New ASICS FlyteFoam shoes

ASICS has recently launched 3 new models sporting its FlyteFoam midsole technology, namely the ASICS DS Trainer 22 (replacing DS Trainer 21), ASICS Noosa FF (replacing the Noosa Tri), and the Dynaflyte which was already released last year but sees a colour update this year. 

In case you have not been up to speed on ASICS's progress with FlyteFoam, this material first debuted in the exclusive and very pricey MetaRun, which I reviewed earlier in Dec 2015. The technology made a big splash in the daily trainer category with the Dynaflyte last year, and continues to build on that with its incorporation into the DS Trainer and Noosa Tri lines. 

On a personal note, ASICS have fitted me with the Noosa FF and initial run feedback is very good. This maybe my favourite ASICS trainer to date. It's not the lightest of the new FlyteFoam shoes; that honour goes to the new DS Trainer 22, as it used the lighter FlyteFoam midsole to drop a full ounce from version 21 and making it a serious threat to New Balance's 1500v3 as a stability racer/trainer. However, the Noosa FF gives a nice bouncy ride while still having enough pop in the forefoot to allow you to pick up the pace without feeling like you are fighting the shoe. I'll continue to form my impressions as i clock more miles in the shoe, and will post up a review on this shoe real soon!






What the folks at ASICS say:

Fast for everyone with the FlyteFoam Series 

The FlyteFoam Fast Series redefines fast, giving more runners access to ASICS’ lightest-ever midsole technology, FlyteFoam.[2]. It features three shoes engineered with lightweight cushioning to deliver the feeling of speed to a wide spectrum of runners across foot pronation patterns, experience levels and running goals: 


L-R: DynaFlyte, NOOSA FF, GEL-DS TRAINER 22
- DynaFlyte (most left): The latest color iteration of DynaFlyte. Full-length FlyteFoam midsole delivers lightweight cushioning
- NOOSA FF (center): Featuring a full-length FlyteFoam midsole, breathable upper and wet grip rubber outsole
- GEL-DS TRAINER 22 (most right): A medium-high stability shoe. DYNAMIC DUOMAX support enhances stability and comfort

To help store visitors find the right shoe for their needs, ASICS flagships worldwide use FOOT ID and Gait Analysis technology to provide advice based on specific running patterns and pronation types. In-store experts also coach runners of all levels on which shoe fits their running style, and share tips on training for a customized running experience. These experts are equipped with the most up-to-date information on ASICS new releases, including the next-generation FlyteFoam series.

The NOOSA FF, GEL-DS TRAINER 22 and updated DynaFlyte are ASICS’ newest products featuring FlyteFoam, ASICS’ patented midsole technology first introduced in concept shoe MetaRun in 2015.

In conjunction with the launch of the ASICS FlyteFoam Series, ASICS invites all the run enthusiasts to join a run challenge of the year, Unlock The Fast, Saturday, 1 April 2017 and Sunday, 2 April 2017 from 11am to 8pm at SUNTEC City West Atrium (outside Sephora/ Uniqlo).  Participants must come in a group of 3. Each team member will wear one of the trial pairs from FlyteFoam Series and each individual member of the team that clocks the most mileage within 5 mins for each day gets to walk away with a pair of running shoes from the FlyteFoam Fast Series.

Introducing ASICS Pace Academy on Runkeeper

Alongside the FlyteFoam Fast Series, ASICS introduces Pace Academy, a series of Runkeeper workouts, pro tips, and inspiration from top athletes. ASICS Pace Academy will serve as a platform to help runners improve their speed. Within the Runkeeper app, workouts will be tailored to each runner’s ability, complete with audio coaching.

ASICS Pace Academy will be available on the Runkeeper app from mid-April in English and from mid-May in other languages.

All three models of the FlyteFoam Series will be available for men and women at ASICS stores and select running outlets worldwide from March 2017. The NOOSA FF will retail for 199 SGD, the GEL-DS TRAINER 22 will retail for 199 SGD and the DynaFlyte will retail for 229 SGD.

Video: Don't Run, Fly with ASICS FlyteFoam Fast Series: http://asics.tv/2lt0gIh

Join the conversation on FAST with the #FlyteFoam and #DontRunFly hashtags.
For more information on FlyteFoam, visit asics.com/FAST  




Comments

  1. Steve6 March 2017 at 20:40

    Hi,
    I noticed on another website (roadtrailrun) you briefly started a review of the Asics dynaflyte. Just wondering do you have the full review of it at all? How does the asics Noosa compare? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Derek Li7 March 2017 at 00:03

      unfortunately, i never put out a full review of that shoe, primarily because there wasn't a whole lot to add on to the first impressions review. Two main drawbacks for me:
      1) the upper is simply too warm for Singapore weather for me, and that heat really starts to build up in the shoe after the 90min mark.
      2) while the shoe worked fine up to 20km for training, i failed on several attempts to get it to survive a proper long run. I got pretty sure beyond the 90-100min mark in my quads with this shoe.
      Hence, beyond the initial review, there really wasn't much to add.
      Overall, the shoe has good durability and the characterisics of bounce and grip did not change much and i have about 300km in the shoe to date, though i hardly use it anymore as there are more ventilated options which suit me better.

      Hope this helps.

      Delete
    2. Derek Li7 March 2017 at 00:13

      as for the Noosa FF, it's a little too early to say, but it feels noticeably softer than the dynaflyte and a bit more flexible overall. The upper is also much much more ventilated (as it's a triathlon shoe). The Noosa FF is also about an ounce lighter than the Dynaflyte so that's a big bonus. I will be doing a full review of this shoe in about 2-3 weeks.

      Delete
  2. Steve7 March 2017 at 03:53

    Thanks for update. A few questions as the Dynaflyte as its on sale at the moment. I only tried the dynaflyte for about 10 minutes, It seemed quite soft to me, Nearly like Adidas ultra boost. Thoughts - I hate hard or to firm a shoe (heel and back issues)? It seem quite responsive and fast too? Better that Adidas ultraboost/or Noosa FF? Did you find did it have very good cushioning damping quality's. I do have the saucony iso 3 for long distances and like it a lot (great cushioning an responsive). I am looking for a comfortable short distance shoe (up to 10kmh)?. Where I live it averages 20-30 c (70-90) and low humidity. Would the dynaflyte be okay for those climates, distances and is it comfortable? Why didn't it last for along runs?
    How would it compare to the saucony, Adidas boost, Brooks Glycerin, many thanks.
    Cheers
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Derek Li7 March 2017 at 05:59

      Honestly I felt that the initial softness is from the ortholite insole, and does go away once the insole beds in. For your running conditions and distance aims, I think the new Kinvara 8 (or an old Kinvara 5/6 if you can find them) or even the Adidas Boston 6 (not Boston 5) would be a better option. The Brooks Pureflow is also a possibility if you are looking for closeout deals.

      Delete
  3. cal9 March 2017 at 23:08

    Hi. I recently did a half ironman in the DynaFlyte. It was a hot humid day and I was using a lot of sponges to cool down at the water tables. These did a good job at cooling me down but it meant my feet were squelching in sopping wet shoes for almost the entire 21k's (this did alleviate the excessive heat I feel in the shoe as your review states). My question is... do you feel that the Noosa FF will be able to get rid of water quicker than the DynaFlyte (especially in the to box)? Are there water drainage holes etc? Also, what is the difference in cushioning between the two (mm's)? thanks very much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Derek Li10 March 2017 at 00:22

      The upper is definitely more ventilated. I can actually feel my feet cooling when running into a breeze. I did not see any drain holes in this model. The insole does have perforations but I'm not sure that helps a lot with getting rid of excess water. I can tell you the upper material should retain very little water.
      Thickness wise, both shoes are quite similar, except the NoosaFF has a 10mm drop while the Dynaflyte is 8mm. I do find the Noosa softer in the forefoot than the Dynaflyte, at least for now. I only have about 35km in the shoes so far.

      Delete
    2. cal13 March 2017 at 00:53

      Thanks for the reply Derek! Very helpful. I am going to use the DynaFlyte as a training shoe and will get the Noosa FF for races. Thanks

      Delete
  4. Steve12 March 2017 at 06:13

    Thanks for the feedback, where I live we don't have the humidity of singapore and have generally cooler weather too. The old original color of dynaflyte is on sale at the moment (considerably cheaper). I was told a couple days ago by someone who has tried both and they said they found the dynaflyte is a slightly faster shoe than the Noosa with similar comfort level and the dynaflyte upper a bit hotter -is that correct. Did you find similar in softness level in the heal. I could imagine if both models midsole is all flytefoam it would have similar softness and response and performance levels. Any feedback would be helpful. Are both have similar cushion levels. Sorry to ask all these questions. Thanks in advance. Steve

    ReplyDelete
  5. Steve12 March 2017 at 06:25

    A couple more questions - Did you find the dynaflyte a nice soft shoe to run in or more on the firm side. The reasons I am interested in the Dynaflyte is a brief run I went in them (nice comfortable) and budget reasons(Nearly 30% off). Thanks. Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Derek Li12 March 2017 at 18:18

      I found the Dynaflyte to be more of an uptempo type of shoe.
      Just did a long run with the Noosa FF over the weekend, and I am now very sure that the Noosa is softer both in forefoot and heel. I could not tolerate the Dynaflyte for more than 20km at training paces.
      Of course, softness and firmness are all quite relative. If you felt that dynaflyte was soft enough as a short run shoe for you then it should work fine. Both Dynaflyte and Noosa FF are firmer than the Triumph.
      I did try the Dynaflyte with different insoles and it didn't make much of a difference to the heat build-up, more of a slight change in the ride. The gel insole made the shoe a little firmer.
      Also, the same foam can be tuned to different firmness levels, and it often is too. So two shoes using the same "Flytefoam" or "powergrid" or "Solyte" or "BioMoGo" EVA can all feel very different, so you can't really assume two shoes will be similar just because they use the same midsole material unfortunately.

      Delete
  6. Steve13 March 2017 at 06:45

    Thanks Derek very helpful especially since you own both shoes. Just so I understand the two main issues you found one was the overheating issue and secondly to firm ? over 20kmh - is that correct. Interesting some comments I've read said its fairly soft and I think you made a comment that some may find it a little soft for uptempo work (under initial impressions).

    So you found the Dynaflyte a more uptempo shoe than the Noosa - more responsive?
    Out of interest how would you compare the saucony triumph iso 3 to the Asics Noosa for comfort, response, breathability etc. Sorry for all the questions as I trying to make a decision this week - many thanks for putting up with all my questions.
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  7. Steve13 March 2017 at 06:47

    Thanks Derek very helpful especially since you own both shoes. Just so I understand the two main issues you found with the Dynaflyte was one was the overheating issue and secondly to firm ? over 20kmh - is that correct. Interesting some comments I've read said its fairly soft and I think you made a comment that some may find it a little soft for uptempo work (under initial impressions).

    So you found the Dynaflyte a more uptempo shoe than the Noosa - more responsive?
    Out of interest how would you compare the saucony triumph iso 3 to the Asics Noosa for comfort, response, breathability etc. Sorry for all the questions as I trying to make a decision this week - many thanks for putting up with all my questions.
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Derek Li13 March 2017 at 08:27

      I found the shoe to beat me up a bit past the 20km mark. I can't run at 20kmh for more than 1 minute or two. Yes, in the initial impressions I thought it might be too soft for uptempo work, but after putting more miles in, the shoe started to lose the initial softness and got a bit firmer and more responsive.
      So in summary yes, the main gripes are the overheating and the firmness.
      Yes the Dynaflyte is firmer and more responsive than the Noosa in all aspects, however the Noosa is also lighter than the Dynaflyte so it ends up being pretty close if you are looking for an uptempo type of shoe.

      I only have the Triumph ISO2. The Triumph upper is generally more stretchy and comfortable, though not as breathable as the Noosa. The Triumph is significantly softer across the board than the Noosa, and less responsive as a result.

      Delete
  8. Steve13 March 2017 at 23:24

    Thanks for the clarification. :)
    Is it the inner sole that got firmer or the sole of the shoe. I know my saucony iso 3 softened up after a few runs. I would of thought shoes tend to go a little softer over time when they get worn in but I maybe wrong. :) Steve

    Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Derek Li13 March 2017 at 23:38

      I believe it was the insole that lost its softness.
      Some shoes get softer after a few runs; that's the breaking in process, and not all shoes undergo breaking in.
      After 30-40 runs, the same shoe can get firmer and feel more dead; that's the midsole wearing out, and will happen eventually for all EVA foams.
      I did not put in that many runs to wear out the Dynaflyte, so i think it was more of the insole losing its cushioning, though i did try several other insoles, without getting back much of the initial softness of the shoe.

      Delete
  9. Steve14 March 2017 at 05:21

    I am looking forward to the Noosa review, has it lost some its softness after a few runs, is it the same insole as the Dynaflyte. Any negatives on the Noosa so far.

    Would you say the Noosa is just a touch softer or considerable softer than the Dynaflyte. Cushioning/shock absorbing levels similar ?

    The Saucony Iso 3 , I found more responsive than the Nike Vomero 12 and a bit more than the Saucony iso 2 especially if you are a heal striker, large slab of everrun in the heal to the midfoot. A little more comfortable too and softer in the heal. Maybe check it out one day :)
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Derek Li14 March 2017 at 05:29

      No the insole is different. Noosa uses a perforated ASICS insole. Dynaflyte used an Ortholite insole, although i've tried the Dynaflyte with Brooks and ASICS insoles without a whole lot of improvement.

      I would say the Noosa is considerably softer. Closer maybe to a Saucony Kinvara (any model other than 7) or a Nike Pegasus 33.

      Delete
    2. Derek Li14 March 2017 at 05:30

      I was wary to try more Triumphs, as at that weight, i would rather go full maximal and get a Hoka Vanquish or Clifton.

      Delete
  10. Steve14 March 2017 at 15:56

    Thanks for all your help. Have a good day.
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  11. Steve15 March 2017 at 05:40

    Might check out both tomorrow at the shops. The noosa, so far would you say its a good allrounder or more a long distance or short distance shoe. Any weaknesses you have picked up so far. Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Derek Li15 March 2017 at 07:49

      I would say the Noosa is a very good all-rounder. As for weaknesses, the upper is a bit stiff, especially around the ankle but it's not a big deal. I like stretchy less structured uppers in general, but that's more of a personal preference.

      Delete
  12. Steve16 March 2017 at 05:13

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Steve16 March 2017 at 05:21

    I checked both of them out today (Asics Noosa and Dynaflyte).
    Had a short run in each. The Noosa was certainly cooler than the dynaflyte, it was quite roomy too and very light and quite responsive. However I found it a bit to firm underfoot, as you said the upper was a bit stiff too. I also found it pushed my feet out a bit and I didn't quite feel as stable on them. I also tried the dynaflyte, to me it felt softer more comfortable to run in, responsive and more stable. It did feel they were only slightly heavier and a little warm to run in. I put my gel insoles in and that helped a bit with the heat, at least underfoot it felt less warm which gave it more comfort overall. I did also try the Adidas supernova 9, and they were nice and soft and bouncy but the Dynaflytes seem lighter, more responsive and more comfortable upper. I bought the Dynaflytes on a special sale (30% off). I liked the noosa but it just didn't suit my feet on this occasion. The Dynfalytes will be hopefully be good for shorter runs and the Saucony ios 3 the longer runs. Many thanks answering all my questions and for been patient with me in the whole process. All the best
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown13 June 2017 at 03:18

    Thanks for the clarification.
    Is it the inner sole that got firmer or the sole of the shoe. I know my saucony iso 3 softened up after a few runs. I would of thought shoes tend to go a little softer over time when they get worn in but I maybe wrong.
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    ReplyDelete
  15. Unknown5 September 2018 at 07:30

    Would like more infos on gel ds 22-23 pls. My mates in the UK uses them for half and the London marathons, are they meant for doing the full Monty? My thoughts were they just for 10 - 21 kms max. I'm just a novice runner just getting into long distance running. Esp ultras.

    ReplyDelete

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