It now has a softer upper, 3D Space Construction zones in the midsole and a full-length, bottom layer of Flytefoam. I think there was some extra material that was folding under, which was a bit annoying but not a deal-breaker. Measure this with a ruler or tape measure the distances between the two points that are furthest apart in [cm/in] (see Figure - vertical line). While the Asics Cumulus 23 is not the most exciting or flashy shoe out there, it’s a great workhorse trainer.

The men’s version only has the Space Construction on the heel whereas the women’s version has it on the heel and the forefoot. The high versatility of the Cumulus 23 means that it can handle easy runs, recovery runs, steady runs and it even has enough cushioning for long distances of 40+ kilometres. To improve cushioning and flexibility, we added a 3D SPACE CONSTRUCTION to the top layer of the midsole. We have the converted nearly all shapes and lengths to the correct sizes for all of the brands (Asics, Nike, adidas, etc.It is also very comfortable against bare skin and I have been able to wear this shoe sockless up to 10 miles without issue. When I tested the Nimbus 23, I felt foot fatigue on longer runs because of how soft and spongy its forefoot is but the Cumulus 23 has just the right amount of cushioning to feel efficient on long runs.

Lined with Gore-Tex, you will notice that the Gel Cumulus 23 G-TX is water-resistant, yet breathable.While medial and lateral heel flare can provide some stability, excessive lateral heel flare will cause an early initial contact for heel strikers (which account for over 70% of runners, including elites (Larson et al. I know I’ve mentioned forefoot flexibility a few times already, but I want to point out that it is not overly flexible to the point of being a little tedious to run in. First, kick your foot back into the heel of each shoe before checking how much space is left at the front. I’ve never really had an Asics shoe that doesn’t last 400 miles, and I don’t foresee the Gel Cumulus 23 lasting under 400 miles. All this padding means the shoe hugs your feet well, but it comes with downsides like weight, and the shoe feels a touch warm in the hot temps of mid-June.