ASICS - TRABUCO MAX 4

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)

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!!

***(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. 

I have the TRABUCO MAX 4 from Asics and they‘re perfect for wide feet, best shoes I‘ve owned.

Wonder if they're doing a GTX version of the 14? I'd be interested in that. I like my Max 4's for less technical / longer trail runs or hikes. Sizing them a half size up were great for me.

I found the max 4 to be smidge tight in my toes compared to my other shoes from asics. Curious when people get to try either if they’re running small or larger.

Hey fellow heavy runner. I’m about 120kg, 204cm and have had trouble finding a trail shoe for my 14/15 size foot. I’ve run in the Trabuco 13s, Trabuco Max 4s, Ultraventure 4s, Lone Peaks 9s, Caldera 7s, Zegama 2s, Saucony Xodus ultra 4s, and right now the Caldera 19s. I’ve learned that I need max cushion, and something a little more supportive. The Calderas weren’t great for me and the Trabuco 13s weren’t cushioned enough. What did you like/dislike about the Calderas?

Out of the shoes I’ve tried, my favorite have been the Xodus Ultra 4 and the Cascadia 19. They both fit true to size. If you try out the Trabuco Max 4, they seemed to fit small, and smaller than the same size Trabuco 13. And I actually really liked the Trabuco 13, but just found they didn’t quite have enough cushion. Black toenails is pretty normal in this hobby.

If you like your asics road shoes why not get one of their trail shoes. There is at least in theory consistency within the brand in terms of shoe sizing, and their trail shoes are good enough for tom Evans, should be alright. I use the trabuco max 4 and have been liking them a lot. But my road shoes are NB, my race shoe are ultraflys so that just goes to show it’s a toss up. I personally haven’t had good experiences with Salomon shoes; their packs are fine, clothing meh never been so impressed, and the shoes I really wanted to like but they never felt so nice on my feet in the end… As for the altras that’s another story. I only tried them out years ago for the zero drop / wide toe box aspect and again didn’t really vibe. I know they’ve branched out a bit since then and have “normal” shoes but if you don’t know what you’re looking for and going in blind maybe don’t buy some altras until you do some reading up on what makes them special, which models there are etc., so you don’t regret any purchases.