ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 vs Brooks Glycerin 22 – Maximum Cushioned Daily Trainers

First Impressions

The ASICS’ range-topping neutral cushioned running shoe, the Latest edition of the GEL-NIMBUS, is the 27th in the line and offers the highest stack of cushioning ever! Up from the previous model, the NIMBUS now offers a super-deep 43.5mm of FF BLAST PLUS ECO foam cushioning. Of course, as a Gel prefixed model, the shoe still features the PureGel insert in the rearfoot of the midsole.

The Glycerin 22 is now using a new midsole cushioning, DNA Tuned. This is Brooks’ new method of creating a nitrogen-infused foam with dual-cell technology. The use of different sizes of cells within the same midsole allows for the material to provide different characteristics in different parts of the shoe.

In the rear of the midsoles, the cells are larger and provide a soft, more cushioned feel on impact. In the forefoot of the midsole, small cells are used and provide a more responsive and propulsive feel to the toe-off.

What’s New in the Latest Versions?

NIMBUS 27

The FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole foam is carried over from the GEL-NIMBUS 26, except here, it is increased in height by 2.5mm throughout the full length of the shoe. Now, the GEL-NIMBUS has a 42.5mm stack in the heel, an 8mm drop (as per the previous model) and 35.5mm of cushioning in the forefoot.

Despite the increase in cushioning, the shoe manages to weigh in at the same weight as the NIMBUS 26.

A new jacquard mesh upper replaces the knitted upper used in the NIMBUS 26 and compliments the stretch fit of the tongue and ankle collar, which is carried over from the previous model.

Check Out My 5 Best ASICS Running Shoes Here

GLYCERIN 22

While all the Glycerin models now use a nitrogen-infused foam, it’s a new version, DNA Tuned, which is a nitrogen-infused foam with dual-cell technology. The use of different sizes of cells within the same midsole allows for the material to offer different characteristics in different parts of the shoe.

The translucent nature of the material allows the different densities of the foam to be seen. The softer material sits ‘within’ the midsole and, as Brooks has used different colours to call out the different areas of cushioning, you can see this within the midsole.

Check Out My 6 Best Brooks Running Shoes

Fit and Feel

Both the Nimbus 27 and Glycerin 22 fit true to size and feel very close to each other in terms of the overall fit around the foot. Both offer a little ‘wiggle room’ in the toe box, and both provide a very plush, well-made fit.

One feature that both shoes share, despite being from different manufacturers, is their ankle collars. Both use a nearly identical design. With a plush padded layer of foam wrapping around the rear foot and a seam finished on the outside of the shoe, they also feature a knitted section around the ankle and beside each other, they look almost identical!

Performance

On the run, both shoes feel instantly comfortable. Sliding your feet in both the ASICS and Brooks, they are welcomed by plush cushioning and neatly padded uppers, which ooze quality as you would expect from premium models.

As I mentioned previously, the ankle collars and Achilles tabs on both shoes are nearly identical, and the design adds to the overall fit positively.

In the ASICS, the PureGel heel cushioning helps absorb heel strike, but it isn’t as noticeable as the DNA Tuned midsole in the Brooks.

The difference between the cells on the Brooks Glycerin in the heel is noticeably different to the forefoot, whereas, in the ASCIS, you’d be hard-pressed to notice any difference in the rear and forefoot feel.

Both shoes midsoles are single pieces, with the ASICS having the PureGel insert and the Brooks being injected differently to provide cushioning in the heel and more response in the forefoot.

Both offer an exceptionally cushioned and plush ride. The ASICS feels to be an improvement of the previous model. Whereas the NIMBUS 26 felt very soft and a little wobbly, the NIMBUS 27 is more stable and a little more responsive.

The Glycerin 22 feels a much more obvious improvement over the Glycerin 21. I was a fan of the previous version and ran many miles in it, but the 22 feels better from the word go.

The ASICS is a soft, smooth riding shoe, as is the Brooks, but the Brooks feels to me to have a little more feedback to the forefoot toe off, giving it a more responsive feel and, ultimately, a more versatile experience.

Where I have been able to decide a winner is in the versatility of the shoes.

The ASICS GEL NIMBUS 27 is very much an everyday cruiser. Its soft, smooth, cushioned ride excels at steady paces and feels a great place to be. It’s more stable than its predecessor and offers a little more feedback, but it is rather big and bulky, so it performs at its best at a steady pace.

The Brooks Glycerin 22 is, like the ASICS, a good improvement over the model it replaces, but unlike the Nimbus, which simply has more of the same cushioning, the Glycerin sees a new midsole. The DNA Tuned makes for a different ride that’s better from the off.

The Glycerin manages to be a great everyday cruiser, but when required, it can pick up the pace and has a level of energy return not previously experienced in a high-stack daily trainer.

Both are great shoes and if you are an ASICS fan, the NIMBUS won’t disappoint. That’s the same for the Glycerin, but for those picking between the two shoes, I’d edge towards the Brooks Glycerin 22 as it feels a little livelier for those times when you want to pick up the pace.