REASONS TO BUY
Responsive
Comfortable
Supportive
REASONS TO AVOID
Clunky in technical terrain
Poor traction in wet/loose conditions
Asics Trabuco Max 4 Review
With exceptional energy return and long-run comfort on smoother surfaces, this maximal stack shoe has limited versatility and feels clunky on technical trails
Ample underfoot foam (like the ultrathick 41 mm heel stack of the Trabuco Max 4, pictured here) provide great underfoot protection.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
By Matthew Richardson ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 3, 2025
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
While the Asics Trabuco Max 4 delivers exceptional energy return, its performance across varied terrain proves to be somewhat limited. This shoe truly shines in providing comfortable, high-speed experiences during long runs, making it an ideal choice for runners who primarily stick to well-maintained trails and smoother paths. Notably, its maximal stack height — one of the highest we've encountered — contributes to a less agile and somewhat cumbersome feel when navigating technical terrain. On roads and less demanding trails, this shoe is thoroughly enjoyable, and it could be a perfect match for a specific type of runner. If your running often involves transitioning between road surfaces and easier trails, this model presents itself as a compelling and highly comfortable option to consider.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Asics Trabuco Max 4 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Trail Running Shoe with Ultralight Cushioning |  Best Overall Trail Running Shoe for Men | Best for Long Distance Trail Runs |  Best Value Men's Trail Runners | |
| Price | $160.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $140.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $190 List $159.05 at Amazon | $130.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $110.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | If you're planning on running in technical terrain we'd opt for something with less stack and rigidity | With each step you are picking up less than the competition, and for advanced runners the precision and speed are unmatched | A perfectly fitting, comfortable, and very protective shoe that just begs to be worn on long run days | This version's upper fit is narrower, which adds more technical performance but may feel tighter than some like | While great in moderate terrain those in technical or loose may opt for something more rugged |
| Rating Categories | Asics Trabuco Max 4 | Nnormal Kjerag | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | Hoka Torrent 4 | Brooks Divide 5 |
| Comfort and Fit (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Foot Protection (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Asics Trabuco Max 4 | Nnormal Kjerag | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | Hoka Torrent 4 | Brooks Divide 5 |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 41 mm | 25 mm | 31 mm | 31 mm | 38 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 7 mm | 8 mm | 8 mm | 5 mm | 11 mm |
| Rock Plate | No | No | No | No | No |
| Measured Lug Depth | 3.2 mm | 3.0 mm | 3.5 mm | 4.3 mm | 2.8 mm |
| Measured Weight | 11.49 oz | 8.05 oz | 10.64 oz | 9.40 oz | 10.55 oz |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Matryx Jacquard | Matryx Jacquard | Single layer mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | FF BLAST PLUS ECO | EExpure midsole | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | Foam | Foam |
| Outsole | ASICSGRIP | Vibram Litebase Megagrip | Salomon Contagrip MA | Rubber | Rubber |
| Sizes Available | 6 - 15 US regular | 4.5 - 13.5 US regular |
4 - 13 US regular |
7 - 15 US regular |
7 - 15 US regular |
| Heel Tab Type | Loop | None | None | Finger loop | None |
| Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Asics Trabuco Max 4 has a towering 41 mm heel stack height and weighs a whopping 11.49 ounces (per shoe, US men's size 10.5). The FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole makes it a comfortable choice for smoother terrain, while its maximal build feels cumbersome and unwieldy on more technical trails.
The Asics Max Trabuco 4 provides excellent return and comfort but is best for easy trails and gravel roads.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Comfort and Fit
The upper on the Trabuco Max 4 is great, giving a nice performance fit without feeling tight or cramped. The toe box is spacious but secure — even when moving fast, I experienced little shifting in these shoes. The laces are comfortable, and the thin padded tongue works well over long distances. The materials are breathable but are more absorbent than others in our lineup. This is an upper that feels classic, one that works but doesn't offer quite the premium feel as pricer models.
The midsole is dense but offers excellent energy transfer. The more pronounced rocker helps offset some of this firmness, but helps you roll through your foot strike. This is appreciated on flat terrain, but can become more bothersome on uneven surfaces. We'd recommend this model across the distance spectrum, but it may lack versatility for tough trail ultras. Those running extended gravel runs should find this model quite appealing.
The thick stack provides dense cushioning that prioritizes return of midsole comfort.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Traction
The 3.2 mm lugs (as measured in our lab) give the Trabuco moderate grip on smooth dry trails, but it isn't quite up to the challenge of truly technical terrain. The stack is much too high to offer confidence, especially when cornering. This is also not an option to pick for those who often run in muddy or wet conditions, as its traction capabilities fall apart in any challenging conditions we ran through. The directional lug pattern wants to be driven in a consistent direction, so roads and straighter, smoother trails are a great match for the Trabuco Max.
The tapered lugs on the Trabuco Max 4 don't work well in soft or wet conditions but provide quick turnover on roads and buffed trail.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
The wide heel and forefoot platform give this model tons of stability on certain terrain. On flatter surfaces, the Trabuco feels well planted, with great stability through the ankles, knees, and hips. Due to the 41 mm heel stack, more technical and off-camber terrain feels a bit torquey. The underfoot platform is fairly stiff with subtle cushioning, which never feels like it detracts from the responsiveness. For tempo days on gravel roads, this was an easy pick for our team, but we'd opt for something else when the trails get rocky.
An internal look at the Asics Trabuco Max 4.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Foot Protection
There is plenty of underfoot protection on the Trabuco Max 4. With dense foam and a huge 41 mm stack, very few protruding rocks can be felt poking the bottoms of your feet. If you're wearing this shoe where it's intended, that should be all the protection you need. In more technical, off-camber terrain, you may find the Trabuco works against you — we recommend it only for those tackling tough spots at a slower clip.
Ample underfoot foam helps to prevent repeated impacts from causing excessive fatigue.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Weight
Our in-house lab team measured the Trabuco Max 4 at 11.49 oz per shoe, size US men's 10.5. The high energy return offset some of the heaviness, but it was still noticeable more clunky on trails through our stride. This is in part due to both the weight and the stack. On easier terrain, the Trabuco flowed better without feeling out of place. Most users will find this shoe does best on gravel roads and easy trails.
Weighing the Asics Trabuco Max 4 in the lab.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Sensitivity
High stack often lowers sensitivity, and that remains true for the Trabuco. Ultimately, I don't think this detracts from the overall performance as this shoe isn't really intended for technical terrain where higher sensitivity is needed. On road runs and gravel paths, the Trabuco provides plenty of sensitivity to feel confident. It works well across the pace spectrum and should offer great performance for everything from recovery days to race days.
Our in-house lab team goes through many different specs to back up our in-field testing. Shown here is measuring the outsole hardness.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Asics Trabuco Max 4?
If you're wanting a shoe that has a lot of energy return and is great on a mix of road and gravel paths, this is an excellent option. The FF BLAST PLUS ECO midsole is excellent, but the high stack makes the Trabuco suffer in technical terrain.
The Trabuco is best for those wanting to blend road and trail running.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
What Other Men's Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you're wanting something similar to the Trabuco Max 4 in terms of comfort and responsiveness, but that excels in more technical terrain, we'd recommend the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro. The Brooks Catamount 4 could be a great option for those who want a touch more versatility without sacrificing comfort and support. The Catamount will excel on moderate dry trails but will also work great on roads and gravel paths.
—Matthew Richardson
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