Customer Reviews ASICS GEL-Nimbus® 21

First, just like other reviewers long long time Asics runner, but sadly, I am looking for a new brand. I am a supinator with a high arch. I want to protect my knees at all costs and need a cushioning shoe. This is not it!!! This is Asics top of the line cushioning shoe it is not cushioning at all. HOLY COW! Where did it go? Asics why oh why do you make changes? Also, who is the designer? Could they be any uglier? The absolutely worst Nimbus version ever.

Terribly uncomfortable. No cushion. I think I’m going to retire ASICS. Wasn’t happy with the 20’s definitely not happy with the 21’s. The 17’s were by far my favorite. The toe box was terrible in 20’s and I think worse in these.

I have been a LOYAL Asics wearer for so many years (Gel Nimbus in particular because it suited my workouts and feet)...but I'm so sad to say we're breaking up. The wides are not wide, Asics. We know when you're pulling a fast one on us. I finally started to realize why I was having both foot and hip issues--they've become so narrow in design that they are squishing my feet from all angles. I've switched to Hoka One One and am loving it. Sorry, Asics. Try again.

I was about to give up in this running shoe but it was suggested I try the wide which worked. I have a regular foot and have never worn wide. These shoes are way too narrow. If you normally need wide I would not get them. If you are a regular width try the wide. The regular width gave me sore bruises across the instep they were so narrow. Who is ASICS making these for? These wide work fit now but I guess it’s time to search for a new brand after this. While they have gone wider after the 18, they are still too narrow.

I sent these shoes back. I normally wear a 7 1/2 in asics. I could of went to a 8 1/2. I got a wide and it was no where near wide. I use to love asics nimbus to work in. But these shoes sucked! Get it right Asics. I went back to new balance 1080. Hopes this helps.

I’ve worn this shoe for years and used to love it. The last time I loved it was with the 18’s - I skipped the 19 and 20 introductions (too narrow a toe box). I wear an orthotic insert, which pushes my toes forward a little, and even though I have a narrow foot I need a little bit wider toe box to accommodate the insert. The 21 looked promising versus the previous two versions. I wear an 8-1/2 medium and initially ordered the 21 in this size and on the first day it was introduced. It seemed to fit okay, but after I wore the shoes around the house for a few hours my toes started to feel a little numb. I waited a few weeks and then read the incoming customer reviews - and based on the other comments, ordered the same size but in a wide. This seems to have resolved the numb toes issue, though now the heel feels a little too loose. I think this shoe is cut pretty narrow (versus the wonderful 17 and 18’s) and you may have to order a wide to get the equivalent of the older versions’ medium. The shoe also doesn’t feel as cushiony - I used to think I was putting clouds on my feet - it’s a very rigid shoe now. I’m not “in love” but will keep them and give them a good workout. I usually have to replace my shoes every 3 or 4 months, so if I end up not liking them, it’s not a long-term committment. Like others, I just wish ASICS would read the reviews on this beloved shoe and stop trying to reinvent it every year (and failing miserably). I’m about ready to permanently move on to a new brand.

I'm a slightly under-pronating runner. I run approximately 30 miles a week. I've tried Brooks, but they tend to break down too fast. I settled into Asics five years ago, and I haven't paid much attention to versions, makes, or models. I think I've worn Nimbus for awhile (recommended by a tri-store). This incarnation is not quite as springy or spongy as some previous ones, but they're comfortable and don't seem to aggravate my intermittent knee or joint pain--heading into my 50s makes me consider Hokas, except I'm vain enough to think they're still too ugly for me. /Shrug. I size up a full size, but I've been doing that since I started running, so that doesn't seem like a new thing. Running shoes are a highly personal choice. I don't have special issues, so these work fine for my regular training. They seem to last about 300 miles or so before I need a new pair. Who cares about the colors? Except white or baby bottom pink. Seriously, where do people run with white running shoes?

As other reviewers have said, these are too narrow. The "wide" fits more like a regular, and the design has a narrow toe box to begin with. The "mid grey/silver" color is very washed out and not very attractive in person. The "blue coast / skylight" color is better in person (the colors are brighter and less pastel-like in a good way than it appeared in the picture), but still not an amazing color. What is amazing about these shoes is how cushion-y they are. I am in the midst of a minor plantar fasciitis flare up (time to buy new work out shoes!), and my pain disappeared IMMEDIATELY upon putting these on. There is so much cushion and even weight distribution in these shoes that my minor pain points just dissipated while walking around in these, and returned immediately when I took them off. I've ordered many different shoes to try on (thank you Zappos!), and these are the only ones, Asics or otherwise, with enough cushion to do that. The insole is removable, so it fit my orthotics. Unfortunately, I had to go up 1/2 a size, and get a wide, and they still seemed too narrow, so I'm returning.

I have worn Asics Cumulus or Nimbus for quite some time but the last few models(16 and up) just haven't been what I expected. The toe box was too narrow or the shoe was hard as a rock or a combo of the two but newer models have never been comfortable (and I have purchased and returned each one). My hopes were high for the 21; the toebox is wider than the 19 or the 20 but is it still quite firm. The sole also appears thicker than on previous models but it could just be optics. Regardless, it makes the shoe look clunky. I am once again disappointed and returning the 21.

I have worn Asics Gel Nimbus as an all around walking shoe for YEARS! Before I ordered another 21, I read all of the negative reviews regarding the uncomfortable all around fit, lack of gel and HARD sole! Nevertheless, I reordered the women's 21's in wide instead of regular and in various sizes. I have had to return them all! Like everyone else, I am asking, " What has happened to the Asics Gel Nimbus design???? The quality of the brand has been trashed by an overseas production company. I have never written a review before, but I felt it was time to let Asics know that they need to return to a quality brand for their $150-$160 Gel Nimbus, or lose one of their customers.

I love all the Nimbus iterations. I take the liner out and put my own orthotics in because I have a high arch. Great heel support - I can walk in these for days without lower back pain or leg fatigue and there is tons of room for my toes.

I used to be a loyal ASICS Nimbus fan, and while in the past several years they have disappointed me, I tried again. I like this better than the 19, but it still isn’t the phenomenal shoe that the early teen models were. Bring back the 13 and see how many customers return!

I agree with previous reviewers - seems very tight and the sole is hard. As a dedicated Asics wearer, I am pretty disappointed this time. Gonna have to look for another “go to” shoe.

I have purchased many Asics and after reading the reviews for this shoe I wasn't sure, but ordered it anyway. I put them on and they fit perfect, no break in time needed. Very comfortable, plenty of room in the toe box. I am actually thinking of purchasing a second pair.

I know from having Asics in the past that they tend to run small, so I have no problem ordering a full size larger than the size I wear in other brands. I can't speak to the arch support because I use orthotics. This show is very comfy and has a wonderfully plush edge to keep the heel from chafing.

The old 15’s and 16’s are still the best Gel-Nimbus, but trying these 1/2 size larger made a positive difference. The colors are great and they feel comfortable and seem to have good support.

I tried over a dozen pairs of athletic shoes and these fit my feet the best, had the most cush, and felt wonderful. My feet are slightly more narrow than medium/regular width in most shoes and these shoes fit perfectly. I loved them so much that I got them in another color as well.

I bought these to help relieve Achilles tendonitis and they did just that. Very comfortable and supportive.

I have two pairs of these shoes in different colors. When I first bought them, I too was surprised and worried about the change in feel/cushioning. Surprisingly, I like these better than the old version of the Gel Nimbus. Even though they feel less cushioned, my feet actually feel more supported and I've had no problems with knees or hips. I'm a walker, not a runner anymore.

These are amazing comfort and fit. I ordered the black with the blue and purple and a portion of the sole was white. I felt the white was just unpleasant. So I returned them. Hoping to find them in a color I like.

Love these shoes! I have been wearing them since I ran my first marathon. The colors are sometimes crazy but who cares about that? I deal with plantar fasciitis so these help when that acts up.

Love these shoes!! I normally wear a size 8 shoe and step up to a size 8.5 in athletic shoes. Because of othr reviews I ordered a size 8.5 and a 9. As it turns out the 9 is what I needed. I am so glad I read the other reviews as I would have NEVER ordered a 9 and may not have bought the shoe. I have plantars facittis and these shoes give me the firm, but cushioned heal support that I need. I'm able to wear my orthotic for better arch support so they are VERY COMFORTABLE!! I'm a bit of a bargain hunter so ordered the Lavender grey/Dive Blue since it was on sale and wasn't sure what to expect. As it turns out, the color is nice (in most lights looks dark grey with a lavender cast). The picture doesnt really do it justice. I buy almost all my shoes from ZAPPOS and want to say thank you. I used to dread going to shop for shoes. Your products and policies have made my life so much easier!!! I want to tell anyone who is new to ZAPPOS - they really do have great customer suport!! (the shoes are 5 star - Zappos is a 10!!)

I went through 7 pairs of shoes before falling in LOVE with these (sorry Zappos!). I previously owned the ascis blur-33, they lasted me for so many years, but it was finally time to replace them. Holes in the toes is kind of a sign. I tried other brands, Nike is always the worst it seems, but ultimately I cameright back to ascis. I am a personal trainer as well as a Pilates teacher and wanted some sneakers i can cross train in. I got the black, gold, and red. The color combination is fierce! They are my sneaker Louboutins! They are not only good for treadmill, but also weights, as they are very stable for lateral movement. They are super supportive without being to cushiony, which I do not like. You do need a connection into the ground rather than feeling like you are "walking on clouds" as some shoes describe. You will not be disappointed! If you do boot camp style class like Orange Theory Fitness, these are perfect. I did a ton of research to find shoes for this type of class, and these do work perfectly! Asics will always be my go to fitness shoe!

I originally ordered my usual size, an 8, and when I tried them on, my toes were just pushing up against the front of the shoe. So I got an 8.5 instead, and I'm very happy. I got wides... I usually order wides when they're available, but my feet aren't so wide that I can't wear normal shoes. These are comfy. I look forward to using them.

I tried the Nimbus 21 at a store, ended up getting a full size larger and in wide. I've been wearing the Nimbus for years, previously bought a half size larger and normal width. Shoes are comfortable,, the insole is a little firmer than the 20. The medium grey and bright blue come in D width, I purchased both.