ASICS - Trabuco Max 2

My personal thoughts about the three. I am far from being an expert and these are just my impressions :-) - Fuji Lite 4: my favourite when it comes to shorter runs. Snappy, light and fun shoe, with great feeling on the foot. I think their limit is probably (for me) around 15/20k runs. - Trabuco 12: It's the shoes that "convinced" me to move from Hoka to Asics. Light, very well-rounded shoe, with the right amount of cushioning. However, it lacked in my opinion a bit of stability (especially on the arches) and is quite "flat". Often I ended up hoping it would give me some more energy in return. I absolutely loved the sole. The drop, in my opinion, is right on point. - Trabuco 13: Honestly, it feels like a brand new shoe rather than an evolution of the 12. I feel the whole geometry of the shoe has changed, while keeping the same drop. It is a glove, with a more comfortable toe box, great feeling on the foot overall and tremendous improvement on the two things that I felt the 12 missed the most, stability and energy return. All this while keeping a great cushioning. They also changed the geometry of the sole, making it slightly more flat at the center. Very impressed with them. Overall, I am very satisfied of all three and they are in my rotation. As someone said in the comments, I am absolutely impressed by the durability overall: coming from Hokas, where the sole was gone super quickly (disappointingly), it is a huge improvement. I ran the entire summer of 2024 in the Trabuco 12 and the lugs are still in great conditions. I am a fan of Vibram soles, and probably the Asics' is the only proprietary sole at the same level but (at least in my experience) with a much much better durability. I also tried the Trabuco Max 2 and hated them to the guts (😅) but I am planning to try the new Trabuco Max 4 at some point. However, I think the Trabuco 13 are the sweet spot between comfort and performance.

Came here to comment exactly this. I'm 6'2", 190lb (188cm/87kg). Daily trail runner in Switzerland, running 70-80km/week. I have the Trabuco Max 2 and Max 3. Version 4 is the most recent launch. By far the most comfortable trail shoes I've ever owned. They just work perfectly for me. Have over 1000km in the 3's, so super durable too. Also own Hoka Stinson 6 (bit soft), Brooks Caldera 6 (too firm, never softened up), Altra Olympus 6 (midsole felt dead from the start) and Nike Wildhorse 7 (most comfortable upper of any shoe but midsole a bit thin) but none are as good for me as the Trabuco Max.

Same experience here in Max 2. Had to go half size up due to sharp taper at big toe. Thanks for asking the question.

I mostly run with Asics trabuco max shoes, max stack, very technical terrain mostly, I have only rolled my ankle once because of the socks, lightweight or kinda sleek socks makes your feet roll inside the shoe, if you get some nice thicker rough socks you wont have rolling ankle problems, or much less

yeah I have a pair, had the Trabuco max 2 and after 400km they became a little soft and floppy, bought this pair above Tmax4, great shoe for 5km to 50km, haven't done more, we only have rocky trails and the Tmax4 fly over the rocks, does great on pavement as well, have a bit more go forward than the Tmax2 and stiffer. Great shoes!!

Love my Trabuco max 2, done quite a few 25-50ks in them now and they haven’t let me down.

I love this but you need good ankles to manage the high stack height on anything uneven. And I wouldn’t say it is S tier like the SB is on road

ASICS Trabuco Max 2. Lovely plush upper with good lockdown, infinite cushioning, a rocker that just keeps you going, and the best outsole money can buy.

I absolutely love the Trabuco max. I have a connective tissue disorder so these shoes help me stay injury free. Right now I’m rocking the 2s but I’m gonna get the 4s this month! For an everyday shoe with the same kind of support, try the Nimbus, they have the same foam.

Ran my first 100miler in a pair of Trabuco Max 2 and absolutely loved them. So much comfort

I’ve done race to the stones twice. First time in Speedgoat 6 - which I hated and I pulled out at 50k due to foot issues. Went back the next year and did 100k in Trabuco Max 2.

Great review! How did you find the heel counter? Did it bother you at all? I have the Trabuco Max 2 and quite like it, but find it bothers my heels with blistering a bit.

I’m still running in the Catamount 3. Great shoe for <50km or less. Haven’t tried the Caldera but would gladly give them a go once I decide to retire my Trabuco Max. Sadly, can’t seem to get them to fit very well but also keep forcing myself to run in them.