What replaced the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23?
Updated September 1, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The Gel-Cumulus 24 replaced the 23 in 2022 at $130, up $10, and it is the update that changed the shoe. FF Blast foam replaced FlyteFoam for a much softer and bouncier ride, the forefoot gained 3 mm and the drop fell from 10 mm to 8 mm. Doctors of Running called the result a traditionally constructed Novablast; runners who wanted the firm old Cumulus lost it here.
- Asics Gel-Cumulus 23Sizes running outMen's at AmazonWomen's
- Asics Gel-Cumulus 24Sizes running outMen's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Sep 1, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
At a glance
- The Gel-Cumulus 24 is 0.2 oz heavier
- 1 mm more heel stack
- Drop moved from 10 mm to 8 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $10
Every spec side by side, with the reason behind each change: Gel-Cumulus 23 vs 24.
Stay on your shoe, or switch?
Changed characterThe 24 is where the Cumulus stopped being the boring one. FF Blast replaced FlyteFoam and turned a firm, predictable trainer into a soft and bouncy one, while 3 mm of extra forefoot foam cut the drop from 10 mm to 8 mm. Reviewers liked it a lot, and both Doctors of Running testers graded it B+. The people it did not serve are the ones who bought this line precisely because it was firm and cheap: the ride is different, the forefoot is more flexible, and the price went up $10.
Stick with the Gel-Cumulus 23 if
- You bought this line for a firm ride, because FF Blast is the opposite of that
- A 10 mm drop is what keeps your Achilles happy; the 24 moves to 8 mm
- You want the $120 price, since the 24 is the version that raised it
Move to the Gel-Cumulus 24 if
- The old Cumulus felt dead underfoot and you wanted more from the foam
- You forefoot strike; the 24 adds 3 mm of foam exactly where you land
- You want one shoe that can handle easy days and the occasional pickup
Where the Asics Gel-Cumulus is now
Four generations separate the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23 from the Gel-Cumulus 28 (2026), so the gap is wider than any single update suggests:
- The Gel-Cumulus 28 is 0.2 oz lighter
- 15 mm more heel stack
- Drop moved from 10 mm to 8 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $25
What loyalists said about the update
A well-reviewed update that split the line audience rather than uniting it. The praise was for the new softness and the modernised upper, with reviewers noting the Cumulus finally felt contemporary instead of dependable and dull. The reservations were consistent too: testers flagged that the more flexible forefoot asks more of your own foot stability, that the fit suits normal to narrow feet, and that a 10 mm drop habit does not transfer to an 8 mm shoe without an adjustment.
Still want the original?
Buy remaining Gel-Cumulus 23 stock
Sizes running outDiscontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.
Availability last checked Sep 1, 2026.
Ready to move on?
Beyond the Gel-Cumulus 24, these come closest to what the Gel-Cumulus 23 did.
- 10.2 oz
- 10 mm drop
- 36 mm heel
- $150 list
The head-to-head rival, and the closest match on this list. Both are neutral daily trainers built for comfort rather than speed. The Ghost 18 is half an ounce heavier on a 10 mm drop against the Cumulus 28 8 mm, and lists $5 more.
Against your Asics Gel-Cumulus 23: 0.3 oz heavier, 13 mm more heel stack, the same drop, $30 more at list.
- 10.1 oz
- 10 mm drop
- 37 mm heel
- $145 list
The other default daily trainer, and the firmer, snappier one. The Pegasus 42 runs a 10 mm drop and an Air Zoom unit against the Cumulus 28 softer FF Blast Max, and the two list within $5 of each other.
Against your Asics Gel-Cumulus 23: 0.2 oz heavier, 14 mm more heel stack, the same drop, $25 more at list.
- 8.9 oz
- 8 mm drop
- 38 mm heel
- $145 list
Same job, same 8 mm drop, and 0.8 oz lighter in the Ride 19. The Ride is the more responsive of the two; the Cumulus carries more foam under the heel and costs the same at list.
Against your Asics Gel-Cumulus 23: 1 oz lighter, 15 mm more heel stack, 2 mm less drop, $25 more at list.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23 still available?
- For now. Amazon still lists the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23, but the size run is thinning and prices swing with remaining stock. If your size is there, this is the late window, not the early one.
- Is the Gel-Cumulus 24 a downgrade from the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23?
- Not a downgrade, but a different shoe. The Gel-Cumulus 24 scores well with new buyers while changing the ride that Asics Gel-Cumulus 23 loyalists bought it for. Read the spec changes before assuming it will feel familiar.
- How much heavier is the Gel-Cumulus 24?
- 0.2 oz heavier in a men's US 9: 10.1 oz against the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23's 9.9 oz.
- Did the drop change from the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23 to the Gel-Cumulus 24?
- Yes, from 10 mm to 8 mm. A drop change this size affects where your foot loads at landing, so plan a few easy runs to adapt.
- Is the Asics Gel-Cumulus still made?
- Yes. The current version is the Asics Gel-Cumulus 28, released in 2026, 5 versions on from the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23.
- What is the closest current alternative to the Asics Gel-Cumulus 23?
- The Brooks Ghost 18. The head-to-head rival, and the closest match on this list. Both are neutral daily trainers built for comfort rather than speed. The Ghost 18 is half an ounce heavier on a 10 mm drop against the Cumulus 28 8 mm, and lists $5 more.