ASICS Gel-Nimbus 20 - A first class review.
Here we go, the running blog staple, a post about a shoe. I know you’re probably wondering to yourself, what qualifies this random guy off the internet to tell me about running shoes? Well, I’ve been wearing shoes on my feet for pretty much the full duration of my life, from Hush Puppies to Wellington boots I've worn them all (but never Adidas predators, my parents said I'd just grown out of them and I'm still not over it). Some might even say I’ve 30 years worth of shoe wearing experience, I shall dispense this experience for you now.
Given that build up I’ve just given myself, I’ll be the first to admit, if my feet were ears they would be tone deaf. I struggle to feel the tiny nuances and the marketing hype of running shoes,nearly every single show i've worn has felt the same to me.
I’ve been wearing the ASICS Gel Nimbus 20s on my long slow runs for a good month or so now and I’m not looking back (mainly because this is dangerous whilst running). I’ve galavanted around in these shoes in two main primary colours, red and platinum, and it is the latter that I will mainly describe to you now.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 20 Review - Should probably take my photos in less extreme weather in the future
Just like many mass produced shoes, they came in a shoe box made of a nice thick card, the box was white and a slightly off white grey. I opened the box and layed out before me were two size 11 Platinum ASICS Gel Nimbus 20s. Now, I don’t think they would be my first colour choice, my inner goth loves the absence of light, he’s got good taste so I usually follow his lead. They are, and this will come as no surprise to you given the name of them, platinum in colour and also in personality. My partner told me I’d look like a spice girl in them, but in reality I feel like a magnificent space man. Sure they’ve got a bit of glitter in that Gel bit at the back, but I’ve no hang ups about my masculinity so I can count the amount this bothers me on no hands and no feet. The heel supporting bit, which I’m sure there is a technical term for, is like a shimmering mirror, it’s primary function is so that other runners can see the look of despair in their very own face as you over take them and leave them for dust.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 20 Review - I'd rather be shiny, like a treasure from a sunken pirate wreck.
You’re probably less shallow than me and wondering if their primary function of being a running shoe lives up to its expectations, I can give you a big fat yes for that, I’m happy to announce you can indeed run in them. It’s a very comfortable run, a run where your feet are constantly caressed by man made materials that have been rigorously tested to provide optimum joy. Their soles, like mine, is pure and white - but unlike mine it also contains FlyteFoam which is nothing like the foam you get on a nice hot chocolate on a cold winter's day, but, it is as equally comforting.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 20 Review - London Edition - Excuse the thumb please!
These previous superlatives I used can all be generously applied to the red London 2018 version of the Gel Nimbus 20s, the only difference between the two are the aesthetics, this version says LONDON down the side which is really handy incase I get lost, end up outside the capital, and have to be returned from whence I came. If you’re planning to bury a time capsule this year this is definitely the shoe for you because they have 2018 written on the tongue so everyone knows when you got them. The London edition also win my fictional award for best running shoe insole.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 20 Review - London Edition - Best Insole yet!
Anyway, I think I’ve outstayed my welcome here, I’ll give you a final word on these, I genuinely think they’re a great shoe, I plan to run in them till either they or my legs give up, my money is the legs, pesky things. Last month I wore them for the London Marathon, my feet finished in a rather good condition, no rubbing, no blisters, pure joy for 26.2 miles.
[JUST FOR CLARITY : I was gifted both these pairs of shoes, however, I was not paid or asked to write a review about them and I expect after this I never will be :D ]
