- Asics’s marketing pitch:A versatile choice for different running workouts.
- Upper: Engineered mesh, inner gusset.
- Midsole: Flytefoam Blast+ foam, heel Gel unit. 8 mm heel drop.
- Outsole: Firm EVA foam; no rubber.
- Weight: 265 gms/ 9.3 Oz for a half pair of Men’s US 9/UK 8/EUR 42.5/CM 27.
- Stack heights: 40 mm (heel), 32 mm (forefoot).
- Available widths: Narrow (Women’s), D – regular (reviewed), 2E (wide), 4E (extra-wide).
- Previous model: Asics Cumulus 26.
- Country of origin: Vietnam.
- Recommended use: Everyday training, tempo runs, 10K, half-marathons.
- Footstrike orientation: Heel, midfoot/forefoot (full contact).
- Median lifespan: 400 miles.
- Recommended paces: Slower than 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile).
- Recommended temperature range: Warmer than -5° C/23° F.
Pros
- Versatile ride character
- Stable and neutral cushioning
- Lightweight build
- Optional widths
- Breathable upper
Cons
- Lack of reflective elements
- Outsole grip on slushy and smooth surfaces
- Not as plush as the Cumulus 26
- Mispriced
Also consider:
- Nike Pegasus 41
- adidas Supernova Rise 2
- New Balance 880V15
- Saucony Ride 18
- Brooks Ghost 17
- Hoka Clifton 10
- Hoka Rincon 4
- Use the Asics Cumulus 27 for daily training and recovery runs
- Use Asics Metaspeed Sky for 10K, half-marathons, and marathons
- Use the Asics Hyper Speed 4 for 5K and sprints
In this review:
SUMMARY AND VERDICT
Let’s say you have a $150 budget for a pair of running shoes. What do you spend it on? How about the extremely versatile adizero EVO SL, the cushioned Hoka Clifton 10, or the peppy Nike Vomero 18, all of which also retail for $150? Even the ultra-plush Ghost Max 2 is an option for recovery runs. At a segment below, the $140 price tier is highly competitive, occupied with strong performers like the New Balance Rebel, Hoka Mach 6, Brooks Hyperion 2, and the Asics Novablast 5. So where does that leave shoes like the Asics Cumulus 27, Brooks Ghost 17, and New Balance 880V15?
Looking at the competitive landscape, the $140 Cumulus 27 and $150 Brooks Ghost 17 doesn’t make any sense at all. Why should anyone buy the Cumulus or Ghost when alternatives like the Asics Novablast 5 and New Balance Rebel 4 sell for the same price?
Why should anyone buy the Cumulus 27 instead of the Novablast 5? Both shoes retail at $140.
Running shoes like the Asics Cumulus 27 and Brooks Ghost 17 are ‘legacy’ models, remnants from a simpler time when superfoam midsoles, rockers, and carbon plates did not exist. A decade ago, the Cumulus 17 was priced at $120, maintaining a $30 gap with the more expensive Asics Nimbus. Over time, that price crept up, eventually making the Cumulus 27 a less attractive value proposition. We have also observed runners skipping the base model and upgrading to more expensive models. Think Brooks Glycerin over the Ghost, the New Balance 1080V14 over the 880, and Nike Vomero over the Pegasus. Within Asics, the Novablast 5 (at $140) will soon be the default starter shoe for anyone who’s beginning to take running seriously.
If the Cumulus 27 suffers by comparison, what should Asics do? They can either bring the price down back to $120-125 levels, which, we think is where this shoe should have been in the first place. After all, if the $125 Hoka Rincon 4 can do it, why not the Cumulus 27? Both shoes are very similar, featuring a dual-density midsole with a foam outsole and a comfortable upper. A $25 price gap between the Hoka Rincon 4 and Hoka Clifton 10 is an example of efficient segmentation, something that Asics should note.
As a stand-alone running shoe, the Asics Cumulus 27 is a decent neutral trainer for everyday runs. The dual-density midsole is stable and cushioned, while the all-foam outsole keeps the weight low. The true-to-size upper has excellent proportions with a secure fit and optional widths. If someone wanted a comfortable trainer for everyday miles, one could do far worse than the Cumulus.
THE RIDE EXPERIENCE
‘Bland competence’ is a euphemism for boring, and that’s what the Cumulus 27 is – boring. That’s why competing (and more fun) neutral trainers, like the Saucony Ride 18 and New Balance 880V15 have nothing to fear. The FlyteFoam midsole still does exactly what it’s supposed to, cushioning and supporting the foot during landings and transitions. The obligatory footbed provides readily available plushness, sitting atop the FlyteFoam Blast+ core.
The wide midsole of the Cumulus 26 produces a neutral and supportive ride .
The Asics Cumulus's midsole is soft but not mushy.
Just like the Cumulus 26 (see above for pictures), the outsole is firm foam, not rubber. That said, things are slightly different this time. While the Cumulus 26 used a rubbery-soft Flytefoam similar to the Novablast 5, the Cumulus 27’s FF Blast+ foam is more compression-resistant. Adding this resistance has made the cushioning less plush than its predecessor, with the exception of the step-in softness of the footbed.
The FlyteFoam Blast+ on the Cumulus 27 is not the same as what the GT-2000 13 uses, nor is it identical to Nimbus 27’s FlyteFoam variant.
It would be interesting to see how this foam (FF Blast+) performs on a higher-stack running shoe, but the Cumulus isn’t a high-stack shoe. That is why the cushioning experience isn’t anything to write home about. It’s not bouncy and the rubbery softness of the previous Cumulus is missing. This glaring lack of consistency across different versions of FF means that you can’t predict how a particular shoe acts until you buy and test it. And test it we did.
The Cumulus 27’s stability has improved from its predecessor, enough that we’d say it’s excellent. This variant of FF Blast+ foam is firm and doesn’t collapse easily, as the high sidewalls in the back lock the foot in a neutral position. The outsole window beneath the heel allows the midsole to compress more easily, while also helping to stabilize landings and transitions. As for the rest of the foam outsole, it has a wide base with no gaps, making it easier to achieve planted landings. Despite its rubber-free design, the outsole won’t give you grief on wet roads, though it won’t hold up as well on slushy, wintery, or dusty floors. Going with a foam outsole also keeps the weight low, so the Cumulus 27 comes in at 265 grams (9.3 ounces).
This is a traditionally designed running shoe where the foot has to power through without much help from the midsole, which nowadays comes in the form of a rocker or internal plate. Instead, the Cumulus has a standard toe spring. But there’s no rocker effect, not even a little. While the stiff forefoot makes it easier for the foot to push off, those used to the propulsive roll-forward effect generated by a rocker will be disappointed. And the stiffness won’t break in over time either. Sure, there will be a difference in flexibility on day ten, but the lack of flex grooves on the outsole limits the shoe’s overall flexibility.
With its 8 mm heel-to-drop and stack height distribution (40 mm and 32 mm), the Cumulus 27 is designed with a bias towards heel strikers. Most of the cushioning is in the rearfoot, and the high heel offset doesn’t strain your Achilles and calves. Conversely, a lower heel drop stretches the Achilles and calves and increases the risk of temporary soreness.
All that to say, there’s nothing special about the Cumulus 27. This shoe is an easy reach for comfortable daily miles, but struggles to make a case for itself in any other scenario. Sure, the midsole is stiff enough for tempo runs, but other shoes will do a better job. And if you wanted to take the Cumulus 27 for a half marathon, think again, you’ll likely quit halfway through from boredom.
RECOMMENDED ROTATION
For the same price ($140) and better versatility, we recommend substituting the Cumulus 27 with the Asics Novablast 5. But if you do like Asics and end up with the Cumulus 27, we recommend rotating with a few other Asics shoes. For marathons, we like the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris or Superblast 2 (even greater cushioning) and for short-distance races and speed training, we suggest the Asics Hyper Speed 4. The Hyper Speed 4 is as basic as it gets, so a shoe like the adidas EVO SL is a great addition to your rotation for 5K and 10K races.
THE UPPER DESIGN AND FIT
The Cumulus 27 fits true to size with a snug forefoot and midfoot. The heel fit is excellent as well, and runners will appreciate the larger pull loop that makes it easier to put on the shoe; the Cumulus 26 did not have the aforementioned loop. Optional widths of 2E (wide) and 4E (extra-wide) are available for wide feet. Asics doesn’t stop at widths; the Cumulus 27 is also produced in a ‘Lite-Show’ variant that offers higher visibility during dawn and dusk.
The Cumulus 27 has traded the softer and more breathable upper of the Cumulus 26 for a more structured design. The elastic mesh tongue has been replaced with a thicker, padded tongue. And while the padded tongue is better at filtering the lacing pressure, it makes the interiors less breathable than before. This isn’t helped by the outer mesh’s tighter weave and the removal of the built-in vents from the 26. While there are no flaws with the upper fit, it doesn’t quite drape the foot the way the soft upper on the Cumulus 26 did.
IS THE ASICS CUMULUS 27 DURABLE?
All-foam outsoles aren’t what they used to be, and we mean that as a compliment. If the outsole design doesn’t get in the way, foam outsoles trump rubber outsoles in durability. The Cumulus 27’s lifespan will be comparable to rubber-clad trainers in durability, given its flat outsole geometry which spreads wear and tear uniformly. A foam outsole is also softer than a rubber one, allowing it to distribute the footstrike impact over a wider area.
We foresee no problems with upper durability. The firm FlyteFoam Blast+ used on the Cumulus 27 will hold its cushioning over the life of the shoe while being creasing-resistant. The footbed cushioning will compact over time, without affecting the overall performance of the shoe.
SHOES COMPARABLE TO THE ASICS CUMULUS 27
With its all-foam outsole, the Hoka Rincon 4 is the closest match to the Cumulus 27. The Asics GT-2000 13 is also comparable, given its nearly identical upper and similar, albeit firmer, midsole feel.