ASICS - NOVABLAST 3 TR

if you are in asics n like asics fit, maybe Fuji n Trabuco also something you should look into. for my light gravel, i have Novablast3 TR, n sometimes also got away with Adizero SL2. but my long distance trail shoes are Torrent2, Speedgoat5, XodusUltra2 n just newly acquired EndorphinRift. among my lineup, SG5 probably overkill for something under 30km. for Salomon, most reviewer would highlight about its narrowness. take note

for hybrid n the trail being just dirt n light gravel n dont involve stream crossing/wet sections or damp roots or singletrack high grass, i have Novablast3TR n Adizero SL2 for the job. Yeah, the adizero lacking lugs, but decently grippy on rocks. it really depends on trail types, sometimes you can still get away with your runner (n best to straight get true trail shoe straight n not get hybrid for another pair)

Suggestion: buy 2 shoes, get older models on sale to mitigate the cost. I put 600 miles on Novablast 4s (1st pair short, on 3rd pair) and have 138 on Trabuco Max 4s. Lugs on pavement are harsh and slow, and the shoes really are meant to do different things. Taking the Trabuco Max's on a road run is something I would not voluntarily do. They are not so great off-road either, the softness of the stack and shape makes descending hard on the ankles. I take the Novablasts on dirt sometimes (gravel, sand in golden gate park or candlestick) and they work (fine in wet, that seems to be an internet myth) you just have to slow down. But on real trails you will mess up your ankles and/or crash, same with the TR thick-soled versions of other Asics shoes (tried TR novablast 3s and nimbuses). Besides being slow and harsh, the downside of lugs on pavement is premature wear - the roads grind the lugs down and the cost-savings of using one shoe disappear. I have a local loop that I do weekly that takes 3-4 miles of roads to get to a mix of gravel, dirt, roots and rocks (10-17 miles total), and there doesn't seem to be a good shoe compromise. The Saucony Endorphin Rift model (400+ miles on 2 pairs) was pretty good on the roads after 100-150 miles with worn lugs, but the lockdown for technical trails wasn't great.

I kept the Fujilites, speeds where too curved for me, like I was falling over every step. Probably good for speed/race though. Unfortunatly I tore the elastics holding the lip pretty soon. Returned them under guarantee and bought Asics Novablast TR. Love them honestly but not sure how they hold up on slippery terrain yet.

I have these but pretty weak on any serious trail. Great for grade 1/2 type trails and on the road when it’s wet.

Terra 2. I prefer these over the chunkyer Trabuco max. Worth a go if ASICS shoes suit you. I use Novablast TR on the streets and lighter trails

Leadville is fairly non-technical so you should be alright. The Novablast TR would be a slightly better option. Just get some trail runs in with them and make sure you’re comfortable.

Nike Zegama 2, Nike Ultrafly, Asics Novablast TR.

Yeah I mean they’re not designed for serious trails, but have a nice bit of extra traction and feel just as comfy as a road shoe on the pavement.