ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 Review
By Matthew Klein
ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.2 oz, 261 g (men's size 9), 8.1 oz, 230 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 41 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot (38.5 mm / 30.5 mm per ASICS)
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Neutral Daily Training Shoe
Pros: Simple, Nimble, Slightly Softer Cushioning, Posteriolateral Heel Bevel, Rearfoot Sidewalls, Reduced Toe Spring
Cons: Stiff Forefoot Transition At First, Below Average Outsole Durability
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 is the standard daily training shoe in the ASICS line-up. A normal width fit with a softer and padded upper provides a secure and comfortable fit. A full length FF Blast+ midsole provides a slightly softer and bouncy ride while a Fluidride outsole adds to the softness but wears down quickly. Afar reduced toe spring from the prior version keeps the toes in a more comfortable and neutral position. A great simple shoe for those wanting to use something that can handle plenty of mileage and even some workouts, the GEL-Cumulus 27 returns as a refined workhorse daily training shoe.
SIMILAR SHOES: Saucony Ride 18, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
PAST MODEL: ASICS GEL-Cumulus 26
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 fits me true to size in my normal Men's US size 10. The upper is a somewhat lighter engineered mesh that is thinner in the front and thickens in the rear. The width is fairly normal throughout the length of the shoe. The forefoot is normal in width with a slightly tapered toebox and a slightly thicker toe guard. This opened up after a single run but will work best for those with normal width feet. The midfoot is normal in width with a well gusseted, slightly thinner tongue. The tongue stays secure and I was able to tighten the laces to get a secure fit. However, I would caution against tightening the laces too much as it may cause some lace bite. The heel is normal to slightly snug thanks to a thicker amount of heel collar padding. The heel counter is fairly stiff but the padding did offset this. However, those sensitive to heel counters should still approach this shoe with caution. The security overall is fairly good when running in a straight line and there was not too much translation when turning. I did not have to lace lock the shoe and only had to tighten the laces slightly to get a secure fit. The inner liner of the upper is mostly comfortable, however I would not suggest this for sockless running given the slightly more prominent toe guard.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Mildly
How Flexible is the Shoe: Slightly Stiffer
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Below Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 is a lighter daily training shoe with some workout capabilities. The FF Blast+ midsole, PureGEL heel insert and the Fluidride outsole provide a slightly softer ride. The weight is one of the lowest for this category of daily training shoes and makes the shoe feel nimble of foot. The stack height is listed at 41mm by Running Warehouse, but it does not feel that tall. Compared to everything else we are testing, it feels like a softer, but more moderate stack height shoe. There is an 8 mm heel drop listed but it feels a little bit lower due to the posteriolateral heel bevel and softer feel in the heel. The heel is fairly smooth with the good bevel but initially is a little clunky to the slight posterior heel flare and rearfoot stiffness. This transitions into a smooth midfoot and then into a stiff forefoot that breaks in. The reduction in toe spring from the last version feels far more comfortable as the toes are kept in a neutral position. However, this takes a run or two to break in. There are many flex grooves in the forefoot that do break in, leaving the forefoot feeling more snappy than stiff after a few miles. Those with toe stiffness problems will not find enough of a rocker, but those wanting a less aggressively rockered forefoot will do well.
The snappiness makes the Cumulus 27 great for normal mileage and also gives it the ability to function during workouts. I have used this shoe during a long run, many easy runs, and a fartlek and a tempo run and found it to do well at all of them. The long run was smooth, the easy runs easy and while not the fastest shoe, it is able to pick up the pace. The lighter/nimble weight for a trainer allows it to add different paces and the midsole foam does have a little bounce to it. I would still prefer a pure workout shoe for faster runs, but those runners looking for run shoe that can handle a variety of things without being a crazy carbon plated super foam shoe may find the Gel-Cumulus 27 to be a great option (High Schoolers, newer runners, etc).
Although the Fluidride outsole is to supposed to provide excellent traction, I found it to provide average traction on wet surfaces. Given the normal rain in the Northwest United States, I have done extensive testing on wet road. I found the traction average on wet pavement but good on dry surfaces. This is also only a shoe for road as the softer outsole is easily ripped up by trail. Finally, the outsole durability is not great. I have 45 miles on my pair and am already shredding through the outsole. This is the trade off for a softer feel, but those who are hard on shoes like me will not get as many miles out of these.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 is a neutral shoe that has some stable elements. As with many ASICS shoes, the width of the sole is slightly wider. This is particularly prominent in the heel. The heel is wider with significant sidewalls on both the lateral and medial sides. Combined with the slight posteriolateral heel bevel, this provides guided transitions in. Initially, this creates a slightly stiffer rearfoot but as it breaks in, it is clearly stable neutral. This was evident to me on my first long run test of the shoe where I did not fatigue and felt great. The midfoot is more neutral but has a relatively wider shape that provides mild guidance. The forefoot is wider with a small sidewall on the medial side, making for slight lateral guidance. Overall, the Gel-Cumulus sits in the stable neutral category especially for those with needs in the rearfoot.
Thoughts as a DPT: Forefoot Rockers Vs Toe Spring
By Matthew Klein
My major compliant and the primary thing that ruined the Cumulus 26 for me was the massive toe spring. Toe spring refers to a mechanism in the forefoot whereby the toe are held upward in extension. This is usually combined with a large forefoot rocker, which refers to a curve at the front of the shoe meant to imitate the normal movement that is supposed to occur at the toes. Usually, a forefoot rocker by itself can be an excellent way to offset the stiffness that normally occurs due to a plate/stiffening agent or the stiffness that occurs when midsoles get thicker. It can be a great way to also maintain forward motion for those who have pathology, stiffness or general loss of mobility at their toe joints. Toe spring is where the forefoot rocker continues up into the toes and holds them in extension. This can make the forefoot rocker feel more prominent in some cases and does stiffen some people's feet up by tensing up the plantar fascia.
However, this creates a few challenges. Having toe spring does not mean the toes will naturally extend. Some people may curl their toes in response to this mechanism, causing the foot flexor muscles to be constantly held in a shortened position. Other people may find this upward curve makes the shoe feel short and can jam the ends of their toes into the upper (which happened to me). A major problem of keeping tissue on constant stretch is that can be irritating. Toe spring keeps the plantar fascia and toe flexor muscles in a constantly lengthened position. Most tissues in the body function best being in the middle of their range of motion while moving to their extreme end ranges of motion for brief periods of time. Some situations require being at end range for longer period, which requires training in that position to condition the tissues to tolerate the different loads that occur that. Constantly holding a tissue in a stretched position for long periods can make permanent changes that may not be beneficial. The plantar fascia is meant to act more like a rubber band than a muscle that can tolerate stretch and stretching it may not be helpful for everyone.
That is why I constantly criticize companies that create an extreme toe spring because it holds people in an end range that on the whole is not the best way to create a forefoot rocker. There may be some people that do benefit and like this mechanism, so for those that do, make sure you spend adequate time stretching your toes and strengthening them in an extended position to adequately prepare them to do what you will put them through.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Cumulus 27 is a great update from the previous version. The addition of a slight posteriolateral heel bevel and the more neutral position of the toes has made this a far more enjoyable and biomechanically correct shoe than its predecessor. My only suggestions are to slightly reduce the posterior heel flare and do something about the outsole durability. The posterior heel flare isn't horrible and I do understand why it was placed there (longer stance phase which SUPPOSEDLY reduces the peak loading), but I would still suggest reducing it to further smooth out the heel transition. My other suggestion is to do something about the outsole durability, which I am chewing through. I understand the Fluidride provides a softer ride, but it may reduce the life of the shoe for many people. Unless this can be made more durable, I would stick with the FF Blast+ and use similar outsole materials to the Nimbus if possible.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 is for those who want a lighter daily training shoe with a slightly softer ride that can handle mileage and some workout paces. The fit will work best for those with normal width feet wanting a secure fit with a padded heel. The ride will work best for those who want a slightly softer feel with a little bounce that is lighter and nimble. The GEL-Cumulus 27 is not a fancy shoe but a great option for those who want a simple shoe that can handle some variety of paces. The outsole durability will work best for those who are light on their feet while those who are hard on shoes may find these to expire early. While the outsole still needs some work, I am happy with the updates to this shoe, especially in the forefoot. The toe position makes this shoe finally fit true to size and is a little more biomechanically appropriate.
I am still surprised that this shoe comes in at $140 but hope ASICS keeps it there for accessibility. We desperately need this category of daily trainers to not become maximalized (that is what the premium versions can do?) to continue to have standard, simple shoes that newer runners and those not wanting something complicated can continue to reach for. Unlike the last version, the Cumulus 27 is a much closer competitor to the Novablast 4. The major differences are the stability and ride. The Novablast 4 is much softer still than the Cumulus and less conducive to faster running. Those who want pace versatility will find the Cumulus 27 a better option, but the Novablast 4 is far more durable. The Cumulus 27 is also more stable than the Novablast 4, so that is something else to consider. Overall, the GEL-Cumulus 27 is continuing to move in the right direction and is an amazing progression from what it was when I was working in running stores.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+/A- (Normal width fit with a secure fit, thinner tongue and well padded heel)
Performance: A- (Lighter weight with softer and slightly bouncier ride. Snappy forefoot that lends itself to both easy and faster paces)
Stability: A- [Stable Neutral] (Wider shape, heel sidewalls, posterolateral bevel and mild forefoot sidewall makes for a slightly stable neutral ride especially in the rearfoot)
Value: B (A great, simple shoe that is an excellent entry point or simple shoe for runners. Outsole durability is poor and may not last for those who are hard on shoes)
Personal: A- (This shoe took a little bit to break in but I have come to enjoy it for the lighter weight, stable neutral heel and pace versatility. However, the outsole durability will shorten the life of this shoe for me, which is disappointing because it is growing on me)
Overall Design: B+/A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORASICS GEL-Cumulus 27Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
A surprisingly solid stability trainer out of adidas.
The premium upgrade from the Cumulus.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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