficiency and Discrete Eye stay construction, with ASICS affect Guidance System (I.G.S), Space Trusstic System, Biomorphic Fit Upper, and a ComforDry Sockliner.

140 of 141 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Different Than last Nimbus Models, But Also Better, March 29, 2010
By Rugger Burke (Dallas, TX United States) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: ASICS Men’s GEL Nimbus twelve Running Shoe (Apparel) The Nimbus twelve is new for 2010 and is a worth replacement to the excellent Nimbus 11. If you’re a neutral runner (with maybe somewhat higher arches) that optimizes for comfort over distance ahead of complete speed this is a good shoe for you or at least a good shoe for you to train in to avoid injuries.

The Nimbus line is one of Asics franchise shoes; it’s at the higher class of cost and function made for running. Note that there’s little lateral support, if you’re cross training in other sports you may need another pair of shoes. The Nimbus is especially suited for high mileage runners (those running 25 miles or more a week) and those with a “neutral” gate and somewhat higher arches there’s greater cushioning for the arches.

For background, I’m 6’1″, 175, and run three to six miles some number of days a week 2/3rds of the time on a treadmill and 1/3 of the time outside. Many seasons I kick up the miles for a marathon, but overall running is part of a cross training program. I have usually, oscillated between New Balance and Asics, but tend to favor Asics (in part because the numbering system used by New Balance makes it more challenging to find the same types of shoes from year to year). The Nimbus 12s are most likely my fifth or sixth iteration with the Nimbus line.

When you 1st see these in person you’ll notice two changes from last versions:
1. More flash
2. An asymmetrical lacing pattern
The toe caps and portions of the shoe are shiny and look jazzier (to many maybe more expensive) than last variants. The asymmetrical lacing pattern means that the laces follow an angle from the front of the shoe to the back, rather than the conventional parallel line (along the middle) from front to back. In hypothesis this is to follow the contour of your foot more closely for comfort. Personally, I can not feel a real difference, but I do not cinch my laces tightly either, and the tongue of the shoe tends to offer enough cushion from the laces. Could rate this as much marketing as a value add feature.

The real difference from earlier variants is obvious when you put them on. Instead of your foot sitting on a conventional wedge of bubble, your heel really sinks lower into the footbed of the shoe. At 1st they feel nearly big, like you’re wearing a low top shoe that comes up to your ankle and is one size too big. But your foot also feels like you just slid into a fitted shoe weird paradox that’s a little disorienting.Until you go for a run.

Running is where these really stand out. If you need cushioning, they are the softest variant of the Nimbus still. Running on a treadmill or anything short of hard cement and you’ll feel like you’re running on soft earth. Not so soft that you feel like you’re running on sand, but soft earth like a well kept grass soccer field. The clunky feeling that you felt in 1st trying them on disappears and they feel great. You may be able to run many miles and your feet still feel good. On the flip side, if you feel that the cushioning robs you of energy, then could propose another shoe.

Two asides: (1) if you’re new to Asics, majority of people order one size bigger than their street shoe ie, if you where a ten in regular shoes, you may need and eleven and (2) maybe in the minority on this, but I continue to be bothered that the stock insoles on the Nimbus are pathetic. For a shoe you’re investing more than $120 in, the insoles are barely better than cardboard. But nearly all running shoes suffer from this issue, so I’m not deducting a star for this.

In summary, if you like the Asics feel, they are considerably different from last iterations externally and internally, but an excellent shoe in general.

Hope this review helps you.

---

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars Different Than last Nimbus Models, But Also Better, March 29, 2010
By Rugger Burke (Dallas, TX United States) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) The Nimbus twelve is new for 2010 and is a worth replacement to the excellent Nimbus 11. If you’re a neutral runner (with maybe somewhat higher arches) that optimizes for comfort over distance ahead of complete speed this is a good shoe for you or at least a good shoe for you to train in to avoid injuries.

The Nimbus line is one of Asics franchise shoes; it’s at the higher class of cost and function made for running. Note that there’s little lateral support, if you’re cross training in other sports you may need another pair of shoes. The Nimbus is especially suited for high mileage runners (those running 25 miles or more a week) and those with a “neutral” gate and somewhat higher arches there’s greater cushioning for the arches.

For background, I’m 6’1″, 175, and run three to six miles some number of days a week 2/3rds of the time on a treadmill and 1/3 of the time outside. Many seasons I kick up the miles for a marathon, but overall running is part of a cross training program. I have usually, oscillated between New Balance and Asics, but tend to favor Asics (in part because the numbering system used by New Balance makes it more challenging to find the same types of shoes from year to year). The Nimbus 12s are most likely my fifth or sixth iteration with the Nimbus line.

When you 1st see these in person you’ll notice two changes from last versions:
1. More flash
2. An asymmetrical lacing pattern
The toe caps and portions of the shoe are shiny and look jazzier (to many maybe more expensive) than last variants. The asymmetrical lacing pattern means that the laces follow an angle from the front of the shoe to the back, rather than the conventional parallel line (along the middle) from front to back. In hypothesis this is to follow the contour of your foot more closely for comfort. Personally, I can not feel a real difference, but I do not cinch my laces tightly either, and the tongue of the shoe tends to offer enough cushion from the laces. Could rate this as much marketing as a value add feature.

The real difference from earlier variants is obvious when you put them on. Instead of your foot sitting on a conventional wedge of bubble, your heel really sinks lower into the footbed of the shoe. At 1st they feel nearly big, like you’re wearing a low top shoe that comes up to your ankle and is one size too big. But your foot also feels like you just slid into a fitted shoe weird paradox that’s a little disorienting.Until you go for a run.

Running is where these really stand out. If you need cushioning, they are the softest variant of the Nimbus still. Running on a treadmill or anything short of hard cement and you’ll feel like you’re running on soft earth. Not so soft that you feel like you’re running on sand, but soft earth like a well kept grass soccer field. The clunky feeling that you felt in 1st trying them on disappears and they feel great. You may be able to run many miles and your feet still feel good. On the flip side, if you feel that the cushioning robs you of energy, then could propose another shoe.

Two asides: (1) if you’re new to Asics, majority of people order one size bigger than their street shoe ie, if you where a ten in regular shoes, you may need and eleven and (2) maybe in the minority on this, but I continue to be bothered that the stock insoles on the Nimbus are pathetic. For a shoe you’re investing more than $120 in, the insoles are barely better than cardboard. But nearly all running shoes suffer from this issue, so I’m not deducting a star for this.

In summary, if you like the Asics feel, they are considerably different from last iterations externally and internally, but an excellent shoe in general.

Hope this review helps you.

---

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of five stars New on Asics, quite impressed., November 1, 2010
By Alvaro Roberto Calix Fernandez (MIAMI, FLORIDA United States) See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) () This review is from: ASICS Men’s GEL Nimbus twelve Running Shoe (Apparel) 1st of all let me begin telling you that I am new to the Asics Brand. I did the awful mistake of believing all running shoes were alike, so did not pay much attention to brand, just a correct fit for my underpronation.
And Yes, what I mistake I made.
I’m not a marathoner or intend to be, I classify myself as an individual who tries to have a somewhat healthy or active lifestyle and not be surprised by a heart attack in my mid 40′s.
I jog around six kms (3.7 miles) per day and wear out my running shoes roughly each six months (my last pair was a NB 767).
Been feeling some ache in my lower back and knee in the last couple of months, so a friend of mine suggested changing to a cushioning kind of running shoe.
After doing my internet research, I stumbled upn the Asics Nimbus twelve model, and got many great reviews of it.
So I took the chance and ordered them.
The minute I tried them on, I felt surprisingly well, my feet felt like cuddled, supported and padded. Then I went out and did my daily jog.
Not only I got less tired, but felt no ache.
So, considering that I am not into fads or anything like that, I strongly recommend this par of running shoes if u have not made up your mind.
I know that my next pair of shoes will be Asics Nimbus..

---