TEST: ASICS Trabuco 14 and Trabuco Max 5

Everyone knows ASICS as a brand that has made fantastic running shoes for many years. But you could almost say that ASICS has long been the king of the road, while in the forest, they are more the quiet overachiever. It's a bit of a shame because ASICS also stands 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 ASICS trail shoes best suits your needs. I've taken on the ASICS Trabuco 14, while Lars has tackled the more voluminous ASICS Trabuco Max 5. Below, you'll find a brief overview of two shoes with the same DNA but vastly different personalities. Let's lace up and head where asphalt gives way to roots and rocks. 

Midsole: What's happening under your feet?

Line

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

For me, it's an upgrade that makes a lot of sense. My runs in the forest are rarely about maintaining a specific pace or chasing a new PR. For me, it's about finding flow in the terrain and peace of mind. The midsole in Trabuco 14 does well here. It returns energy when I hop over a log, jump off a ledge, or feel like sprinting up a hill. 

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

The midsole also contains a rock plate. Although I don't primarily use it for protection against sharp stones, the plate contributes to the shoe's stability. It stiffens the forefoot slightly, providing a more firm and efficient push-off, without losing the comfort of the new foam. 

Lars 

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

The platform is relatively wide, increasing both stability and foam amount underfoot. Trabuco Max 5 has a drop of 5 mm compared to 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 the forefoot. With so much foam underfoot, I don't actually miss a rock plate. The protection against sharp stones is already ample. 

I'm therefore quite pleased with ASICS' choice to retain a foam with more inherent stability, while still having enough cushioning to run transport sections between forest areas without issues. 

It may not be the most exciting foam choice, but it provides a midsole you can rely on, even after many hundreds of kilometers. 

Upper: Room for toes and protection from the elements

Line 

Here, comfort has really been considered. ASICS Trabuco 14 has a nice wide forefoot, where the toes have plenty of room to move. It's invaluable when you're out for hours. I've tried squeezing my feet into narrow trail shoes before, and it's not something I want to repeat. If you run on very technical trails or have a very narrow foot, you should be aware that the generous space might be too much of a good thing. 

The upper feels soft and comfortable, but the lacing system also stands out. There are special straps across the instep that the laces attach to. This means that when you tighten, you get a really good hold on the midfoot, without it being uncomfortably tight. Sometimes it's the small details that you notice.  Otherwise, the upper is a classic mesh upper, ensuring a good hold on the foot and high breathability. 

Lars 

It's in the upper that the designers have put most work since last year. ASICS Trabuco Max 5 has received a small feature that many will be extremely happy about: an outer layer that is water-repellent. 
The purpose is to make the shoe easier to run in on wet days. When you run on wet routes, it's important that the shoe doesn't absorb too much water, and the protective layer ensures that much of the water simply rolls off. However, it's important to emphasize that the shoe is not waterproof. 

A water-repellent upper not only helps keep the shoe light and free of water on wet days – it also has another effect that the designers might not have had as a primary goal, but which many will undoubtedly appreciate: The shoe stays significantly nicer for longer. 

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

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

Grip: In winter's challenging terrain

Line 
 
I've tested ASICS Trabuco 14 under winter's more challenging conditions – snow, frozen ground, slippery asphalt sections between forest areas, and wet roots on the winding small trails. Here, the ASICSGRIP sole has really impressed me. 

What has especially surprised me is how secure I feel on surfaces where I would normally tread cautiously. Do you know that ice you can't see? The kind that just lurks under a thin layer of leaves or snow? Here, Trabuco 14 has taken good care of me. It has allowed me to maintain flow, instead of slowing down and considering each step. 

The pattern also seems more aggressive than on the Max model, which I imagine will come into its own when spring's mud arrives.  The combination of the lower profile and good grip means you can trust the shoe when the surface changes character. It's the kind of confidence that allows you to free your mind and just run.

Lars 

Like with ASICS Trabuco 14, ASICS has also used ASICSGRIP rubber on Trabuco Max 5. ASICSGRIP is a softer rubber compound with really good grip, but it doesn't last quite as long as AHAR+ (Asics High Abrasion Rubber). However, there's plenty of rubber on the outsole, so I'm not particularly worried about durability. 

There haven't been major changes in the outsole from Max 4 to 5. It stands firm on trails and gravel, but inmud when it doesn't quite reach the same level as more terrain-oriented models. 

On a run with Line, the difference between the two outsoles we tested became clear. I didn't have the same grip on the descents as Line, as her shoes have a deeper and more aggressive pattern. Therefore, it makes more sense to see ASICS Trabuco Max 5 as a shoe that works best on forest trails, gravel, and slightly softer surfaces. For very wet surfaces, Trabuco 14 will likely be the stronger choice.

Technical features: The right element

Line 

I primarily run on forest paths. Not the steepest mountain routes like Lars finds in Norway, but also not just flat gravel roads. There are roots, stones, mud, and sometimes I find a mountain bike route that I want to explore. 

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

Lars 

Technical features have always been important to me when choosing a trail shoe. But what is "technical enough" depends on the terrain you run in. I used to run a lot in the Norwegian mountains, where descents quickly reveal if a shoe works in technical terrain. This is where fit, grip, and ground feel are tested.

I wouldn't choose ASICS Trabuco Max 5 for the steepest Norwegian mountain trails if the goal is to run fast from top to top. It's not due to the high sole height, but the fit. The shoe is designed for longer runs in less to moderately technical terrain and doesn't provide the same tight lock around the foot as trail shoes built specifically for technical running. Control in demanding descents is not at the same level.

That said, it performs really well in its right element. On forest trails, gravel, and lighter trails, it delivers stability, comfort, and security – and it perfectly matches the terrain I prioritize at the moment.

Conclusion: Which Trabuco suits you?

Line

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

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

Lars

ASICS Trabuco Max 5 is a trail shoe that works really well for the terrain I run in currently. It provides sufficient grip on lightly technical routes, plenty of cushioning on hard asphalt sections when moving from one forest to another, and the combination of fit and a stable midsole makes it possible to run long distances in a very comfortable shoe.
If you are a stability runner or a slightly heavier runner, I would definitely recommend giving Trabuco Max 5 a chance.
The stable midsole and wide platform provide the structure and security you want when moving out on forest trails.

In short: Trabuco 14 is the more aggressive and versatile with sharper grip and responsive foam. 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 you just need to find your route and get going.

When you're heading into the forest...

Now you have the shoes sorted – but what about the rest? A good trail run isn't just about what's on your feet.

Have you considered if your running clothes are ready for the forest's challenges? Or if a cap can keep the rain away from your eyes when the sky opens up? Maybe it's also time to check if your running backpack can still keep up on long runs.

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