Adidas Adizero SL2 vs ASICS Noosa Tri 16
On paper, compared with the Adidas Adizero SL2, the ASICS Noosa Tri 16 is 23 g lighter, 4.1 mm less drop, 2.2 mm less heel stack, ₹7,000 cheaper, Ride −0.5.
My take
Neither has much midfoot stability, so skip both if you pronate. SL2 is the winner with Lightstrike Pro foam, from short runs up to 4 km racing. Noosa Tri 16 is best for 5 km to 21 km racing at 4–6 min/km.
 AdidasAdizero SL2 |  ASICSNoosa Tri 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall | 8.00 | 7.17 |
| Ride | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| Design & Comfort | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Value | 8.5 | 7.0 |
| Price | ||
| Price | ₹12,000 | ₹5,039 |
| Specs | ||
| Category | Versatile trainer | Tempo |
| Weight | 240 g | 217 g |
| Heel stack | 35 mm | 32.8 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 25 mm | 26.9 mm |
| Drop | 10 mm | 5.9 mm |
| Foam | Lightstrike Pro sandwiched in Lightstrike | FF Blast Plus |
| Plate | – | – |
| Fit | ||
| Support | neutral | neutral |
| Fit | standard | narrow |
| Sizing | go up half | – |
| Recommended runner weight | Up to about 90 kg | Up to about 90 kg |
| Best for | ||
| Best for | Easy runsLong runsTempoRace day | Tempo |
| Pros | Full-length Lightstrike Pro core with real energy return · Softer than expected, fun and pushes the pace · Very light, about 240 g at US 9 · Highly breathable engineered mesh · Good traction, expected 500 to 800 km · Covers easy, long, tempo, track and race days · Excellent value at ₹6,000 to ₹8,000 | Highly energetic FF Blast Plus foam · Very light at 220 g · Light, breathable upper · Good lacing and a decent heel counter · Durable, high-traction outsole · Outstanding value at ₹6,000 or less |
| Cons | Narrow heel and midfoot cut-out reduce stability · Moderate heel lockdown and padding · Tongue not gusseted · Not for very slow running or heel strikers · Felt narrow at first, he went half a size up · Not worth ₹12,000 retail | Low stability for weak or unstable ankles · Snug, narrow fit with limited toe box space · Aggressive rocker for fast running, not for absolute beginners |
| Avoid if | Avoid it if you are a heel striker, run very slowly, or need stability or ankle support. | Avoid it, or try it in a store first, if you are a beginner, overpronate, need ankle stability, have narrow-fit issues or dislike rockers. |
My verdicts
Adidas
Adizero SL2
If you want one shoe for all your training and racing from 5 km to the half marathon, the Adizero SL2 is highly recommended at ₹7,000 to ₹8,000. I would not buy it at the ₹12,000 retail price.
Avoid if: Avoid it if you are a heel striker, run very slowly, or need stability or ankle support.
Read reviewASICS
Noosa Tri 16
The Noosa Tri 16 is the most underrated ASICS shoe and my best value-for-money shoe of 2025; at the ₹6,000 I paid, I see no negatives. It suits fast runners with strong, stable ankles, not absolute beginners.
Avoid if: Avoid it, or try it in a store first, if you are a beginner, overpronate, need ankle stability, have narrow-fit issues or dislike rockers.
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