Our Verdict The foam and outsole are durable, and the upper is one of our favorites in the test. We don't recommend it for hard efforts, though; the excellent comfort comes with a speed compromise. We think this is an excellent shoe for runners looking for a soft ride for their easy days.

The main difference between the Asics Gel Nimbus 26 and Asics Gel Nimbus 25 running shoes is that the Asics Gel Nimbus 26 delivers increased performance, durability and traction with more outsole coverage, while the Asics Gel Nimbus 25 is fractionally lighter.

Those who want a neutral shoe with some mildly stable elements will do best in the Nimbus 26, while those needing a bit more stability will do better in the Kayano 30. David: The Gel-Nimbus 26 is a neutral training shoe.

The Gel Kayano stands out with its emphasis on stability, making it ideal for pronating runners. It offers a responsive ride, while Nimbus focuses on cloud-like comfort, and Cumulus caters to versatile daily training.