Asics Gel Cumulus 25 vs 24 Comparison Running Shoe Review

Back To Blog

The main difference between the Asics Gel Cumulus 25 running shoes and the Asics Gel Cumulus 24 is the new and improved midsole - trading FlyteFoam Blast for FlyteFoam Blast Plus to deliver the next generation of soft cushioning.

This uncomplicated yet ultra-comfy design is perfect for runners seeking an ever-reliable ride for clocking up the mileage during your daily training, crushing your speed workouts and everything in between.

Pure comfort from heel-to-toe, the engineered mesh upper features a gusseted tongue and internal heel counter for a secure and breathable fit. Asics have slightly stripped back the amount of AHAR rubber on the outsole to save weight, and have cut back on flex grooves for a snappier, more energetic feel.

The midsole geometry has been refined for increased compression and partners with a new PureGEL pod under the rearfoot to transform hard landings into stress-free transitions.

If you want a one-and-only running shoe that can do a little bit (or a lot of) everything, the cushioned and responsive Asics Gel Cumulus 25 ticks off your boxes for versatility. Available in multiple widths, Asics have made it easy to accommodate a variety of foot shapes and to find your ideal fit.

Check out the review with full transcript below.

Hey guys, Ethan from Sportitude Running here and today I am super excited to bring you some information about the all-new Asics Gel Cumulus 25.

We have been very lucky here in store to have a sample on our feet and in our hands to give you a review, some thoughts and share what we like about this new version.

What Foot Type Is The Asics Gel Cumulus 25 For?

First and foremost, what foot type is going to work best in this running shoe? If you are someone with a neutral foot type or a mildly supinated to mildly overpronated foot type, this running shoe will work really well for you.

In the industry as we see the traditional medial posts start to be phased out, we're going to find shoes like this to blur that line between something that is traditionally supportive and a stable neutral running shoe.

If you're after something that will keep you supported, or you need something that will take an orthotic, this will work really well for you.

Where Does The Asics Gel Cumulus 25 Fit Into Your Shoe Rotation?

If you're wondering, “How will the Asics Gel Cumulus 25 work for me?” and “Where can I fit it in?”, we found that this running shoe is perfect for the person who just wants to buy one pair of running shoes.

It's a running shoe that you can walk the dog in, wear during long runs, interval training, speed workouts or even hop in at the gym. This running shoe is so versatile, it'll work for a lot of people.

It's not going to be the most fancy and high tech running shoe, and it's not going to make you the most efficient runner out there. However, it is something you can honestly put on with confidence everyday and trust that it's going to get the job done because it is so versatile.

It comes in a lot of width options and we are confident on the shop floor we can put it on a lot of feet and it's going to work well for people.

Let's dive into the nitty gritty details of what's changed between the Asics Gel Cumulus 24 to the Asics Gel Cumulus 25.

Upper

In the Asics Gel Cumulus 25, we have an engineered jacquard mesh which is a slightly different knit to the previous model in the Asics Gel Cumulus 24.

Moving along, they both still have that gusseted tongue that we know and love, that gives a really great lockdown through the saddle of the foot. They both have an internal heel counter, however on the new version we have a different material on the heel counter.

We've seen it work really well previously in some other models. Particularly when paired with technical running socks, it will reduce blistering and hopefully help with some lockdown through the heel to reduce slippage.

Outsole

We still have that same AHAR rubber. There’s noticeably a little bit less of it on the Asics Gel Cumulus 25. I'm sure you might be wondering how that will affect the durability of the running shoe with so much exposed foam on the underside of it.

It's there just to save a little bit of weight and we'll see how it goes in the future as we put more and more kilometres into this running shoe, but we have seen a lot of success in models like the Hoka Clifton.

You'll also notice there is no traditional flex grooves through the forefoot of this running shoe. We found that it has helped the running shoe feel like it isn't going to bottom out as much as it has in the Asics Gel Cumulus 24.

In the Asics Gel Cumulus 24, we noticed that as you tend to get a little bit longer in your runs and you're spending longer in the running shoe, you can notice that outsole and those deep flex grooves.

Whereas in the Asics Gel Cumulus 25, we haven't got that as much. It makes it a little bit stiffer, with a little bit more pop when you run. We think it feels a lot better as you spend more time in the running shoe that you don't notice the flex grooves quite as much.

We also have that Guidance Line that sits more central in the shoe, whereas it's a little bit more focused on the lateral side in the Asics Gel Cumulus 24. It sits more in the middle, which is probably due to it being a wider platform to aid in stability. It guides you through the running shoe and your gait cycle really effectively.

Midsole

Let's dive into the important part, the part that we love, the money maker of the running shoe - the midsole. There's clearly quite a few differences between the Asics Gel Cumulus 24 to the Asics Gel Cumulus 25.

One visually that you may have seen already is that there is no exposed Gel in the heel. Don't worry, there is still some Gel in the Asics Gel Cumulus 25. It is a PureGEL pod that sits just under the heel that aids in cushioning under your foot.

They've gone away with that exposed Gel, but it is still in there. There is also no Gel pod in the forefoot anymore, probably due to the fact that it is a new foam.

We have FlyteFoam Blast Plus in the Asics Gel Cumulus 25, as opposed to FlyteFoam Blast in the previous model. This feels like a similar density, but once you get your running shoe on your foot, it will certainly feel softer under that forefoot.

In conjunction with that new foam, we also have some geometry changes in the midsole that aid in compression. You have these deeper, wider cut-outs through the heel and midfoot for a softer landing. They go shallower through to the forefoot, which will aid in a snappy and responsive take-off. It is also a wider platform along with those cut-outs in the midsole which will increase stability as well.

Relevant Statistics: Weight & Stack Height

Now for a quick overview of the stats of this running shoe and what has changed. We have 37.5mm in the heel and 29.5mm in the forefoot.

We also have a difference in weight with 266g grams in a men's model and 229g grams in the women's model for a really big weight saving.

Similar Running Shoes To The Asics Gel Cumulus 25

If you are wondering how the Asics Gel Cumulus 25 can fit into your rotation, or you've tried other shoes and are wondering what might be similar to this, there's plenty on the market in this space at the moment.

A few running shoes that are similar include the Brooks Ghost (Brooks Ghost 15 above), Mizuno Wave Rider, the Saucony Ride and the New Balance Fresh Foam 880. If you've tried any of those previously and enjoyed them, definitely take an opportunity to give the Asics Gel Cumulus 25 a go.

The Wrap Up

There you have it, all things Asics Gel Cumulus 25. We are a huge fan of this update from Asics. We think it is going to be a really good seller in the back end of 2023. It's a great option if you're new to running and you're not sure what to get.

Due to the fact that it comes in multiple widths, it is really comfortable and it is a great all-round versatile running shoe that you can come in and try on. We believe it's going to be a great option for a lot of people.

Even if you can't get into a specialty running store, this is definitely an option you can just give a crack and see how you go.

Thanks for watching today. If you want to see any of our other reviews subscribe to the Sportitude YouTube channel. If you have any questions, comments or theories contact our Sportitude shoe experts.

We'll see you out there. Thank you.