Good morning Runneantes:
Review to the song, which is my turn. And not just any Running shoes: the ASICS Gel Nimbus 21, no more and no less. But first of all, I have to contextualize. There is nothing more expensive than getting over an injury and no matter how hard we try, the only thing we can do is to be patient and trust in the good work of the professionals around us.
I am taking advantage of this vacation to continue my rehabilitation and finish getting my knee ready for the fall. Mrs. Knee, Mr. Rotualiano and Mrs.Hip of Mrs.Eva Romero...you can't beat us, you don't know with whom you are playing with!!!!
In the same way that we put ourselves in the hands of professionals to treat our ailments, we must follow the same line when choosing sports equipment. A bad choice of Running shoes combined with a bad choice of sportswear (especially socks) can cause us several problems: injuries, discomfort, injuries (blisters and chafing) and even less performance in our activity!!!
The ASICS Gel Nimbus 21, an unexpected gift in the form of Running shoes
Leaving for another post, our outfit, as far as the choice of our running shoes is concerned, we must take into account the force that our foot is going to support in our race. It is not the same to do a half marathon than a 5,000 on track. We must pay attention to some variables, such as the thickness of the sole, the type of insole and the composition of the shoe. Likewise, we must always keep in mind the useful life of the shoes, as well as not making the mistake of using them for intense exercise.
I received the Asics Gel-NimbusNimbus 21 in the most unexpected way: The UPS delivery man, my uncle Chucho, called me late in the day to tell me that he had a package for me from Belgium. For me? From Belgium?; As you can imagine I was overcome with impatience, curiosity and restlessness... I took the car and in no time I was in Marcilla!
I opened the box there with my uncles...and uff...I was thrilled! I had in front of me a pair of Asics Gel-NimbusNimbus 21 in Blue Coast / Skylight color, and they shined so bright that it came to my mind how good they would look for the summer when my legs would be more tanned! Yes, I know, me and my mania for aesthetics.
ASICS Nimbus 21 most outstanding features
But let's get down to business...or I'll be told that I'm making a lot of trouble!!!! I'll tell you all the technical features combined with my opinion on using them both on asphalt and in the mountains.
I had before me the latest model of neutral pronationRunning shoes for women; A high-end shoe, ready to help me in my "return to the ring" with a clear objective: To protect my knee. I felt them very light in my hand, 270 grams exactly.
When I put them on, I felt their comfort. This model of shoe combines an EVA insole, SpEVA 45 last, molded that adapts to the foot with a perfect fit. I felt the foot very supported and completely fitted inside the shoe. In turn, the collar of the shoe, has an OrthoLite sponge in the same tone that provides perfect cushioning in every step. A sponge that I felt very spongy, let's face it. And by the way, they looked really cute on my feet! I had to say it!
The upper of the Nimbus 21 is composed of two layers of jacquard mesh, a light and breathable mesh that adapts to the shape of the foot.
The stability you need underfoot
My distances are up to 21 km, and following my injury I am looking more than ever for stability in my stride because now, on my return, I feel like I'm running like Robocop. To help me in this goal, this shoe has a neutral Pebax Trusstic system that will help me improve strength in the midfoot area, allowing me to run longer without discomfort. This Pebax Trusstic system doesn't come alone; it is complemented by FlyteFoam technology in the upper and bottom of the shoe, and works like a spring in the foot, ensuring excellent cushioning without adding weight. And what is FlyteFoam, you may ask? Well, it's a natural fiber that comes from sugar cane and reinforces the structure of the shoe. #elsabernoocupalugar
This model specifically has two types of FlyteFoam: FlyteFoam Propel in the upper and FlyteFoam Lyte in the lower part so we have a shoe that stands out, as we said before, for its cushioning and high level of durability.
At the same time, the Nimbus 21 stands out for the high quality of its support reinforcements. In addition, the GEL cushioning guarantees comfort and flexibility. The toe box is spacious, as I like it, and the forefoot area is wider, which allows our feet to breathe easy inside them. (The last model I bought had a narrow forefoot area .... and did not fit my foot).
Finally, I am going to tell you something about the sole. The outsole has a neutral Pebax Trusstic system (key to stability), with full lateral contact that provides a smooth ride from heel to toe. And it is completed with AHAR (Asics High Abrasion Rubber), which is a solid rubber compound reinforced with carbon) throughout combined with AHAR+ at the base of the heel.
Impressions and sensations with the ASICS Nimbus 21, in action
After telling you about all the technical issues, it's time to tell you my personal impressions.
The first thing I did with my Asics Nimbus 21, was to wear them for short walks, with the intention of adjusting them to my foot and feeling them; I wanted to have them "given" before trying them in races. I put them on to run on asphalt, on the road that leads to Rincón de Soto, while Carlos Osés, the clog photographer, took the pictures you can see in the post. We tried them on asphalt and also among the wheat fields already plowed. They fit what I was looking for: I ran and ran again to repeat the shot, jumped between the trees and branches of the bush... and my knee was comfortable.
As always, in each photo session, I gave the best of me: The best of my smile.
The feeling on asphalt was incredible, I could feel how the shoe absorbed all the impact of my footprint. There was no pressure on my knee. I felt comfortable, so much so that the next day I tried them in a series that my rehab physio, Cristina, sent me. She told me to run fast, to trust my knee, to trust myself. I did 4 sets of 1,000 meters...I ran fast...I flew again....even though it was only four kilometers. I have a hard work ahead to get back to my physical condition, but I will come back, maybe not to fly, but I will come back, and with that I will be satisfied because these months without running have been very hard, I already told you in my previous post: Things I learned with my knee injury being a runner.
After testing them on asphalt, I needed to try them on the mountain and as you have seen on Instagram, I took them to Tossa de Mar!!!! There, after surprising my sister Eva (there is a video of the exact moment when she opens the door for me, which I will keep for me as gold in cloth; Runneantes, the best moments in life, are not published, they are enjoyed), we put on the shoes, our Kamuabu Sports socks, our Joma t-shirt marked by #aguacatepower and with #pinkpower essence and we went to test them going up to Mare De Deu de Gracià, passing through the Camí de Ronda....discovering places that no matter how much they describe them, they are to live them in situ.
Conclusions about the ASICS Nimbus 21
My knee endured the trots through those mountains of Girona, the Nimbus 21 absorbed the impacts that the irregular terrain offered me ... so much that I was left wanting more! (Just as I was left wanting more #glutenfree pizzas from my friend David, from the Restaurant Pizzeria Sa Teia...). David, if you want to go to Behobia San Sebastián, you must go through Marcilla, and here is the toll to pay: a pizza that you owe me to cook! ;-) ).
Eva, not only the Nimbus 21 have exceeded my expectations (in your mountains I have learned that their quality makes the difference), YOU have broken my schemes: ALL of them! Synchronicity and reaction, as if we were two chemicals. The pink thread has become a tightly tied pink ribbon. Now you just need to keep an eye on the flight of the peregrine falcon.
My summary to end this review, so special and emotional for me, would be the following:
Ever since I started running, I've been an Asics guy, I admit it. It doesn't let me down. With that brand I've done my best races.... And with this model it's not going to be less. The Asics Gel-NimbusNimbus 21 will serve me for my daily training on asphalt, alternating them, if I want, with some mountain route. #asicsomos
Fit, stability, cushioning and comfort at all levels.
Varied colors for all tastes.
Runnea tester's rating
- Flexibility: 9
- Lightweight: 9.
- Cushioning: 9
- Stability: 9.
- Grip: 9.
Photo credit: Carlos Oses (@carlos_oses79 on Instagram).
