What replaced the Asics Gel-Cumulus 25?
Updated September 1, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The Gel-Cumulus 26 replaced the 25 in February 2024 at the same $140. It reshaped the midsole for a snappier roll, cut 0.5 oz to 9.0 oz and added a semi-gusseted knit tongue, but it also added a pronounced toe spring that became the loudest complaint in this line history. Doctors of Running called that toe spring the thing that ruined the shoe.
- Asics Gel-Cumulus 25Sizes running outMen's at AmazonWomen's
- Asics Gel-Cumulus 26Sizes running outMen's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Sep 1, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
At a glance
- The Gel-Cumulus 26 is 0.5 oz lighter
- 1 mm more heel stack
- Drop is unchanged at 8 mm
- New midsole foam
Every spec side by side, with the reason behind each change: Gel-Cumulus 25 vs 26.
Stay on your shoe, or switch?
Changed characterA lighter, quicker-rolling Cumulus that a lot of runners could not get on with. The 26 is 0.5 oz lighter than the 25 and rolls more aggressively, and Doctors of Running graded the performance A- for daily and uptempo miles. Against that, the same review named the toe spring as the thing that ruined the shoe, its second tester graded her personal experience a C, and Believe in the Run asked in print why anyone would buy this over a Novablast 4. If your forefoot is sensitive, this is the version to try on before buying.
Stick with the Gel-Cumulus 25 if
- You have sensitive toes or plantar fascia, because the 26 toe spring holds them in extension
- You need forefoot room; the 26 tapers enough that testers found it ran short
- The 25 flatter forefoot suits your midfoot strike
Move to the Gel-Cumulus 26 if
- You want the lightest version of this shoe at 9.0 oz
- You heel strike and like a rockered roll through the front
- The 25 tongue bothered you; the 26 knit gusset is the fix
Where the Asics Gel-Cumulus is now
The line has moved three versions past the Asics Gel-Cumulus 25, and the current model is now the Gel-Cumulus 28 (2026). Measured against your shoe:
- The Gel-Cumulus 28 is 0.2 oz heavier
- Drop is unchanged at 8 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $5
What loyalists said about the update
The most divided reception in the line. The praise is real: reviewers liked the fit, the low weight and the smooth roll, and RunRepeat scored it 81. The criticism is louder and more specific. Doctors of Running went after the toe spring and the tapered toe box, with one tester finding the firm midfoot and early rocker incompatible with a midfoot strike. Believe in the Run called the foam flat, said it does not come back when compressed, and framed the whole shoe as forgettable next to the Novablast 4 at the same money.
Still want the original?
Buy remaining Gel-Cumulus 25 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 26, these come closest to what the Gel-Cumulus 25 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 25: 0.7 oz heavier, 1.5 mm less heel stack, 2 mm more drop, $10 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 25: 0.6 oz heavier, 2 mm more drop, $5 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 25: 0.6 oz lighter, the same drop, $5 more at list.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Asics Gel-Cumulus 25 still available?
- For now. Amazon still lists the Asics Gel-Cumulus 25, 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 26 a downgrade from the Asics Gel-Cumulus 25?
- Not a downgrade, but a different shoe. The Gel-Cumulus 26 scores well with new buyers while changing the ride that Asics Gel-Cumulus 25 loyalists bought it for. Read the spec changes before assuming it will feel familiar.
- How much lighter is the Gel-Cumulus 26?
- 0.5 oz lighter in a men's US 9: 9 oz against the Asics Gel-Cumulus 25's 9.5 oz.
- Is the Asics Gel-Cumulus still made?
- Yes. The current version is the Asics Gel-Cumulus 28, released in 2026, 3 versions on from the Asics Gel-Cumulus 25.
- What is the closest current alternative to the Asics Gel-Cumulus 25?
- 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.