Asics gel-noosa tri 12

£120 Tri-specific classics given an even greater multisport overhaul

The Gel-Noosa Tri are probably the most famous examples of the tri-specific running shoe, and their 12th edition ramp up the multisport appeal. Tongue loops and heel hooks are both present after a long absence, while elastic laces and the ability to wear sockless are all present and correct, as are the chops to dry swiftly after the bike leg (or swim if you’re racing aquathlon). The visuals have actually been toned down in this black version (the wince-inducing Hot Pink and Flash Coral editions less so), but it’ll still look better in Hawaii than it does at the early-season Harlech Triathlon.

Onto the roads and what becomes apparent is the lean stack height and low weight (222g), the latter making them one of the lightest road racers around (only the Saucony Type A9 and Brooks Hyperion from last month’s race shoes test come in lower). A study by the former Nike coach, Jack Daniels, found that adding 100g to a shoe increases the aerobic demand of running by 1%. This equates to around 15secs compared to a 322g shoe over the 10km Olympic-distance run leg (7.5secs for sprint) that these shoes are best suited for. Combined with the transition time-saving and agility on winding courses, this makes them an option for short-course speedsters seeking every marginal gain.

A big question for another day, however, is how much the advent of the carbon-infused mega midsoles will impact the future of racing flats in triathlon. MB asics.com