Asics Gel Cumulus 28 Introduction
Earlier than the Novablast took over and have become the default ASICS coach, the Cumulus was the king. The Cumulus is likely one of the “basic” ASICS trainers, together with the Nimbus, Kayano, and GT collection. These are the ASICS stalwarts.
The Cumulus is the normal, mid-range each day coach for the majority of your weekly mileage. Rivals on this class embody the Nike Pegasus, Saucony Experience, Brooks Ghost and HOKA Clifton.
I’ve run in 3 variations of the Cumulus through the years with my favorite being v25. It had a extremely plush experience with good vitality return. It was the primary Cumulus that was deserving of its cloud title.
The brand new headline replace within the Cumulus 28 is the change of midsole foam from FF Blast+ to the newer FF Blast Max, which is identical foam that’s within the Novablast and the GlideRide Max. FF Blast+ is an EVA mix whereas FF Blast Max is a POE (polyolefin elastomer). The Cumulus 28 additionally has a brand new higher and has further rubber on its outsole.
The Cumulus 28 weighs 267 g (9.4 oz) for a males’s UK 8. It’s 2 g (0.1 oz) heavier than the Cumulus 27 and the value has elevated by $5 to $145.
Testing Particulars
- 26 km future at 6:36 per km
- 15 km straightforward run at 6:27 per km
- 21 km straightforward run at 6:31 per km
- 15 km restoration run at 7:03 per km
- 4 km restoration run at 7:31 per km
- 13 km straightforward run at 6:39 per km
Asics Gel Cumulus 28 First Impressions
After I tried it on within the retailer, the size felt shorter than most sneakers and my toes may contact the sting of the toe field so I made a decision to go up a half dimension.
My first run was a 13 km straightforward run. The experience felt means firmer than I expected- I believed it could have an identical squish and bounce to the Novablast 5 however it was considerably firmer.
The shoe that it jogged my memory of was the HOKA Mach Supersonic, the iteration between the Mach 4 and Mach 5. The Cumulus 28 felt a bit firmer and fewer energetic than the Mach Supersonic however they each haven’t any conventional outsoles.
Asics Gel Cumulus 28 Higher
The Cumulus 28 has an engineered mesh higher with first rate breathability. It jogs my memory loads of the GlideRide Max 1 higher. The semi-gusseted tongue is flat and knitted, just like the one which’s on the Nimbus 28- there’s no tongue slide and there’s a pull tab on it.
The collar and the heel tab are generously padded, and foot lockdown is sweet. There are two small reflector strips on the heel counter for security.
The size is a bit shorter than most ASICS trainers and the toe field can be slender so I like to recommend going up a half dimension should you like a extra spacious inside. In case you choose a comfortable toe field, go true to dimension. The match is just like the Novablast 5.
Asics Gel Cumulus 28 Sole Unit
The brand new Cumulus 28 midsole is disappointing as a result of the FF Blast Max layer feels nothing just like the squishy and energetic FF Blast Max that’s within the Novablast 5. The Cumulus 28’s midsole feels dense and agency with none vitality return; the experience feels very flat. It feels extra just like FF Blast+ than Max.
You continue to get gel within the heel however it’s a small, hidden unit within the rearfoot that I can’t really feel. Solely the legacy trainers just like the Cumulus, Nimbus, Kayano and so on. nonetheless have gel of their midsoles.
The Cumulus 28 is just suited to straightforward and reasonable runs. It’s too agency for restoration runs and it doesn’t have the vitality return wanted to make quick pace and threshold runs pleasing. There’s additionally no forefoot rocker so it doesn’t really feel prefer it saves you vitality throughout lengthy runs.
The longest run I did within the Cumulus 28 was 26 kilometres and I discovered the final 5 kilometres harsh due to how agency it felt. It has 38.5 mm of stack top within the heel so it’s not a skinny midsole however the foam is simply too agency. The one advantage of the experience being so agency is the soundness. It seems like a really supportive, secure experience.
The largest distinction between the Cumulus 28 and different each day trainers is its FluidRide outsole which is principally a agency foam that comes into contact with the bottom. This makes landings really feel extra padded in comparison with trainers with arduous rubber outsoles.
There’s solely a really small piece of rubber on the outer lateral heel of the outsole to guard this excessive strike space. On my pair, I can see some put on across the rubber piece however general, the outsole has been extra sturdy than I anticipated. It’s best to have the ability to get some first rate mileage out of the Cumulus 28, even should you’re arduous on outsoles like I’m.
In terms of traction, the outsole is totally flat so it doesn’t chunk into the bottom; the Cumulus 28 grip isn’t pretty much as good as different trainers.
Asics Gel Cumulus 28 Conclusions
The Cumulus 28 might be my least favorite of all of the Cumulus variations I’ve examined. With the change to the brand new FF Blast Max foam, I used to be anticipating it to really feel quite a bit softer and extra energetic. Its experience doesn’t really feel very partaking.
It seems like a funds model of the Novablast nevertheless it’s solely $5 cheaper than the Novablast 5. I’d advocate paying a little bit bit extra and getting the Novablast- it has a significantly better, extra pleasing experience that’s softer and bouncier.
In comparison with the opposite mid-range each day trainers, the Cumulus 28 has the firmest experience of all of them. It additionally feels probably the most secure. It has probably the most floor really feel and padded landings because of its FluidRide outsole.
In case you don’t just like the tall, fashionable each day trainers that each model is churning out and also you lengthy for the essential trainers of yesteryear, the Cumulus 28 might be a superb match for you.
