5 Shoes Similar to Asics Gel Cumulus

Ever worn the Asics Gel Cumulus?

We can’t argue that they are one of the most popular neutral road running shoe models on the market for those who want some well-cushioned performance. 

However, you might like to try something else with a similar flavor, let’s take a look at the top-rated running shoes similar to the Asics Gel Cumulus!

5 Running Shoes Similar To Asics Gel Cumulus:

1. Saucony Ride 13

2. Brooks Launch 8 GTS

3. Mizuno Wave Rider24

4. Hoka One One Rincon 2

5. New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3

5 Similar Shoes to Asics Cumulus

1. Saucony Ride 13

The Saucony Ride 13 is one of the most reliable daily trainers on the market. It is not flashy or glamorous, but it will pretty much always get you where you need to go.

It is also versatile just like the asics gel cumulus and is perfect enough to work through a range of running speeds and paces, and also serve as an excellent “do-it-all” athletic shoe. All that, and it’s at an affordable price point!

The Asics Gel Cumulus offers a gel cushioning, the Saucony Ride 13 delivers a stunning lockdown with the comfortable upper material called the FORMFIT, which offers a breathable mesh upper with 3D printed overlays for a fit that accommodates a wide range of foot shapes.

The outsole is made up of a blown rubber that covers much of the forefoot and some of the midfoot. It aids in the durability and grip, but it does not feel like anything to write home about.

Saucony integrates extra flexibility with the Tri-Flex design, which is a bunch of different small grooves within the outsole you let your foot flex naturally from heel-to-toe off. Which is similar to Saucony's other popular model, the Ride. 

Overall, it’s a great option for anyone looking for a great value in their daily trainer. The fit is true to size and it is definitely going to feel like a “get’er done” type of trainer!

2. Brooks Launch GTS 8

A simplistic and affordable approach to a daily trainer, the Brooks Launch GTS 8 is a great option for those looking for the reliability of a standard running shoe while on a budget. This Brooks shoe is one of the trainers in their line. 

The Launch 8 GTS punches well above its weight class (or price class) in pretty much all categories. 

The Air Mesh upper is simple and snug over the top of your foot and ankle. It is just breathable enough, but your toes won’t start freezing if you are running in the cold.

Something I particularly enjoyed was that the shoe laces up easily and then just gets out of your way so you can focus on your run and not how your shoe feels.

The BioMoGo DNA midsole foam is a mouthful of a name, but it just feels like a solid blend of performance and some cushion.

You won’t feel any real “bounce” to this shoe, but it is stripped back enough to the point where most people could wear it for tempo runs, hill repeats, and even track workouts. Think of it as a beefy racing flat that can also serve as a daily trainer.

There is also some mild stability from the medial and lateral guide rails. It won’t get in the way of a neutral runner, but it will add a little extra stability for those with mild overpronation.

The Blown Rubber covers the entire bottom of the shoe and has plenty of grooves for added flexibility in your stride.

This is the kind of shoe that runners wore for workouts before the onset of the “super-shoes”. It is stripped back, light, and ready to just kind of take on whatever you want to throw its way.

The fit is true to size and the price is amazing at $100 (or cheaper) in most places!

3. Mizuno Wave Rider 24

Mizuno is a company that we don’t talk about too much here because it never jumps out with anything super exciting or flashy, but that does not mean that they don’t make high quality and reliable daily trainers.

The Wave Rider is a model that needs no introduction, as it’s known in the running community and a workhorse that is a staple in many runner’s shoe rotations.

The Mizuno Wave Rider 24 continues to provide a smooth and reliable ride with an accommodating fit and feel.

The U4ic foam is a lightweight midsole that provides shock absorption, improved durability, and a resilient ride. This foam is on the stiffer side, but it’s hard to deny that it does not provide adequate shock absorption.

Furthermore, it is complemented by the MIZUNO ENERZY foam, which is a more responsive version of U4ic that still delivers a softer underfoot feel for cushion upon impact.

Finally, the thermal plastic wave from the heel to the midfoot creates a springy and well-cushioned ride.

You will enjoy the fit too, as the Engineered Air Mesh wraps over your foot well and laces up easily, but it does not feel super wide in the toe box, so be careful if your foot is extra wide.

You may be interested: 5 Similar Shoes to Mizuno Wave Rider

4. Hoka One One Rincon 2

With such a comfortable upper and well-rounded midsole, the Hoka Rincon 2 might be a sleeper in this conversation! There is a debate around choosing Brooks over Hoka. As you can see one version of both made the last. 

The upper fits well and it also feels comfortable to wear in general even if you aren’t running. This is because the Engineered Sandwich Mesh and Slim Tongue work together to hold your foot well without becoming too tight.

It is going to feel a little narrow for some, Hoka has this problem with many of its shoe models, but they seem to be getting better over time.

Hoka does a great job with the Compression EVA midsole foam, as it provides what feels like a masterful combination of cushion and snap back into your stride.

I have really enjoyed the propulsion from the Revised Early Stage Meta-Rocker Geometry that rolls your forward into each toe-off. It is not aggressive, but it just nudges you forward with each step.

That being said, this may not feel too great to wear in super long runs or ultra recovery runs. You’re going to probably like it for standard daily training and some up-tempo workouts.

There is some Hi-Abrasion Lightweight Rubber that is strategically placed for increased traction and durability. Mostly placed in the “high wear” areas like the lateral heel and medial toe areas.

I don’t think this was built to last forever, but you’ll enjoy the runs that you can get from it.

The fit is true to size and will most likely get you where you need to go on your training runs and steady tempos!

5. New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3

Similar to the Ascis shoe, a lightweight option you can take a look at will be the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3. It is a super lengthy name so we will call it the Beacon v3 for the rest of the time.

Although it has a longer name, it’s actually pretty simple.

The upper is your standard Engineered mesh, which is comfortable and breathable. It does offer a wider toe box for those who need extra space as well.

It wraps well over the top of your foot, but there has been some sliding in the ankle area. Thankfully the Ultra Heel lip eliminates any achilles irritation and rubbing that would result from that lockdown error.

The midsole definitely has some “snap”, but the cushioning leaves something to be desired. It is the Fresh Foam X (shoe companies really like their “X” foams these days) midsole, which is responsive over anything else.

The outsole is stripped back and won’t be incredibly durable, but there is some Ground Contact Fresh Foam, which is exposed to decrease the overall weight of the shoe. Given what they are trying to do with a lightweight and snappy trainer, I think it all works.

There are some Rubber Pods placed on the lateral forefoot and medial heel to provide durability in higher wear and tear areas.

This should increase the lifespan of the shoe a little, but don’t expect to get crazy miles out of this shoe, it is performance-oriented over durability.

The fit is true to size and you should expect a break-in period of 15-20 miles before it really starts feeling good.

Conclusion

There you go! Those are 5 shoes that are similar to the Asics Gel Cumulus.

To summarize, if you want a lightweight trainer then the Launch GTS 8, Beacon v3, Rincon 2 are good choices.

- You may like: 5 Alternatives to the Asics Gel-Nimbus

If you want a sturdy trainer then the Ride 13 and Wave Rider 24 are the ones you should opt for.

Even with all these other options some of you may still prefer the Gel Cumulus, and that’s totally ok! Every runner is different and deserves a chance to run in a pair of shoes that works for them.