Written by

Brandon Law

Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
The Cumulus is Asics’ mid-priced everyday, cushioned neutral trainer. The Evoride is Asics’ speed-friendly, mid-priced neutral trainer. Here we will be comparing the Cumulus and the Evoride.
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Now in its 25th iteration, the Cumulus has been the staple daily trainer in the Asics lineup. It’s popularity stems from its versatility and its consistent fit and feel from year to year. The Cumulus 25 costs $140. The Evoride 3 is a shoe designed to go fast. It has technology such as a Guidesole and rocker design and is the entry level shoe in the Asics Ride series. The Evoride 3 costs $120. Which of these shoes is the right choice for you?

Similarity and differences: Gel Cumulus 25 vs EvoRide 3

Brand
Expert score
Expert score
8/10
Expert score
10/10
Weight
9.3 oz
7.4 oz
Heel Drop
8 mm
5 mm
Verdict
The ASICS Gel Cumulus is a plush riding, maximalist daily trainer. It's best suited to easy/recovery runs and it has plenty of long-distance comfort thanks to its thick midsole and comfortable upper. Version 25 has been completely revamped and it now has a softer, smoother, more modern ride.
The EvoRide 3 is a wonderful update to Asics smooth gliding uptempo daily trainer. The improved light and responsive ride make this a wonderfully versatile shoe that works well as a daily trainer but caters to the inner speedster needing a quick and nimble shoe for uptempo efforts. The 3 is great value for the budget conscious definitely giving runners the most bang for their buck.
Recommended for
Daily training
Speedwork, daily training
Cushioning type
Plush
Responsive/balanced
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
flexible
medium
Stability
very stable
some stability
Sizing
true to size
true to size
Retail price
US$140
US$119.95

Sole unit: Gel Cumulus 25 vs EvoRide 3

The midsole of the Cumulus is made from single-density foam: FF Blast+. It has a super-soft ride which can handle long runs and easy runs. The Cumulus has gel technology in its heel for shock absorption.

The midsole of the Evoride is single-density and made from FlyteFoam. The ride of the Evoride is medium-firm and is best suited to tempo runs up to the marathon distance. It has no gel in it but has a rocker which reduces ankle flexion and promotes an efficient ride with quick transitions.

Ride transitions are smooth in both shoes but the Evoride has the smoother ride transitions with its single-density FlyteFoam midsole.

The Cumulus has a drop of 8mm compared to a drop of only 5mm in the Evoride. Rearfoot strikers will find the Cumulus more comfortable as there is more foam in the heel to soften rearfoot strikes. Conversely, in the Evoride, it’s easier to get up on your forefoot when trying to increase speed and cadence.

The outsole of the Cumulus has plenty of AHAR+ rubber spread across its outsole. The Cumulus has plenty of forefoot flex grooves to increase flexibility in the shoe. The outsole of the Evoride is covered with rubber on the forefoot and with two strips of rubber on the rearfoot. There is a large section of midsole on the midfoot which is not covered with rubber, making the Cumulus outsole more durable than the outsole of the Evoride.

Upper unit: Gel Cumulus 25 vs EvoRide 3

The upper of the Cumulus is made from a porous, breathable engineered mesh which is 3D printed. Its heel counter and tongue are generously filled with foam and the smooth lining inside makes the upper very comfortable. Foot lockdown is excellent and there is no heel slippage. The Cumulus fits true to size and is available in regular, wide and extra wide versions.

Both uppers are plush and filled with generous amounts of foam. The Cumulus has a thicker engineered mesh upper which is more breathable than the Evoride’s. They both have padded heel counters and tongues but the main difference is that the Evoride’s tongue is oversized and longer than the Cumulus’s. They both offer superb foot lockdown and offer double last row lace eyelets to do heel lock lacing.

The Cumulus and the Evoride run true to size. The Cumulus comes in regular, wide and extra wide versions compared to the Evoride which is only available in a standard width.

Which one to buy: Gel Cumulus 25 vs EvoRide 3

If you’re looking for a shoe for mainly long runs at relaxed speeds, the Cumulus is for you. The Cumulus has a plush, comfortable upper which is better suited to cool temperatures. It has no major flaws and has gel units in the rearfoot and forefoot for extra cushioning. With a drop of 8mm, the Cumulus is better for heel strikers.

If you prefer a firmer shoe for runs at tempo paces, the Evoride is the shoe for you. The Evoride has a breathable upper which is perfect for warmer temperatures and has rocker and Guidesole technology to make it easy to increase speed and cadence. Its drop of 5mm makes it more suited to midfoot/forefoot strikers.

This expert review is written by

Brandon Law

Marathon Runner and Shoe Expert
Brandon is a South African who lives and trains in Malaysia. He is a marathon runner who eats, sleeps and dreams running shoes. While most people wear shoes to run, he runs to wear shoes.