Running shoes · owner-verdict comparison

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 vs Saucony Triumph 22: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 42% of 45 Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

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 Triumph 22

42%of 53 owners recommend
42% recommend · 15% neutral · 43% don't
Owners praise
  • Plush, cushioned feel that owners describe as soft and comfortable underfoot
  • More stable heel and forefoot than the Triumph 20/21, especially for wider feet
  • Great daily trainer for easy, recovery, and middle-distance miles
Owners complain about
  • Noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name
  • Feels clunky and dense underfoot, described repeatedly as running 'like a brick'
  • Feet run hot, especially on the forefoot, with some reporting it takes 150km+ to fade and complaints of near-zero breathability
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 Triumph 22 if
  • ✓Daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection
  • ✓Runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride
  • ✓Walkers and all-day-on-feet wearers who value comfort over performance
  • ✓Fans of a firmer, wider, more stable heel-strike feel versus the 20/21
Skip it if
  • Weight-conscious runners chasing speed, tempo, or race-day performance
  • Anyone prone to hot feet or needing breathable uppers for summer running

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 Triumph 22 owners say

“Still enjoying mine.”
— @thomasn1279 on YouTube
“these have been very comfortable from the start and i love throwing them on on days when my legs feel tired”
— @OGPixelProphet on YouTube
“Sounds like the best thing about the 22sis that the 21s are going cheap now”
— @Onyourtodd on YouTube

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 vs Saucony Triumph 22: frequently asked questions

Is the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 or the Saucony Triumph 22 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 42% of 45 Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 53 for the Saucony Triumph 22.

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 Triumph 22?

Owners point the Saucony Triumph 22 at daily-trainer runners logging easy/steady miles who want max cushioning and protection, and runners with tired legs on recovery days seeking a soft, plush, protected ride.

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 Triumph 22, it's noticeably heavier and bulkier than the Triumph 20/21, a jump many owners call out by name.