The Asics Noosa Tri 16 and the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 are two road shoes from Asics, but they don’t run the same program at all. The Noosa Tri 16 is a light, fast shoe built for tempo and triathlon. The Gel-Nimbus 28 is the max-cushioning reference for training and long distances.
The contrast is striking. The Noosa Tri 16 is ultralight and low: 211 g / 7.4 oz and a 34 / 29 mm stack (drop 5 mm). The Gel-Nimbus 28 is far more imposing and heavier: 266 g / 9.4 oz and 43.5 / 35.5 mm of stack (drop 8 mm). One prioritizes low weight, the other cushioning volume.
Both benefit from Asics’s FF Blast Plus foam, but in opposite ways. The Noosa Tri 16 turns it into a responsive, lively shoe, with a rocker that pushes you forward, ideal when the pace climbs. The Gel-Nimbus 28 adds volume and PureGel to it, for soft cushioning and excellent shock absorption over distance.
The Noosa Tri 16 is made to go fast: tempo workouts, 5K and 10K, triathlon, for runners with an efficient stride. The Gel-Nimbus 28 is made to last: easy runs, long runs and the marathon, when comfort matters more than speed. These are not rivals, but two tools for two uses.
Up top, the Noosa Tri 16 prioritizes low weight and breathability, designed for fast use, sometimes sockless. The Gel-Nimbus 28 offers a softer, more comfortable interior, oriented toward distance.
Noosa Tri 16 or Gel-Nimbus 28: which should you choose?
Here the choice mostly comes down to use. The Noosa Tri 16 (9.3/10) is the speed shoe: light, responsive and lively, it is perfect for your fast workouts, your 10Ks and your triathlons.
The Gel-Nimbus 28 (9.4/10) is the comfort-and-distance shoe: its maximum cushioning and soft feel make it an ideal partner for long-haul training and the marathon.
The price gap matters too: the Nimbus is a premium model and costs about $25 more.
Take the Noosa Tri 16 for low weight and speed, and the Gel-Nimbus 28 for comfort on long runs. Many runners are even better off with both: one for speed, one for volume.
