ASICS - TRABUCO MAX 4

S-tier: Asicsgrip. Tested it on mossy wet rocks by the waterfall. Beats megagrip

I love my Trabuco Max 4s and Novablast 5s.

I recommend La Sportivia Prodigio Pro, North Face Enduris 4, Hoka Challenger 8(gravel), Asics Trabuco Max

I’ve ran shorter trail races in asics trabuco 12, and I do my runs in a nimbus 27. I would actually recommend a trabuco max 4 if you can try it in a store. I tried it recently and still debating if I should get it for my race next year(half marathon tho not a 50k, i’m not that brave like you lol)

With trail runners you're going to protect your feet more if you're hiking a trail where you are navigating big rocks and tree stumps, etc. Think less stubbed toes and less time removing debris etc . I think overall, you'll be able to hike more trails with trail runners. You can always strap your Sandals onto your day pack for water crossing or for the option. I know a lot of people like the Altras. I've owned four different pairs of ASICS Trabucos. The best thing to do is to go to a store and try them all on because everybody's feet are different. Ps. Get yourself some affordable dirty girl gaiters to keep debris from entering your shoes and you'll be set!

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.

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!!

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.

Mafate speed 4 is actually 7mm in runrepeat test. I have a pair, and they don't feel as other 4mm drop shoes I use. OP, you could try Asics trabucos. They are 8mm, go for 12th versión, 13th upper is trash

Asics trabucos work for me in highly technical terrain. Enough cushion but still quite stiff, not very high and wide fit. Trabuco 13s upper is not good, it breaks really easy, I'm in my second pair and I won't get more than 400km from any of them (second one is a replacement sent by Asics). 11 and 12 work better for this kind of skyrunning. I was getting around 700/800km put of them.

Asics trabuco is quite wide. Topo MTN racer 3 is too narrow for me too, mostly due to the midfoot

Asics trabucos are wide and roomy. The speedgoats 2E are actually very narrow and low volume. Even the mafate speed 4 in normal width are roomier. I tried topo MTN racer 3. They are wide in the forefoot, but narrow in the arch/midfoot. Can't wear them Agility peak 5 is also wide and high volume.

Have a look at Asics line up. Trabuco and trabuco max. They are plenty wide. I tried speedgoats 2E, they are not any wide. Mafate 4s are actually wider, but still not enough for me if I'm going long.

Have a look at Asics line up. Trabuco and trabuco max. They are plenty wide. I tried speedgoats 2E, they are not any wide. Mafate 4s are actually wider, but still not enough for me if I'm going long.

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.

***(1) Introduction*** About a month ago, I wrote a post on the New Balance Hierro v9 [(here is my original review)](https://www.reddit.com/r/RunningShoeGeeks/comments/1l73wga/new_balance_fresh_foam_x_hierro_v9_50_mile_review/). I was quite impressed with its comfort and trail capabilities, and truly believed I had found an excellent shoe for my long runs and hikes. However, as any runner knows, curiosity often leads to new explorations. When u/jorho41 commented on my post, I discovered he had shared an in-depth review of the Asics Trabuco Max 4 [(read his insights here)](https://www.reddit.com/r/RunningShoeGeeks/comments/1l6uycl/asics_trabuco_max_4/), a shoe I had considered before buying the Hierros. Then, out of nowhere, a significant online discount popped up — 50% off my size 12. It was an opportunity too good to miss. So despite u/johro4’s mixed review, I grabbed a pair to see what the Trabuco Max 4 was all about. I decided to put these two max-cushioned trail shoes head-to-head. For reference: I’ve logged well over 100 miles on the Hierros and about 60 miles on the Trabuco Max 4, both on the exact same trails. I’m training for a technical trail run near home, so I’ve covered the course multiple times. ***(2) Specs*** Hierro v9: US M12, weight ~11oz (311g), stack height 42mm heel / 38mm forefoot (4mm drop), midsole Dual-density Fresh Foam X, outsole Vibram Megagrip with 4.5mm lugs. Trabuco Max 4: US M12, weight ~11oz (312g), stack height 40mm heel / 35mm forefoot (5mm drop), midsole FFBlast+, outsole AsicsGrip with 3.5-4mm lugs. ***(3) Fit & Upper Comfort: Tie*** There’s no clear winner here. Both shoes are constructed with breathable mesh, providing a secure and comfortable fit around the foot. They both feature ample padding in the heel and tongue for an accommodating feel. With the Hierros, the only minor issue I had initially was that they felt a bit snug. But now that I have over 100 miles on them, they’re perfect. Either the midsole foam has compressed a bit or the insole has molded to my feet, but whatever it is, they feel flawless now. The Trabuco Max 4, on the other hand, has that classic 'disappearing' sensation on the foot that I really appreciate in Asics shoes. **Bottom line**: both shoes are well built and offer excellent comfort and secure fits. ***(4) Midsole & Cushioning: Slight Advantage Hierro*** The Fresh Foam X in the Hierro delivers a truly plush and bouncy ride. It feels protective and offers good rebound, maintaining a consistent feel over long distances. In contrast, the FF BLAST+ in the Trabuco Max 4 provides ample cushioning, but it feels firmer and more responsive compared to the Hierro. It offers good energy transfer, partly due to the Guidesole rocker, and effectively protects the legs, though with a different kind of cushioned feel. If the Hierro feels like a deeply cushioned sofa, the Trabuco Max 4 feels more like a responsive, supportive platform. Both offer high levels of cushioning, but their softness and energy return clearly differ. I have to be completely honest here: I’m a FFBlast+ fiend. I love it in the Novablast 4 and in the Superblast 2. The moment I slipped into the Trabuco Max 4, I had that familiar feeling. I like how responsive the foam is while still feeling protective and cushioned. However, the Fresh Foam X feels much more plush, and that sensation is fast becoming one of my favorites. **Bottom line**: I think the Hierro has a more modern, luxurious, and plush feeling to it. But both have high stacks, you lose the ground feel that many seek and that nimbler shoes provide. ***(5) Outsole & Traction: Hierro Wins*** The Vibram Megagrip outsole on the Hierro v9 is simply outstanding. Its 4.5mm lugs provide excellent, reliable traction across various surfaces, from dry dirt to slick roots and muddy patches. I've always felt incredibly secure, and it consistently inspires confidence in diverse conditions. The ASICSGRIP on the Max 4 performs adequately on dry, moderate trails. However, aligning with u/johro41's experience (and now my own), its performance in wet and muddy conditions was meh at best. The 3.5mm-4mm lugs, while present, are not great on serious mud, leading to a noticeable lack of grip. Also, technical terrain like steep scree fields can be tricky in the Trabuco. **Clear winner here**: Hierro’s grip stands out as superior. The Trabuco Max 4 is suited for drier, less challenging trails where extreme grip isn’t a primary concern. ***(6) Stability & Protection: Tie*** Despite its high stack, the Hierro v9 offers a good (not great) stability. While it can feel a tad less nimble on extremely technical, off-camber terrain, its overall protective qualities are excellent. The integrated Toe Protect feature also adds robust front-foot defense against rocks and roots. The Trabuco Max 4 features a wide platform, which inherently contributes to its stability on relatively flat or rolling ground. And even though its high stack can sometimes lead to a feeling of being less connected to the ground, the firmer FFBlast+ foam offers better stability overall. Both shoes offer a high degree of protection from underfoot elements due to their substantial stack heights, but the Hierro feels a bit sturdier and its TPU Toe Protector is genuinely effective. **Bottom line**: Both are protective maximalist options, The Hierro’s construction feels more solid and confidence-inspiring on harsh terrain while the Trabuco is definitely a more stable shoe. ***(7) Road-to-Trail Versatility: Slight Advantage Trabuco*** While comfortable enough for short road sections, the Hierro's weight and robust build can make it feel a bit cumbersome for extended pavement use, especially given my preference for lighter, snappier road shoes. With its 5mm drop and slightly firmer, more responsive cushioning profile, the Trabuco Max 4 feels a bit more efficient and natural on road connectors compared to the Hierro. If your runs frequently involve mixed pavement and trail sections, this shoe might offer a more balanced and comfortable transition between surfaces. **Bottom line**: The Trabuco Max 4 is better for mixed road-to-trail use. ***(8) Durability & Longevity: Too Early To Call*** With over 100 miles on the Hierros and about 50 miles on the Trabuco Max 4, it's still too early to give a definitive verdict on long-term durability for both. So far, both shoes show expected minimal wear on the outsoles. The Hierro's Vibram lugs appear very robust and show little sign of degradation. The Trabuco Max 4's outsole is also holding up. I'll keep monitoring them. ***The Verdict: Pros & Cons*** New Balance Hierro v9 ✅ Pros: Comfortable upper, no hot spots Excellent lockdown despite softer upper Feels very stable on moderate terrain Great Vibram outsole grip, even on mud and wet rocks Dual-density midsole feels protective and plush without being mushy Less bottoming out than Hierro v7 ❌ Cons: Heavy, but does not feel sluggish Less nimble than lighter shoes Upper is quite warm in the summer Asics FujiTrabuco Max 4 ✅ Pros: Responsive, snappy FFBlast+ midsole that still protects well Excellent road-to-trail versatility – feels efficient on pavement Stable ride thanks to firmer foam and wide platform Disappears on foot like most Asics do ❌ Cons: Mediocre traction in wet or muddy conditions Less ground feel due to high stack Not ideal for extremely technical trails ***Conclusion: My Final Takeaway*** Considering all factors, the New Balance Hierro v9 remains my top choice for comprehensive trail running. Its superior comfort and, crucially, its consistently reliable grip in varied and challenging conditions make it a more dependable partner on the trails I typically encounter. I feel more secure in the Hierro, and that confidence is key. In fact I will be using it for my upcoming races and that says it all. While the Trabuco Max 4 has its strengths – especially its road-to-trail versatility and responsive ride – its limitations in grip are a significant drawback for me on wet, muddy, or very technical terrain. However, I will still use it for easier trails, hikes, and mixed road-to-trail courses where its firmer, snappier feel and Guidesole rocker shine. Also, I like having different trail shoes to rotate, for the same reasons I maintain a shoe rotation for road running (e.g., injury prevention, extending the lifespan of footwear, and optimizing performance**). So I don’t regret purchasing the Trabuco at all. As a running shoe hoarder, the more the merrier in my book – if you’re like me, you know what I mean

I typically wear an 11.5 or 12 in running shoes and went with a size 12 in the Trabuco Max 4 (same as in the Hierro). The fit is right for me length-wise, but it does feel a bit snug in the forefoot. I think it’s partly due to the combination of the max cushioning and the pronounced rocker, which can make the toe box feel slightly tighter than it actually is.

I stopped wearing Speedgoats bc they fall apart so damn fast. Great for their business, bad for us runners. Personally I’ve switched to the ASICS Trabuco Max 4. Lowkey great trail shoe. 

Asics Trabuco have worked well for me.