Cumulus 26 Lite-Show

These are my first impressions after unboxing and a first 10 km run. The Cumulus sits between the Novablast and the Nimbus in ASICS's premium range: heavier than the Novablast, lighter than the Nimbus. I bought it because it has been on sale on Flipkart for ₹5,000 to ₹7,000 for a long time, and at that price it offers premium materials and foam. It weighs 260 g in my US 9. The stack is 38 mm at the heel and 30 mm at the forefoot, an 8 mm drop. The midsole is FF Blast Plus, the same foam as the Novablast and Nimbus, tuned slightly firmer here for stability, with PureGEL in the heel for extra cushioning. The midsole is the biggest positive. It is soft and plush, close to the Nimbus, with great step-in comfort. The rocker gives a smooth heel-to-toe transition. The forefoot is about 120 mm wide and the heel is wide too, and the midsole flare has increased from the 25, so the ride and landings feel stable. If the Novablast felt unstable to you, this should suit you. The upper is a thick, soft engineered mesh with a premium gusseted tongue, long laces, a moderate heel pad and a stiff heel counter. This version has a heel tab and plenty of reflective details. Every part uses premium materials, so I expect high durability. The second negative is breathability. The upper is very thick and has a plastic overlay. In hot weather with thick socks, beyond 10 km, or faster than 5:00/km, heat will build up inside. My first negative is the outsole. Instead of hard rubber it uses a soft rubberised EVA. It is 6 to 8 mm thick against the usual 3 mm, so wear life should be similar, but I expect the grip to fade after about 100 km, and then you will lose traction on wet surfaces. It suits beginners, intermediate runners and marathon trainers as a light, versatile one-shoe option for easy runs, long runs and races. Launch prices are usually ₹10,000 to ₹12,000, but online it sells for ₹5,000 to ₹7,000. At that price it is great value. I will share more after a half marathon and 50 km.