ASICS Trabuco Max 3 Shoe Review

Upper

Becky: "The upper is composed of a comfortable mesh that drains well when faced with wet trail conditions. The overlay on top of the toe area provides extra protection from rocks and roots, but it caused some slight irritation on the tops of my toes deep into long training runs. The heel area slipped a bit on my first run, causing some chafing, but once I secured the laces more, the issue resolved."

Liz: "The ASICS Trabuco Max 3 has an accommodating upper with a surprisingly roomy fit through the forefoot. As someone who manages bunion issues and has a slightly wider foot shape, it can be challenging to find trail running shoes that remain comfortable as my feet begin to swell on long trail runs. Thankfully, the Trabuco Max does an amazing job of securing my midfoot and heel while still providing enough room in the forefoot for some toe splay.

When I first tried on version 3, the newly engineered mesh upper felt snugger than the more accommodating open mesh of the previous version, and I was worried that my favorite trail running shoe was ruined. Trabuco lovers have no fear, as the upper quickly broke in after a few runs and this model remains the go-to option in my rotation for long trail run comfort. That said, while the tight engineered mesh is more durable and better at keeping debris and dirt out of the shoe compared to version 2, the Trabuco Max 3 feels thicker and less breathable on foot."

Loucas: "This is a stylish, comfortable, protective, spacious, and voluminous upper. The GUIDESOLE rocker geometry carries upward into the firmly reinforced toe bumper, lending excellent protection and volume above the toes, in addition to providing accommodating width in the toe box.

The midfoot is roomy without being too wide or insecure, while the heel cup is relatively broad for an ASICS. The heel cup is an essential star of this upgrade. The depth of the heel cup is perfect, and the reinforced structure combines with the external overlays to create critically important sideways stability. The tongue is considerably padded and only partially gusseted. In theory, this could allow debris to get into the shoe or create tongue scrunching toward the toes. Thankfully, I did not experience any issues with these potential concerns throughout testing.

The main upper material is thinly padded, and overheating was not a problem for me in humid mid-80s temperatures. However, I could see the Trabuco becoming a little toasty in hotter weather conditions. For runners in areas with greater seasonality, this could be a benefit rather than a potential drawback.

I have a C-width, lower-volume foot, so I could not achieve an ideal lockdown when faced with balance-testing technical terrain. While the fit was voluminous enough to allow my foot to shift or twist side-to-side a touch, I gained confidence in the shoe as I collected more miles, primarily due to how well the heel cup suctioned me into the shoe."

Midsole

Becky: "The FF BLAST PLUS is hands down the most fun midsole in the max-cushioned trail shoe category. It is moderately soft and bouncy underfoot, providing a high energy return and abundant comfort at every step. The midsole shined on hard-packed trails and non-technical terrain, and I felt protected on steep downhills. The Trabuco was also efficient on uphill stretches. Simply put, I love running trails in this shoe."

Liz: "The midsole of the Trabuco Max 3 hits the perfect sweet spot of soft yet bouncy cushioning that is protective enough for comfort over rocks, roots, and long miles, without losing connection to the trail. The rockered design provides smooth heel-to-toe transitions, and the wide base delivers a surprisingly stable ride. While the Trabuco Max is still not my first choice for extremely technical trails due to its stack height, the shoe is impressively nimble given its large amount of cushioning."

Loucas: "The Trabuco's thick layer of FF BLAST PLUS foam is essentially perfect: truly a just-right combination of sink-in comfort to absorb footstrikes with a responsive bounce, resulting in a lot of fun on the trail. The shoe's considerable stack contributes to ultimate protection underfoot with zero chance of rocks poking through. Another key factor is that the Trabuco's midsole has the right density. It is not too light or airy, but not too heavy on foot either, proving itself able to adeptly handle long hours of use in variable conditions without the foam changing over time. It has the right amount of longitudinal flexibility (toe box bending) to avoid being too stiff. Plus, the excellent torsional rigidity, the low 5-mm drop, and the late-stage GUIDESOLE rocker geometry are spot-on for this type of shoe. Its happiest sweet spot is when I am cruising along relatively smoother trails, but it can handle some technicality and is as enjoyable on the roads as on the trails."

Outsole

Becky: "ASICSGRIP rubber is surprisingly grippy and instills confidence on technical and rocky terrain. I took the Trabuco through water crossings and had no issues. This is one of the better, non-Vibram Megagrip outsoles on the market, and it works well under every trail condition I have tested these shoes on so far."

Liz: "The ASICSGRIP outsole has outperformed my expectations. With the slightly more minimal lug design, I was worried I might experience issues with grip on loose trails, but I found that the shoe delivered great traction on most trail surfaces. The lugs are a bit shallow for super muddy or soft-ground trails. On all other trails, I had no issues with the outsole grip. I have also loved how smooth the outsole design is, especially on even trails, fire roads, and pavement on the way to the trailhead. The Trabuco Max 3 can be a great road-to-trail shoe if that is what you are looking for."

Loucas: "I believe that ASICSGRIP deserves its good reputation, and I was not disappointed with its performance throughout testing. The lugs appear to have variable depths from 3 to 4 mm, with the majority at 4 mm, which is optimal for a wide range of terrain. They are also well-spaced, which again helps this shoe thrive on variable surfaces and different trail conditions. All of the Trabuco's central lugs have a multi-level terraced appearance that reminds me a bit of Vibram Traction Lugs. The compound itself is sticky, so much so that you will hear it audibly as you are pulling your foot off the pavement. To be clear, that sticky sensation is a very good thing in a trail shoe, even if it can sound a little strange on paved roads."

Comparable Shoes

ASICS Trabuco Max 3 vs. TNF Altamesa 500

Becky: "The ASICS Trabuco Max 3 is one of the best shoes in the max-cushioned trail category. It is a shoe I can confidently enjoy on long, multi-hour trail runs, where comfort is king. Compared to The North Face's Altamesa 500, the Trabuco Max 3 delivers a much more fun running experience thanks to the energetic yet protective midsole. I find the upper of the Altamesa more comfortable and a better fit for my foot shape, but given the Trabuco's midsole performance, it is my personal choice."

Liz: "The Altamesa 500 is another highly cushioned trail running shoe with a bouncy ride and rockered design. The large stack of supercritical foam featured in the Altamesa delivers an incredibly comfortable and protective ride, but the shoe performs best on smooth trails and is less suited for rockier and more technical terrain. Meanwhile, the Trabuco Max balances protection with nimbleness, making it more better for technical trails than the Altamesa, though slightly less protective over long miles."

Loucas: "While the Altamesa 500 is considered a high-cushioning shoe with a 32-mm forefoot stack height, the Trabuco Max 3 stands taller in both the heel and forefoot. Both models offer similar experiences on the trail, but the Trabuco Max 3 offers a more technical grip, making it a preferable choice for more demanding trails."

ASICS Trabuco Max 3 vs. HOKA Speedgoat 6

Liz: "I feel that the Trabuco Max 3 is a wonderful alternative for runners who feel that the Speedgoat is too narrow. The Trabuco Max offers the same amount of protection underfoot but with a more accommodating fit. Between the two, the Trabuco Max has a softer and bouncier ride that is more comfortable when cruising the trails. Meanwhile, the Speedgoat is firmer, stiffer, and a touch more nimble, making it a better option for more technical terrain. The Speedgoat uses a Vibram Megagrip outsole with deeper lugs and offers better grip on wet and soft trails."

ASICS Trabuco Max 3 vs. Nike Zegama Trail 2

Loucas: "Compared to the Nike Zegama Trail 2, the Trabuco Max 3 shares a similar weight yet offers a higher stack height, promising more protection for long trail runs. Both models are priced at $160 and feature dynamic midsoles with a responsive bounce. However, the Trabuco Max 3 provides a stickier and more technical grip, giving it an advantage over the Zegama Trail 2."