ASICS - TRABUCO MAX 4

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!!

Yesterday I ran a 30-mile backyard race with my wife. That put my Trabuco Max 4 mileages up to 54 in the three weeks I’ve owned them. Here are my thoughts. Having run almost exclusively in Asics shoes for the latest two years, I was very excited to test the Trabuco Max 4. As a 6'3“, 215-pound runner in my mid-thirties, I have leaned in heavily to the max cushion category. The road running I do is in large part to supplement my trail races. Having run the Novablast 3, 4, 5, and most recently Superblast 2, the first pair I ordered in my running shoe size 12m. Upon trying them on, it was apparent I'd need to size up a half size. When I received the 12.5, they fit like a traditional size 12. My first trail run in the Trabuco Max 4 was a moderate effort 17km on dry, compact dirt. First Run: The foam is firm and compliant, which I seek in a running shoe being a heavier runner. Despite the stack height, I found the ground feel to be adequate. The forefoot rocker provided a pleasant and predictable transition from forefoot to toe off. The upper did a great job breathing throughout the run. The most striking aspect of the shoe was how much it protected my legs. At no point throughout the run did I feel fatigued. This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I left the trail stoked on the shoe. That same day, after I had taken off the shoe to continue my day, I started to experience heel pain that radiated up my calf. The pain was transient; however, I would experience shooting pain on the inside of my heel. I decided the next day to use the shoe to walk the kids to the park. This time the pain was present while wearing the shoe. I isolated the point of insult, which was the tibial nerve being compressed by the foam backed by the extremely firm heel counter. When I returned home, I attempted to massage the heel counter after applying heat in the hopes that it would be easier to shape. Second Run: I went out again for another 17k trail run after it rained overnight. Sections of the trail were fairly muddy this time. Within the first mile I again experienced shooting pain midline in the heel and up the calf. I was hoping the foam in the heel would start to compact through the run alleviating some of the impingement I was experiencing. While defending I ran through a muddy section. It was there the shoe washed out over and over again. The experience was similar to trail running in road shoes. There was a total loss of grip. the last 3km I did some Tabata repeats. The pain in the heel and calf intensified as the heel counter rose up the heel during shoes compression cycles. The next few days I continued to have heel and calf pain in my left leg. Running in the Novablast and Superblast didn't illicit the same discomfort but the shooting pain would be transient throughout the day. Third Run: After some time out of the Trabuco Max 4 I opted to run on the road with a few running buddies casually for 10k. The pain presented itself again. I kept the shoes on walking my daughter to the park hoping beyond the issue was only induced if I was running. Unfortunately the discomfort persisted. Conclusion: There are so many good things going for this shoe. The user Jacquard mesh is fantastic. The foam is firm and compliant which is excellent for folks who want a more responsive shoe over longer efforts as well as heavier runners. The toe box when sized up allows for splaying of the foot over time. Yesterday I ran a 30 miles in a backyard run with my wife. During those five and a half hours all the issue I’ve identified were largely absent. There were times i could feel the heel intrude on my Achilles. However it wasn’t too such a degree that I considered swapping shoes. My thoughts after the run are that since I’m predominately stroke on my forefoot the heel of the shoe isn’t depressing dramatically enough cause issues…. Walking or driving in the shoe when there is excessive dorsal flection the shoe is intolerable. I have a 50k race in five weeks. I’m considering the new balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9. I look forward to an Trabuco Max 5 update. I really hope they lower the heel counter height and reduce its stiffness. We also need to see a shoe with longer lugs and a better lug pattern to give confidence in wet conditions. I hope Asics makes the necessary changes to this shoe. I’ll be looking forward to it!

Thank you for this. I am a bit heavier as I allude to in my last post covering the ASICS Trabuco Max 4. I am considering switching those shoes out for this Hierro V9. Your write up has me convinced.

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.

As a 230 lb. Clydesdale, I've learned that you usually can't go off of typical running shoe reviewer's thoughts on ride/squish/bounce (which are mostly done by 155 lb. gazelles). Any time I hear someone say "too stiff", "It rides like a brick" and "overly clunky", I gets me interested. The big guy crowd is pushing 50-80 additional lbs. into the pavement and shoe companies aren't accounting for this additional weight. Imagine putting 911 shocks and springs on Silverado 2500. With very few exceptions, that's what's happening when we buy the shoes with rave reviews. The Asics Trabuco Max 4 appears to be either a foam spec mistake by Asics or it is designed to soften up after a relatively high mileage #. Hoping it is former because this shoe rocks in its current form. It squishes. It bounces and it doesn't wobble. Upper is plush and well padded and the heel cup is awesome, allowing you not having to crank down the laces in order to get a good lock up. Only negative I've heard on these is that the outsole isn't very good in mud. I've been doing 4-5 mile groomed trail runs with it for the past week and it has taken the Brooks Caldera's spot as my favorite "hobby" trail shoe. If you're a bigger guy and are looking for a road-to-trail, groomed trail, gravel shoe.... Buy with confidence!

UPDATE: Had to go up a size to protect my big toes and I now have 50 miles on the new pair. These things hit their foam sweet spot at about 20-30 miles. They are now compliant and still extremely stable. Phenomenal shoe!

Asics Trabucco Max 4...I have been wearing the same shoe since version 1. Great shoe, stable, comfortable, built for narrower top of the foot with a wider toe box.

I used brooks caldera but there’s something inside that rubs and gives me brutal blisters I now use ASICS Trabuco max 4 They are good and comfy Not a fast shoe Very grippy on everything apart from wet mud, where they are dangerous

Im 5’10, 155 pounds and don’t think they are too stiff or clunky. Just finished a 100 miler and did the first 60 miles with the Trabuco Max 4. Switched back to the Trabuco Max 2 for about 20 miles, then finished the last 20 back in the 4’s. As others have said, these are pretty stable, despite the stack height. I have been through several pairs of Superblast 1 and 2 and feel like these ride and break in very similarly.

Oh you’re the dude with FOG shirt. I got the Trabuco max4 as well and going to swap out for these as well

I run in these 4 seasons. For the mud/snow seasons I have hex screws in the lugs. Makes them invincible .

Trabuco Max 4 is legit. Another great option with similar weight, stack, and drop is The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4.

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.

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.

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

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

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)