Brooks and Asics each have two bestsellers that look similar at first glance: the Ghost and the Glycerin, and the Cumulus and the Nimbus. In both pairs, the difference comes down to one question: how much cushioning do you really need? Below we compare both duos and suggest who will feel more at home in which shoe.
Brooks Ghost or Glycerin?
Both shoes are neutral, made for the road and use nitrogen-infused foams. The Ghost is the happy medium for everything, and the Glycerin is the “maximum comfort” version.
| Brooks Ghost 18 | Brooks Glycerin 23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cushioning | medium, soft and lively | high, very soft |
| Foam | DNA LOFT v3 | DNA TUNED with cells of different sizes |
| Drop | 10 mm | lower, 5-8 mm |
| Best for | everyday training, different paces, also walking | long runs, easy runs, heavier runners |
Choose the Ghost if you are looking for one shoe for most of your training, like to feel the ground and do not want a big, tall sole. We have the Brooks Ghost 18 in several colours, and older versions of the Ghost sometimes turn up in the sale.
Choose the Glycerin if you run long distances, are heavier or simply value a soft landing more than responsiveness. The Brooks Glycerin 23 also has a stability version, the Glycerin GTS 23, for people with overpronation.
What about the Ghost Max and Ghost Amp?
The Ghost family has grown. The Ghost Max 4 has a tall, wide sole with a rocker, which means lots of cushioning with a stable, easy ride. The Ghost Amp has DNA HYPE foam with added PEBA and is noticeably bouncier, for faster sessions. If you are torn between the Ghost and the Glycerin, the Ghost Max can be a good compromise.
Asics Cumulus or Nimbus?
The same question, only at Asics. Both models are neutral, both have PureGEL in the heel and foam from the FF BLAST PLUS family. The Nimbus is taller, softer and more “plush”, the Cumulus lighter and more versatile.
| Asics Gel-Cumulus 26 | Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cushioning | medium, with an extra reserve of softness | high, one of the highest in the Asics range |
| Technologies | PureGEL, FF BLAST PLUS, FluidRide sole | PureGEL, FF BLAST PLUS ECO |
| Best for | everyday training and first races | long distances, recovery, maximum comfort |
Choose the Cumulus if you are starting to run or need a shoe for everyday, varied training. In the store we have the Gel-Cumulus 26 and the older Gel-Cumulus 23 in women's versions.
Choose the Nimbus if softness and comfort over many kilometres matter most to you. The Gel-Nimbus 27 is available in a men's and a women's version.
Three questions that settle the choice
- How much do you run per week? With a few shorter runs a week, the Ghost or Cumulus is enough. With high mileage and long runs, more foam starts to matter.
- How much do you weigh? Heavier people usually “bottom out” medium cushioning faster and feel better in the Glycerin or Nimbus.
- What do you like to feel underfoot? Some like contact with the ground and lightness, others a soft landing. There is no wrong answer here, which is why it is best to try on both versions.
We write more about when to choose a shoe with high cushioning in the guide Highly cushioned running shoes. A broader comparison of all levels can be found in the article Which running shoes should you choose?
The Ghost and Glycerin or the Cumulus and Nimbus are best tried on one after the other, on the same foot and in the same socks. In our store at Gdyńska 4 it takes a few minutes, and you will feel the difference straight away. No table can show you that.