Asics Trabuco Max 4 - Women's Review

At 8.70 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe, the Asics Trabuco Max 4 is a dense take on a trail running shoe. While a great deal of cushion comes packed into this hefty package, trail runners coveting a light-on-their-feet feeling will feel bogged down by the bulk of this shoe's heel.

Comfort and Fit

The mid and forefoot of the updated Asics Trabuco Max 4 is fairly standard in its fit and comfort. With this comes familiarity, which is worth a lot when it comes to shoes you'll be spending hours traversing trails in. The heel cup feels a bit narrow, but this aids in some stability, so it doesn't totally detract from the Trabuco's comfort score. In fact, the heel contour prevents rear slippage, adding comfort.

The underfoot cushion is maximal, made of Asics' typical FF BLAST PLUS ECO that rides smoothly without being spongy or mushy underfoot. The thick heel stack provides ample comfort suitable for harder surfaces, such as sidewalks and roads. This underfoot design is particularly well-suited for heel strikers.

The engineered mesh upper offers the comfortable reliability of your everyday road shoe, making it an easy choice for daily trail sessions. The comfort of the Trabuco didn't wow me in any specific way, but it is also difficult to articulate any one thing that is wrong with it. This shoe mostly rides like a reliable trail shoe, so if that is what you are looking for in your next pair of kicks, the Trabuco might hit the mark.

Traction

The Trabuco offers moderate traction, taking it out of the running for a shoe that would be good for tackling mountainous faces in. While the ASICSGRIP rubber is somewhat grippy, it isn't as solid as some of the beefier traction formulas we've seen. The outsole is bedazzled with M-shaped lugs, the average depth of which is 3.3 mm, as measured by our in-house testing team. Most of the shoes with lugs of this depth are built for more moderate terrain, and I think that the Trabuco Max falls in line with this trend. The outsole isn't the most confidence-inspiring on loose surfaces, but it holds its own on fire road-type trails. If you are looking for a crossover shoe with passable traction for moderate trail running, the Trabuco's traction strikes that balance.

Stability

As mentioned, the slight narrowness of the heel cup aids in creating solid stability on the Asics Trabuco Max. The heft of the heel collar also helps stabilize ankles in spite of the taller-than-average stack height. The Trabuco doesn't have any lateral structures for support, but still offers more stability than some shoes. That said, the Trabuco isn't a reigning champ when it comes to stability. It offers some thanks to its thick structure and dense weight, but is not necessarily a shoe designed to hold ankles in any specific movement patterns.

Foot Protection

The monster heel stack of the maximal Trabuco adds an inherent level of underfoot protection since there is so much shoe between your feet and any pointy rocks you may encounter. This shoe does not feature a rock plate, and since its overall design is best suited for moderate terrain, I didn't miss having a plate while running in the Trabuco at all. The upper weave is well-designed and does a fair job of preventing dirt from slipping in. The thickness helps deflect some water, but when water does get in, this shoe gets heavy. Trail runners who like to run with ankle gaiters will appreciate the easy attachment points provided.

Weight

I have tested some heavy shoes in my time as a gear reviewer, but the Asics Trabuco has certainly cemented its status as a real clod-hopper. Not only does each women's size 6.5 shoe weigh 8.70 ounces, but the weight mostly rides low. This creates a heavy feeling underfoot. It might not be the end of the world for some runners, but a heavy shoe only feels heavier after long-distance running. For context, the lightest trail runner in our lineup weighs over 2 ounces less per shoe. If you are in love with the comfort of the Trabuco, its weight might not bother you. Runners seeking a more spry feeling on the trail should avoid this maximalist beast.

Sensitivity

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Trabuco is not a sensitive trail shoe. Some runners, especially newer trail runners, may benefit from the dampened trail sensation that this shoe provides. Other runners might prefer a more connected ride to ensure that their intrinsic muscles fire and adapt to the terrain properly. There really isn't a right answer when it comes to sensitivity, as it is all about personal preference. If you don't mind a small amount of trail feel, the Trabuco might be right up your alley. If you want to feel more connected, I'd recommend looking elsewhere for your next trail companion.

Should You Buy the Asics Trabuco Max 4?

The Asics Trabuco Max 4 is a maximalist trail shoe that doesn't exactly come with our recommendations for every runner, but we don't want to discourage you from buying it if it works for you. It offers a comfortable profile and is on the more affordable end of the spectrum. This shoe, like many others, is best tried on before purchased. If it feels like Cinderella's slipper, go for it. If it leaves a bit to be desired, we have other options that might be your perfect pair.

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?

If a moderate terrain-focused shoe is what you want, the Topo Ultraventure 4 is a comfortable and durable shoe to consider. The Ultraventure features a much wider toe box, but offers awesome landing comfort with a total heel stack of 34 mm — just 2 mm shorter than that of the Trabuco. The Hoka Speedgoat 6 offers similar rigidity underfoot in that its cushion isn't spongy. The Speedgoat has a Vibram outsole and a more slender forefoot. The Hoka Challenger 7 stands at 34 mm in the heel with a 7 mm drop. The Challenger is another solid contender to consider if a maximal trail shoe is calling your name. Much like the Trabuco, the Challenger is a strong crossover shoe, offering ample joint protection on unforgiving surfaces.