ASICS - FujiSpeed 2

The GEL-Venture is sort of the low-end of the ASICS trail shoe lineup. They're relatively heavy, firm and stiff and don't feel great. Much better option is the Fuji Speed 2: much lighter, much tackier grip, and better cushioning (and I think currently on sale for under $100)

I love the Fuji Speed 2, feel like metaspeed edge+ with grip 👌

I think it also depends on the geometry. Tecton X2, X3, Fujispeed 2, Fujitrabuco Max 3, Endorphin Edge or Metafuji all have carbon plates but they don’t feel as propulsive as most road super shoes I’ve ran in (certainly not as many! Endorphin Pro, Endorphin Speed and Metaspeed Sky). In fact, Asics shoes are probably the least carbon-plate-feeling shoe, and not in a bad way. The Terrex ASU is the only exception.

VJ iRock, VJ Xtrm, Nnormal Tomir 2, in the order of most grip/precision to less, but least comfort to more comfort. Asics Fujispeed 2/3 could also work but they’re not the best in mud. I’ve done up to 50K/3980m in VJ Xtrm some years back.

excited for the prototype aswell. the metafuji has been flying under the radar as has have fujispeeds, which are my go to for shorter stints.

oddly, I find the Topo MTN Racer very unstable as an overpronator. I collapse more in that shoe than any other trail shoe I've owned (other than the FujiSpeed).

S-tier: Asicsgrip. Tested it on mossy wet rocks by the waterfall. Beats megagrip

Asicsgrip is amazing. I have a pair of old Fujilyte 2 to walk the dog and these MFs still stick to the ground as fairly new. I've done super fast series on technical terrain where at first I would've swear I was about to kill myself but nope. On the other hand I have always Found LaSportiva Akasha awesome, I guess the rest of the lineup will be similar regarding the proper sole/terrains intended. Once you've run a few miles to get rid of that "new sole coating" they move incredible. Less over wet rock/soils but very nice anyways, slipped just two or three times in a +1000kms distance span.

For me in wet terrain with rocks, the best is Asicsgrip (6). After that, probably Vibram (tried in Hoka and Nike shoes), Contagrip in Salomon Speedcross 4 and Continental in various Adidas models. Here, some variation between them (for example, Continental in Adidas Terrex Two Flow is better than in Adidas Terrex Agravic Flow 2.0 (so a 4 for them). After those, probably the outsole by La Sportiva (in Jackal model) and various Nike outsoles (Kiger 8, Wildhorse 6, Pegasus 4 TR) in wet terrain (btw, in mid Spring to mid Autumn, Nike are pretty nice shoes here)