Shoes similar to the Asics Gel-Nimbus
Ranked by ride similarity. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The closest current match to the Asics Gel-Nimbus is the Hoka Clifton 11. The Clifton is the obvious cross-shop for the modern Nimbus: both are tall, soft, rockered cruisers. The Clifton runs about an ounce lighter; the Nimbus is plusher and more padded up top.
The Asics Gel-Nimbus is a tall, plush max-cushion cruiser for easy miles. Everything below is measured against the current Gel-Nimbus 28 (9.9 oz, 8 mm drop, 43.5 mm heel). No shoe matches it exactly, so each pick lists what carries over and what does not.
- 9.2 oz
- 8 mm drop
- 42 mm heel
- $155 list
The Clifton is the obvious cross-shop for the modern Nimbus: both are tall, soft, rockered cruisers. The Clifton runs about an ounce lighter; the Nimbus is plusher and more padded up top.
Against your Asics Gel-Nimbus 28: 0.7 oz lighter, 1.5 mm less heel stack, the same drop, $10 less at list.
- 9 oz
- 6 mm drop
- 40 mm heel
- $170 list
The 1080 is the other plush flagship cruiser, softer and bouncier since its v15 foam swap, and it comes in real widths from narrow to 4E, which the Nimbus does not.
Against your Asics Gel-Nimbus 28: 0.9 oz lighter, 3.5 mm less heel stack, 2 mm less drop, $5 more at list.
- 10.2 oz
- 10 mm drop
- 36 mm heel
- $150 list
The Ghost is the step-down option: firmer, lower, cheaper, and more traditional. Runners who find the modern Nimbus too tall and soft often land here.
Against your Asics Gel-Nimbus 28: 0.3 oz heavier, 7.5 mm less heel stack, 2 mm more drop, $15 less at list.
Chasing a specific older version?
If it is a particular Gel-Nimbus you miss, start from that version's page: what replaced it, and where old stock still exists.
Questions runners ask
- What is the most similar shoe to the Asics Gel-Nimbus?
- The Hoka Clifton 11. The Clifton is the obvious cross-shop for the modern Nimbus: both are tall, soft, rockered cruisers. The Clifton runs about an ounce lighter; the Nimbus is plusher and more padded up top.
- Do any of these match the Asics Gel-Nimbus's 8 mm drop?
- the Hoka Clifton 11 matches it exactly. The others sit lower, which changes how the landing loads your calves and Achilles.
- Why switch away from the Asics Gel-Nimbus at all?
- The usual reasons: a version you loved got discontinued, an update changed the ride, or the fit moved away from your foot. The list above is ranked by how closely each shoe matches the current Gel-Nimbus 28, with the differences called out honestly.