The Nimbus 24 (N24) may have officially dropped in Malaysia in January but in reality they’ve been on the shelves since late December 2021. They’re, of course, ASICS’s premium daily neutral trainer, so the RM699 (a smidge cheaper than direct conversion of US$160 RRP) price tag reflects that position. As I’ve discovered after covering 130km in them, the 24th version turned out to be quite a surprise.
Since a person’s wear experience depends in part on the runner’s build and paces, here’s where I am right now:
Height: 176cm | Weight: 58-59kgs | Gait: Neutral | Mileage: Week 2 of 12 Weeks’ Marathon training, holding around the 90km/week volume.
The N24 entered my rotation midway through my base training and thus its diet of mostly easy-moderate days were pretty much up its alley. It wasn’t an intended purchase but the 30% discount card (with a short expiration date) was too good to pass up.
As with the recent ASICS models I’ve had the opportunity to try out, the sizing for the N24 is a little iffy. I mulled between my regular US10 (fits a little long but perfectly usable) and the 9.5 (snugger but still no scrunching of the toes) and opted for the smaller option. With a shoe as cushioned as this one, I really don’t need thick socks. A thin pair works great, allowing easy access to the FlyteFoam Blast+ midsole. The N24 is the first shoe to sport ASIC’s new midsole foam, touted to be lighter yet maintaining the same properties as FlyteFoam Blast. By late-2022, we can expect to see FlyteFoam Blast+ (FFB+) appearing more in ASICS’s lineup.
My US9.5 comes in at 10.35oz, nearly a full ounce lighter than Nimbus 23, from what I’ve read. I place comfort higher than weight when it comes to easy/recovery paced shoes, so the weight is really no big deal in this case.
I’ll let the official spec-sheet below break down the various components for you while I keep to my wear experience.
The N24 has a wonderful step-in feel, with a level of cushioning that’s just right, not the kind of marshmallow-softness you get in the original Nimbus Lite [review]. The knitted and perforated semi-gusseted tongue of the N24 is one of the best I’ve experienced in recent times. Some reviewers have quite rightly compared it to the Alphafly’s. It’s stretchy and has generous coverage, and it stays in place at all times. You’ll notice the placement of the extended lace loop which goes over and under the tongue. 
As you can see from the photos, there isn’t a need to employ a runner’s knot since I went down half a size. Another reason for the secure hold can be attributed to the smart use of textured fabric lining around the heel internally (see photo below) which simply grips your heel. The padding around the heel collar isn’t overdone unlike Saucony Triumph’s and it’s clear that the designers certainly put a great deal of thoughts, and even restraint (since it’s ASICS we’re talking about here) to the upper design. Just compare the overall design cues of the Nimbus 23’s against the 24’s to appreciate how much has been pared down in this version.
There are 2 reflective strips run around the heel to the medial and lateral sides so you’ll be seen and that’s about it. The blue dots that run the length of the laces are not reflective.
The midsole of the N24 is where ASICS continue to load their tech. It’s got a massive slab of gel in the heel and a hidden coin-sized piece under the ball of the foot. The Trusstic insert shrunk and can only be observed poking out under the medial arch area. Firmer foam encircles the top layer of the FFB+ midsole providing an assured and stable ride, despite the N24 not a stability shoe. The star of the N24 is, of course, the FFB+ midsole. For what it’s worth, I agree with what the product specs except for the bit about the OG FlyteFoam Blast being soft. I’ve never found the Novablast to be particularly soft nor bouncy actually but FFB+ really ups the comfort level here. The surprisingly low stack height (26mm heel/16mm forefoot) ensures the N24 fits comfortably into the daily trainer rather than the max cushioned category and how it rides also reflects that categorization too. The zero break-in period for the midsole is a huge positive with the N24 feeling good from Mile 1.
While the upper and midsole received ASICS’s attention, the outsole retains the same design of its predecessor, not that it’s an area of concern. I like the minimalist approach, with ASICS Lite rubber placement. The low stack coupled with the deep flex grooves combine to give the shoe a smooth and flexible ride especially in the forefoot. As you can see from the photo below, the firmer AHAR+ heel plugs are untouched – most of my foot strikes happening in the midfoot area.
So how does the N24 ride? I’d say smooth and comfortable. In terms of weight bias, the shoe feels heavier in the heel, understandably so since there’s a lot more going on there, what with the voluminous gel, the thicker padding. So if you’re a heel striker, you’re going to get all the cushioning properties of the gel and FFB+ combo as you transition forward. The 16mm forefoot retains some ground feel but never uncomfortable, In fact, I prefer its forefoot ride to the Velocity v1’s [review]. I’ve run as long as 15K in the N24 but it’s capable of much longer distances, just don’t expect superfoam-level of responsiveness. It’s simply a stable and cushioned cruiser to get your mileage in. Most of my miles in the N24 have been around the 6:10-6:40 pace range although it worked pretty well at 5:20 pace too as I discovered in a recent 10K outing.
The Nimbus 24 rotates between the Rebel v2, Adios 6, Vaporfly 4% Flyknit Ekiden and Alphafly with a clear use case – protect my legs, get me through the easy days on heavy legs so that I’m ready for the SOS workouts. And I’m pleased to let you know that they’ve worked as expected.
The cushioned daily trainer segment is a crowded one and there are loads of options out there (ASICS’s own Cumulus 24, NB 1080v11, Hoka Clifton 8, Reebok Floatride Energy 3, Puma Velocity Nitro 2, Nike Pegasus 39 are but just a few examples), and it’s down to your ride/cushioning-weight preference. ASICS kept the pricing premium but if there’s a sale happening, you might want to give it a try.
My wish for Nimbus 25: reduce the amount of heel gel which will save a bit of weight in the heel section, and therefore increasing the versatility of the already sweet-riding shoe.
Disclosures: I bought the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 24 with my own money, so no obligations due to any parties whatsoever!
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