ASICS Gel Trabuco 12 review

We believe the ASICS Gel Trabuco 12 is an outstanding choice for trail enthusiasts seeking a single, reliable shoe for diverse conditions. Here’s why we think it stands out:

• It's a a versatile, value-oriented trail partner, ideal for varied terrain and speeds.
• Offers heel strikers exceptional comfort with softer landings, thanks to its PureGEL technology.
• Mirrors the reliability and comfort of a daily trainer for the roads, but tailored for the trails.

We've consistently tested the Gel Trabuco 12, and while we believe it's a fantastic trail running shoe, its weight is a drawback—it exceeds the 10-oz mark, which could be a concern for some runners. If a lighter shoe is what you're after, we suggest the Hoka Speedgoat 6—a lighter alternative with a superior Vibram outsole for exceptional traction.

In our experience, the FF Blast midsole of the Trabuco 12 lacks the springiness many runners crave. For those valuing responsive energy return, we recommend the Nike Zegama 2, which features the bouncy ZoomX foam found in top-tier racing shoes, delivering a more energised ride.

The Gel Trabuco series, like many recent running shoes, continues to grow taller. In the 12th edition, we discovered a heel stack height of 35.4 mm.

This generous cushioning makes it a reliable choice for even extreme heel strikers tackling longer distances.

Mirroring the heel, the forefoot's stack has also reached its highest at 27.6 mm—this feature makes the shoe a safe option for forefoot or midfoot strikers of any weight.

Our measurements reveal a difference of 7.8 mm, impressively close to the 8-mm offset ASICS claims. It's rare to find such precise accuracy, and we commend ASICS for this consistency—it's truly exceptional compared to other brands based in our experience.

We also want you to take a moment to examine the heel in this image. Notice the gap beneath the footbed? This space accommodates the PureGEL in this model, which is smaller than in options like the Kayano 31 but still noticeable when running.

Moving to the midsole, ASICS retained the FF Blast compound from the prior generation—leaving some runners disappointed about not seeing an upgrade to FF Blast+.

Although FF Blast performs adequately, we think that for £140, FF Blast+ should have been included, offering superior energy return and reduced weight. It seems we might have to wait until the 13th version or opt for an upgrade to ASICS' trail behemoth—the Trabuco Max 3.

Regarding the FF Blast, the ride feels just balanced. Despite appearing plush on our durometer with a reading of 17.5 HA, the combination of the outsole and the lugs, adding more than 6 mm of separation between the feet and the foam, alters the feel significantly compared to a road shoe.

After a 20-minute nap in the freezer, we re-evaluated the softness of the Trabuco 12 and were thoroughly impressed by its performance. This model exhibited only a 15.7% reduction in softness, demonstrating outstanding resilience in cold conditions, which is quite remarkable for an EVA-based model.

The insole is typical in all aspects—crafted from standard EVA, it measures a modest 4.6 mm in thickness and offers an expected feel.

Although the Gel Trabuco 12 lacks a traditional rock plate, we can confirm its presence in a unique form. We found that the Kobe-based designers ingeniously integrated a thin layer of super-firm foam beneath the standard slab of FF Blast in the forefoot.

This addition enhances forefoot protection without significantly stiffening the area—clever Japanese design!

With a toebox width of 100.3 mm, the Trabuco 12 is an excellent option for runners who need extra space or prefer a more generous fit. This ample room makes it ideal for those with broader feet.

On the other hand, for trail enthusiasts who prefer a narrow or tight fit, the Merrell Agility Peak 5 emerges as a better alternative.

The toe area of the shoe mirrors the generous design of the upper's widest part, proving more accommodating than the average shoe.

The height of the toebox is not the roomiest we've ever seen, and it's not stretchy at all.

Measuring at 80.4 mm, it maintains a minimal taper, providing ample room for horizontal toe splay even during the longest and hottest runs. This feature ensures comfort and flexibility when you need it most.

One standout feature of the Gel Trabuco 12 is its exceptional stability—it's so good that, although technically a neutral shoe, it nearly qualifies as a stability shoe.

After our test runs, we think it really offers superior support, which clearly distinguishes it from its competitors in the trail market.

Designed as a "daily trainer" for adventures, we anticipated a balanced approach to torsional rigidity—and that’s precisely what we experienced in the lab. 

Following our thorough manual evaluation, we assigned a 3/5 score. This rating highlights its flexibility, which supports dynamic movements such as sharp turns and rapid directional changes without sacrificing stability.

The heel counter, similar to those found in many road running models, earns a 3/5 for offering a balanced experience—it provides a secure fit without feeling overly restrictive.

With a forefoot width of 115.7 mm, landings in the Trabuco 12 felt exceptionally stable and secure, particularly at high speeds—a surprisingly pleasant experience given the shoe's substantial weight.

The heel of the Gel Trabuco 12 offers a remarkably stable feel, particularly for rearfoot strikers.

This enhanced stability is due to ASICS increasing the heel width to 93.4 mm—well above the average, providing a more supportive base.

We previously noted that the torsional flexibility of the Trabuco 12 mirrors that of a typical daily trainer, enhancing its agility over other similar taril shoes. But how does its longitudinal stiffness measure up?

In our rigorous 90-degree bend test, the Trabuco 12 displayed a moderate stiffness, scoring a comfortable 24.0N result. This level of stiffness positions the shoe as a versatile all-terrain option, adept at managing both vigorous trail runs and leisurely hikes with equal ease.

After a second 20-minute session in our freezer, we re-evaluated the stiffness of the T12.

What we found was truly impressive—a 24.7% increase in stiffness, which proved to be beneficial rather than concerning.

At 10.75 oz or 305g, the Gel Trabuco 12 is far from being considered a lightweight trail shoe.

We think ASICS really needs to step up here. Although weight isn't always a critical factor for trail runners, we're convinced that shedding at least half an ounce would make this shoe noticeably quicker and more enjoyable.

Starting with some great news—the Gel Trabuco 12 excels in breathability among trail running shoes, scoring an impressive 4 out of 5. This is remarkable for a rugged shoe.

Our light tests revealed the true genius of the upper design—it's strategically thin in critical areas like the toebox to enhance airflow, though this does bring up some durability questions we'll address later. On the flip side, the heel is thicker, providing a great boost in stability.

The previous smoke test confirmed the upper's effective air circulation, despite the absence of large ventilation holes.

And our microscopic examination showed that the mesh is constructed with ultra-small perforations that permit air and moisture to escape, a smart design that likely increases durability compared to uppers with larger holes.

The upper is non stretchy, featuring substantial padding in the heel and, visually, it undeniably showcases its trail-ready design. We believe this upper update is a good one.

After witnessing the Trabuco's superior breathability, we were thrilled to assess its durability. This involved firing up our Dremel to rigorously test the upper's resilience!

Our initial focus was on the toebox, and we were extremely pleased with the results. It's a rare feat for a shoe that excels in breathability to also achieve a 4/5 in our durability test, surpassing many of its rivals.

Buoyed by the success in earlier tests, we directed our Dremel towards the heel counter of the Gel Trabuco 12—a component often prone to premature wear in some shoes.

Once again, the Trabuco impressed us, scoring a solid 4/5. This result reaffirms the upper of the Gel Trabuco 12 as a reliable option for trail runners concerned with longevity.

Moving to the outsole, we found the standard ASICSGRIP rubber used across many ASICS trail models. Though not as renowned as Vibram Megagrip, it performed remarkably across varied terrains.

Our durometer assessment recorded a hardness of 81.1 HC. This score suggests a well-rounded combination of lasting durability and reliable traction.

So far, the Dremel tests have shown that the Trabuco 12 is quite resilient, and we were optimistic it would continue to impress in our final Dremel challenge.

We recorded a mixed outcome of 1.0 mm in our latest evaluation. Although not disappointing, it wasn't as stellar as previous results. Perhaps our expectations were a bit high, anticipating this shoe to excel in every test, and that's unfair!

The outsole is only 1.5 mm thick, but we think a thicker outsole would have negatively impacted the shoe's overall performance. Given its proven durability, this seems to have been a wise decision.

In our experience, ASICS has opted for a cautious approach with the lugs, employing a high depth of 4.5 mm designed to perform adequately across various conditions—from easy to hard trails and from wet to dry soil. However, it falls a bit short on the most difficult terrain and super-inclined hills, which is normal, as no outsole can master all conditions.

We also found it features a rugged lug pattern designed for traction. The ASICSGRIP lugs are multidirectional, with various sizes, and featuring chevron-shaped lugs in the exterior for enhanced stability and grip.

Since this test simply requires a yes or no answer from us, we must say "yes." However, it's clear to us that ASICS should incorporate more reflective elements in the next Trabuco update.

The tongue of the shoe boasts 6.6 mm of padding, offering great comfort in the instep area and making the Trabuco 12 ideal for long runs and even ultra distances.

Additionally, we appreciated the handy elastic loop on the tongue—a clever design element carried over from previous designs—that securely holds the laces in place, preventing any shifting during runs. We just love it!

Every trail runner values a gusseted tongue for keeping out trail debris, and we were thrilled to see that the Gel Trabuco 12 features one. 

This essential addition boosts the shoe’s ability to block dirt and pebbles from disrupting your run, plus it also delivers a safer lockdown. We found this design particularly effective during our field tests in the mountains at faster paces.

The heel of the shoe features an oversized, horizontal finger-loop heel tab that clearly signals its trail-ready design. However, we think that it's larger than necessary!

We encountered no issues separating the insole from the lasting board, making it effortless to incorporate third-party footbeds.