Gel-Nimbus 25

I have run 150 km in the Nimbus 25. I have tried 30 to 40 running shoes, and the plushness I get from this one I have not found anywhere else. For slow runners, beginners and heavy runners that is the biggest advantage. If you run a marathon in under three and a half hours, it will only be a recovery shoe for you. The midsole is a new, plusher formulation of FF Blast Plus, dense but soft. Stack is 40 mm at the heel and 32 mm at the forefoot, an 8 mm drop. Up to a half marathon it feels like walking on a soft bed. The forefoot platform is wide, so the ride is stable. Everything about the upper feels premium, like wearing a soft, cosy sock. The heel padding is premium, the heel counter is enough, and the gusseted tongue, fixed on both sides, is the best tongue I have felt in any shoe. Lacing is fine and there is space in the toe box. My one problem is breathability. The upper is very thick, like winter clothing. You can manage it up to a half marathon, but on a full marathon you will start to notice it after the half. For India that matters, so I cut marks there. Grip is amazing in normal conditions, but in the wet there is almost no traction. I tried it last week, so reconsider if you run in the wet. Durability is excellent. I am sure it will go 800 km without the foam going flat, if you look after it and run on good surfaces. It is available for ₹6,000 on Flipkart and other sites. At ₹6,000 to ₹7,000 it gives you far more value than a ₹4,000 shoe and protects your knees and joints. I gave the upper 2/3, the midsole 2/3, outsole and durability 1.5/2 and price 1.5/2, which comes to 7.5/10. With some extra grace for the price, durability, plushness and comfort, I give it 8 out of 10. I highly recommend it for absolute beginners, and as a recovery shoe for marathoners.