Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 45 for the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28.

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 →

Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

62%of 60 owners recommend
62% recommend · 13% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • More stable and planted than past versions and rivals like the Evo SL
  • Versatile do-everything trainer that handles tempo, speed work, and longer runs
  • Improved fit with roomier toe box and more secure upper than the 4
Owners complain about
  • Firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds
  • Outsole and midsole wear early, going flat by roughly 230-350 km
  • Happiest at shorter, faster efforts; feet ache past the half marathon
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 Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 if
  • ✓Runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer
  • ✓Tempo and speed-workout runners
  • ✓Runners who found the Speed 4 too narrow
  • ✓Runners who prefer a firmer, planted ride
Skip it if
  • Runners wanting soft, plush cushioning
  • Those logging long, slow easy miles

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 Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 owners say

“find it good for pretty much everything”
— @TimGrose on YouTube
“More pep, more bounce, more comfort, very pleasant overall”
— @destrucciondeldiablo on YouTube
“I wanted so badly to love the ES4 but the toe box taper made it unbearable just crushing my pinky toe.”
— @nate_collins on YouTube

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: frequently asked questions

Is the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 better?

Real owners lean toward the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5: 62% of 60 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 45 for the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28.

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 Saucony Endorphin Speed 5?

Owners point the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 at runners wanting a stable, versatile do-everything trainer, and tempo and speed-workout runners.

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 Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, it's firmer, more muted ride that lost some of the bounce and punch of earlier Speeds.