Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 - Women's Review

Our Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 Experience

The Gel-Cumulus 28 was a clear winner from the moment we put them on. Right out of the box, they are ridiculously comfortable - no break-in required. No pinched toes, no tight sections over the foot, and no hot spots.

The first time we wore these was on a long day of running errands, meal prep, and getting the family ready for a road trip. We moved effortlessly through multiple stores and countless grocery store aisles. Our feet, ankles, and knees were surprisingly fresh at the end of it all; the midsole was working. These shoes aren't too plush, but remain comfortable and bouncy step by step. Paired with impressive arch support, we could move through the day without thinking about our feet, giving us more time to consider our endless list of things to do. A win?

The underfoot support is unmatched by any in our review. The arch support is obvious, with our lead tester noting, “My feet really feel cradled in the shoes, enough that it doesn't suck to stand in the checkout line.” Typically we like an aftermarket insole, but this shoe is good to go without. Our tester with a tall foot was particularly pleased that the laces could be let out enough to prevent pressure over the foot and still offer a secure tie. This was also appreciated on warm days or during travel when feet tend to swell.

We also enjoyed the refined look of the Gel-Cumulus 28. Yes, they are a running shoe by design, but they are slick enough with coordinating colors to work with a casual outfit.

We are mildly annoyed that they don't have a heel pull tab. They must be untied and retied every time you want to put them on, and we love shoes that include a tab to make this easier. Every time we slid our foot in, even with it loosely untied, the heel would cave in with our foot. While the materials always popped back into place, we have concerns about this degrading over time. There isn't any shoving your foot into these and going. You'll need to take a few deep breaths and actually tie your shoes.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Comfort

The Gel-Cumulus 28 feels smooth underfoot. At the heel, these are cushioned with 39 millimeters of FF Blast Max foam, which is bouncy and feels energetic with each step. All this stable cushioning gently absorbs the heel strike, and paired with the smooth heel rocker shape, translates to a kinder impact on the joints.

While we sometimes feel the manufacturer's newest and greatest technologies and various engaging names are gimmicky, we actually like the feel and performance of the PureGel heel. There is a gap under the heel that is filled with Asics proprietary gel that helps absorb impact for a smoother transition.

Shoe Exterior Shoe Interior

The upper is just as comfortable, with an upgraded engineered mesh that is stretchy and breathable. We particularly liked that we could stretch the tongue into place with this soft, pliable mesh. Plus, the tongue has enough give that it won't bite down on the top of your foot.

The lacing system is generous, with enough room to relax the fit when your feet swell from sitting on an airplane or walking on a hot day. Or, if you want to pick up the pace, cinch 'em tight and get going. Though not a wide shoe, the toe box doesn't pinch any toes or push the big toe inward. If you have a wide foot, no need to fret. These are available in wide as well.

The upper (including the tongue) is breathable and lightweight. On warmer days, paired with a thin sock, our feet didn't get too hot. When tested in our lab, plenty of vapor passed through the upper, showing us how well these let heat escape. Our tester even stepped in a parking lot puddle while running to her car during a storm, with groceries and her toddler in tow. While her foot was soaked and her mood soured, the exterior of these shoes dried fast, seemingly unfazed.

Support

The Gel-Cumulus is one of the most supportive walking shoes that we have tested. The most obvious point of support is at the arches. As we walked, we could feel the arch support engage with our feet to keep us from rolling too far inward. While many shoes include arch support, most aren't this obvious. If you like arch support, you'll love these. If you prefer less arch support, steer clear of these.

While not technically a stability shoe, they pull some features that make them more stable, like a bowed-out midsole at the toe and a stiff midfoot. Still, they are athletic in design: lightweight and bend lightly at the toe. You won't be tempted to roll your ankle in these, even with the higher stack height. The deep heel cup and light lateral cushioning help prevent underpronation (ankles rolling outwards). That said, if you overpronate (your ankles roll inward), we don't recommend these.

The midsole cushioning is comfortable to land on, yet it isn't overly plush that you will cave in when you step. In our experience, too much cushion makes for a tired foot at the end of a long day. The 39 millimeters of heel cushion provide a nice platform to stand on for long hours, preventing this fatigue. Paired with the arch support, your foot becomes cradled in a balanced place between the heel, midfoot, and toe box. Even with the 10 millimeters of drop between the heel and toe, we never felt like we were standing on our tiptoes.

Durability

On our first wear of these, we managed to pick up scuffs along the toe box. The fabric itself isn't compromised, but our grocery store outing was enough to pick up black debris on the toe box. If this sort of thing bothers you, we suggest a darker color. Otherwise, the upper was fairly durable, not taking on much actual damage.

The midsole retains its shape even after thousands of steps. As a foam, though, it can pack down over time. This can create a wonky foot strike and stride, so it is important you keep an eye out for this. During our testing, we saw no early signs of this and are confident they will last a standard 300-500 miles.

The outsole isn't burly given its road-specific design. However, it is designed to endure many steps on concrete. If you start taking it out on sharp rocks, you might see some wear and tear. If you keep it to indoors and pavement, you'll have a durable shoe for the duration of your walking season.

Traction

Built on a road running shoe outsole, the Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 is best for hard, man-made surfaces. The Fluidride outsole is a mix of EVA foam and rubber. To us, it has more of a foam-like feel with a tad more durability. That said, these are best suited for concrete, road, tile, and other indoor flooring.

The Gel-Cumulus 28 is not slip-resistant on wet indoor floors. If you work in an environment where slipping is possible, you might want to opt for a dedicated slip-resistant shoe. These also aren't our pick for light outdoor trails, like dirt or gravel. The tread pattern is just a light wave cut into the outsole. All that said, these are suitable for most shopping or exploring-the-city outings; just try to avoid puddles.

Weight

Part of that “effortless” feel is from the weight of these shoes. The Gel-Cumulus is one of the lighter pairs at just 7.06 ounces per shoe.

It can be tricky to find a light shoe that offers support and cushion. Most skimp on midsole stability to cut back on weight, but these don't. The FF Blast MAX foam midsole is both supportive and light.