Asics Noosa Tri 15 review

9 expert score
10 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 10th August by Olivia Yoder Ultrarunner, personal trainer and soccer coach.
31 other reviews

Asics Noosa Tri 15 Verdict

The ASICS Noosa Tri 15 is a fast-looking and feeling shoe. It’s marketed as a Triathlon shoe that is easy to get on and off I can see why. I thoroughly enjoy wearing these for fast training runs under 10k and even for some longer distances.

The pros

  • Lightweight and Breathable
  • Easy to get on and off
  • Unique colors

The cons

  • Outsole is slippery on wet surfaces
  • The tongue rides up a little high


Rating breakdown

Comfort
9.0
Build quality
9.0
Upper
8.0
Sole unit
9.0
Landing
9.0
Transition
9.0
Toe-off
9.0
Traction
7.0
Durability
7.0
Value / Price
8.0

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Noosa Tri 15
Previous model
Weight
8 oz (227 g)
MSRP
$130.00

Heel
mm.
Toe
mm.
Heel drop
5 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Normal
Midfoot fit
Normal
Toebox fit
Normal

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Responsive/balanced
Amount of cushioning
Medium cushioning
Stability
Very stable
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing  
Speedwork  
Daily training  
Long distance racing
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Asics Noosa Tri 15 ?

These are geared towards the runner who is looking for a fun daily trainer that is great for speed workouts. It’s also a good choice for those individuals who are triathletes, due to the easy on-and-off capabilities.

Who should not buy the Asics Noosa Tri 15 ?

These are not for the individual who is looking for a shoe that can wear many hats. It’s pretty much a shoe that can only be worn on the road/track in dry conditions. I also wouldn’t recommend it to anywho who doesn’t like attention-drawing shoes because they are eye-catchers.

Asics Noosa Tri 15 Introduction

Picture of ASICS Noosa Tri 15

The ASICS Noosa Tri 15 is one of ASICS’ well-known models. It’s named after the beach in Australia that triathletes use for training and racing. It has always been known as a triathlon racing shoe and will always offer those easy-to-slip-on features like the heel or tongue pull tab.

I am not a triathlete but I do appreciate the effortless effort I need to put forth to get these shoes on. I have been enjoying just slipping my feet into them with no hands and then lacing them up.

You’ll love how lightweight they feel coming in at 6.9oz for women and 7.9 oz for men. And having a 5mm heel drop makes this neutral running shoe a very stable one.

They will cost you $130 for this updated version. Is that an ok price? I’d say it’s very reasonable considering the quality of the shoe and the new technology it features.

Speaking of the technology this shoe has to offer, you’ll get FF BLAST™ cushioning, GUIDESOLE® technology, AHARPLUS™ outsole, and a seamless engineered mesh upper.

A similar shoe in the same family is the ASICS Evo Ride 3’s or the Glide Ride 3’s. Both are part of the Guidesole series.

Outside the family, you could compare them to the Hoka Rincon 3’s.

Asics Noosa Tri 15 First Impressions

Picture of ASICS Noosa Tri 15

My first impression when opening the box was “Whoa.” The eye-catching colors are very loud and vibrant. I love that about them. I’ve been wearing a lot of neutral-colored running shoes and these have been a good change-up. Just looking at them gives you more energy.

I bought the Aquarium/Vibrant Yellow color but they come in 5 other crazy color patterns that are all equally bright. My colorway is said to be inspired by Van Gogh’s paintings. Which I thought was a cool little tidbit.

Trying them on for the first time, I noticed right away the tongue and how easy they were to slip my feet into them.

They fit true to size with no break-in period needed. They have a very comfortable feel but still had a slightly firm one. I enjoy a tad stiffer shoes when using them for running at a faster pace.

My first run in them was a moderately paced 10k run and it went by so quickly wearing the Noosas. It is such a fun shoe to wear. They have been my go-to shoe in summer and I have been recommending them to a lot of people.

I didn’t personally test out the previous model but they look very similar.

Others have said they feel almost the same. So if you’re looking to try a pair of Noosas out you could try the Noosa Tri 14s and save some money.

Asics Noosa Tri 15 Upper

Picture of ASICS Noosa Tri 15

The upper is where your eye is drawn when first taking a look at the shoes. The beautiful colors are tied into the fantastic engineered mesh upper. This mesh upper is breathable and form-fitting. When placing your foot into the shoes you notice right away plush support that keeps your foot nicely in place.

I have been wearing it during some hot weeks here where I live and it has been my go-to choice because of how breathable it is. The upper also has been wet and dried out very quickly.

ASICS’, like most companies, has joined in the recycling game and the sock liner is made from a dyeing process that is said to “reduce approximately 33% and carbon emissions by approximately 45% compared to the conventional dyeing technology.”

Picture of ASICS Noosa Tri 15

Taking a look at the tongue, you will see that it’s fairly thin with no extra padding. On the front of the tongue, you’ll see the large pull tab. The lacing system is standard and as long as you double-knot them, you will have no problem with them coming undone.

The heel counter is built up and stiff. It hugs your heel and gives you a locked-in fit. I love this about the shoe, this is one of the main areas that allows you to slip your feet into the shoes with ease.

Asics Noosa Tri 15 Sole Unit

Picture of ASICS Noosa Tri 15

The midsole is packed with ASICS’ signature innovative technology. They have FLYTEFOAM placed all along the sole of the shoe. For this updated model, they have increased the amount of FLYTEFOAM to give more cushioning in the midsole to help absorb the impact to give your feet a more cushioned ride. I think it was an additional 1mm of foam to achieve this.

ASICS is also known for its GUIDESOLE technology. It’s designed to make the sole of the shoe curve so that it helps to make that toe-off transition quick and flawless. The GUIDESOLE is also said to help with reducing energy expelled by reducing ankle flexion.

They have updated the midsole with a full-length FFBlast cushioning unit. With this, it has created a lighter impact absorption under the foot.

Picture of ASICS Noosa Tri 15

Looking at the outsole, you will see their signature AHARPLUS that helps to improve durability. The outsole performs very well on dry flat surfaces.

When I took them out in the rain or wet surfaces, they were extremely slippery. I had to make sure I wasn’t pushing off too hard in those types of conditions because my feet would slide out from under me.

You will notice how connected your feet feel to the ground due to ASICS’s full-contact design, which was developed to create “a more smoother and efficient ride.”

Asics Noosa Tri 15 Conclusions

Picture of ASICS Noosa Tri 15

ASICS’s NOOSA Tri has been around for several years. It was first created for triathletes but also is a solid shoe for the neutral runner. It’s a well-made shoe that is ideal for smooth running.

The lightweight feel they give allows you to not sacrifice speed when training or competing in a triathlon.

I loved this shoe and I favorably suggest adding a pair to your rotation to spice things up!

How does the Noosa Tri 15 compare?

Asics EvoRide 3
Asics Noosa Tri 15
Saucony Tempus
Expert score
10
9
9
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$119.95
US$129.95
US$160
Weight
7.4 oz
8 oz
9.1 oz
Heel Drop
5 mm
5 mm
8 mm
Recommended for
Speedwork, daily training
Racing, speedwork, daily training
Daily training
Cushioning type
responsive/balanced
responsive/balanced
responsive/balanced
Cushioning amount
Medium cushioning
Medium cushioning
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
medium
medium
medium
Stability
some stability
very stable
some stability
Sizing
true to size
true to size
true to size

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Asics at Running Warehouse  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.

Reviewed by Olivia

This review was written by Olivia Yoder on 10th August.
Lives in Marietta, Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and dog. Olivia is a personal trainer and soccer coach. She has been running for 10 years and competes in various distances. For the past few years she has been concentrating on the ultra distances. She never would have thought that one sport would change her whole outlook on life like running has.

User feedback (2)

  • avatar-comment-1031665
    Vistasp
    1 month ago
    10 score

    Feel great on the feet, landing and transitions feel effortless. Promotes better form, somehow I find myself landing on the mid foot with this one (being a sort of heel striker) AND running 20-25% FASTER compared to my current Pegasus 38s (clunky, heavy and the most lifeless shoe I own). Some people have said this is suited for a 10K training plan but I think this could be my go-to for the half marathon too. Oh, and the colorway oozes style! This pair is without a question a 10/10 and the best shoe I’ve run in.

  • avatar-comment-1031073
    Visa
    2 months ago
    10 score

    Very good review. One point. In some Asics sites they say that the missis Flight Foam and in other (Australia) Flight Foam Blast… You said Blast.. Anyone can confirm what it is?

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