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.

Asics Trabuco (non max!) is stable and similar to your Kayano's. I personally like Nike Zegama 2's as well they are very comfortable and very stable. In trails shoes you are just looking for stable shoes, pronation correction doesn't really exist there. Only really bad shoe I ever had was the Trabuco Max 3, very high stack + very soft. For that same reason you might want to stay away from the Mafate 5

I just put 500+ miles on my Asics Max Trabucco 3 through the mountains and where my go tos for post Helene trail clean up and I got to say, those babies are indestructible.. the only thing I tore up towards the last 80mi was the back of the heel part/material, which could have been avoided and even now still repaired with some heel patches. I’m now running with Topo Ultraventure 4 because I needed a wider toe box option. These only have a little over 30mi on them so I can’t speak to the quality just yet. I can’t speak as to how these may fit you but the quality/comfort of the Max Trabucco is definitely on point.

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.

Great review. I also wrote a review after 50 miles in the Trabuco max 4. The TLDR version of that review that can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/RunningShoeGeeks/comments/1l6uycl/asics_trabuco_max_4/) was the heel counter position was boarder line intolerable. I’ve since picked up a pair of the previous TM3. I’ll be racing an ultra in them this weekend. I’ll do another write up comparing the 4 to the 3 after.

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 quite enjoy Saucony Ride TR, but even regular Rides are fine. Asics Fujitrabuco max are nice too.

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 3 - Long trail, less technical (third pair, love these shoes) Saucony Peregrine 14 - Trail VJ MAXx2 - Mountain Heat gear - Rabbit Delector 2.0 sun hoodie, Janji Sun Chaser hoodie, Rabbit Ice Rad-Dana, Outdoor Research arm sleeves, Fractel Legionnaire Sun Hat.

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

Ran a 33k in the desert and rocky terrain with these. My feet felt totally fine after. Super cushioned and comfortable on the flatter sections. The overall size and width of the base can be a bit tricky in the more technical or scramble-necessary areas. Overall, really love them. Compared to Mount to Coast T1 they are like plush Cadillac rides, but less precise. Compared to Trabuco Max 3, they are even more plush and actually a bit more nimble in feel.

How does Trabuco Max 4 fit? I have the Max 3 and went TTS with my purchase. It feels quite snug in the toe box to the point my toes rub a bit on the bumper, even after 250+ km of use. I figured it would shape in a bit, but that clearly didn’t happen.

That is my summation of the Max 3, as well. The rocker definitely seems to shorten the shoe a bit. Thanks for the review and feedback!

Nice! I’ve done some 32+ km runs in the 3 without major issue. The shoe, much like the Max 4, seems to be a bit snug in the toe box. Once you get over that, though, it’s pretty serviceable for flatter trails. The tight toe box really does bother me on downhills, though.

ASICS Trabuco Max 3 and 4 are the best trail shoes from ASICS. Venture is entry level trail shoe.