Asics Gel Nimbus 13 Review
Available at Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk
The Asics Gel Nimbus 13 is the latest in one of Asics most successful running shoe lines. Over the past few years, each new Nimbus release has seen some marked improvements that really keep the line at the top of the list of high performance training shoes. However, after looking through the spec sheet of the latest update I am struggling to see and major innovations to the Nimbus 13 that would help me justify buying the latest release over the previous model. As it is time for me to buy some new running shoes I have done a bit of research and have put together this brief Nimbus 13 Review.
Asics Gel Nimbus 13 Men's
The Nimbus 12 was loaded with new features such as the Impact Guidance System, Guidance line ad biomorphic fit technologies that really justified the high price tag. The new 2011 release however seems to be a bit of a let down as there has been only one major updated which in my opinion isn’t going to have much of an impact to the performance of the shoe.
Because the previous model was loaded with so much heel and forefoot cushioning, the shoe could feel a little clunky at times especially on long runs when energy levels started to dip. However, out of all the cushioned shoes that I have worn over the past three years, the Nimbus collection has always been at the top of the list as they are very responsive and even when we consider how much extra cushioning they have compared to normal running shoes. As such I use the Nimbus shoes for winter and road training and then switch to lighter and less cushioned shoes when races come around or I go trail running.
The new Gel Nimbus 13’s seems to have much of the same features that I liked about the old model such as the Guidance line and extra cushioning but Asics have switched the outsole material for a lighter version. Something that they claim knocks of ¾ oz of weight from the shoe without compromising on performance. Something that I like about the Nimbus line is that they can take a lot of training miles thanks to their gel cushioning (longer life span than air or foam) which really justifies their high price tag. I guess we have to trust Asics when they claim that this new material and weight saving wont have an impact on the performance of the shoe and if this is indeed the case then the shoe would certainly appeal to me as it packs a huge amount of features into the same weight as either the Cumulus or the Fluent.
My only debate now is do I purchase the latest model with the weight saving or do I stick with the previous model which I know performs highly and costs virtually half the price. The scrooge in me wants me to buy the older model but the gadget geek in me wants to buy the new Nimbus 13’s to see what all the fuss is about and to see if that weight saving makes any noticeable difference…The geek is probably going to win!
Asics Gel Nimbus 13′s available at Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk
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If you do a bit of research online you will find the Nimbus 13 in many shops for a reduced price. I just bought myself a pair for € 105 plus 10 for shipping. However I haven’t been able to pick them up yet and can’t tell you how they perform. You should be able to test them at a decent specialised runner’s shop in London though. For the past 2 years I mostly ran the Nimbus 10, so I guess the difference will feel huge anyway when slipping into the 13
Keep on running, greetings from Vienna, Julian
3/4 of an oz decrease is a barely noticeable difference. In my opinion, the Nimbus 12 had far too much cushion. I believe that asics recieved so many negative reviews regarding the Nimbus 12 that they replaced the gel pods to make the feel more like that of the Nimbus 11.
So the new Nimbus 13 should be a big improvement on the Nimbus 12 then? A couple of guys down the club run with Nimbus 12′s and they have never mentioned anything bad to me about the trainers. I will ask them what they think about the level of cushioning when I see them next and will see what they say. If what you are saying is true and Asics have replaced the gel pods to fix the problem then I would be interested to see if people think it is a good move or not.
I just picked up the Nimbus 13′s (womens) for around $90 shipped at runningwarehouse.com. I just got them tonight (my first Nimbus shoes…I usually run in the 2100 series). I love the cushion, and decided to go with these since I’ve put on a few lbs. after having 2 kids and not running as much as I should. New jogging stroller…New shoes…here we go!
I bought a pair earlier this week and I’ve run in them once. I like the extra padding. In the past, I had a stress fracture and I’ll sometimes have pain the metatarsals. I ran pain free in the 13′s.
I have been running for 25 years almost only in asics shoes. Run the past 6-7 years in the nimbus model and have been very happy with this – no injuries
Bought the NImbus 13 which I felt was to cushioned especially in the heels – and now have a sore achilles tendon on the atachment of the heel bone. I am pretty sure the shoes are to blame as I havn´t changed my training in any way. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Siamak
Hi,
I haven’t been running that long as I’m only 32, but I run seriously enough that my first half marathon in 2010 was timed at 1 hour 36 minutes. My first official 10k was paced at an average mile of 6:58. I’m very fit and lean and do alot of gym work so I have more weight than that of thin build runners. So…I bought my first pair of Nimbus shoes ever last October (2010). I’ve alternated between two colors as I loved the first ones. I previously used Kayano’s because I thought the sturdy stability of the gray insert on the medial side of the shoe made me feel secure. I running specialty store assured me I was using the wrong shoe. Thus, I switched to the Nimbus and have LOVED running since, putting 650 miles on my two pairs of Nimbus (not many miles but as a nursing student, I don’thave the time). Neither are completely worn out but I wanted the 13′s because I loved the red color. So, I’m about 10-12 miles into the 13′s and I’m not sure I like them at all. The toe feels tigher (meaning the distance from the botttom of the shoe, and the top of the toe box appears to be more snug)….I am usign the correct size, but they just feel tighter. I’m told they are wider, but with the lower height of the toe box, they feel tighter.
I’m really thinking about picking up the 12s again, at a wondefully discounted price!
Sore tendon at insert after three weeks running but love the shoe otherwise. Feels softer than 12s
Can someone tell me the Nimbus 13 will suit a broad foot
Asics Nimbus come in a standard, 2e (wide) and 4e (extra wide).
They are IMHO the best broadfoot running shoe.
Go instore and get measured. You don’t want to go too wide.
Did anyone feel a difference in length from the nimbus 12 vs 13?
I think the 13 feels much tighter and shorter than the 12. The 13 actually made my feet, knees and hips hurt after 1 run. I don’t know what the big change was but I will be exchanging the 13 for another pair of Nimbus 12!
Just trained and finished my first Marathon (2011 Chicago) in these shoes. They are the best thing that has happened to my running. I love them! VERY Comfortable and great for going the distance. The only thing I have noticed against them is that the tread seems to be wearing faster than some of my previous shoes, but not enough to make me upset or go away from using this shoe. A must try for a neutral runner!
I bought a pair of Nimbus 13 about 2 months ago and I am taking them back for the third time. The rason for this is that the heel cushioning is very soft after about 50 – 60km of training in them. It is mostly the right foot (shoe). It feels as if the heel has bubble gum stuck to it. Next time I am going for a different brand….
I’ve been recovering from knee pain which I got from running too long in Saucony Triumph 8′s. I only got about 100 miles before feeling some discomfort and made it to 160 miles before buying a new pair, Asics gel Nimbus 13. I liked the gel feel right away. I’m hoping to releave the shock to my knees. I ran my first 5 miles after resting for a week. Very nice. My heels were a little tender the next morning but that didn’t last long. I want to get 300 miles from the Nimbus 13 which was a recommendation from the running store. Next stop is a half-marathon in 2012.
I had the Nimbus 12 so I automatically bought the 13. Honestly, there didn’t seem to be that much of a difference in the cusion. Still love ‘em though. Next time around I might just stick with the 12′s though and find a discount some where.I use a 1/2 size larger for extra toe room.
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These sneakers are very comfortable and great cushioning. Aside from that, I am not impressed with them at all. After only a week or two of wearing them, they looked worn, broken in and dingy. Because they’re so comfortable, I still wear them everyday, but they aren’t much to look at. Kinda sad that new sneakers quickly became my knock around shoes.
I HATE the nimbus 13! I had found so many positive reviews when I thought I didn’t like them so I thought it was just me. Now I finally see some negative reviews above and I am having the same issues. Shoe feels extremely tighter than my previous nimbus models. Now I am battling a pain in my front left knee and I can’t help but blame this shoe. I am looking for the old ones again.
I have been running as an adult for about 30 years. For many years I was Nike only, then about 10 years ago I switched to New Balance. Every time I would go into my running store, I would want to buy something else but could never find anything comfortable.
So… Last week my expired NB’s finally fried my foot. I had another pair on order, but they weren’t coming for a week. It was either buy a pair locally or not run for a week.
I went to the big box sports store – the Nike’s were $175, and the most godawful black and red combo I’ve ever seen. I didn’t feel anything great. The NB’s this store carried were all low level – not going to even try those on.
So I looked at the “other” brands top shoe. None looked good until I saw the Nimbus 13. It looked attractive. I picked it up. Huge weight difference between it and the Nike. I put one on – actually an 11.5 when I’ve always worn 12 in Nike/NB.
I had a footgasm.
I thought – this is too soft to run in. I walked around the store for a while, and could not say no.
Next day – pulled off 12 easy miles. After? Felt like I hadn’t even really worked out. The next morning? Same thing. No Advil for the first time in several years, after a longish run. Next 4 days in a row – longer runs, feel great, no pain.
My concern is how long the shoe will hold up. But at $99 it is $50 cheaper than my NB’s.
I’m going to go out and buy a couple more pair while they are both discounted and available.