Upon first stepping into the Cumulus 19, the shoe’s bulk and stiffness were immediately apparent. The lack of flexibility both underfoot and in the upper did not result in the most comfortable first run.

The heavy construction materials and overall inflexibility refused to allow my foot to flex naturally.

I found the narrow toe box and reinforced eyelets for lacing to be slightly irritating to the first metatarsal head on both of my feet.

With that said, the shoe definitely improves with each run. And after a week of running in the Cumulus 19, the stiffness gives way to an extremely soft and enjoyable ride.

Asics Gel Cumulus 19 General Info

Asics Gel Cumulus 19 – Lateral Side

The Gel Cumulus line is one of the most enduring series in the Asics family. Now in its 19th adaptation, the Cumulus has been a reliable go-to shoe for runners of every type for almost two decades.

The Cumulus 19 is true to size and provides a snug fit. The shoe is heavily cushioned and features a 10mm heel to toe offset. I tested the Cumulus 19 on both road and crushed gravel trails, and It performed well on both surface.

The Cumulus 19 provides an invariably soft ride that is ideal for easy and long runs. Loyal Cumulus fans will be pleased to discover that this version deviates very little from the previous model.

Asics Gel Cumulus 19 Sole Unit

Asics Gel Cumulus 19 – Sole

The midsole and outsole of the Cumulus 19 are identical to previous version of the shoe. The updated model continues to employ Asics’ signature GEL technology in the heel and forefoot to provide cloud-like shock absorption.

The shoe’s FluidRide foam midsole provides responsive cushioning for a crisp ride. The midsole also features a Guidance Line that extends from the heel to the toe for enhanced efficiency as the foot moved through the gait cycle.

The outsole of the shoe is constructed with AHAR rubber for extreme durability. The AHAR material is also used in car tires and is highly resistant to abrasions and daily wear.

The durability of the Cumulus 19 outsole makes the shoe an economical choice and a good option for high mileage runners.

The outsole also features a Trusstic guidance system under the arch. This feature is intended to integrate with the Guidance Line for gait efficiency.

While this component may provide beneficial support and motion guidance for some runners, I found it to limit the natural motion of my foot resulting in a rigid, less fluid movement from heel to toe-off.

Asics’ midsole and outsole technology provides top of the line shock absorption and durability. However, the trade-off for these benefits is the weight of the shoe.

The Cumulus 19 falls on the bulkier end of the spectrum which may be more desirable for runners with a heavy foot-strike. Lighter runners may find that the shoe weighs them down.

Asics Gel Cumulus 19 Upper Info

The no-frills Cumulus 19 upper exhibits seamless construction similar to the Cumulus 18. This version omits the Asics logo overlay on the medial side of the upper resulting in slightly more lateral flexibility and less weight.

The upper hugs the foot snugly within a narrow toe box and is best suited for runners with slender feet.

Personally, the narrow toe box and reinforced lacing eyelets irritated the first metatarsal head on both feet until I reconfigured the lacing pattern.

The shoe’s heel counter, tongue, and sockliner are soft and forgiving. I did not experience any rubbing or irritation from these components of the shoe.

Asics Gel Cumulus 19 – Heel

Asics Gel Cumulus 19 Conclusions

The Asics Cumulus has been a fan favorite for runners across the spectrum from novices to seasoned marathoners.

The updated model stays true to the spirit of the Cumulus series by continuing to provide exceptional durability and high-performance comfort.

The Cumulus 19 is an optimal shoe for runners seeking to maximize cushion without sacrificing too much responsiveness.

We thank the nice people at Asics for sending us a pair of Gel Cumulus 19 to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.