We put the ASICS EvoRide 3 and the ASICS NOOSA Tri 14 head to head because the only real difference between them is the upper. Also, while folks like to pigeonhole the NOOSA as a triathlon shoe, they would be sadly mistaken as for our money… it looks better and has a better upper. The EvoRide 3 is still a great shoe but all its goodness can be found in the GlideRide 3, which we LOVED, and then the NOOSA Tri 14 should be your tempo and speed shoe.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
EvoRide 3
- An updated upper along with other subtle tweaks to the EvoRide 2 leads to a more comfortable and lighter version.
- Weight – 7.4oz or 210g for a US Men’s 9, 6.6oz or 187g for a US Women’s 7
- Cushion – 26mm of cushion (25mm for women) and a 5mm heel/toe drop
- Pricing – $120.00 USD
- Colors – 2 options
NOOSA Tri 14
- A spectacular breathable upper design with extended heel creates a spectacular triathlon AND everyday running shoe.
- Weight – 7.6oz or 215g for a US Men’s 9, 6.5oz or 184g for a US Women’s 7
- Cushion – 26mm of cushion (25mm for women) and a 5mm heel/toe drop
- Pricing – $130.00 USD
- Colors – 3 options
Construction and Materials
- EvoRide 3 Upper – The EvoRide 3 has an all-new upper that uses an all-new jacquard mesh along with 3d print details to improve stability.
- NOOSA Tri 14 Upper – The NOOSA uses an engineered mesh upper that wraps the foot with a soft feel and provides maximum breathability. You get two lace choices for easy on and off and an extended heel and tongue pull for quick on and off.
- Midsole – Both shoes use FlyteFoam for lightweight impact along with ASICS’ GUIDESOLE rocker that helps conserve energy by encouraging the foot through the cycle.
- Outsole – The outsole uses ASICS high abrasion rubber (AHAR)
Performance Review
What we loved
So what do we love about this shoe and how do we choose one over the other. First off, the midsole is exactly the same using their FlyteFoam Propel technology, so you can expect a firmer more up-tempo type ride from the shoe, but don’t expect too much softness or cushion on either model. Coupled with their GUIDESOLE technology, both of these models are designed to be a little more upbeat and deliver results instead of just making for an easy run.
When we get to the upper that’s when things start to get really different. The EvoRide 3 has gone with the same jacquard mesh used on GlideRide 3 and essentially is almost a carbon copy in many ways. It works remarkably better than the EvoRide 2 and just like the GlideRide 3, the upper is comfortable and in a word, okay. It isn’t necessarily game-changing but it is comfortable and for those that don’t love the spiciness of the NOOSA, in looks or feel, this will be a perfect match.
However, when we jump into the NOOSA Tri 14, we are greeted with not only a plethora of colors but more importantly a breathable mesh upper and super soft gusseted sock liner system that really improves the on-foot experience, with and without socks. The elongated heel, which the EvoRide lacks, makes on and off easier but also seems to protect your Achilles better. We also feel the NOOSA’s upper breathes better overall which means a more pleasurable run as increased airflow is always a plus for us.
What we didn’t
The thing that is lacking in those shoes is a bit of softness. With a GlideRide 3, ASICS introduced FF Blast+ to the midsole creating a dual-density design. This manifests as a much softer landing but does not affect performance. The EvoRide 3 and the NOOSA Tri 14 both need a little bit of softness so we would love to see them squeeze in just a little bit of that extra foam in there in hopes that we create a better end-to-end foot experience.
Overall Conclusion
As we said going in, we give the title to the ASICS NOOSA Tri 14. They look incredible as always but more importantly that breathable upper just performs better and is more comfortable overall. We would love to see them introduce FF Blast+ to this shoe as well because that was a game-changer in the GlideRide 3 and this could do with a little extra softness and a touch more stack. For now, the NOOSA Tri 14 is worth a look for triathletes AND runners alike.
Learn more and buy the EvoRide 3 on the ASICS website
Learn more and buy the NOOSA Tri 14 on the ASICS website
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