The Best Cushioned Running Shoes of 2021 If you are a runner who has constantly been looking for ways to improve your performance, you must have come across the word ‘cushioning’ in relation to running shoes. Everybody knows that having the right pair of running shoes can take you a long way (literally) in your journey as a runner. Experts from the shoe industry recently popularized cushioning in running shoes, to make running shoes more comfortable and to help improve performance. Backed by the health industry and medical practitioners, cushioned running shoes started getting more traction. The advent of cushioned or ‘maximalist shoes’ resulted in several brands coming out with different lineup. One of the best-known brands that also pioneered in cushioned shoes is Asics India, with their innovative Gel technology. The company has come out with many flagship shoes incorporating the gel technology, which have a gel-like substances implanted in the midsole. This gel cushioning is supposed to absorb impact forces and make the shoes more comfortable and smoother. Here are some of the best cushioned running shoes of 2021, from Asics India.
1. Gel-Nimbus 23 The Gel-Nimbus is shoe for neutral runners and is intended to cover long distances. It is one of the most popular in the gel shoes lineup from Asics India. The upper is made of a softer fabric, and the Gel pod in the heel has been tuned to better absorb impact forces in the new iteration. For good energy return, the midsole has a combination of FlyteFoam and bouncy FlyteFoam Propel.
2. Gel-Nimbus 21 Another crowd favourite from the Asics line-up is the Gel Nimbus 21, with its triple-layer responsive cushioning that provides adequate padding for an extremely smooth ride. In the triplelayering, the Gel-Nimbus has “Flytefoam Propel” at the tip, which is a lower-density foam intended to provide consistent padding. Asics introduces "Flytefoam Lyte," for higher energy return and quicker take-off underneath that. Finally, Asics injects the famous impact-reducing Gel technology into the heel and forefoot.
3. Gel Kayano 27 One of the most popular Asics shoe, especially loved for its stability, the Kayano has been celebrated for a long time. A dual-density midsole and lateral surface prevent overpronation, while gel pods in the forefoot and heel, FlyteFoam Propel and FlyteFoam cushioning, and an EVA sock liner all work to mitigate impact forces. The new edition has a revised mesh upper for improved ventilation, as well as modified heel and forefoot grooves that make the shoe more flexible.
4. Gel Nimbus Lite 2 Adored by eco-friendly runners for being one of the greenest shoes out there, Gel Nimbus Lite 2 may be one of the favourite shoes of the century itself. The midsole is made from recycled and repurposed materials, as is the upper. The FlyteFoam used to make the shoes' base is made up of 15-20% cellulose nanofibers that have been repurposed from sugarcane. These fibres provide
internal structure and are said to improve the midsole's toughness. The Nimbus lite is ideal for short, medium, and easy runs on a regular basis. It's a perfect recovery shoe, and it's even better for longer days, thanks to its smooth transition and solid foundation.
5. Gel-Cumulus 22 This shoe has always been popular for longevity and soft cushioning, but the latest version adds a new element to the mix: increased flexibility. The midsole now features FlyteFoam with gel in the heel for a soft feel and excellent shock absorption, as well as deeper grooves in the sole to aid rolling through your stride. Also a neutral shoe, it has improved its fit from the previous version, all the while maintaining excellent support and increased comfort.