Comments on: Asics Gel Nimbus 11 Running Shoes Review

By: Save on ASICS GEL-Nimbus 11 (W)

Save on ASICS GEL-Nimbus 11 (W) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:42:13 +0000

[...] Asics Gel Nimbus 11 Full Name: Asics Gel Nimbus 11: Category: Cushioning: Weight: 12 oz. (340 gr.) … My calves have been in severe pain ever since I started running w/ the new 11′s. » [...]

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:26:02 +0000

I concur my friends. I have been running for as long as I can remember. I am 6 foot 1, and weigh two hundred pounds. In Janurary of last year I began training for the Go Saint Louis Half Marathon in Nike Air Max shoes. They were really good except I kept getting swelling in my calves and ankles when I would train on hills. Needless to say i went on to finish a Half in April with no issues.

After the race I went shoe shopping to find a better shoe that is more comfortable. Sports Authority recommended the Nimbus 11s.
I went to the Asic Gel Nimbus 11s with some custom gel inserts. I immediately noticed a zap in my endurance and power, but they seemed to be comfortable so I did not think anything of it. I usually run 3 half marathons a month before the actually Half Marathon event…but in these, I could only run up to ten miles. I finished the Rock n Roll Chicago half marathon event in AUgust of 2010 at around the same time, but the next day…Achillies Tendon problems. Here it is, February of 2011 and after months of Physical therapy, Surgeon Consultations, and stretching/Strengthening routines, I am just now able to start running again. The Asic Nimbus 11s cushioning seems to be comfortable, but the lift is uneven when the tread starts to wear down on your shoes. Much before they wear out, your achillies tendon area will begin getting battered by uneven forces. DO NOT BUY THIS SHOE IF YOU HEEL STRIKE OR OVER PRONATE.

By: Julia

Julia — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 04:49:55 +0000

Have worn these shoes and run countless miles day after day. These shoes have been a dream… never experienced any pain or discomfort. No blisters or shin splints. Would highly recommend if you’re looking for a comfortable and light-weight shoe.

By: Tam

Tam — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:12:47 +0000

Despite reading a plethora of negative reviews on these shoes, I went ahead and purchased the Nimbus 11 anyway. I have never really had any problems with any technical shoe that I have worn. I’ve run in Nike, Brooks, Reebox, Adidas, and Asics over the past 25 years and never had any problems. I’m only 155 lbs, but have flat and wide feet with mild pronation. I wasn’t sure if the Nimbus would be the right shoe considering it is a neutral shoe rather than a stability shoe. I ran 17 K on my first time wearing the Nimbus 11′s. It was a smooth ride other than I started to develop a blister near the ball of my left foot at the end of the run. However, it was because the toe box is generously sized and I did not lace up the shoe snuggly enough. After cinching down the laces I have logged 82 K in the first two weeks of running including doing lots of speedwork and they feel amazing.

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:05:32 +0000

The Numbus 11! That is what they should call these shoes! My toes are numb when I run in them…Having taken part in many gait/ambulation test & measures, (I work in Physical Therapy) this is by far one of the worst shoes I have come across. I am a huge fan of Asics running shoes, but this is a sad mistake on their (Asics Manufactory) part. Reasons:
1. Day one of putting them on, instant anterior tib pain, along with my toes hurting. (They weren’t quite numb yet…)

2. There is a defect in the mid-to-front part of the shoes which (I can feel the lacing stitching & lace pressing down on my great-toe metatarsal…the only good thing is when my toes go numb, it no longer bothers me…if that is a good thing.

3. I attempted to put a spenco insole, but as most of you know this is not the answer due to your own shoes non conformity with other insoles (inserts). So $30.00 wasted. (I now wear them in my Army boots).

4. I am a heavier runner, this shoe comes in a wide fit which is great for me, but the shoe is for a person, as it states above, “The shoe is recommended to normal to under pronators (supinators), with an eye to heavier runners.” Uh, not so much, with heavier runners, I needed this shoe to compensate for my “under pronation”…I feel with the shoes design, it is over compensating and this is one of the factors which are leading me to have numb toes.

5. Lastly…I think the shoe design is pushing me forward, adding to the pressure on the fore-front of my foot, in turn causing the anterior tib pain, the numb toes, and finally a very unsatisfying running experience.

So there you have it, I hope this helps someone.

Oh yes, in my opinion…Don’t waste your time with this shoe! Another $130.00 + $30.00 (Spenco inserts) + the physical pain they caused….Not a good buy.

V/r
Keith
keith.frain@gmail.com

By: Gin

Gin — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 18:24:20 +0000

Hi All,
I had heard a lot of good things about Asics and I thought I should get a pair to help out with my marathon training.
I’m a neutral runner,120lbs,6’4″. Never experienced instant pain the moment I started running in any other pair of shoes until I put the Nimbus 11s on. They felt heavy, hot and gave me instant hamstring and calf pain, then, after about 10-15k’s my knees would start to hurt, as well. I was patient, I thought I just needed to break them in, but things just got worse. I would switch back to my other running shoes and there would be no pain and the moment I would switch back to the Asics shoes the pain would instantly come back. I’m very disappointed. I really wanted them to work for me, mainly because I had heard so many good things about them and also because they set me back CND$200.00. I really loved the look of the shoes and they fit really well, but all the rest was a big disaster for me. Sorry…

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:03:10 +0000

Definitely overrated shoes! My friend and I are BOTH feeling pain after just a 3(!) mile run, our feet are burning, toes are in agony, plus an added knee pain. Running techniques have nothing to do with this sort of discomfort. Those shoes are absolute disaster. We had bought New Balance and Puma for years, were never disappointed. Unfortunately (and ironically), we were persuaded into Asics Gel Nimbus 11 to prepare for the marathon. I guess, positive reviews come only from retailers. Don’t buy these shoes!!!

By: CK

CK — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:31:50 +0000

Bought Nimbus 11s as they were recommended to reduce pain from shin splints and tight achilles tendon, which they did…. but at the price of HUGE blisters on the arch of both feet after less than 3 miles each run. Thought I just might need to break them in so I suffered through a month of racing and training in them but with no improvement so they’re being “retired”.

Pity they don’t suit my feet, because they really did help with the shin splints

By: VAREL

VAREL — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:31:32 +0000

I might remind all, we all have different feet and will fit different shoes. I would not blame Asics for being innovative and rather blame myself for not being adventurous. Remember, always try on adequate runners from different manufactures and choose those fitting you the best. Don’t get shoes for pronators if you neutral or so even if it fits you the best out of all those neutral designed shoes. If you choose well fitting shoes with features well suiting your style regardless of manufacturer, you will be happy as ever. Asics gel Nimbus 11 are great runner (my current shoes) and so were Mizuno wave 10 and 11 or Adidas Supernova cushion 9 (I think). When ever I buy new shoes I don’t expect the next model to fit me at all. So far I was always satisfied.

By: MCE

MCE — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 12:11:59 +0000

My wife and I have been wearing ASICS for the past three years. We both felt the 10s were excellent, the best so far (since the 7s). So she bought the 11s thinking that they’d be better. NO WAY! They were/are terrible. She cannot run in them without having her feet hurt! She has even tried cushioning insoles! She has vowed to NEVER buy another pair of ASICS. I bought a second pair of 10s so I’m fine. BUT it is a testament to how poorly engineered this shoe is due to the incredible number of bad reports and my first hand experience. Don’t buy 11s.

By: KT

KT — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:02:55 +0000

Had the 10′s thought they were great, complete pain free running, 25-30 miles a week. Brought these thinking, how different can they be, surely they have just improved on a good shoe. Have had knee pain and arch pain, enough to make me have to walk home. Lovely cushioning but thats about all. I found a lot of room in the shoe and all the extra bits of lightweight breathable bits make them very breathable, but not very supportive.

And casey, 8 may, dont dismiss other peoples opinions, anyone who runs long and hard knows a shoe CAN make all the difference. If you dont suffer problems, well done you for being so super.

By: Andi

Andi — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:31:36 +0000

I was relieved to read these comments (but sorry for people’s pain)! I thought I was going crazy. I have been in Gel Nimbus shoes for many, many years, and after purchasing two 11s on-line (because why would I need to try them on – they are ‘my shoes’), and running in them for a couple of months, I have horrible achilles tendonitis in both legs – just like another commentator. I thought it was my advancing age, not the shoes! But clearly Asics have messed up this time around. What a shame. I don’t want to look for a new brand. I will try on the 12s, but I worry, because visually it looks as though the heel is the same height as the 11s. Now that I’m back in my 10s I can tell that the heel feels very different and is higher.

I run about 20 miles/week, and am average height/weight for a woman.

By: Mojoe

Mojoe — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:06:06 +0000

I have been running for about 6 years now (6’5″, 215 lbs, 30-40 miles/week) and I have tried just about every neutral running shoe there is. The Mizuno Wave, Brooks Glycerine, Adidas Response, Saucony, Nike Vomero all seemed to cause either knee problems or ITBS or some kind of biomechanical injury.

However, I have found that the Asic Nimbus 11 are the only ones that allow me to run a marathon without praying for a epidural. They are well constructed, no hot spots, and they actually last 300 miles.

If it weren’t for the Asics I’d still be stuck at 6-9 miles. However my Sunday runs (12-18 miles) are pain free. I just ordered my 12′s. I will keep you posted on the results.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:20:14 +0000

I am not a serious runner…acatually not a runner at all. But I walk 2-3 miles per day and wanted a comfortable shoe with a good arch support. With this asics 11 shoe, my toes go numb, the balls of my feet feel like they are on fire, and I have developed blisters on my heels. I hate this shoe. Walking is supposed to be good for my heart, but my blood boils when I walk in them thinking about how much I spent on this bad choice!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 19 May 2010 02:29:52 +0000

I’ve been a runner for over 20 years. I have high arches and I am a supinator. I require added cushioning. These shoes felt like the perfect fit. However, once I was into my 10k run I started feeling that the ball of my foot was getting hot, sore and uncomfortable. I’ve never had this happen in all my years of running. Could it be the memory foam in the sole of the shoe? Anyways, I am now feeling like the balls of my feet are bruised and sensitive to pressure. Very disappointing.

By: Casey

Casey — Sun, 09 May 2010 00:04:02 +0000

I think most of these have to be some joke account. There has to be severe problems with your running technique if a simple shoe change has you developing huge medical problems. My knees and shins feel great after running in these shoes, and the reviewer is dead on about more spring and less mush! Fantastic shoes. Asics has another winner on their hands.

By: Shawn Duerr

Shawn Duerr — Sat, 08 May 2010 12:49:57 +0000

I am an asics fan and had the Nimbus 9 prior to gettting the 11. I have a neutral foot with normal arches. I wore these shoes twice on long runs and started to develop some arch pain. I’m not an overpronator and these shoes seem to push my arch over enough to cause some pain. They feel comfortable and I liked them, but they are not the shoe for me.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:30:10 +0000

The Nimbus 11 caused huge problems for me. I loved the 10′s and never had an issue but the 11′s gave me a huge blister on my arch and I now have achilles pain and unable to train. I am trying to find some 10′s online but haven’t had any luck due to needing a size 14. I am 6’4 225lbs. I hope the 12 series is better than the 11′s