ASICS Gel Trabuco 13 review

After testing the Gel Trabuco 13, we believe it’s an excellent choice for:

• Anyone looking for their first adventure-ready shoe—this model offers a seamless transition from road to trail.
• Runners seeking a stable, durable, and reasonably priced trail running shoe built for versatility.
• Runners who owned the Trabuco 10 or 11 and skipped the 12 due to its lack of midsole upgrades—this version finally features FF Blast+!

We believe that the Gel Trabuco 13 is not the best pick for those seeking an ultra-plush, high-stack trail shoe. Its cushioning, while solid and certainly improved, doesn't match the deep, impact-absorbing feel of true maximalist designs. For runners prioritising joint-friendly protection on rugged terrain, we suggest alternatives like the Nike Zegama 2 or the ASICS Trabuco Max 3.

Additionally, we think that runners with wide feet may find the Trabuco 13 too restrictive. Our testing confirmed that its toebox lacks the spaciousness needed for natural toe splay, making it less than ideal for those needing extra room. In our experience, shoes like the Altra Olympus 6 or the Topo Ultraventure 3 provide a far better fit, allowing toes to spread naturally.

ASICS has consistently positioned the regular Trabuco as their all-purpose trail shoe—essentially a mountain-ready counterpart to a road daily trainer.

Its 33.8 mm heel stack reflects this approach, steering clear of ultra-thick midsoles while still providing ample cushioning to handle long distances, even ultras for lighter runners.

The forefoot offers generous cushioning, surpassing the average with 26.8 mm of stack height.

While both measurements fall slightly short of the Gel Trabuco 12, the difference is minimal and imperceptible underfoot. In our opinion, it certainly doesn’t outweigh the nice upgrades in this version.

Through our evaluation, we measured a 7.0 mm heel-to-toe drop, which is similar to ASICS’ advertised 8 mm offset. With this drop, we believe the Gel Trabuco 13 accommodates all footstrike patterns effectively.

The best part of buying every shoe that we test is that we can be brutally honest without facing any pushback. That’s exactly what we did last year when we found that the Trabuco 12 still used the old FF Blast.

This time, there’s nothing to criticise. ASICS finally upgraded the Gel Trabuco 13 with FF Blast+ ECO, likely because models like the Novablast 5 moved to FF Blast Max. From our perspective, it’s clear that ASICS will always keep this model one step behind its road-running counterparts in terms of foam technology—a reasonable trade-off given the higher manufacturing costs of trail shoes.

Tuned for the trails, this FF Blast+ ECO doesn't come in a plush formulation. At 22.3 HA, it delivers a balanced feel that can even seem firm on pavement. However, it does a great job on trails, offering a nice mix of stability and comfort with improved energy return.

FF Blast+ ECO combines EVA and Olefin co-polymers, with the latter enhancing the foam’s performance in cold conditions. That’s why, after placing the Trabuco 13 in our freezer for 20 minutes, we measured an average 26% change in softness that improves plain EVA.

The insole is fairly standard, adding 4.4 mm of cushioning to the Trabuco 13.

One of the biggest updates in the Trabuco 13 compared to its predecessor is the redesigned heel bevel. ASICS introduced a more pronounced curve, which we found makes this model significantly more dynamic for rearfoot strikers, improving overall transition and ride smoothness.

This versatile shoe excels in running, walking, and hiking alike—partly thanks to the standard forefoot rocker that ASICS designed. If they had opted for a more aggressive curve up front, it would have sacrificed versatility, limiting its performance across different activities.

Rock plates have gradually lost relevance in trail running shoes over the years due to their added weight and reduced comfort, yet they remain a solid choice for non-maximalist designs.

That’s why ASICS retained one in the Trabuco 13, but instead of a rigid plate, they opted for an ultra-thin, highly-flexible version that adds barely any stiffness. It’s so minimal that we had to outline it with a small rectangle just to spot it. Don’t mistake it for the thick rubber—it’s the slightly more white-ish 1-mm layer resting on top.

We found that ASICS upgraded the GEL unit, creating a lighter and thinner version of the modern PureGEL used in models like the ASICS Nimbus 27.

The moment we slipped into the Trabuco 13, we immediately noticed that they felt a bit tight. To quantify this, we turned to our gel method (yes, ASICS, we have our own gel!).

After allowing the jelly mould to solidify in the fridge, we measured the widest part of the upper at 97.8 mm. This lands around the average width, which isn't restrictive, but we still had more areas to assess for a complete fit evaluation.

Our second measurement focused on the big toe area—where, in our experience, the real fit becomes apparent.

At 72.6 mm, it’s clear why we felt some restriction here. This snug design makes the Trabuco 13 best suited for those with narrow or average-width feet, while runners with wider feet may find it a bit confining.

In terms of vertical space, the toebox falls within an average range but leans slightly toward the restrictive side, measuring 26.1 mm with our vernier callipers.

Besides the midsole update, the most noticeable shift we experienced in the Trabuco 13 compared to its predecessor is stability. The redesigned midsole enhances balance on both forefoot and heel landings, though it introduces a few trade-offs that may not suit everyone.

The biggest drawback of this version is its ultra-rigid construction, which we rated at 5/5. It’s nearly impossible to twist, making the ride feel less natural—something that won’t appeal to those who prefer a more forgiving feel, like in the NNormal Kjerag.

The heel follows the same trend, as ASICS swapped a standard heel counter for an ultra-rigid, steel-like design—earning another 5/5 in our tests. While this adds stability for heel strikers, we believe ASICS may have pushed it a bit too far for everyone else.

In the forefoot, we measured 115.2 mm—slightly wider than the average shoe but not by a huge margin. This intentional design enhances stability, particularly for forefoot and midfoot strikers.

However, the heel is significantly wider than the average and every other model in this series. Measuring 96.3 mm at its widest point, combined with a rock-solid heel counter, we believe this setup makes it an excellent choice for runners needing extra rearfoot stability.

On the other hand, this  design sacrifices some agility, making the shoe feel bulkier than before. As a result, we think it may be less appealing to neutral runners without stability needs.

While the Trabuco 13 remains torsionally stiff, it offers noticeably more longitudinal flexibility.

In our 90-degree bend test, we measured 32.2N—still on the higher end and significantly above the 24.0N of its predecessor—but at least lower than we initially expected based on previous tests. That makes it suitable, though not the best, for hiking.

Despite being noticeably larger than the v12, ASICS has done an impressive job trimming weight from the Gel Trabuco 13, which tipped our scale at 10.15 oz or 288g.

Of course, the switch from FF Blast to FF Blast+ ECO plays a major role in this improvement.

Our first impression of the Trabuco 13’s upper here in the lab didn’t scream high breathability. Hooking it up to our smoke-pumping machine, we set out to measure how well it actually allows airflow.

That led to a breathability score of 3/5, which is fairly average yet respectable for a rugged trail shoe. While some may prefer more ventilation, excessive airflow can also compromise warmth—something crucial for those in colder climates.

To get a closer look, we illuminated the upper and immediately spotted ASICS’ design approach. The tightly woven mesh, reinforced with some TPU overlays and zero ventilation holes, prioritises durability and protection over airflow. Frankly, we were surprised it still reached a 3!

A deeper inspection under our microscope confirmed what we suspected—the dense, structured build enhances resilience against trail debris but restricts air circulation in the toebox.

Despite its moderate airflow, we were impressed by the high-quality construction for a £140 shoe. The robust materials feel built to last, and the generously padded heel counter effectively offsets the rigid updates in this version—something we believe was essential for comfort.

We kicked off our first Dremel test of the day and quickly discovered that the absence of ventilation holes worked in the shoe’s favour—scoring an impressive 4/5 for durability.

A strong start in this fight against our tool—onto the next round!

Hold on, because the Trabuco 13 takes durability up a notch in the heel. We discovered that it outperformed the toebox, earning a solid 5/5. This result leaves no doubt about the upper’s impressive longevity.

The pressure is on, so let’s see how the outsole performs, as it's arguably the most crucial element of a trail running shoe.

In terms of grip, we found it highly effective, especially on dry terrain and non-technical trails—precisely where the Trabuco series thrives. This is largely due to the ASICSGRIP rubber, which, while certainly not Vibram, is still among the best in the industry.

We pressed our Shore C durometer against the outsole and recorded an 83.0 HC score. That’s right in the average range, balancing dependable grip with a durability level that should hold up well over time.

Our final Dremel test of the day focused on the ASICSGRIP outsole, and we discovered an impressively minimal 0.5 mm of wear after lifting the tool. This ultra-durable result reinforces the Trabuco 13 as one of the most rugged trail shoes we've ever tested overall.

The outstanding durability we observed now justifies the Trabuco 13’s thinner outsole, which is noticeably below the average at 1.6 mm. Additionally, in the forefoot, the presence of a rock plate reduces the need for a thicker base layer.

The lugs on the Trabuco 13 feature an entirely new design. ASICS has moved away from the ninja-star-shaped lugs of the v12, opting for a mix of asymmetrical chevron patterns with a few symmetrical ones positioned at the heel.

At 3.3 mm, the lugs are relatively shallow, making this shoe a great choice for door-to-trail use and light trails, with occasional ventures into moderate terrain.

Based on our runs, this updated pattern noticeably enhances traction compared to last year’s version, delivering a more secure grip on all surfaces.

The Gel Trabuco 13 offers excellent value, packing an upgraded FF Blast+ ECO midsole, a durable outsole, and a well-crafted upper—all at a road daily trainer's MSRP. In our view, few trail shoes on the market deliver a better price-to-performance ratio.

Unfortunately, the Gel Trabuco 13 lacks reflective elements—an area ASICS could improve in the next iteration.

One of the key reasons behind the Trabuco 13’s slight weight reduction compared to its predecessor is the redesigned tongue. ASICS trimmed the padding down to 5.6 mm from 8.3 mm—a noticeable shift that some will appreciate while others may not.

From our perspective, the slimmer-yet-supportive tongue felt well-balanced, providing enough protection for the instep without adding unnecessary bulk. We never found ourselves wanting more padding, and in our experience, this thoughtful adjustment contributed to the shoe’s lightweight feel without sacrificing comfort.

ASICS took an unusual design route here—but one that a few brands are beginning to adopt. Instead of securing the tongue on both sides, we found that the Trabuco 13 features a single-sided gusset on the medial side while leaving the lateral side unattached.

This approach helps block debris from entering through the medial, which is the most common entry point as it typically comes from the opposite shoe during walking or running.

The heel features a finger-loop tab that adds a rugged trail vibe to the shoe. It's well-constructed, and no matter how hard you pull, it’s unlikely to rip off.

If you need extra room in the toebox, you can swap the insole for a thinner one—or go all out and run without it!

We found the same elastic strap from last year, and it's again a practical detail that keeps the laces locked in place if you want to, preventing any movement during runs.