Key Details
- The ASICS x FP Movement Gel-Nimbus 28 and Novablast 6 mark the first footwear collaboration between ASICS and Free People's activewear line.
- The Gel-Nimbus 28 features a pearl white engineered knit upper with a sunset orange speckled midsole and FF BLAST PLUS cushioning paired with PureGEL technology.
- The Novablast 6 pairs a tan engineered woven upper with salmon pink accents and dual-foam FF BLAST MAX cushioning with an FF TURBO SQUARED pod.
Every so often a collaboration comes along that feels less like a marketing exercise and more like two brands actually getting each other, and the new ASICS x FP Movement collection lands squarely in that camp. This is the first time ASICS has put its name on a footwear project with FP Movement, the activewear arm of Free People, and rather than dreaming up some wild concept shoe from scratch, the two took a smarter route. They reimagined a couple of ASICS’ most beloved running silhouettes through FP Movement’s design lens, wrapping them in the warm, easy-to-love colors of golden hour. The whole thing is built around those early-morning and late-evening windows so many runners quietly protect as their own, and honestly, once you see the shoes in person, the concept clicks.
For the running side of the collection, the two shoes worth your attention are the Gel-Nimbus 28 and the Novablast 6. They cover very different jobs on a training plan, so depending on what your miles actually look like, one of these is probably calling your name louder than the other. Let’s get into both.
The ASICS x FP Movement Gel-Nimbus 28
The Gel-Nimbus 28 is the headliner here, and it’s easy to see why FP Movement chose it as the centerpiece. This is ASICS’ premium max-cushion daily trainer, the shoe people reach for when they want long runs to feel plush and forgiving, and the collab version leans all the way into the golden-hour idea. The upper is a clean pearl white engineered knit that keeps things bright and breathable, and then the midsole hits you with that gorgeous sunset orange, finished with a subtle speckled texture that gives it a little depth up close. The color carries down through the Hybrid ASICSGRIP outsole too, contrasting against the black grip pattern, and the ombre laces fade through the same warm palette. The little FP Movement charm sitting on the laces is the detail that ties it all together and quietly reminds you this isn’t a standard release.
Underneath the pretty exterior, though, this is still a proper Gel-Nimbus 28, and that matters. The cushioning stays true to the standard model, so you’re getting ASICS’ FF BLAST PLUS midsole foam paired with PureGEL technology in the heel. If you haven’t run in PureGEL yet, it’s roughly 65% softer than the older GEL setup, which translates to landings that genuinely feel like they melt a little on impact. The engineered knit upper wraps the foot softly and cuts down on overlays, there’s a premium OrthoLite X-55 sockliner handling moisture and cushioning, and the whole thing comes in around 20 grams lighter than the previous Nimbus. ASICS also worked in a pronounced rocker geometry to smooth out your transitions, plus reflective details for those darker miles. It’s the shoe you want for recovery days, easy long runs, or frankly just being on your feet all day.
The ASICS x FP Movement Novablast 6
If the Nimbus is the plush, cloud-underfoot option, the Novablast 6 is the fun one. This is the pair for anyone whose easy runs have a habit of turning into something a little quicker, because the whole shoe is built around bounce. Where the Nimbus goes bold, the Novablast keeps its golden-hour styling understated and, in my opinion, all the more wearable for it. The tan upper does most of the talking, with small salmon pink hits on the logo and outsole and a really nice matte gold treatment on the laces. It’s the kind of colorway that looks just as at home with joggers as it does mid-run.
The energy comes from the midsole. ASICS packed the Novablast 6 with FF BLAST MAX cushioning for that soft, cloud-like feel, then dropped a responsive FF TURBO SQUARED trampoline pod into the forefoot, which is really what gives this shoe its signature springy toe-off. It’s a dual-foam setup, so you get soft landings without the ride feeling dead or mushy. The lightweight engineered woven upper breathes well and locks the midfoot down with a tongue-wing construction that keeps everything from shifting around, and the distinctive geometric midsole is pure Novablast attitude. ASICSGRIP rubber in the forefoot and AHAR LO placement in the high-wear zones round it out, so you’re covered on grip and durability across a range of surfaces. It’s a versatile daily trainer that rewards you for picking up the pace.
Which one should you grab?
The short version is this. Reach for the Gel-Nimbus 28 if your priority is maximum comfort and plush cushioning for long, steady miles and all-day wear. Reach for the Novablast 6 if you want a lighter, bouncier ride with a bit more pop for faster days and everyday training. Plenty of runners end up wanting both in the rotation, and given how well these two coordinate as a set, nobody would blame you.
Where to buy the ASICS x FP Movement collection
Both shoes are available now through DICK’S Sporting Goods, dropped as part of the wider ASICS x FP Movement launch. The Gel-Nimbus 28 comes in at $180, and the Novablast 6 sits a little more accessible at $140. These collab colorways tend not to hang around forever, so if one of them caught your eye, I wouldn’t sit on it.
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