Asics Noosa Tri 15 Review (2024): More Than Triathlon Shoes!
Our Verdict
A versatile, responsive shoe for daily training and competition.
Don’t have time to read the full review? Here’s what you need to know.
The Asics Noosa Tri is back for its fifteenth edition, with colors as bright as ever, this time inspired by Van Gogh’s paintings. Although the series was originally designed for triathlon, in practice, it’s appealing to a much broader base who appreciate its unique qualities.
As with all triathlon shoes, the mesh is seamless and breathable for barefoot running. Putting them on is quick and easy, with a pull tab on the tongue and elastic laces for even greater operational speed in competition.
FlyteFoam is dense enough for a firm, responsive result. The AHARPLUS outsole is durable and provides good traction for a smooth, efficient ride.
In short, the Asics Noosa Tri 15 features few changes compared to the previous version. That’s a good thing as last year’s model was already a great success. It should satisfy those looking for a lightweight, responsive shoes for daily training and short to medium-distance races.
Please read our full review of the Asics Noosa Tri 15 for more information.
PROS
- Very lightweight and responsive
- Unique design
- Very close to the ground
- Good durability
CONS
- Medium grip on wet surfaces
- Firm cushioning may not be sufficient over long distances
Introduction
The Noosa Tri series needs no introduction. While its specific characteristics make it an ally for triathletes, its overall qualities make it a natural choice for many road runners. That’s why so many runners wear them for races – it’s hard to miss them with these colors!
The Asics Noosa Tri 15 advances on conquered ground with a few modifications. In this analysis, based on over 180 miles of testing and the feedback of several runners, we will look at what these changes mean for you and what the shoe’s strengths and weaknesses are.
Cushioning
The FLYTEFOAM foam is still here and makes for a fairly dense, firm, forward-bouncing ride. This is probably due to the fact that the Noosa Tri delivers a good ground feel under your feet, which is becoming increasingly rare these days.
The midsole geometry features GUIDESOLE technology, a rocker design aiming to reduce the energy lost with ankle flexion, according to ASICS.
With a 27 mm heel stack height (22 mm in the forefoot), we’re dealing with a classic moderate stack configuration reminiscent of the pre-carbon racer days.
As a result, cushioning is relatively limited and may not be sufficient for longer distances depending on your preferences. Indeed, while it’s clear that anyone can use the Noosa Tri 15 for short or intermediate distances like half-marathons, the shock absorption won’t be enough for some runners to push beyond that. Beware also of the heel-to-toe drop of 5 mm, which may take some getting used to.
Energy return
At 7.4 oz / 213 g in size 42, the Noosa Tri 15 is a featherweight. The aforementioned rocker is visible from the very first stride. The shoe is responsive, with smooth heel-to-toe transitions.
The bounce is less pronounced than on models with a carbon plate, but there’s still a sense of forward momentum. The bounce, therefore, is one of the shoe’s strong points, with testers noting that the shoe is very effective on fast sessions.
Support and stability
Although the platform isn’t very wide, the foam is dense, and the shoe is close to the ground. With a snug upper fit and good grip, the Asics Noosa Tri 15 offers good stability. Even though the shoe is for neutral runners, GUIDESOLE technology also helps provide good lateral stability.
Foot Lockdown
It doesn’t get much more comfortable than the Asics Noosa Tri 15. Triathletes need to be able to use them barefoot, so the shoe is seamless, with padding that may be thin but gives an appreciable softness.
The new mesh upper is snug-fitting and very close to the foot without compressing it, as it’s very stretchy. It’s also very breathable. This works well in warm weather and competition but less so for winter training.
The new construction around the heel works well, giving a very good foot lockdown that will suit all runners. The shoe runs true to size.
Traction
While the upper and the ride are undisputed winners, reviews are more mixed for the outsole. The AHARPLUS rubber of the previous version is back, with the same strengths and weaknesses.
Durability is good, and traction is satisfactory on dry roads. On wet roads, however, I found the grip only average. It’s a pity because apart from that, the outsole is interesting, as many testers point out.
It’s no problem to take the shoes on easy dirt paths, but it’s complicated to run on more technical terrain.
Use
The shoe’s specialty is, of course, triathlon running. Barefoot comfort, the pull tab on the tongue, and the elastic laces: all these parameters are specifically designed for this discipline and make the Noosa Tri the leader of its category.
But it would be simplistic to limit it to just that. Its lightness and responsiveness make it an ideal fast daily trainer for sessions where you need to maintain higher paces, which is why many non-triathletes also use it.
In competition, even though higher-performance shoes are available, they are perfectly suitable for short distances. For half-marathons, they’re fine, but you will start to feel the lack of cushioning. Beyond that, many testers point out that shock absorption is insufficient for a comfortable experience. Personally, I wouldn’t use them for a marathon.
Quality and Durability
The Asics Noosa Tri 15 offers good durability. The outsole is tough, and the mesh is durable yet thin. The low-thickness and high-density foam ensure the shoe retains its cushion for a long time.
All these parameters mean that we confidently estimate these shoes can last 500-650 miles, making them quite good value for money.
Carbon footprint and animal welfare
The solution dyeing process used to manufacture the insole reduces water consumption by around 33% and carbon emissions by around 45% compared to the conventional dyeing method.
What’s more, the Noosa Tri 15 is vegan.
Conclusion
The Asics Noosa Tri 15 dominates the triathlon shoe category, as it has virtually no competition. However, its qualities make it an exciting performance option for many runners looking for traditional shoes (read normal stack, no carbon plate).
Its comfort, lightness, and responsive ride make it a straightforward, nimble ally for speed training and short races.
Facts
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Road |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 5 mm |
| Heel height | 27 mm |
| Forefoot height | 22 mm |
| Weight (men) | 213 g/7.5 oz |
| Weight (women) | 192 g/6.8 oz |
| Features | Vegan, Rocker, Eco-friendly |
| Athletes | |
| Release year | 2023 |
| Price | Check prices |
Cushioning
| Softness | Firm |
| Responsiveness | High |
Technologies
| Outsole | AHARPLUS |
| Midsole | FLYTEFOAM, GUIDESOLE |
| Upper | Seamless Engineered Mesh |
Use
| Speed | Moderate, Fast |
| Distance | Short, 5K, Mid, 10K |
| Workout | Daily running, Racing |
Comparisons
Asics Noosa Tri 14
The upper is more breathable and closer to the foot, the sole is 1 mm higher, and the heel has a new construction.
The two shoes are, therefore, very similar, and you can choose the v14 if you see it during promotion periods.
Other comparisons
Did you know?
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