Runner's Guide: On Cloudmonster vs Asics Gel-Nimbus 25
The max cushion market is as crowded as ever, and the On Cloudmonster and ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 are two highly competitive options. Here's why—and who they're best for.
The max cushion craze shows no signs of slowing. Everywhere we turn, there's a new thick stacked shoe hitting the market, packed with its respective brands latest tech and the plushest, softest, buzzwordiest foam out there. Here, we compare two of the most popular cushioned shoes on the market today, the recently reinvigorated ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 and the new-kick-on-the-block On Cloudmonster. Let's get into it.
Overview: On Cloudmonster vs ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25
The On Cloudmonster came out in 2022 as On's first attempt at a true max cushion shoe. It uses a full-length bed of the brand's famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) CloudTec pods. The foam that forms the pods is made from what On called Helion, an EVA-based material blended with Olefin.
The Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 is the latest iteration of the long-running series of comfort-oriented daily training shoes characterized by their inclusion of gel units in the platform. This 25th version saw ASICS transform the Nimbus into a 41.5mm stack height beefed-up cruiser with a comfortable upper and pillowy soft feel. Comfort is still the name of the game.
Midsole: Helion Foam CloudTec vs FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco
The On Cloudmonster uses a 30mm stack of CloudTec pods underfoot to provide cushioning and a plastic Pebax plate called a Speedboard to provide responsiveness. This same formula is used in other shoes across the On lineup, but it's been perfected in the Cloudmonster. The pods provide a unique sensation of expansion and contraction, while the Speedboard adds rigidity to the platform and snappiness on toe-off.
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 has a thick 41.5mm stack of FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco foam combined with a gel unit in the heel. The foam is soft, supportive and slightly squishy, while the gel unit provides additional impact absorption and feedback when landing in the heel area. Like the Cloudmonster, the Nimbus has a pronounced forefoot rocker that helps transitions and makes it even easier to run at slower paces.
Gimmick versus gimmick, the Cloudmonster's pods give a unique ride while the Nimbus' gel provides slight impact absorption. The star of the show in the Nimbus is really the midsole foam, while the gel is an afterthought added to keep up the heritage of the Gel-Nimbus line. In the Cloudmonster, the CloudTec pods and Speedboard work together in the midsole to provide a balanced ride.
Ride: Soft vs Supportive
The ride of the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 is soft and comfortable above all else. The Nimbus excels at slow daily training and recovery paced runs that are 1 to 2 minutes slower than your race paces. The FF Blast Plus foam is responsive enough when pushed to faster efforts, but there's so much of it underfoot that it can feel like an encumbrance when aiming for speed. The 41.5mm heel stack of foam combined with a wide heel area creates inherent stability in the Gel-Nimbus 25's platform, which makes for planted landings.
The Cloudmonster has a versatile and supportive ride. The CloudTec midsole feels cushioned and stable at slower everyday training paces and decently responsive for steady efforts at marathon pace. It's not our first choice for structured speedwork because the compression of the CloudTec pods can make it feel like we're not maximizing energy return, but it can get by in a pinch.
The Nimbus rides like a recovery shoe, while the Cloudmonster rides like a daily trainer. Because the Nimbus is so comfortable, we prefer to reserve it for those runs where we're prioritizing recovery and not worried about pace. The Cloudmonster is versatile enough to handle everyday runs, travel and gym duty, plus the occasional speedy run.
Outsole & Durability
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 has two large applications of rubber, one on the forefoot and one on the heel area. Through 150 miles, the rubber has proven to be durable and wears typically when compared to peers. We see some abrasion in high-wear areas, but most of the foam remans well-protected.
The Cloudmonster has strategically placed zonal rubber on high-wear areas of the pods. The heel rubber of the Cloudmonster wears through quickly for some runners, between 100 and 200 miles. Your mileage may vary, but in our experience the rubber on On shoes can degrade quickly for runners who scuff their outsoles. The EVA-based Helion foam is durable, however, and holds up well even when exposed to the ground.
Upper & Fit
The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 has a comfortable stretchy knit upper with a highly-padded heel collar. The toe-box is roomy compared to competitor shoes, and the general fit is generous but not loose—keeping in line with the recovery day vibe. One downside of the worn-in t-shirt-like consistency of the uppr is that it heats up on runs and isn't the most breathable.
The Cloudmonster's upper is made from a material that looks and feels like a lighter weight waxed canvas. It's well-fitting and breathable, much more suitable for warm weather running than the Nimbus. The fit is standard to slightly wide in the toe-box with a great heel lockdown when you cinch down the laces.
Both the On Cloudmonster and Nimbus 25 fit true-to-size and have comfortable uppers. The Cloudmonster is more breathable, while the Nimbus has a roomier fit for wide-footed runners. We've found the Nimbus to fit a bit looser due to its mission of comfort.
Who They're Best For
The On Cloudmonster, while positioned by the brand as a max-stack soft shoe, is more suited as an everyday running option due to its versatility. The ride isn't overly soft or overtly comfort-oriented, so it's not the best option if you're looking for a true recovery shoe. Runners who want a more exciting daily training option than the Nike Pegasus or Saucony Ride will be well-served by the Cloudmonster.
On Cloudmonster
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The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25 is a true easy running and recovery day shoe. It's a great option for runers tackling a structured training program who already have a dedicated everyday running shoe and want something more comfortable for downtempo days. Some runners who prefer maximum cushioning above all else may enjoy the Nimbus 25 as a daily trainer, but most will find it a touch soft and big for running in everyday.
ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25
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Final Thoughts
The max cushion market is as crowded as ever. The Cloudmonster and Nimbus 25 are highly competitive options that approach cushioning from two different angles and are great options for a wide variety of runners. The Cloudmonster and Nimbus also work great together as a training pair, with the On handling daily duty and the Nimbus 25 pinch hitting for recovery runs.
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