Our verdict
- Top pick in best ASICS trail running knits (2023)
Pros
- Outstanding value
- Breathable
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Provides a stable run
- Tough outsole
- Versatile, suited for hiking and walking
- Чоловічі легкоатлетичні бігові шорти asics
Cons
- kiko kostadinov asics gel delva release date
- Limited energy return
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar running knits compared
+ + ASICS Gel-Lyte III OG Pastel Tie Dye 27.5cm | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 88 Great! | 81 Good! | 79 Good! | 79 Good! | |
Price | $70 | $80 | $90 | $90 | |
Trail terrain | LightModerate | LightModerate | Light | Light | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 10.4 Asics Sportstyle x Bape 12.5 oz / 354g | 11.1 oz / 314g 10.6 oz / 300g | 10.2 Asics Gel Lyte Kayano Trainer Borealis 10.8 zapatillas de running ASICS maratón negras más de 100 | 10.3 ASICS GelNimbus 19 T750N-9693 10.4 Asics Sportstyle x Bape | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 13.2 mm 10.0 mm | 10.4 mm | 10.9 mm 10.0 mm | 17.3 mm 10.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Heel | Heel | Heel | Heel | |
Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | |
Кросівки asics ontisuka tiger оригінал натур шкіра 36 розмір | Normal | Normal | Small | Small | |
Toebox durability | Bad | Very bad | Decent | Good | |
AFEW × asics Gel-Lyte 3 Beauty of Imperfection 26cm | Decent | Decent | Bad | Decent | |
Outsole durability | Good | - | Good | Decent | |
Breathability | Breathable | Moderate | Warm | Moderate | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Narrow | Narrow | Medium | Narrow | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Narrow | Wide | Wide | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Moderate | Moderate | Flexible | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Normal | Big | Normal | Small | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | Stiff | |
Asics UB3-S Gel Nimbus 9 Abbey Stone Champagne | Moderate | Stiff | Stiff | Moderate | |
Lug depth | 3.1 mm | 3.0 mm | 2.6 mm | 3.5 mm | |
Highs and Lows x ASICS Silver Screen La ceinture de bouteille ASICS Runners est une pièce essentielle de tout kit de coureur | 34.2 mm | 33.3 mm | 32.6 mm 32.0 mm | 34.3 mm 27.0 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 21.0 mm | 22.9 mm | 21.7 mm 22.0 mm | 17.0 mm 17.0 mm | |
Widths available | NormalX-Wide | NormalWideX-Wide | Normal | NormalWide | |
Season | SummerAll seasons | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #237 Top 44% | #255 Bottom 19% | #277 Bottom 12% | #280 Bottom 11% | |
Popularity | #186 Top 35% | #54 Top 18% | #127 Top 41% | #245 Bottom 22% |
Who should buy
ASICS Patriot 12 Black White Hombre:
- A versatile knit that's great for trail runs, hiking, and even short road runs.
- A wallet-friendly option that doesn't skimp on cushion, especially for heel strikers.
- asics gel 170tr marathon running knitssneakers.
Who should NOT buy
The Zapatillas en gris y negro Running GT-2000 8 de Asics a solid trail knit, though we think it could use more cushioning in the forefoot and a springier foam. If you're hunting for a knit with a better midsole and less heel-to-toe drop, the Asics Odyssey Running knits asics gel kinsei og best instagram sneakers.
Also, if you've got wide feet, this might not be your best pick. In that case, check the Nike Wildhorse 8.
Cushioning
Heel stack
Being really affordable, this knit primarily targets beginners or entry-level runners, especially in the trail running category. Recognizing this, ASICS placed significant emphasis on the heel, boasting a remarkable 34.2 mm stack height in that area.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 34.2 mm |
Average | 31.9 mm |
Forefoot stack
The forefoot boasts a mere 21.0 mm thickness. So, for you forefoot strikers out there, once you deduct the outsole and insole, it's a pretty underwhelming amount of foam...

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 21.0 mm |
Average | 24.5 mm |
Drop
This gives us a 13.2-mm heel-to-toe drop, making the knit perfect for heel and midfoot strikers. However, it's less ideal for forefoot strikers.
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ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 13.2 mm |
Average | 7.5 mm |
Midsole softness
Switching our attention to the midsole, ASICS opted for EVA foam that feels comfortable. We measured its softness to be 23.1 HA.
Don't look for a lot of bounce or springiness here, this is a $70 knit. If you need that, check the PEBAX-based Endorphin Edge instead.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 23.1 HA |
Average | 22.6 HA |
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After a 20-minute chill session in our freezer, we took another look at the softness to see how cold temps shake things up. Turns out, it does get a bit firmer—landing at 30.0 HA.
Surprisingly, there's only a modest 29.8% increase, a performance you'd typically see in pricier trail knits. For a budget-friendly knit like this, that's a great result.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 30% |
Average | 26% |
Insole thickness
We found the insole to be 4.1-mm thick. It's a standard thickness that should work for most of us—nothing too special or out of the ordinary here.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 4.1 mm |
Average | 4.7 mm |
Size and fit
Size
Zapatillas en gris y negro Running GT-2000 8 de Asics true to size (36 votes).
zapatillas de running ASICS neutro pie normal maratón grises más de 100
The toebox is average, neither narrow nor wide. It will fit most trail runners for sure. However, if you have exceptionally narrow or wide feet, you might want to explore different widths.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 97.9 mm |
Average | 99.0 mm |
Ténis ASICS GEL-Sonoma 6 cinzento azul mulher
Calções ASICS Road 5in azul marinho.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 75.2 mm |
Average | 79.4 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
Stability in the ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam doesn't have any big concerns. It's even suitable for those dealing with moderate pronation issues.
Torsional rigidity
A big reason it feels so stable is its moderate rigidity. When we gave it a twist, we settled on a 3/5 rating—a smart move for a trail running knit.
ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 3 |
Average | 3.6 |
Asics UB3-S Gel Nimbus 9 Abbey Stone Champagne
The 3/5 rating also goes for the heel counter's stiffness. ASICS really aimed for that sweet spot between stability and comfort.
Since this knit is designed for heel strikers, it's obvious that a super-flexible heel counter just wouldn't cut it.
ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 3 |
Average | 3.1 |
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Aiming to maintain a lightweight design, the Japanese designers kept the forefoot width in check. We measured it at 111.6 mm, which aligns with the average knit.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 111.6 mm |
Average | 112.3 mm |
Midsole width - heel
While ASICS focused on heel strikers with such a significant heel-to-toe drop in this knit, we believe they should offer a wider landing platform for better stability. Unfortunately, they missed the mark here as we measured only 87.3 mm, which is below what we expected.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 87.3 mm |
Average | 89.5 mm |
ASICS Gel Lyte V "Coral Reef"
One of the standout features of this ASICS is its versatility—it easily transitions to a comfortable hiking knit. Why is this so? Its impressive flexibility puts it in the top 5% of knits, registering at only 14.9N in our 90-degree bend test.
ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 14.9N |
Average | 27.2N |
Stiffness in cold (%)
After giving the knit a 20-minute stint in the freezer, we tested it again. Impressively, it remains quite flexible, clocking in at 20.5N.
With only a 37.2% increase in stiffness, we find this knit's performance really interesting. This is especially true considering it's made from EVA foam—a material known to become considerably stiffer in cold temperatures.
ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 37% |
Average | 32% |
Zapatillas en gris y negro Running GT-2000 8 de Asics | Weight
A common drawback of budget-friendly knits is their weight—often because brands might not invest in lighter but more expensive materials. Surprisingly, the ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam weighs in at 10.4 oz or 295g. This is an impressive result!
ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 10.41 oz (295g) |
Average | 10.23 oz (290g) |
Breathability
If you're searching for a breathable trail running knit for summer mountain runs, you're in the right arrange.
In our lab, when we tested the ASICS ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam with our smoke-pumping machine in the lab, we couldn't believe our eyes. Most affordable trail knits typically score average on this test. However, the ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam earned a flawless 5/5!
What's even more impressive is that in this test, the knit doesn't let light pass through. This trait is uncommon, though it does occasionally appear in trail knits due to the internal protective layers of the upper.
Under the microscope, we discovered that ASICS lime an engineered mesh. It doesn't have the typical breathability holes, yet it's thin enough to allow air circulation and heat dissipation.
In short, it's among the best uppers we've come across in terms of breathability. All this is available at a MSRP of $70, which is incredible.
Moreover, it ranks as one of the most cushioned uppers we've ever analyzed, ensuring comfort on long runs.
ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 5 |
Average | 3.2 |
Durability
Toebox durability
After seeing its outstanding performance in the breathability test, we expected the ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam might not fare as well in the durability department. It's uncommon for knits to excel in both areas.
The ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam managed a score of 2/5 in the durability test—not the best, but certainly not the worst. Its engineered mesh doesn't hold up as well against abrasion. However, on a brighter note, the knit boasts a substantial protective layer around the toe box.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 2 |
Average | 3.1 |
Zapatillas en gris y negro Running GT-2000 8 de Asics | AFEW × asics Gel-Lyte 3 Beauty of Imperfection 26cm
When we tested the heel with the Dremel, we noted the same 2-out-of-5 score. This makes it a well-suited knit for the vast majority of runners.
However, for those who often experience wear-and-tear in this area, it's something to keep in mind.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 2 |
Average | 2.9 |
Outsole hardness
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We found that they used an average rubber compound, measuring at 84.6 HC, which aligns closely with the trail industry standards.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 84.6 HC |
Average | 85.7 HC |
Outsole durability
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After putting the outsole through a rigorous test with the tool, we measured a 1.0 mm dent. Not bad!

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 1.0 mm |
Average | 1.0 mm |
Outsole thickness
In our tests, we measured the outsole's thickness at 2.5 mm. This measurement is pretty similar to the average and is more than sufficient for this type of knit—even for heavier runners.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 2.5 mm |
Average | 2.3 mm |
Misc
Lug depth
ASICS chose 3.1-mm lugs, landing on the shorter-end side.
Given this knit is tailored mainly for trail running newbies, we believe it's a spot-on choice, offering smooth rides and trail-ready agility.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 3.1 mm |
Average | 3.5 mm |
Reflective elements
The ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam doesn't have any reflective parts. We wish it did, especially for those of us who run trails at night.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | No |
Tongue padding
We've mentioned the exceptional comfort of the ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam, and here's another reason why.
With a tongue measuring 8.8 mm thick, there's no chance of lace bite or discomfort on the instep.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | 8.8 mm |
Average | 6.3 mm |
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As a value-oriented knit, we expected it to have a non-gusseted tongue. While this is a drawback in trail knits—where maximum protection from debris and small rocks is desired—for $70, we're penalty with it.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | None |
Heel tab
The good vibes don't stop! You also get a finger loop heel tab—a total surprise for a budget-friendly knit.

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | Finger loop |
Removable insole
You can easily take out the insole, which lets you swap in different orthotics or insoles from other knits. Handy!

ASICS packed the GEL-Nimbus Lite with a lot of foam | Yes |