 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.
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:
 | Asics Little Kid/big Kid Gel-cumulus 12 Gs Running Shoe
endless.com FREE overnight shipping, FREE return shipping (for 365 days). | $46.99
 |
 | Asics Little Kid/big Kid Gel-cumulus 12 Gs Running Shoe
endless.com FREE overnight shipping, FREE return shipping (for 365 days). | $47.99
 |
| + 5 others available from endless.com ↓ |
 | Asics Men's Gel-cumulus 12 Running Shoe
endless.com FREE overnight shipping, FREE return shipping (for 365 days). | $49.98
 |
 | Asics Women's Gel-cumulus 12 Running Shoe
endless.com FREE overnight shipping, FREE return shipping (for 365 days). | $64.95
 |
 | Asics Women's Gel-cumulus 12 Running Shoe
endless.com FREE overnight shipping, FREE return shipping (for 365 days). | $64.95
 |
 | Asics Women's Gel-cumulus 12 Running Shoe
endless.com FREE overnight shipping, FREE return shipping (for 365 days). | $64.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Gs - Girl's - Kid Shoes - Silver
Onlineshoes Free shippings, free exchanges, 365 days returns. | $59.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Gs - Boy's - Kid Shoes - White
Onlineshoes Free shippings, free exchanges, 365 days returns. | $59.95
 |
| + 7 others available from Onlineshoes ↓ |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Gs - Girl's - Kid Shoes - Purple
Onlineshoes Free shippings, free exchanges, 365 days returns. | $59.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 - Women's - Shoes - White
Onlineshoes Free shippings, free exchanges, 365 days returns. | $99.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 - Women's - Shoes - White
Onlineshoes Free shippings, free exchanges, 365 days returns. | $99.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 - Women's - Shoes - Blue
Onlineshoes Free shippings, free exchanges, 365 days returns. | $99.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 - Men's - Shoes - White
Onlineshoes Free shippings, free exchanges, 365 days returns. | $104.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 - Men's - Shoes - Silver
Onlineshoes Free shippings, free exchanges, 365 days returns. | $104.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 W White/yellow Running Shoes
KellerSports European Running Store (prices in euro). | 69.90
 |
 | Asics - Gel-cumulus 12 (white/lavender/tangerine) - Footwear
Zappos Free shipping both ways (free return shipping), 365 days returns | $75.10
 |
 | Asics - Gel-cumulus 12 (white/lightning/orchid) - Footwear
Zappos Free shipping both ways (free return shipping), 365 days returns | $75.10
 |
| + 5 others available from Zappos ↓ |
 | Asics - Gel-cumulus 12 (white/brilliant Blue/lime) - Footwear
Zappos Free shipping both ways (free return shipping), 365 days returns | $75.10
 |
 | Asics - Gel-cumulus 12 (white/royal/black) - Footwear
Zappos Free shipping both ways (free return shipping), 365 days returns | $75.11
 |
 | Asics - Gel-cumulus 12 (white/flame/black) - Footwear
Zappos Free shipping both ways (free return shipping), 365 days returns | $75.99
 |
 | Asics - Gel-cumulus 12 (silver/black/yellow) - Footwear
Zappos Free shipping both ways (free return shipping), 365 days returns | $75.99
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/flame/black) - Men's Shoes - 9.5 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/flame/black) - Men's Shoes - 7.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
| + 16 others available from shoes.com ↓ |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/lavender) - Women's Shoes - 6.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/flame/black) - Men's Shoes - 10.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/flame/black) - Men's Shoes - 9.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/flame/black) - Men's Shoes - 7.5 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/flame/black) - Men's Shoes - 12.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/lavender) - Women's Shoes - 11.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/flame/black) - Men's Shoes - 8.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/flame/black) - Men's Shoes - 8.5 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/flame/black) - Men's Shoes - 11.5 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/lavender) - Women's Shoes - 6.5 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/lavender) - Women's Shoes - 10.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $94.95
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (silver/black/yellow) - Men's Shoes - 7.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $95.00
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/royal/black) - Men's Shoes - 8.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $95.00
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/blue/lime) - Women's Shoes - 6.0 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $95.00
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Shoes (white/blue/lime) - Women's Shoes - 6.5 M
shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $95.00
 |
 | Asics Gel-cumulus 12 Men's Running Shoe
Finish Line Free shipping, returns on unused items only | $99.98
 |
Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!


Ruggero launched Running Shoes Guru in 2009. Originally from the Alps of Italy, he now lives in Amsterdam with his much loved little family. He is a passionate runner and triathlete who has worked many years in the sports footwear industry.
Always remember to check to make sure your not getting a knock off. There are certain things to look for to tell. If the shoe smells like glue, it probably is not real.
I think it’s totally worth spending a bit more on a pair of running shoes on top-notch brands such as Asics in order to get the best quality materials and construction design. By doing this you’re assuring yourself of a shoe that safer for your joints and your overall long-term health.
Been running in my Cumulus 12′s for a few months now and couldn’t be happier with them. I needed a shoe that offered me more cushioning and support than the Sarcony’s that I was running in before and the Asics fitted the bill!
Cumulus 12 Running Shoes Review
Recommended For: Mild Over Pronators to moderate Over Pronators, runners in search of a soft ride.
“the 12 continues its tradition of being a solid choice for neutral or underpronating runners.”
Which one is it?
Mike you are absolutely right – thank you for noticing the glitch! Just corrected.
I think it’s totally worth spending a bit more on a pair of running shoes on top-notch brands such as Asics in order to get the best quality materials and construction design.
Little changed in Asic’s move to the Cumulus 13 and I can get these previously $100+ shoes on Amazon now for $49.99 w/free shipping. They are, literally the best fit/impact training shoes I have ever used. No need to sell yourself short with a bargain model when you can just get last year’s near-top-of-line.