ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 Ice Studios review

We think the ASICS Noosa Tri 15 is a top choice for:

• Runners looking for a lightweight, non-plated option for both fast-paced training and racing.
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• Anyone seeking a running shoe with a unique design and impressive versatility for various running speeds.

If you're after world-class performance, we believe this shoe is not for you. Though it's speedy, it lacks a carbon plate and PEBA foam, limiting its energy return. Consider the ASICS Metaspeed Edge+ or the Nike Streakfly instead.

Runners who use a heel-striking technique should also think twice about the Noosa Tri 15. Its rearfoot is notably narrow, so we suggest opting for wider-heeled alternatives like the PUMA Deviate Nitro 2 or the ASICS CROSS FREAK Cross Country Running Spike.

The tongue is semi-gusseted, an essential feature in a triathlon-focused shoe that helps prevent any unwanted movement.

ASICS has also cleverly included a tongue tab, not just to make putting the shoe on quicker and easier, but also to improve transitions from bike to run.

One of the main gripes from past feminino of the Noosa line was that the shoe could have more cushioning for long-distance races. Addressing this concern, ASICS has impressively bumped up the heel stack from 30.2 mm in the Noosa Tri 14 to a plush 34.6 mm in the Noosa Tri 15.

What's even more astounding is that the v15 weighs just 0.2 oz (5g) more than its predecessor. This is a significant improvement that makes the Noosa Tri 15 an great choice for long runs, as it delivers more cushion than ever without any significant weight increase.

In our measurements, the forefoot thickness has also increased from the previous version. It's now at 26.9 mm, up from 22.2 mm.

That's a notable 4.7-mm jump that will surely be loved by forefoot strikers. While making this change, we found in our test runs that some of the classic ground feel unique to the Noosa Tri is reduced, but not completely gone.

ASICS advertises the Noosa Tri 15 as having a 5-mm heel-to-toe drop. However, our in-depth measurements tell a different story—we clocked the difference between the heel and the forefoot at 7.7 mm.

If you're curious about why there's such a gap, we offer a full guide on this topic, Asics Shorts Byxor Core Split.

One signature feature of the Noosa Tri has always been its cloud-like feel. While this was a comfort-plus for some, it bothered racers who found it too soft and mushy. To address this, the Tri 15 now has a firmer feel, measuring at 18.6 HA. Yet, it still offers a comfy ride.

The midsole is entirely composed of FlyteFoam Blast (EVA+OBC). While this isn't ASICS' premium foam, it's pretty good for a shoe priced at just £130.

Even though triathlons typically aren't held in cold weather, we're aware that this shoe gets used year-round for training and racing purposes. So we decided to see how it fares in chilly conditions. 

We placed the shoe in the freezer, right beside our favourite ice creams, for 20 minutes. After taking it out, we tested its softness with the durometer once more. The reading came out to be 22.5 HA, which is nearly identical to its initial measurement. This suggests the shoe maintains its properties well, even in the cold.

The 21% increase in firmness does not exceed what you'd find in an average shoe.

Although FlyteFoam Blast hasn't historically been the best foam for cold-weather performance, it's evident to us that ASICS is making strides to improve its formula, as indicated by these results.

The insole thickness really stands out at 5.3 mm, which is notably higher than average, especially for a shoe focused on speed. This clearly shows that ASICS is committed to maintaining comfort.

Moving to the toebox, we discovered a pretty accomodating upper at 98.8 mm, which makes this shoe a nice choice for those who want a light, fast shoe but have slightly wider feet than the norm.

While it cannot be considered a wide shoe per se, it's among the widest and comfiest tempo/racing shoes in the market.

In the area around the big toe (73.9 mm), we observed a pretty standard design. The Noosa Tri 15 follows a regular width and unfortunately, there's no optional 2E size. 

On the flip side, the toebox height is remarkably generous, making the Tri 15 an excellent choice for those with exceptional toe mobility who appreciate ample room for upward movement.

The Tri 15 felt stable to us, even though it's a completely neutral shoe. How did ASICS achieve this?

Partially, by incorporating distinct sidewalls that extend through the midfoot. This design allows your feet to sink into the Tri, almost like sitting in a bathtub, serving as a smart technique to enhance stability in a neutral shoe like this one.

Another effective way to enhance stability in a neutral shoe is by making it stiff. In fact, this is one of the stiffest non-plated shoes we've ever tested in the lab.

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The heel counter takes a different route, and we gave it a 3/5. This is a proven strategy that aligns with what most brands on the market are doing.

Now we're turning our attention to sizing up the midsole dimensions.

In the forefoot, we measured a maximum width of 114.6 mm. This generous width offers plenty of stability and ensures secure landings, even when you're running at top speeds or doing track workouts.

The heel design is not meant for heel strikers. We measured the width and found it to be quite narrow at 82.9 mm.

However, keep in mind that this shoe is designed for fast-paced racing and training, targeting midfoot and forefoot strikers. We also observed some design features aimed at reducing weight, so the focus on speed makes sense.

We anticipated the test result would be low because the shoe doesn't have a carbon plate.

In the lab, we only needed to apply 20.8N of force to bend the shoe to 90 degrees. This is one of the lowest scores we've ever recorded for a fast shoe and that's why it's so comfortable during easy runs.

Just like we did for testing midsole softness, we put the shoe in the freezer to simulate cold conditions and ran the test again. This time, we gauged that the shoe required slightly more effort, needing 26.3N of force.

This is only a 26.4% increase, which easily outshines most other shoes on the market. We're impressed to see again that ASICS has really stepped up their game by enhancing the FlyteFoam Blast formula in this latest 15th edition of the Noosa Tri.

Weighing in at just 7.7 oz or 218g, we find the Noosa Tri 15 remarkably light, especially given its focus on both comfort and durability in key areas like the outsole.

For instance, it tips the scale at exactly the same weight as the Adidas Adios Pro 3, one of the best marathon racers in the market.

The ASICS Noosa Tri line was originally designed for triathlon races, so it's gotta be breathable. Many triathletes like to race sock-free, after all!

We put the shoe through our cutting-edge breathability test, and let's just say our smoke machine and this shoe's upper are a perfect match. We gave the ventilation a 5/5 rating.

We also used our light to see how well the shoe breathes. In the toebox, we found excellent airflow, thanks to a combo of thin engineered mesh and ventilation holes. The midfoot is a bit more solid and thicker, so it's less breezy there.

To get a closer look at the toebox ventilation, we turned on our microscope.

The holes here are top-notch, designed to keep air flowing while you run. Beneath these holes, another mesh layer adds rigidity to the upper, ensuring it stays in shape.

We expected the Noosa Tri 15 to not hold up well in the durability test because of its super-thin mesh.

Sure enough, our Dremel test gave us disappointing results. It scored a 1 out of 5!

However, ASICS really wowed us by making an incredibly durable heel counter. In our second Dremel test, the shoe showed off an impressive performance by acing this challenge with a perfect 5 out of 5 score.

Now, there's a catch. Shoes designed for speedwork and racing often score well in this test because they have less padding than daily training shoes. But even with that in mind, we still think it's a standout performance.

We flipped the shoe over to examine the outsole, really curious to see if the Noosa Tri 15 could be more than just a racing shoe—a solid training partner.

In our initial test in the lab, we gauged the outsole hardness at 83.9 HC, which is actually higher than average!

ASICS really knocked it out of the park in terms of grip and durability for this shoe. They stepped it up by using their advanced AHARPLUS rubber instead of the standard AHAR. This upgraded material is usually reserved for their high-end models, like the ASICS Superblast.

In our final Dremel test, we were amazed one more time. The rubber showed only a tiny 0.6 mm indentation. For this type of shoe, that result is nothing short of incredible.

Last but not least, we were eager to find out the outsole thickness. All the earlier tests wouldn't mean much if the rubber was paper-thin, right?

Luckily, we measured a substantial 2.8 mm thickness. This promises that the shoe is built to last, easily Patta hundreds of miles with barely any wear and tear.

The tongue of the shoe is super-thin at just 1.1 mm, focusing on weight-reduction like a Formula 1 car.

Although it has minimal padding, we find it comfy enough for races and high-speed training, so we're good with this design.

The tongue is semi-gusseted, an essential feature in a triathlon-focused shoe that helps prevent any unwanted movement.

ASICS has also cleverly included a tongue tab, not just to make putting the shoe on quicker and easier, but also to improve transitions from bike to run.

ASICS decided not to include a heel tab in the Noosa Tri 15. So if you're trying to slide your foot into the shoe, you'll still probably need to use your finger to help.

Maybe they'll think about adding it next year!

We know that some triathletes like to switch out the default insole. Good news, is not glued, so you can easily make that change too!