ASICS - Trabuco Max 3

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.

You can probably find decent all rounders to do this, Brooks Cascadia or ASICS Trabuco. Personally if it’s over half marathon with 10k or more on road I’ll favour comfort over grip and just be prepared to slip around a bit, and will use my Trabuco Max.

You can probably find decent all rounders to do this, Brooks Cascadia or ASICS Trabuco. Personally if it’s over half marathon with 10k or more on road I’ll favour comfort over grip and just be prepared to slip around a bit, and will use my Trabuco Max.

Another fan here although I prefer the max. So good for long mixed trails with some hard road sections

Brooks Cascadia, ASICS Trabuco, TNF vector enduris 3, all good all rounder trail shoes. Look for deals, avoid altra unless you know that you want zero drop.

Butting in to say I just got the ASICS Trabuco Max 3 and I absolutely love them! Just switched over from the Brooks Calderas.

If you like cushioned trail running shoes, Asics Trabuco Max 3. Very good traction also on muddy paths and wet grass, but you need to get used to have less ground feel. Which for me is good because I run mainly on gravel and rocky paths, yet not very technical. They have a narrow toe box though, I had to size up by a whole size.

With a current weight range from 70-75 kg I'm considered on the heavier side for women running shoes, giving a pass to all shoes classified for "lighter" runners. But most reviews for "heavier" runners the description of soft/firmness or bounciness aren't always relatable either. I got last year the Trabuco Max 3, as my legs did well with medium to max cushion shoes on the road and where I live the trails aren't very technical anyway. I run mostly on dry gravel/rocky trails and some muddy conditions I winter. I was surprised how stable those shoes are, soft yet bouncy and really fun running downhill too with a good grip on gravel. I'm surprised you say that the Max 4 aren't doing well on mud, as the Max 3 perform quite well.

ASICS Trabuco Max 3, Hoka Tecton X3, and Adidas Agravic speed ultra are three of my favorite trail shoes right now.

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.

I’m on my second pair of max 3s. One of my favorite shoes of all time. Comfortable and last 100 more miles than others I’ve tried recently. I think I saw the winner of the Cocodona 250, Dan Green, was wearing these during some of the race.

ASICS Trabuco Max line is legit. Dan Green wore them for Cocodona 250. Trabuco Gel is good also for slightly more technical terrain.

Nike Zegama 2, Nike Wildhorse 8, Asics Trabuco Max 3. I see a lot of you running in the Topo Ultraventures. How do they compare to the shoes in my rotation?

I have the Asics Trabuco Max 3s, which I jokingly call my clown shoes because that’s exactly how they feel! I’m constantly stubbing them on branches, rocks, and gravel, and it’s like the lugs are magnets for anything they could possibly trip over. I only wear them when I have to. Just to make it more dufficult for you; I’m a big fan of the Nike Zegama 2! They’re my go-tos! I also like the Nike Wildhorse 8. They’re not as cushioned, but they’re total workhorses.

I'm also in the market for a mid-stack technical runner with a rocker. I have had some nerve pain and went with a ASICS Trabuco Max 3, which really helped get rid of the pain but the stack and fit aren't great for anythng remotely technical. The one I'm really looking forward to is the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro (comes out in a week or so). It looks like it has more rocker than the Zegama 2, which are also on my list to try if the Prodigio Pros don't work.

I have the Trabuco Max V3 and the Hierro V9 and also the NB More Trail V3. I'm also a heavy runner with shoe size US13 and of these 3 shoes I like the More Trail V3 the most!

Yes, I'd say so and although I find the trabuco max v3 quite ok the sizing is very odd. The more trail fits me perfect and I even bought another pair when it was on sale.

Nike Zegama 2 has a sticky Vibram sole and is frequently on sale and widely available. Asics Trabuco Max 2 / 3 also has good grip and is comfortable. Both can be run in on and off pavement. Both are comfortable enough to wear for casual use.

Zegama 2 is firm, fresh foam more is firm, speedgoat is firm. I have tried them all and they might be softer than an old style trail shoe, but definitely not soft shoes. The softest I have tried so far is ASICS trabuco max 2&3 But I would love to find a similar or softer and bouncy trail shoe, like Neo vista but for door to trail type shoes.

The trabuco max 2&3 had exceptional grip. Probably a combination of rubber+lug pattern+depth. Dunno why Asics changed it for the 4 iteration, but they NEED to bring it back before I run through my stock of Max 2s. I also tend to agree with those who say that FFBlast+ eco does not live up to the FFBlast+ plushness and liveliness, based on thumbpressing the 3&4 side by side, and having more than 200 race miles on the 2s.

The agravic ultra isn't everyday the speed could be. The real everyday trailshoe is the trabucco max 2 / 3 Absolute can do all shoe, if you're used to high stack, even technical. Except the bloody tecton x 3 if got most of the shoes mentioned in this thread

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

The trabucco max has a decent toe box width! I was pleasantly surprised!

Have you thought about Asics Trabuco Max or Brooks Caldera 8? Those are good high stack options and also stable with good grip. Seems to check some of your boxes. Another shoe you may want to keep an eye out for releasing later this summer is the La Sportiva Prodigio MAX. Prodigio Pro is great, but I'm sure the MAX will be really good, more specifically for bigger runners.

Same, except I tried on some trail shoes and was incredibly unimpressed. The Gel Trabuco Max felt as if the insole/midsole was completely flat. Zero arch or other support. Coming from the Nimbus 27 this was a shock. Especially for a $160 trail shoe. I think that price range should automatically include Vibram rubber too.

Asics trabuco max. Ran a trail marathon in them and they were amazing. They are a 5mm drop tho

I found the Trabuca Max to be a bit stiff. I ended up loving the Solomon S/lab Ultra Glide as it has dreamy cushion. It's a very high end running shoe with a matching price tag. I suspect many would consider it overkill for trail walking, but i like it for both.

I've got these (the 2s). They are big and squishy.

Agree with others. This is a bit heavy and stiff but cheap. For a generalist trail shoe, look at the Trabuco. For a more Ultra Shoe, the Trabuco Max. For trail racing shoes, Meta Fuji and Fuji Lite. I ran an Ultra in the Trabuco Max 2, was perfect.

Agree with others. This is a bit heavy and stiff but cheap. For a generalist trail shoe, look at the Trabuco. For a more Ultra Shoe, the Trabuco Max. For trail racing shoes, Meta Fuji and Fuji Lite. I ran an Ultra in the Trabuco Max 2, was perfect.

The Trabuco Max series is aimed at Ultra Distances on hard trails and small road sections. They are a bit heavy as a result but if you're ok with the added weight over the non-max versions they are excellent. I've run in various generations of this shoe and found it a please to run in from short runs to Ultra Marathon. The lugs are fairly low profile by trail shoe standards. Due to that, very soft mud and wet conditions they are not good for.

I have loose ankle ligaments. My lowest drop trail shoe, the MTN Racer, is what what I’ve rolled my ankle in the most. My highest stack, Trabuco Max, I’ve rolled it the least. Not saying lower = more rolls, but I don’t think you’ll a big improvement with lower drop. Ankle strength work, ankle brace or wrap

Asics Trabuco Max would be my thought. They’re not great in the mud, but they’re perfectly usable and they are very well cushioned. Or what about the Nike Zegama 2? Vibram sole, loads of ZoomX so should work.

Try the asics Trabuco Max, they’re well cushioned but the cushion is on the firm side that may suit a heavier runner.

Have a the asics range, the Trabuco and Trabuco Max have been my go to UK trail shoe. They’re not brilliant on mud, but for rocky and hard packed trails they’re brilliant.

Have a the asics range, the Trabuco and Trabuco Max have been my go to UK trail shoe. They’re not brilliant on mud, but for rocky and hard packed trails they’re brilliant.

I’ve had good luck with asics Trabuco’s. I’m in Arizona that’s mega sharp and rocky.

I like Vibram a lot, any shoe with a Megagrip outsole will have enough traction for me. But I have found that it is not the end all be all anymore. Asicsgrip is stickier than Vibram and extremely durable on top. It's amazing stuff, really. Asics' trail lineup is not that big, but they have some really interesting models and a great allrounder in the Trabuco.

Well I guess that depends on what we call technical and individual adaptation to that technical terrain. I prefer Asics trabucos for this type of terrain, closer to the ground, more grip o wet rock and not soft. I live inside the Zegama course, for this type of terrain AP5 works great for nearly all the course. But if going more rocky high altitude terrain I prefer the Asics. Haven't tried any of the shoes you mention to compare, sorry. All in all, they are a nice shoe for putting km on.

I use Asics trabuco. As gripy as vibrams megagrip if not more, quite close to the ground and not too soft. It also works well for long outings. I guess anything that fits well and is similar would work for me.

I focus on trail running during the summer months, and last June, I picked up a pair of Merrell Agility Peak 5 — and absolutely fell in love with them. In 2022 and 2023, I ran in both the Salomon Ultra Glide and the Asics Trabuco, which are excellent trail shoes in their own right. However, the Merrells stood out offering great comfort and protection over long distances. They’re a fantastic all-around choice though they are a bit on the heavy side. Looking ahead to 2025, I’ve been considering the Saucony Xodus, as I’ve heard great things about them and am eager to see how they compare.

The sole material on the Trabuco is some of the grippiest material I’ve tried.

Asics Trabuco and Pegasus trail 4.

ASICS Trabuco for everything! I used them on a 63k/4500m and a 44k/2000m ultra and never thought about my feet. My current training pair has 1100k and still no sign of breaking down.

ASICS Trabuco

Trabuco is comfy, good grip. Big stack height if you like that. Haven’t tried the Cascadia but I have the caldera. I’m guessing similar to the cascadia but with more cushion. I like it, fits my foot well. Good grip and still comfy

Everything is perfect on them, only issue I have is lockdown. When going downhill I always tie my shoes more than usual, and the tongue of the Trabuco doesn’t protect my foot from lace pinching.

That's pretty good. Thanks for letting me know. I tried out Asics Trabuco for their delicious boying-boing (lol), but sadly the change in heel drop made it feel like I was running in heels. Not a good plan.

Asics have decent ones too, I had Trabucos for a while, they were great but the lack of protection sucks when you're a defender

People are sleeping on ASICS Tribuco. I’ve bought 2 pairs and done a few ultras. The ASICS rubber is wildly grippy

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)