TEST: ASICS Trabuco 14 and Trabuco Max 5

Everyone knows ASICS as a brand that has made fantastic running shoes for many years. You could almost say that ASICS has long been the king of the road, but in the forest, they are more of a quiet overachiever. It is actually a bit of a shame, because ASICS is also very strong as a trail brand – especially with their Trabuco series. 

In this article, Lars and I compare the new Trabuco 14 and Trabuco Max 5 to make it easier for you to choose which of the two trail shoes from ASICS best suits your needs. I have thrown myself into testing the ASICS Trabuco 14, whilst Lars has tackled the more voluminous ASICS Trabuco Max 5. Below, you will find a brief overview of two shoes with the same DNA, but with vastly different personalities. Let's lace up our shoes and head to where the tarmac is replaced by roots and stones. 

Midsole: What is happening under your feet?

Line

ASICS Trabuco 14 offers a major update in the midsole. Where the 13th edition used FF Blast Plus, the 14th edition introduces the more lively and responsive FF Blast Max foam. 

For me, this is an upgrade that makes a lot of sense. My runs in the forest are rarely about maintaining a specific pace or chasing a new PB. For me, it is about finding a flow in the terrain and peace of mind. The midsole in the Trabuco 14 does this quite well. It returns energy when I jump over a tree stump, leap down from an edge, or feel like adding a little sprint up a hill. 

I like to feel relatively close to the ground when I run in the forest. Maximalist trail shoes often feel like "a bit too much shoe" for me, so in this regard, the ASICS Trabuco 14 suits me perfectly. It provides a good balance between a fun midsole and protection, without me losing connection with the terrain. 

There is also a rock plate in the midsole. Although I do not primarily use it for protection against sharp stones, the plate contributes to the shoe's stability. It stiffens the forefoot slightly, which provides a more direct and efficient toe-off, without losing the comfort of the new foam. 

Lars 

ASICS has chosen to let the Trabuco Max 5 continue with the same midsole as the previous version. So it is not the FF Blast Max, as seen in the Trabuco 14, but rather FF Blast Plus, a foam with more mattress-like qualities that provides more structure and stability. It is the same foam you will find in the Asics GEL-Nimbus 28, which makes a lot of sense to me, as I almost consider the Trabuco Max 5 to be a GEL-Nimbus for the forest. 

The platform is relatively wide, which increases both stability and the amount of foam underfoot. The Trabuco Max 5 has a drop of 5 mm compared to the Trabuco 14's 8 mm. This means significantly more foam in the forefoot – an advantage for comfort in technical terrain, where you often land and adjust with your forefoot. With so much foam underfoot, I actually do not miss having a rock plate. The protection against sharp stones is already ample. 

I am therefore quite pleased with ASICS's choice to retain a foam with more inherent stability, whilst it still has sufficient cushioning to allow you to easily run transport stretches between forest areas. 

It might not be the most exciting choice of foam, but it provides a reliable midsole you can trust, even after many hundreds of kilometres. 

Upper: Room for the toes and protection from the elements

Line 

A lot of thought has genuinely gone into comfort here. The ASICS Trabuco 14 features a lovely wide forefoot, giving the toes plenty of room to move. This is worth its weight in gold when you are out for several hours. I have previously tried squeezing my feet into narrow trail shoes, and it is not an experience I wish to repeat. However, if you run on very technical trails or have a very narrow foot, you should be aware that this generous space might be a bit too much of a good thing. 

The upper feels soft and comfortable, but the lacing system also stands out. There are special straps laid across the instep that the laces loop through. This means that when you tighten them, you get a really secure hold around the midfoot without any uncomfortable pressure. Sometimes it is the small details you notice most. Otherwise, the upper is a classic mesh that ensures a good hold on the foot and high breathability. 

Lars 

It is in the upper that the designers have put the most work since last year. The ASICS Trabuco Max 5 has actually gained a small feature that many will be extremely happy with: an outer layer that is water-repellent. 
The aim is to make the shoe easier to run in on wet days. When running on wet routes, it is important that the shoe does not absorb too much water, and the protective layer ensures that much of the water simply beads off. It is important to emphasise, however, that the shoe is not waterproof. 

A water-repellent upper does not just help keep the shoe light and free from water on wet days – it also has another effect that the designers perhaps did not have as a primary goal, but which many will undoubtedly appreciate: the shoe stays looking noticeably nicer for longer. 

I have been running in the  ASICS Trabuco Max 5 for two months now – two winter months with snow and mud – and they look almost as if they were new. 

Otherwise, the upper consists of two layers working together. The soft inner material gives the foot a really good "hug" and makes the shoe very comfortable to wear, whilst the outer layer adds structure around the foot, maintains breathability, and helps to keep water out. The fit is exactly as it should be in this type of shoe. It provides a light hold around the midfoot but does not sit as tightly as a more technical shoe. The forefoot has plenty of room – perfect for long runs.

Grip: In the challenging winter terrain

Line 
 
I have tested the ASICS Trabuco 14 in some of winter's more challenging conditions – snow, frozen ground, slippery tarmac stretches between forest areas, and wet roots on twisting little trails. Here, the ASICSGRIP sole has truly impressed me. 

What has particularly surprised me is how secure I feel on surfaces where I would normally tread a bit carefully. You know that ice you cannot see? The kind just lurking beneath a thin layer of leaves or snow? The Trabuco 14 has taken good care of me here. It has allowed me to maintain my flow, instead of braking and second-guessing every step. 

The lug pattern also seems more aggressive than on the Max model, which I imagine will really come into its own when the spring mud arrives. The combination of the lower profile and the excellent grip means you dare to trust the shoe when the surface changes character. It is the kind of confidence that lets you clear your mind and just run.

Lars 

As with the ASICS Trabuco 14, ASICS has also used ASICSGRIP rubber on the Trabuco Max 5. ASICSGRIP is a softer rubber compound with excellent grip, but it does not last quite as long as AHAR+ (Asics High Abrasion Rubber), for example. However, there is plenty of rubber on the outsole, so I am not particularly worried about durability. 

There have not been any major changes to the outsole from the Max 4 to the 5. It grips securely on trails and gravel, but in mud, it does not quite reach the same level as more terrain-oriented models. 

On a run with Line, the difference between the two outsoles we are testing became clear. I did not have the same grip on the descents as Line, as her shoes feature a deeper and more aggressive lug pattern. Therefore, it makes more sense to view the ASICS Trabuco Max 5 as a shoe that performs best on forest trails, gravel, and slightly softer surfaces. For very wet conditions, the Trabuco 14 will likely be the stronger choice.

Technical properties: The right element

Line 

I primarily run on forest trails. Not the steepest mountain routes that Lars finds in Norway, but not just flat gravel roads either. There are roots, stones, mud, and occasionally I find a mountain bike trail that I feel like exploring. 

Here, the ASICS Trabuco 14 works really well for me. It handles the changes in surface without me having to think about whether the shoe can keep up. That is actually what I appreciate. That it just works, even when the terrain becomes a bit more demanding.

Lars 

Technical properties have always been important to me when choosing a trail shoe. But what constitutes "technical enough" depends on the terrain you run in. I previously ran a lot in the Norwegian mountains, where descents quickly reveal whether a shoe works in technical terrain. This is where fit, grip, and ground feel are put to the test.

I would not choose the ASICS Trabuco Max 5 for the steepest Norwegian mountain trails if the goal is to run fast from peak to peak. This is not due to the high stack height, but rather the fit. The shoe is designed for longer runs in mild to moderately technical terrain and does not provide the same tight lockdown around the foot as trail shoes built specifically for technical running. The control on demanding descents is not at the same level.

That being said, it does incredibly well in its right element. On forest trails, gravel, and lighter trails, it delivers stability, comfort, and security – which perfectly matches the terrain I currently prioritise.

Conclusion: Which Trabuco suits you?

Line

The ASICS Trabuco 14 is the shoe I choose when I want the freedom to pick a route based on my mood. It is suited for you if you move between gravel, narrow paths, and perhaps a mountain bike trail, and if you like the path to offer some surprises along the way. With its wide forefoot, it is especially good for longer runs where comfort becomes crucial. Combined with the responsive foam and the great grip, you get a shoe that handles most things without you having to worry about whether it can keep up.

If you have a narrow foot or are looking for a shoe specifically for steep mountain trails with highly technical terrain, there are probably better choices. But for versatile trail runs where you mix flow, pace, and play, the Trabuco 14 is a solid companion.

Lars

The ASICS Trabuco Max 5 is a trail shoe that works incredibly well for the terrain I am running in at the moment. It provides sufficient grip on mildly technical routes, plenty of cushioning on hard tarmac stretches when moving from one forest to another, and the combination of fit and a stable midsole makes it possible to run long distances in an extremely comfortable shoe.
If you are a stability runner or a slightly heavier runner, I would definitely recommend giving the Trabuco Max 5 a chance.
The stable midsole and the wide platform provide exactly the structure and security you want when heading out onto the forest trails.

In short: The Trabuco 14 is the more aggressive and versatile option with sharper grip and a responsive foam. The Max 5 is the comfort specialist with extra cushioning, stability, and a water-repellent upper.

Whether you choose the versatile Trabuco 14 or the comfortable Max 5, you get a solid trail shoe from ASICS' strong Trabuco series. Now, all you need to do is find your route and get going.

Now that you are heading into the forest...

You have your shoes sorted now – but what about the rest? A good trail run is not just about what you have on your feet.

Have you considered whether your running gear is ready for the forest's challenges? Or whether a cap can keep the rain out of your eyes when the heavens open? Perhaps it is also time to check if your running backpack can still keep up on those long runs.

We have gathered a selection of trail shoes , running clothes , caps and  running backpacks that match your passion for the trails.