Full Name: Asics Gel Cumulus 11 |
Category: Cushioning |
Weight: 11.4 oz. (323 gr.) |
Suggested Price: 100$ |
Recommended For: Mild Over Pronators to Under Pronators |
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Asics Cumulus 11 General Info:
Together with the Nimbus, the Asics Cumulus receives a tune-up for fall 2009 too. A few minor updates to the Asics Cumulus 10 with the idea of building on the success elements and improving a couple of shortfalls. Let’s see how the shoe is in its latest installment.
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Asics Cumulus 11 Sole Unit:
First mention goes to Asics’ I.G.S. Impact Guidance System. As we have seen before, I.G.S. is not a single feature but a whole design philosophy aimed at ensuring your foot is guided and supported throughout the running gait from heel strike to toe lift-off in the most efficient way. While this might seem not a big deal – it is: while you would expect all shoes are thought as a whole, they rarely are.
Common with the Cumulus 10, is the Space Trusstic System, a plastic shank that wraps the outsole in the area underneath your arch and provides you with torsional support, making sure the heel-to-toe transition happens smoothly. Plastic shanks are a common feature in
Cushioning in this shoe is given by the use of Solyte foam, a material that Asics claims to be softer and lighter than traditional EVA (foam, what you find in all running shoes midsoles). Completes the cushioning the addition of Asics Twist Gel both in the Forefoot and the Midsole – contributing in making the Cumulus 11 a well-cushioned shoe.
As you can see from the images above, the two outsoles are very similar. There are differences in the pattern of the outsole, but you can see the shoe is supposed to flex in the exact same way. The only sensible difference is in the heel pad, which is decoupled in a more accentuated way for an improved shock absorption at heel strike.
Runners impression is that the shoe is sligthly more cushioned than before.
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Asics Cumulus 11 Upper:
The most changes -even though still minor- to the shoe are in the upper. While the main characteristics are intact (large mesh areas in the toe and the medial/lateral side), Asics worked in eliminating excess weight and improving the fit.
The tongue is now stitched on one side in order to help keep it in the right place, and memory foam has been added so to increase comfort (memory foam adapts to the natural shape of your foot). Changes have been applied to the heel cap as well with the aim to reduce irritation. Two extra eyelets help you regulate your lacing and achieve a more snug fit on the lateral side of the shoe.
On the fit side, the Cumuls 11 has a slightly narrower toe-box.
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Asics Cumulus 11 Opinion:
The Cumulus 11 is not a revolution over the Cumulus 10, and we believe this is good. At 100$ price point, a 5$ increase vs. last year, the shoe carries very good value for money. The shoe is lighter and fits more snug than the previous, but keeps the same strong points that made it a best seller in the past.
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Asics Cumulus 11 Price Comparison:
Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!