I picked up a pair of Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 running shoes during my last training cycle, partly because my Nike Zoom Epic React shoes were wearing out and partly because they just weren’t as comfortable to wear post-pregnancy.

The Impact of Pregnancy on Your Feet

During pregnancy it’s pretty normal for your feet to grow, and for most women their feet will stay bigger even after they’ve given birth. The reason why this happens is because all the bones, ligaments and tendons in the foot tend to loosen and relax during pregnancy as the body produces more of the hormone relaxin, which helps your body grow and prepare for labour. On top of this the added weight of pregnancy puts more stress and strain on your body and can result in wider feet because the ligaments loosen and your feet have less support so become flatter.

14 months on from giving birth and my feet are definitely wider than they used to be, which means the shoes I once loved just aren’t as comfortable as they used to be, especially around the toe box. Past experience tells me that if my running shoes are too narrow around the toe box I’m going to get blisters or worse - it was definitely time for something new!

A Shoe Made For Distance

When I bought these running shoes my milage was ramping up and I wanted something that was cushy and designed for long road miles, and the Gel-Nimbus 24 is a running shoe that’s made for distance.

The upper’s soft engineered mesh and flexible midfoot panel makes these shoes more comfortable during longer runs and moves seamlessly with your foot for a really smooth ride. Coming from the Nike Zoom Epic React with it’s sock like construction it did feel a bit weird wearing a shoe with a tongue again, but the flexible panels and soft mesh felt supportive and really comfortable, more than making up for the change.

Because I was switching to a more cushioned shoe I expected to be carrying some extra weight, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Gel-NImbus 24. The FF BLAST PLUS cushioning keeps the shoe lightweight while still providing a soft feel underfoot and helps increase the shoe’s rebound properties at the toe-off stage. These shoes feel really nice to run in, you kind of forget you’re wearing them, and when you’re clocking up long miles that is exactly what you want.

Comparison to the Asics Gel-Nimbus 23

The key difference between the Gel-Nimbus 23 and the Gel-Nimbus 24 is that the newer edition features the new FlyteFoam Blast Plus technology, making for the softest ever Nimbus (it feels like you’re running on marshmallows, which is a pretty nice feeling). In addition the 24 offers greater durability for heel strikers, so your shoes last for longer. Both real benefits in my book.

Fit and Sizing

Once upon a time I was all about wearing high support shoes to manage pronation, but as time has gone on I’m now fully committed to neutral fit running shoes. Since pregnancy my feet have become wider and a bit flatter, but I still have good ankle strength and control so don’t need any extra support, which means the neutral fit of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 running shoe is perfect for me.

In terms of sizing I did find I had to size up half a size in these shoes, even in comparison to other Asics running shoes I have in my collection (the Gel-Kayano 26), so that’s worth taking into consideration even if you’ve always worn Asics shoes.

Sustainability

As runners we benefit so much from the natural world, so I think we have a responsibility to be mindful of it when we choose running products.

The Asics Gel-Nimbus 24 running shoe has an upper that is made with recycled materials to reduce waste and carbon emissions and ASICS LITE is lighter, stronger and more sustainable than standard outsole rubbers. As a company Asics has a commitment to moving towards more sustainable practices, reducing CO2 emissions, embracing recycled materials and using less resources in their production. You can read more about Asics move towards sustainability here.

Data driven insight company Good On You has ranked Asics as ‘not good enough’ highlighting that the company uses few eco-friendly materials, doesn’t appear to have a policy to minimise the impacts of microplastics and doesn’t appear to be on track to reduce it’s greenhouse emissions. Similarly Good On You is critical of its labour practices and its treatment of animals. You can read Good On You’s review here.

Price

The Gel-Nimbus 24 currently retails for £165.00 on the Asics website.

When I purchased these shoes I had a pretty strict budget of £100 and the only reason I could afford them was because they were on sale at Runner’s Need and I received a subsequent discount from my insurer, which brought the cost down to £66. It feels like even straightforward ‘workhorse’ running shoes like the Gel-Nimbus 24 are getting more and more expensive, so it’s definitely worth shopping around, looking for deals online and making sure you use any discounts you can to bring the cost down.

The Bottom Line

Light and soft with a flexible mid-sole they’re a comfy choice for longer runs and offer a lovely smooth ride that feels like your running on marshmallows, perfect for all those long training runs!