Asics Gel Cumulus 12
	Full Name: Asics Gel Cumulus 12
	Category: Cushioning
	Weight: 11.7 oz. (330 gr.)
	Suggested Price: 100$
	Recommended For: Neutral runners, runners in search of a soft ride.

• Asics Cumulus 12 General Info:

The Cumulus 12 is Asics’ best selling cushioning shoe. With an updated upper fit and a renewed sole unit that promises to deliver even more cushioning, the 12 continues its tradition of being a solid choice for neutral or underpronating runners.

• Asics Cumulus 12 Sole Unit:

Let’s start by looking at the shoe from the bottom. The outsole is clearly split in two parts: the heel and the forefoot. The heel is decoupled: it is composed of four individual “pods” in order to absorb the shock right where your heel lands on the ground and progressively spread it across the whole area. To both separate and join heel and forefoot we find Asics’ trademark Trusstic System. This plastic shank, which never touches the ground, adds torsional rigidy to the bottom of the shoe, preventing the heel and forefoot to twist innaturally. A common solution in stability shoes, where the added rigidity contributes to the overall control that the shoe offers to the running gait, it is a welcome addition in a cushioning shoe. Asics suggests this shoe to even moderate over-pronators.

Tilting the shoe on the side, we can have a look at the midsole. Within the white foam you can clearly see coloured inserts. They are the Asics Gel pods, the primary cushioning technology on the Cumulus (and most Asics running shoes). In the Cumulus 12, the cushioning has been improved by adding more Gel to the heel by redesigning the midsole around that area. On the forefoot, also more cushioning has been added and it’s different in the mens version compared to the womens version.

The result is a soft, plush ride on a broad base that will help correct some of the runners’ gait mistakes.

• Asics Cumulus 12 Upper:

The upper of the Cumulus sees two main improvements as compared to last years versions: the overlays around the toebox have been redesigned with the aim to provide more comfort to the toes while still hugging them snugly. The main area of improvement though has been the heel: a new heel collar, combined with the use of memory foam (foam that takes the shape of your foot and remembers it).

• Asics Cumulus 12 Opinion:

The Cumulus 12 competes in the very crowded area of 100$ price-point. From Mizuno to Nike and Brooks, you can find great cushioning shoes at this price. What should drive you towards the Cumulus? We believe the Cumulus is a great shoe for beginner runners. It has a soft cushioning that will please many and at the same time has some stability elements (the exceptional Space Trusstic shank, for example) that will help correct the mild-overpronation that could occur when the miles add up.

• Asics Cumulus 12 Price Comparison:

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!