Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 vs Brooks Ghost 16: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 42% of 45 Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 owners recommend it, vs 45% of 67 for the Brooks Ghost 16.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28

42%of 45 owners recommend

42% recommend · 14% neutral · 44% don't

Owners praise

Plush, high-cushion feel that owners love for easy, long, and recovery runs, several describe it as 'walking on cloud'
Relieves foot pain and soreness better than some other cushioned brands (Hoka, New Balance) for owners who struggle with those

Owners complain about

A hole wears through the upper near the toe/toenail area, reported by multiple owners across the 25, 26, and 27 generations as a recurring defect
Some owners have switched away to rivals like the Vomero Plus, Asics Superblast, or New Balance 1080v14, finding the Nimbus less responsive or appealing in comparison
A subset of owners report painful hot spots, an overly soft metatarsal area, or shin splints, for some, Asics as a brand worsened foot pain

Full owner report →

Brooks Ghost 16

45%of 67 owners recommend

45% recommend · 10% neutral · 45% don't

Owners praise

Comfortable, plush ride with no hotspots
Holds up well over high mileage
Solid, supportive daily trainer

Owners complain about

Causes blisters, sore knees or arch pain
Tight, narrow fit that runs poorly
Feels worse and made differently than previous Ghosts

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 if

✓Long-distance and marathon runners wanting max cushioning for easy/recovery runs
✓Runners who also want a comfy daily walking or standing-all-day shoe
✓People whose feet hurt in firmer trainers and need extra plush support
✓Runners building a rotation who want a dedicated soft recovery-day shoe

Skip it if

Runners wanting a responsive, energetic ride for faster-paced training
High-mileage runners bothered by recurring upper holes or quick sole wear

Get the Brooks Ghost 16 if

✓Runners wanting a plush, supportive daily trainer
✓People on their feet all day needing cushioning
✓Road runners mixing easy miles and speed intervals

Skip it if

Wide-footed runners (narrow forefoot causes blisters)
Fans of the Ghost 15 who dislike the reworked fit

What Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 owners say

“the second I step back into hokas or the nimbus my feet are fine again”
— Jumpy-Daddy5809 on Reddit

“Great so far and a huge cushion upgrade from my older winflos. Great upper. Overall great for long easy runs.”
— Forsaken_Ducky on Reddit

“I tried the Nimbus earlier this week and found them to be extremely soft at the metatarsal head”
— orbitolinid on Reddit

What Brooks Ghost 16 owners say

“the ghost and adrenaline shoes by brooks have saved me”
— @Mackham63 on YouTube

“This shoe is not given enough credit for how well it performs *in what it is good at*”
— @aconcernedcitizen1 on YouTube

“The Ghost is so outdated compared to modern daily trainers”
— @ianpshuffles on YouTube

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 vs Brooks Ghost 16: frequently asked questions

Is the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 or the Brooks Ghost 16 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 42% of 45 Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 owners recommend it, vs 45% of 67 for the Brooks Ghost 16.

Who should get the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28?

Owners point the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 at long-distance and marathon runners wanting max cushioning for easy/recovery runs, and runners who also want a comfy daily walking or standing-all-day shoe.

Who should get the Brooks Ghost 16?

Owners point the Brooks Ghost 16 at runners wanting a plush, supportive daily trainer, and people on their feet all day needing cushioning.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 is a hole wears through the upper near the toe/toenail area, reported by multiple owners across the 25, 26, and 27 generations as a recurring defect. For the Brooks Ghost 16, it's causes blisters, sore knees or arch pain.