Trabuco Max 2 is, as the name suggests, the successor to . This new edition offers some significant changes – including a notably higher midsole, which is also made from a new material, ASICS’ popular “FF Blast +,” known from the ultra-popular 3.
Play
Specifications for ASICS Trabuco Max 2
- Men:
- 43 / 38 mm stack height
- 5mm drop
- 300 grams (US 9)
- Women:
- 42 / 37 mm
- 5 mm drop
- 262 grams (US 7½)
- FF Blast + midsole
The Upper on ASICS Trabuco Max 2
An upper with good comfort, but still focused on weight – there is nice comfort and comfortable “pads” around the heel, and the tongue also has a bit of padding, making it very pleasant. The upper is generally very soft and pleasant, and I am sure the comfort will be top-notch even for long ultra trail runs.
Reinforcements are added in various places on the upper, providing protection to the toes and improving stability. Additionally, there is an extra lace hole and an elastic band to keep the laces in place. There's also an option to attach a gaiter if desired.
The Midsole on ASICS Trabuco Max 2
As mentioned above, the midsole consists of generous amounts of ASICS’ FF Blast+. A whopping 43 mm midsole (42 mm for women) at the heel! That is a lot of midsole, and my first thought was concern about stability – it is a trail shoe, after all. It should be noted that Max 2 is not suited for technical trail running – it is instead designed to provide a fantastic experience on more regular surfaces.
I have run on both dry and wet forest floors, in mud, on wet wooden bridges, gravel paths, and asphalt. The midsole on ASICS Trabuco Max 2 leaves a great impression, and the comfort is fantastic. The midsole material provides a delightful mix of soft landings with a bouncy and fresh feel, and you can run at higher speeds with the shoe without it feeling clunky, despite the high stack height – quite impressive, if you ask me!
The Outsole of Asics Trabuco Max 2
The outsole consists of ASICS’ “ASICSGRIP.” As mentioned above, I have run on many different surfaces, and I’ve had great experiences with the outsole material – the rubber compound grips well, and combined with the 4.5mm long lugs, the shoe can handle most conditions!
Summary - Is ASICS Trabuco Max 2 a good trail shoe?
As I’ve written many times before, it’s incredibly important to choose the right trail shoe for the terrain you’ll be running on. ASICS Trabuco Max 2 is designed to excel on more regular surfaces, whether it's asphalt, paths, hard-packed gravel roads, rocks, or similar. For this purpose, I have nothing but praise for ASICS Trabuco Max 2.
The high amount of FF Blast + in the midsole provides fantastic comfort, yet still allows for increased speed. The outsole gives a secure grip and the upper enhances comfort feelings.
To answer the question, ASICS Trabuco Max 2 is, in my eyes, a very good trail shoe, if you either plan to run ultra trail or want a that can handle “a bit of everything” – possibly including longer stretches on asphalt.
