ASICS Trabuco Max 4 trail running shoes

The Asics Trabuco Max 4 trail running shoe is a highly cushioned, comfortable trail running shoe that is suitable for running distances up to ultra, over marathon. The midsole is high, but also wide and has good stability, which is helped by the fact that the foam in the midsole is not too soft. The outsole (as well as the high midsole) makes the shoe particularly suitable for moderately difficult, moderately technical trail runs. It is primarily recommended for advanced runners, as a beginner may not be able to take advantage of the shoe’s capabilities, but beginners can use it if that is not an issue. Due to the high and not too soft midsole, it is also recommended for runners with a higher body weight.

ASICS Trabuco Max 4 upper

The upper of the ASICS Trabuco Max 4 trail running shoe is made of a engineered mesh material that has average breathability. The uppers of trail running shoes are usually made of thicker material to be more durable and protect the foot, so they also have lower breathability than the uppers of running shoes designed for road running. However, the drying ability of the upper is also important for trail running shoes because it is easier to get wet when running on trails. The Trabuco Max upper is all about comfort, with all parts of the upper highly cushioned and soft. The upper fits true to size, slightly wider at the toes. The tongue of the shoe is highly cushioned, fixed on both sides, and wide to protect against debris. In addition to the shoelace bungee, the tongue of the shoe has a rubber strap where you can hide the rest of the shoelace to prevent it from getting caught in anything while trail running. The lacing system, the lacing holes, are non-traditional, but the laces themselves are not threaded through the laces, but wrapped in a cord that runs between the laces, so you can pull the laces more safely and securely, and the upper hugs the foot better. The heel collar is not high, it is very stiff and well padded to keep the foot comfortable and secure. The foam of the midsole is folded over the upper, not only on the sides, but also on the front and back of the heel, which protects the foot from stones and branches.

ASICS Trabuco Max 4 midsole

The ASICS Trabuco Max 4 trail running shoe midsole is made of FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco foam, a medium-soft, medium-hard midsole foam. It’s high and not too soft, so it has very good shock absorbing and is suitable for running longer distances. Because of the high midsole, there isn’t much ground feel when running, but that’s not to be expected from a midsole this high. Despite the height of the midfoot (42mm at the heel and 37mm at the forefoot), the stability of the shoe is very good, as the midfoot is not only high but also wide, which can be a disadvantage in harder, rocky terrain. This stiffness and the high sole make the boot more likely to tip over on rocky terrain, so while it is stable on lighter, moderately technical terrain, it is less stable on heavier, rocky terrain. Because the midsole is so high, there is no rock plate included, but there is no need, the high sole provides rock protection. The midsole features GUIDESOLE geometry, which means the midsole is curved upward at the heel, but mostly at the forefoot for quick and smooth transitions.

ASICS Trabuco Max 4 outsole

The ASICS Trabuco Max 4 trail running shoe outsole is made from ASICSGRIP rubber, an average soft rubber compound with average wear resistance. The rubber lugs are 4mm thick, which is enough on moderately difficult terrain, but less so on deeper mud and wet rocky ground. The outsole completely covers the midsole, which improves traction, provides more protection and also increases the torsional rigidity of the shoe for stability. The outsole has smaller cut-outs, which both reduces the weight of the outsole and makes it harder for mud to get stuck between the rubber lugs.

ASICS Trabuco Max 4 vs Gel-Trabuco 13, what’s the difference between the two shoes?

Both shoes have comfortable, well-cushioned uppers that provide good protection, but the Gel-Trabuco 13 is more similar to the uppers on the Trabuco Max 3 running shoe.
Both shoes use the same FlyteFoam Blast Plus Eco foam, but the Trabuco Max 4 has a midsole that is 6mm higher in the heel and 9mm higher in the forefoot for better cushioning and longer distance running, while the Gel-Trabuco 13 also has a layer of gel in the heel to compensate for the lower midsole. The geometry of the two midsoles is slightly different, with the Trabuco Max being wider at the forefoot and the Gel-Trabuco 13 being wider at the heel.
The outsole of the Gel-Trabuco 13 has a slightly better grip because the rubber lugs are taler (4.5mm vs. 4mm), the Gel-Trabuco 13 also has a stone protection layer.
While the Gel-Trabuco 13 is better suited for heavier, rockier terrain and is a bit faster due to its lighter weight, the Trabuco Max 4 is more suited for longer runs on even moderately technical terrain.

Who are the ASICS Trabuco Max 4 trail running shoes for and what kind of running? Summary

The ASICS Trabuco Max 4 trail running shoe is a comfortable running shoe for running longer distances, and it shine on moderately difficult terrain. It has a highly cushioned upper that keeps the foot secure. The high but not too soft midsole provides good shock absorption, good stability, but with enough dynamics to run longer distances. Its above-average weight makes it less suitable for faster runs. The outsole has good grip, but is less suitable for heavy, technical terrain. The ASICS Trabuco Max 4 Trail Running Shoe is mainly designed for longer runs for advanced runners, but beginners will also like it if they are looking for comfort. It’s durable and hard-wearing, making it a good choice for runners with a heavier build.