ASICS Trabuco Max 4 review

The ASICS Trabuco Max 4 is designed for:

• Forefoot and midfoot strikers who want a trail shoe with massive cushioning.
• Runners seeking maximum protection and ground filtering on easy, non-technical terrain.
• Those who enjoy rockered, stiff-built shoes that stand apart from the average trail runner.

We think the Trabuco Max 4 is not the right pick if you dislike heavy shoes, it feels quite bulky on foot. For a similar experience with less heft, we suggest the ASICS Gel Trabuco 13 or even the Nike Wildhorse 10, both of which feel more agile and versatile.

Additionally, we found that the tapered toebox could be a deal-breaker for runners needing more room for toe splay. In our view, alternatives like the Altra Experience Wild or the Topo Ultraventure 4 provide a more foot-friendly design with space where it matters.

We tested the Trabuco Max 4 expecting max shock absorption, and we discovered that it truly shines in the forefoot with 127 SA, an impressive, long-distance-ready score that outperforms most trail shoes.

The heel, however, reached only 125 SA. This happens because ASICS designed the rear with a narrow base and the forefoot with a super-wide platform, which channels more shock dampening up front even with less stack height. And that's quite rare to find!

For version 4, we hoped ASICS would switch the Trabuco Max to the FF Blast Max midsole from the Novablast 5 or GT 2000 14, but they didn’t.

Instead, we tested the FF Blast+ foam and discovered it performed decently, reaching 57.1% bounce in the heel and 58.1% in the forefoot. These are not lightning-fast numbers and might feel a bit underwhelming for the price of this shoe, and it’s pretty clear to us that the Trabuco Max 4 wasn’t built for speed.

The "Max" name that sets this shoe apart from the regular Trabuco line comes from its maximalist stack height, which climbs to 39.3 mm in the heel.

But what really makes this shoe stand out is the forefoot stack height.

We found 33.2 mm in this area, a sky-high number that few competitors even approach. It's clearly aimed at runners who want an ultra-cushioned, ground-filtering ride.

There's an actual drop of 6.1 mm instead of the stated 5 mm. This subtle difference is impossible to feel underfoot, though.

For trail running, we think this geometry works nicely—the moderate drop helps with control and stability, while still avoiding the ultra-flat sensation zero-drop shoes like the Altra Lone Peak 9.

We tested the FF Blast+ foam in the Trabuco Max 4 and found it far from plush at 20.1 HA. It’s important to note that many expect a max-stack shoe to feel extra-soft, but with trail models that’s rarely true.

Trail shoes need more stable midsoles, and we discovered that this setup prevents the foot from sinking too much. Still, the foam doesn’t come across as super firm, though keep in mind that trail shoes often feel firmer than road counterparts because of the specific outsole and its lugs.

The rocker design in the ASICS Trabuco Max 4 is huge for a trail shoe, driven largely by its ultra-thick forefoot. With over 30 mm of stack here, the shoe relies on a strong curve to create smooth forward motion, as flexing this stiff forefoot is nearly impossible.

In contrast, the heel has only a moderate curve. That makes sense, and our judgment is that the Trabuco Max 4 is clearly built with midfoot and forefoot strikers in mind.

We tested the fit in the lab by replicating the shoe’s interior and measured a width of 97.0 mm.

This makes the shoe slightly roomier than the average, at least based on this first check. Let's do another one!

While the first measurement came out generous, the second one in the toebox told a different story. We measured 71.3 mm, showing a sharp taper that limits toe splay, with a mold barely resembling a natural foot shape.

The toebox height is also on the tighter side at 25.5 mm, which we confirmed while testing the shoe.

However, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable and does a great job keeping the foot secure on descents and turns.

It's clear that the Trabuco Max 4 is not made for tricky or technical terrain, the shoe just feels too tall for that kind of running. 

Because of this, the 3.1 mm lugs make perfect sense, and in our runs they worked really well, giving solid grip and control on smoother, less-demanding trails or simply the occasional dirt road.

The Trabuco Max 4 uses ASICSGRIP rubber in a full-length orange layer that covers nearly the entire outsole. The rubber is segmented with multiple cutouts, leaving triangular voids that expose the FF Blast+ midsole foam and reduce a bit of weight.

The lug design is aggressive, with repeated M-shaped and chevron-shaped lugs spread across the outsole.

This shoe is simply ultra-stiff. We felt it on the run, confirmed it by its oversized forefoot rocker, and finally verified it in our 30-degree bend test: an astonishing 26.4N for a shoe without a carbon plate!

We can't expect the weight of the Trabuco Max series to be low, given its supersized frame and broad forefoot. Still, we hoped for a noticeable improvement over version 3, but that upgrade simply never arrived.

The shoe is already quite hefty at 11.0 oz or 312g, and we believe that this bulky setup clearly signals the need for a more advanced foam—something that could easily cut the weight by 10% or even 15%.

Just by looking at the upper, it’s clear that ventilation isn’t going to be massive. The jacquard mesh appears super dense and lacks big airflow openings. While this design looks excellent for lateral support and durability, we wanted to confirm its ventilation using our lab machine.

The result we measured was 3/5. From our perspective, that’s a decent outcome for a trail shoe that balances daily use across different temperatures without major issues.

Moving the upper against a LED light, we discovered ASICS added a clever detail to help with airflow. The upper is thick, but the thinner tongue lets hot air escape—an area where durability is less critical, making it a smart choice.

Under our digital microscope, we also spotted small ventilation holes in the toebox. Yet these were blocked by an inner black layer, which explains why airflow wasn’t outstanding during testing.

We were impressed by the upper’s visual design, and the build quality feels strong and premium, easily matching the price point of the shoe.

ASICS added high sidewalls around the ankle to help keep the foot stable, and they’re especially noticeable for heel strikers. They do their job, but they're also a bit intrusive during each run.

Combined with the stiff build, broad forefoot and the structured upper, this creates a very stable ride on easy or flat terrain despite the high stack height.

As we expected, torsional rigidity scored a 5/5—and if a 6/5 were possible, it would deserve it. This shoe is practically impossible to twist or bend in any direction.

The heel counter follows the same approach as the rest of the shoe, going for a stiff build. We rated it 4 out of 5, yet comfort remains intact thanks to the thick foam layer separating the foot from the rigid insert.

The forefoot width is nearly record-breaking at 122.7 mm, a measurement rarely surpassed in our lab, delivering outstanding stability for midfoot and forefoot landings.

Of course, there’s a trade-off. This isn’t an agile, quick-turning shoe—it feels more like a massive SUV with off-road tires than a nimble quad.

The heel measured only 88.8 mm, which is quite narrow for a maximalist shoe. However, we noticed that the midsole flares outward quite a bit, creating a wider platform that protrudes on both sides.

This design adds extra support and stability even though the heel itself is compact where it touches the ground.

We anticipated solid durability in the toebox given the material ASICS used, and it delivered a good outcome. A 3 out of 5 isn’t groundbreaking or jaw-dropping, but it’s sufficient to move forward without major concerns.

The heel padding was outstanding, earning a perfect 5 out of 5. There’s nothing to criticize here—it’s a shoe that won’t wear down easily or develop a hole in this area.

What concerned us slightly was the outsole durability. While ASICSGRIP is a solid compound, its lifespan fell short in our test. The 1.7 mm of wear might be excessive for runners tough on outsoles.

The outsole, excluding the lugs, measures 1.6 mm in thickness. That’s slightly below the average, and when combined with the durability result, it adds a bit more to our concern.

The insole is made of EVA foam and has a thickness of 5.0 mm, which is about the same as most other trail shoes.

The insole is fairly standard in terms of shape, and can be removed from the shoe with ease.

The EVA foam in the Trabuco Max 4 became 23% firmer after 20 minutes in our freezer test. This is a result we consider quite acceptable.

For runners heading out super early or taking on day-long trail adventures, the Trabuco Max 4 includes reflective elements.

We found textured laces paired with a mixed setup that combines punched holes and six webbed eyelets per shoe. While this adds a premium-looking design, durability is questionable and it also raises doubts about achieving the perfect lockdown.

The tongue features 6.6 mm of padding—enough cushion for lasting comfort without feeling oppressive, making it a good solution that works for long hours.

The tongue is fully gusseted, keeping small debris from entering the shoe’s interior. This feature is sometimes missing even in similarly-priced models, but we consider it a really important detail.

It’s clear that the ASICS Trabuco Max 4 isn’t a budget trail shoe, and considering its performance, it feels somewhat overpriced with a FF Blast+ midsole that seems outdated. That said, durability, grip, comfort, and build quality are all solid, so if peak performance isn’t your main concern, the price tag tastes so much better.

This finger loop tab on the Trabuco Max 4 is made from durable fabric and designed to make slipping the shoe on easier, as well as adding aesthetic value. Its reinforced stitching ensures durability too.

We found the familiar elastic loop on the tongue carried over from earlier versions. This simple band holds the laces firmly in place, preventing any movement and keeping them from causing the slightest distraction.