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 without doubt one of the “traditional” ASICS trainers, together with the Nimbus, Kayano, and GT collection. These are the ASICS stalwarts.
The Cumulus is the normal, mid-range every day coach for the majority of your weekly mileage. Opponents on this class embrace the Nike Pegasus, Saucony Journey, Brooks Ghost and HOKA Clifton.
I’ve run in 3 variations of the Cumulus over time with my favorite being v25. It had a very plush journey with good power 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
Once 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 journey felt method firmer than I expected- I assumed 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 respectable breathability. It jogs my memory quite a lot 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 in the event you like a extra spacious inside. For those who favor 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 power return; the journey 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 simply suited to straightforward and average runs. It’s too agency for restoration runs and it doesn’t have the power return wanted to make quick velocity and threshold runs pleasurable. There’s additionally no forefoot rocker so it doesn’t really feel prefer it saves you power 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 peak within the heel so it’s not a skinny midsole however the foam is simply too agency. The one advantage of the journey being so agency is the soundness. It looks like a really supportive, steady journey.
The most important distinction between the Cumulus 28 and different every day trainers is its FluidRide outsole which is mainly 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 respectable mileage out of the Cumulus 28, even in the event you’re arduous on outsoles like I’m.
On the subject of traction, the outsole is totally flat so it doesn’t chunk into the bottom; the Cumulus 28 grip isn’t nearly 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 swap to the brand new FF Blast Max foam, I used to be anticipating it to really feel loads softer and extra energetic. Its journey doesn’t really feel very participating.
It seems like a funds model of the Novablast nevertheless it’s solely $5 cheaper than the Novablast 5. I might advocate paying just a little bit extra and getting the Novablast- it has a a lot better, extra pleasurable journey that’s softer and bouncier.
In comparison with the opposite mid-range every day trainers, the Cumulus 28 has the firmest journey of all of them. It additionally feels essentially the most steady. It has essentially the most floor really feel and padded landings because of its FluidRide outsole.
For those who don’t just like the tall, fashionable every day trainers that each model is churning out and also you lengthy for the fundamental trainers of yesteryear, the Cumulus 28 could possibly be a great match for you.