Trabuco Max 2, as the name suggests, is the successor to . This new edition offers significant changes, including a notably higher midsole, made from ASICS's popular "FF Blast +", known from the ultra-popular 3.
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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, yet focusing on weight – there's excellent comfort and soft "pads" around the heel, and the tongue also features some padding, providing a very pleasant experience. The upper is generally very soft and comfortable, and I'm sure the comfort will be top-notch during long ultra trail runs.
Reinforcements are added at various points on the upper, offering both protection for the toes and improved stability. Additionally, there's an extra lace hole and an elastic band to keep the laces in place. You can also attach a gaiter if desired.
The Midsole on ASICS Trabuco Max 2
As mentioned above, the midsole consists of generous amounts of ASICS's FF Blast+. A whole 43 mm midsole (42 mm for women) at the heel! That's quite a lot, and my initial concern was stability – this is a trail shoe. Also worth noting, the Max 2 isn't suitable for technical trails – it's designed for a fantastic experience on more regular surfaces.
I've run on dry and wet forest floors, mud, wet wooden bridges, gravel paths, and asphalt. The midsole on ASICS Trabuco Max 2 leaves a very good impression, and the comfort is exceptional. The midsole material provides a soft landing yet a bouncy and fresh feel, and you can run at higher speeds without the shoe feeling clunky, despite the immense stack height – quite impressive, if you ask me!
The Outsole on Asics Trabuco Max 2
The outsole is made of ASICS's "ASICSGRIP". As mentioned above, I've run on various surfaces, and I've had great experiences with the outsole material – the rubber blend grips well, and combined with the 4.5mm lugs, the shoe can handle most conditions!
Summary - is ASICS Trabuco Max 2 a good trail shoe?
As I've written many times before, choosing the right trail shoe for the terrain is crucial. 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 only praise for ASICS Trabuco Max 2.
The high amount of FF Blast + in the midsole provides fantastic comfort while still allowing for speed. The outsole offers a secure grip, and the upper enhances comfort.
To answer the question, in my view, ASICS Trabuco Max 2 is a very good trail shoe, whether for ultra trail running or if you want a suitable for "a bit of everything" – perhaps even longer stretches on asphalt.
