ASICS Men's Gel-Cumulus 23 Trainers

Product Information

As for the outsole, there’s a ton of rubber. This will also help this shoe last much longer. I’m someone who doesn’t mind the weight added by rubber because it provides grip and helps protect the shoe. All traditional EVA shoes tend to stiffen up in cooler temps, and this was no exception. After 20 minutes in our freezer test the flex on this shoe stiffened up 52.4%, the average shoe stiffened just 21%. Reflective elements on the heel Walking around in the Cumulus 23, I could feel that the layer directly underfoot was less spongy than the Nimbus 23 with less of a sink-in sensation. The shoe may not wow you with its performance, or be the envy of onlooking eyes, but it’s consistent in its ride and doesn’t try to be something it’s not. This is a daily trainer without bells and whistles, that works just fine. Who should buy the Gel Cumulus 23 ASICS has been doing well in footwear design recently. Many of their shoes are now gender specific, meaning the shapes, foam designs and flex grooves are specific to the unique biomechanics of each genders mechanics. There is plenty of evidence that joints, biomechanics, bone structures and overall shapes are different between genders (Ferrari et al., 2004; Krauss et al., 2008; Luo et al., 2009; Wunderlich & Cavanagh, 2001). This is particularly important in the forefoot as the flex grooves need to line up with the metatarsophalangeal joints (toe joints). If this is not lined up well, there may be excessive pressure into the ligaments, small muscles, tendons, bones and the anterior portion of the plantar fascia. So having gender specific flex grooves, shapes and cushioning is important.

Watch my full ASICS GEL-Cumulus 23 review below or read on to learn more about this shoe’s performance, what I like best about it, and who it’s best for. ASICS GEL-Cumulus 23 Shoe Review: Run Test Review The outsole pattern along with relatively soft rubber up front, contributes to the softness at the forefoot and an easy flex which instead of having a set flex point is long and gradual. I think the rubber could be a touch firmer upfront to give the shoe a touch more response and pop at faster paces. Grip has been solid and durability as always with ASICS should be good.

The ASICS GEL-CUMULUS™ range is designed for neutral runners, which is when your foot lands on the heel, rolls in, before pushing off from across the front of the foot. Not sure if the GEL-CUMULUS™ is the perfect fit for you? Read our Shoe Finder guide to find the right footwear for your needs. In addition to the cushioning properties of the insoles and outsoles that contribute to the comfort of the shoe, there is also good ventilation thanks to the mesh upper. The polyester upper allows perspiration and heat to escape for comfortable exercise and foot hygiene. In addition, the textile lining and seamless upper eliminate the risk of unpleasant rubbing that can lead to chafing. The midsole lining also provides a pleasantly soft feel. Another major advantage of the Gel-Cumulus 23 is its low weight, which makes running more comfortable and smooth. Fashion Meets Function Derek: Aesthetically the Cumulus 23 I received didn’t quite jump out at me. ASICS can be quite bold with their upper designs, but this one’s pretty muted by comparison. Lacing up the shoes, I am immediately reminded of how good ASICS is at making shoes fit well without overly complicated upper constructs. Dialing in the fit was a breeze and the fit is true to size for me. Walking and jogging around, there is good forefoot flex in the shoe, but not a whole lot of bounce from the midsole. In fact the shoe feels just a tad lumpy, like I can feel the outsole rubber through the midsole. It’s a lukewarm start to this review.

When I tested the Nimbus 23, I felt foot fatigue on longer runs because of how soft and spongy its forefoot is but the Cumulus 23 has just the right amount of cushioning to feel efficient on long runs.Your foot bounces off the pavement with a springy, cushioned response when you run in the GEL-CUMULUS™. The GEL-CUMULUS™ range maxes out on cushioning and the GEL™ cushioning technology is designed to give you the light bouncy feeling of running on clouds. Ferrari, J., Hopkinson, D. A., & Linney, A. D. (2004). Size and shape differences between male and female foot bones: is the female foot predisposed to hallux abducto valgus deformity?. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 94(5), 434-452. Krauss, I., Grau, S., Mauch, M., Maiwald, C., & Horstmann, T. (2008). Sex-related differences in foot shape. Ergonomics, 51(11), 1693-1709. Recently, ASICS has been pushing the boundaries of innovation and has launched some very exciting shoes. The small updates that ASICS has made to the Cumulus 23 have improved it but have made it heavier too, although on foot, it doesn’t feel like a heavy shoe.

However, this shoe isn’t exclusively for beginners. If you’re a seasoned marathoner and need to log a lot of miles, you’ll want this shoe in your rotation. It’s a great classic—you can’t go wrong. Another gender-specific feature is the 3D cloud construction in the midsole. Both midsoles in the men’s and women’s shoes provide support specifically for their foot shape. It gives you that built-for-you feel, which makes this shoe that much more comfortable. While the Nike Pegasus, New Balance 880, Saucony Ride and Hoka Clifton receive upper-only updates every other year, you can expect the Cumulus to get a brand new upper, midsole and outsole every year. Saucony Freedom 4 - Newly-dropped out of Saucony, featuring PWRRUN PB as seen in the Endorphin Collection

Asics Gel Cumulus 23 Sole Unit

Wonderful all around daily training ride with just the right balance of fun softer cushion, rebound/bounce, and response Derek/Sam: Although the ASICS Gel Cumulus can do many things, it doesn’t stand out among shoes with newer tech and materials. Compared to other mid-priced, neutral daily trainers from other brands, the Cumulus receives the most updates annually which keeps things exciting and fresh. The men’s version only has the Space Construction on the heel whereas the women’s version has it on the heel and the forefoot. You don’t have to worry about durability or fit issues with the Cumulus 23, or about getting injured from too much softness or not enough. The Cumulus 23 has the right amount of everything.