Asics Noosa Tri 16 Introduction
The Asics Noosa Tri 16 is a lightweight, comfortable, affordable, and well rounded daily trainer that should suite just about every runners needs especially for beginners.
The shoe is meant for daily training. I would personally take the Noosa Tri 16 up to the marathon distance but it sits really nice around the 6-10 mile range.
It can be used for everyday miles from easy paces to some tempo/threshold runs. It is listed at $135 which we all know that is a great price in the running world: finding a solid daily trainer at that price point you just do not see very often.
Asics Noosa Tri 16 First Impressions
As one can imagine my first impressions were immediately drawn to the colorway. I received the bright yellow and orange graffiti like colorway. I have never owned a pair of shoes like that before so it definitely caught my attention.
I was not expecting the Noosa Tri 16 to be so lightweight but after slipping it on I wanted to go fast!
My first run was a 5 mile run with a 2 mile tempo effort and it suited that run perfectly.
There is nothing I would have changed from that first run.
Asics Noosa Tri 16 Upper
The upper is simple it is a breathable mesh upper. I mentioned it does feel cheap so it is a matter of time if my assumption is right about it wearing down fairly quick. It is breathable and light.
There are two pull tags one towards front near the top of the tongue and one on the heel this makes it easy to put the shoe on.
The heel collar is really comfortable and I had no issues with rubbing but for some reason it just feels cheap and I could probably assume in the future that the material might wear down fairly quick around the heel.
I could be wrong though so far no issues.
The laces lay nice on top of the foot and stay locked down really well during runs both fast and slow.
The tongue is lightweight and does not have much cushioning but it did not create any issues.
The pull tab is connected to a big hole right on the tongue. I assume that is for breathability? It is a cool idea but not sure if I noticed a huge breathability difference.
The upper is a standard mesh upper again the materials feel cheap. It is breathable and fits nice around the foot but I can see it wearing down fairly quick just based off of feel.
The shoe fit well for me and had a glove like fit snug and loose in all the right places.
Asics Noosa Tri 16 Sole Unit
The best part of the shoe in my opinion is the midsole. Asics equipped the Noosa Tri 16 with the FF Blast Plus foam. I never wore the Noosa Tri 15 but I have read and heard some people loved the old midsole foam.
I thoroughly enjoyed the new midsole material: I felt it was well cushioned for the stack height; it felt comfortable and provided sufficient toe off.
Finally, the outsole is great as always every Asics shoe I wear always has good grip: the Asicsgrip outsole is some of the best in the running shoe game!
The biggest difference from this years Noosa Tri model and last years is the midsole foam. Some people love the old flytefoam material and others love the new FF Blast Plus midsole foam.
Personally, I felt that the FF Blast Plus was pretty dang energetic and I did really enjoy the midsole foam in the Noosa Tri 16. It does provide very sufficient toe off.
The cushioning feels lightweight and bouncy underfoot but nothing special. The ride is just consistent and it gets the job done from easy to faster runs.
Asics Noosa Tri 16 Conclusions
I am just not sure where The Asics Noosa Tri 16 fits in my shoe rotation.
I have the Magic Speed 4 and the Superblast 2 and I would wear those any day over the Noosa Tri 16.
The Noosa Tri 16 is a very good shoe for what it is.
I think it could definitely be a solid option for runners who want a more affordable price point but still have a fun time getting their daily miles fast or slow.
