- Synthetic and mesh
- Rubber sole
- Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.) enhances the foot's natural gait from heel strike to toe-off
- Solyte midsole material is lighter than ASICS' standard EVA and SpEVA, combined with improved cushioning and durability
- Space Trusstic System creates a pocket between the Trusstic System device and the midsole, allowing for greater midsole deformation and more efficient foot function
- Biomorphic fit upper provides a superior fit and function
- Asymmetrical lacing design enhances upper fit and comfort while minimizing the potential for irritation
 GEL-Nimbus 11 Running Shoe
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After 10 years at the top of the ASICS Cushioning line, the GEL-Nimbus series continues to provide outstanding cushioning and unmatched platform feel. The Gel-Nimbus 11 features a new comfort-centric lightweight upper and a broad, supportive platform suitable for a diverse range of foot and gait types.
ASICS: Sound Mind, Sound Body
In 1949, Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka began his athletic footwear company (Onitsuka Co., Ltd.) by manufacturing basketball shoes out of his living room in Kobe, Japan. He chose the name ASICS for his company in 1977, based on a famous Latin phrase "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano," which, when translated, expresses the ancient ideal of "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body." Taking the acronym of this phrase, ASICS was founded on the belief that the best way to create a healthy and happy lifestyle is to promote total health and fitness. Today, ASICS offers a full line of performance-driven athletic shoes and technical active sports apparel and accessories dedicated to bringing harmony to the body and soul.
New Features |
Re-engineered Asymmetrical Lacing DesignThis new construction creates a more open toe environment, less material overlays for lighter weight, and a great fit with less potential irritation through the Asymmetrical Lacing System. The tongue features an added layer of memory foam to allow for a more form-fitted feel under the laces. | 
Re-engineered Asymmetrical Lacing Design creates a more open toe environment. |
Stitch-Less PHF(Personal Heel Fit)This re-engineered heel environment improves rearfoot fit and comfort and lessens the potential for irritation. | 
Stitch-less PHF(Personal Heel Fit) improves rearfoot fit and comfort.
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Gender Specific Cushioning
Gender Specific Cushioning creates a distinctly unique ride by employing injected Solyte® rather than the standard molded midsole material. The advantage of the injection process is lighter weight and more consistent density in comparison to compression molded EVA. Not only does this help drop the weight of the midsole but the "dialed-in" density improves the forefoot road feel. And since the compression rate on women's models is generally much lower than men's, the injected cap on the women's shoe is softer, ensuring a great forefoot road feel. | 
Gender-specific cushioning improves forefoot road feel. |
Gender Specific Space Trusstic System®
The Space Trusstic System® creates an open space between the Trusstic System® device and the midsole to allow for the midsole to deform at a rate that the arch needs to provide more efficient foot function. Since a woman's arch alters shape as estrogen levels change, the Gender Specific Space Trusstic System® allows for greater midsole deformation on women's models. This environment allows the Space Trusstic System® to properly address these fluctuations and provide the needed midfoot support. | 
Gender-specific Space Trusstic System allows for fluctuations in midfoot support. |
Product Description
Crafted with the ASICS® Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®) in place, the Gel Nimbus 11 men's running shoe guarantees a smooth, fluid ride from heel strike to toe-off. It also features a responsive Solyte® midsole, which attenuates shock on impact.
REVIEW
For background, I am an average runner that runs three to six miles several days a week - 2/3rds of the time on a treadmill and 1/3 of the time outside. Some seasons I kick up the miles for a marathon, but in general running is part of a cross training program. I have traditionally, oscillated between
New Balance and Asics, but flirted with other brands.
Asics makes excellent running shoes in general, but at the high end of their range the Kayano and the Nimbus are standouts. Kayanos are best suited for "neutral" runners who have a perfect step and gate. The Nimbus are a bit more forgiving for those of us who run on the outer edge of one or both of our feet. I fall into this category, in that my shoes show wear on the outer edge of one of my heals. Having run in both the Kayano and the Nimbus, I would give the nod to the Nimbus as it provides a little more "support." (Note - they provide support for running, but next to no lateral support necessary in other sports such as basketball. They are best for running or spending time on your feet all day.)
This is the eleventh (or XI) version of the Nimbus. In theory each iteration would get progressively better, but that has not always been true. Version ten (X) was a bit less cushioned and slightly heavier than nine (IX). That has been cured with this latest model. It is softer and lighter (purportedly by an ounce, which sounds silly unless you run). It breathes a bit better as well.
For the fashionable crowd, the colors are much better in person than shown on the website. The black / graphite version in particular is a nice addition to the traditional white / blue color combo. For those new to Asics, the one downside of all of the Asic's shoes is they have lots of textures and grooves in the foam / rubber areas that pick up dirt easily, but they are "running" shoes so buy something else for street shoes.
One other comparison of note is that Nike's competitor, the Vomero, has improved as well and is close, but not quite as good. They have a slightly wider toe box and feel softer at the ball of the foot out of the box, but the softness translates to a slight dissipation of energy. Ok, for the casual runner, but not for higher mileage - like running in soft sand.
Two niggles that bother me with running shoes at this level that are worth mentioning: (1) the insoles are pathetic and (2) they are made in China. I find it irritating that you spend more than $120 for a pair of shoes and the insole is barely better than cardboard. Second, I always feel a slight pang that anything made in China is made under suspect circumstances. But all running shoes (save for a few New Balance models) suffer from these issues, so I am not deducting a star for this.
In summary, if you like the Asics feel, you will be pleased with this latest Nimbus. It is a worthy successor to the heritage.
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