The Nimbus 26 is a solid, cushioned running shoe with excellent build quality. It has a plush upper with smooth ride transitions. The Nimbus Lite 3 is the new member of the Nimbus family. It looks like the Nimbus but has a vastly different ride character. The Nimbus Lite 3 is lighter and is the same price as the Nimbus 26. Which of these shoes is for you?
The Nimbus has a super-soft FF Blast+ Eco midsole which is not as soft as New Balance’s FuelCell or Nike’s ZoomX but not as firm as Fresh Foam X. It has a versatile, balanced ride which can be used for long runs and the occasional tempo run.
The Nimbus Lite has a medium-soft FlyteFoam midsole which is derived from sugarcane biomass. It has a rougher texture and feels more airy compared to the Nimbus’s midsole. Its plush midsole is best suited to long runs at paces slower than 5 minutes per kilometre.
GEL inserts are encapsulated in the forefoot and rearfoot of the Nimbus Lite so you don’t see any of it. The Nimbus has the gel inside the heel of the shoe. The gel units don’t add much cushioning to the shoes- most of the cushioning comes from the midsole foam but the gel units do absorb some of the shock.
Both shoes have wide forefoot and rearfoot bases for increased stability but the softer Nimbus has less lean bias and is the more stable of the two shoes.
Hybrid AHAR+ (Asics High Abrasion Rubber) is used as the main rubber on the outsoles of both shoes but the Hybrid AHAR+ on the Nimbus feels harder and more durable than the AHAR used on the Nimbus Lite.
The Nimbus’ luxurious upper is made from engineered knit. It has a flat knitted tongue and a padded heel collar which cocoons the foot in soft foam. Its tongue is sleeved and no tongue slide occurs due to the wide wings which hold it securely in place. It has an internal heel counter which works well to keep the heel securely in place and there isn’t much forefoot room. It’s available in regular, wide and extra wide widths.
The Nimbus Lite’s upper has the same design and fit as the Nimbus but is made from different materials. Most of the upper is recycled material. The lighter, more sustainable upper comes at a sacrifice as the Nimbus Lite’s upper is not as durable as the regular Nimbus’. The Nimbus Lite only comes in a standard width but it fits true to size.
If you’re a runner looking for a Nimbus which doesn’t feel and ride similar to previous incarnations of the Nimbus, get the Nimbus. The Nimbus is more cushioned, more responsive and rides smoother than any previous Nimbus version but retains the comfort and the reliability the Nimbus has become famous for. It is extremely stable and has a durable upper.
If you’re a runner who loves the look and feel of the Nimbus but you want a lighter ride, the Nimbus Lite is the shoe for you. The Nimbus Lite is one of the softest shoes on the market and can still be categorised as a max-cushioned shoe. The Nimbus Lite is less bouncy than the Nimbus, has a less durable outsole and upper, and is not as stable.
