MIDSOLE

The midsole of the Asics Noosa Tri 13 is made from classic FLYTEFOAM. I love Asics running shoes, and I find that FLYTEFOAM is both soft and squishy, and energetic.

It is composed of a blend of Kevlar and PET fibers that provide maximum energy return and durability. Even after the 100-mile mark, this responsive midsole shows very few crease lines and is still just as responsive as mile 1.

I also love this midsole is equipped with Asics Guidesole technology. This unique design acts as a rocking chair for your feet. The slightly curved design to the midsole helps to naturally propel your forward for a quick and clean gait cycle.

If you find that your feet are screaming at the end of a run, the blend of FLYTEFOAM and Guidesole technology help to reduce the impact made with the ground and evenly disperses throughout your entire foot.

At the end of the run, your feet and legs feel fresh and pain-free.

OUTSOLE

This outsole is built tough, but it does come with a few drawbacks that are worth mentioning. The outsole is lightweight and responsive but doesn’t work well in all conditions and situations.

First - the good. This outsole is punctuated with panels of Asics proprietary AHARPLUS rubber that helps to reduce the impact with the ground and provide a good deal of energy return. In application, this outsole feels like running on tiny trampolines. It’s bouncy, responsive, and offers plenty of exposed EVA foam for a higher range of motion.

It’s also important to note that AHARPLUS rubber is built insanely tough. Even after 50 miles, the outsole of this shoe shows very few signs of overall wear and tear. This is a shoe that is built to go the distance.

Overall, many runners found that they were able to clock up to 500-600 miles in this shoe before it needed to be retired. For long-distance runners that clock in high miles on their daily runs, this outsole is a great choice.

The downside to this outsole is that it’s not great in wet conditions. While other rubber compounds provide a slightly tacky finish to help grip the ground, this outsole is pretty slick.

Runners found that then running on rain-soaked sidewalks, they lost a good deal of traction which caused them to slow down their pace. This shoe is super fast- as long as the road ahead is nice and dry.

UPPER

The upper of the Asics Noosa Tri 13 walks that fine line between flexibility and stability. It is composed of a lightweight and breathable mesh that helps to move hot air up and away from your feet. Synthetic overlays in key areas of your feet help to boost lockdown but slightly hinder your full range of motion.

The build of this upper lies somewhere in between a minimalist training shoe and a stability shoe. Overall, it leans closer to a minimalistic upper than a stabilizing upper, and the bungee laces help to craft that perfectly locked-down fit.

With such a thick upper, I expected the heel counter to be impossibly stiff. Much to my surprise, the heel counter provided a good deal of flex to it. It’s still pretty stiff to provide a great locked-down fit, but it’s flexible enough to create a full range of motion whether you are chasing a new track PR or engaging in CrossFit at the gym.

While we’re on the topic of the upper, I need to address the style of this shoe. It comes in wild color options that look like a Japanese fever dream. If you love bright and punchy colors that will get you noticed from outer space, this shoe hits all of the marks.

As someone that will forever be drawn to colorful running shoes, my only wish is that more brands would create crazy color palates similar to the Asics Noosa Tri 13!

PERFORMANCE

Don’t let the triathlon categorization trick you into thinking this is just a shoe only built for races. While it’s a great race-day shoe, it also boasts a ton of supportive features for all of those casual runners out there. If you simply want a great shoe to take out on a meditative run around the neighborhood, this shoe is a great option.

The quick and nimble frame is also built to tackle agility work as well. It’s a shoe that can conquer a triathlon, daily runs, or your next CrossFit session.

FIT

Many runners hail the Asics Noosa Tri 13 as a shoe that fits perfectly. If you are a size 10 in other Asics running shoes, the same can be said for this design. If you are new to Asics, you can create a True Fit profile to ensure that you select the right size for your feet.

Setting up a profile is a bit of a hassle, but Asics will store this information on their website when you need to retire your Noosa Tri 13’s for a different model. By plugging your information into their sizing database, you can ensure that you get the perfect size for your feet and save yourself a trip to the post office to make a return.

What I also love about the fit of this shoe is that it boasts a nice and roomy toe box that allows your toes to naturally splay inside of the shoe. It’s not offered in wide sizing options, but even if you have a foot that is slightly wider than average, the wide frame of this shoe is incredibly accommodating.

If your feet are a little on the narrow side, the stretchy lacing system allows runners to tinker with the fit of the upper to craft a comfortable and secure fit to their feet.

PRICE

To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by the price point of this shoe. It isn’t exactly a budget-friendly shoe, but it is far more affordable than similar styles from competitive brands. This shoe uses some of Asic’s high-end materials, such as AHARPLUS rubber and 25 mm of FLYTEFOAM materials in the midsole.

Plus, this shoe is built like a tank. Many runners were able to squeeze out well over 500 miles out of this shoe. Very few running shoes offered at this price point are able to attain this level of durability that is offered at a modest price point.

It may be slightly expensive for Asics, but the price point of this shoe is well worth every penny.

The changes made between the Asics Noosa Tri 13 and the Noosa Tri 12 are slight yet noticeable. Slight tweaks to the midsole, outsole, and even the upper. The only thing that Asics didn’t change between the two versions is that they are both still offered in explosive color options- thank goodness!

The midsole is still composed of Asics FLYTEFOAM cushioning, and both offer a 25 mm stack height. The biggest update made to the construction of the 13 is that Asics dropped the rear gel cushioning which cuts down on the overall weight of the shoe. The previous version of this shoe offered an ample 8 mm drop, while the 13 provides a 5 mm drop for better ground feel and speed.

Asics also updated the outsole of the Noosa Tri 13. Previous designs utilized AHAR rubber, and the 13 uses AHARPLUS rubber. Runners can expect the same level of energy return and feel, but the durability of this newer model is dialed up a notch.

The upper of the 13 has also undergone some very slight updates. It provides runners with more padding along the heel collar and tongue. This added cushioning doesn’t affect the flexibility of the shoe, and offers runners a more comfortable ride for long distances when compared to previous models.

If you are on the hunt for a great running shoe that is ready to tackle just about anything, the Asics Noosa Tri 13 is a great choice. This is a shoe that seamlessly blends durability, style, speed, and comfort in one sharp (and affordable!) package.

It’s ready to tackle any triathlon but is also designed for newbie runners that want to go on a nice and easy tempo run around the neighborhood.

Whether you are hitting up the treadmill, weight room, or CrossFit class, the Asics Noosa Tri 13 is up for the challenge. With an eye-catching and colorful design, be prepared to be to field the question ‘where did you get your running shoes?’.