ASICS Trabuco 14 GTX review

The ASICS Trabuco 14 GTX is a fantastic option for runners who:

• Want reliable waterproof protection and excellent grip for tackling a wide variety of trails.
• Enjoy the Trabuco series and need a winter-ready version with a GORE-TEX upper.
• Live in colder climates and spend most of their running time on off-road terrain.

If you live in a dry climate or rarely run in wet conditions, we recommend sticking with the regular ASICS Trabuco 14. It's lighter, more flexible, and noticeably cheaper than the GTX version.

We also believe that runners who dislike longitudinally stiff shoes should look elsewhere. Instead, we suggest the Nike ACG Zegama Trail GTX, which offers a lower result in our 30-degree bend test while featuring the same GORE-TEX Invisible Fit technology.

The ASICS Trabuco 14 GTX delivered solid impact protection in our tests, reaching 127 SA at the heel and 108 SA at the forefoot. Both results land slightly above average and give most runners useful cushioning throughout the whole midsole.

Using the ASTM F1976 standard, we measured 62.8% energy return in the forefoot and 57.7% in the heel.

The FF BLAST MAX foam delivers a modest amount of bounce, but we see this as a welcome improvement over the dull FF BLAST+ used in previous Trabuco models.

The ASICS Trabuco 14 GTX aims to be a do-it-all, winter-ready trail workhorse that suits a wide range of runners. In our experience here in the lab, shoes designed with this goal in mind tend to deliver results close to our current averages, rather than pushing the limits in any particular area.

That holds true for the heel stack height, which we measured at 33.1 mm. We believe this setup strikes a sensible balance, providing good shock absorption while keeping the foot reasonably close to the ground and less disconnected from the terrain than maximalist alternatives.

The forefoot measured 27.3 mm, offering good a well-protected layer beneath the ball of the foot. Like the heel, it's a balanced profile for everyday off-road use.

Our measurements revealed an actual drop of 5.8 mm, noticeably lower than the 8 mm advertised by ASICS. However, we weren't surprised by this difference, as we found a similar discrepancy in the non-GTX version.

Pressing our Asker C durometer into the raw FF BLAST MAX foam gave us 37.2 AC. We found a balanced level of softness, with a more controlled response to pressure than the deeply sinking feel some runners prefer.

The freezer test brought a particularly good result. After 20 minutes in the cold, the foam became just 5% firmer, preserving nearly the same softness. We like to see that consistency in a shoe designed with wet and freezing conditions in mind.

The Trabuco 14 GTX features a moderate rocker similar to what we find in many modern road running shoes. Meanwhile, the midfoot stays relatively flat, which we believe makes it a good option for runners who also want to use it for hiking.

Through the forefoot cutouts of the Trabuco 14 GTX, we spotted the green rock plate that ASICS uses to protect the front of the midsole from sharp objects. It's also worth noting that instead of a continuous plate, the brand opted for a two-piece construction.

The Trabuco 14 GTX measured 94.8 mm across the widest part of our gel replica, compared to 100.3 mm in the regular Trabuco 14.

That's 5.5% narrower, making this version considerably less spacious across the ball of the foot due to the GORE-TEX Invisible Fit layer.

Near the big toe, we measured 75.4 mm of internal width. It's 1% less than the regular Trabuco, so don't expect a big change here.

Height is the more restrictive dimension. At 25.0 mm, we found a lower-than-average roof over the toes, bringing the upper closer to their tops.

Runners with taller toes or a high-volume forefoot should pay attention here, especially because the GORE-TEX version adds some rigidity to the whole upper.

What an impressive result from ASICSGRIP! We recorded a coefficient of friction of 1.05 on wet concrete, making traction one of the Trabuco 14 GTX's standout strengths and reinforcing its credentials as a reliable trail shoe for rainy days.

ASICS advertises 4.0 mm lugs for the Trabuco 14 GTX, and our measurements came remarkably close at 3.9 mm, just 0.1 mm below the official figure.

This lug depth is a popular choice for versatile trail shoes, offering enough grip for a wide range of terrain while remaining suitable for short road sections and small stretches of technical terrain.

The ASICSGRIP outsole uses angular, chevron-shaped lugs facing several directions. There's rubber around the perimeter and across most of the forefoot, with a long central groove dividing the front into two sides.

Therefore, outsole coverage is decent but far from impressive. In our view, ASICS prioritised keeping the weight down over maximising rubber coverage.

It took 26.3N to bend the shoe through 30 degrees, compared to 18.8N for the regular Trabuco 14. That's 39.9% more force, revealing a noticeably stiffer GTX version. And this could be potential dealbreaker for those who prefer a more flexible shoe.

We weighed the ASICS Trabuco 14 GTX at 10.4 oz (295g) in our men's US size 9, making it just 4.2% heavier than the regular Trabuco 14.

In our view, that's a very reasonable weight for a GORE-TEX trail shoe. And we were pleasantly surprised by how little extra weight the GTX construction adds compared to the non-waterproof version.

Inspecting the Trabuco, we found raised midsole sidewalls around the rearfoot and a broad platform beneath both ends of the shoe. The reinforced upper and structured heel also contribute to the support built around the foot.

For this reason, we believe the Trabuco 14 GTX is a solid option not only for neutral runners but also for those with mild overpronation.

Our torsional rigidity test required 19.1 Nm of torque, compared to just 12.4 Nm for the regular Trabuco 14. That's a massive 54.0% increase, revealing a much more rigid structure in the GTX version.

We've noticed this same pattern in other GORE-TEX shoes tested in our lab, showcasing that the upper plays a major role in determining a shoe's overall torsional rigidity.

The heel counter put up plenty of resistance when we squeezed and bent it, earning 4/5.

At the widest part of the forefoot platform, we measured 118.8 mm. That's a reasonably broad base, providing some extra sole around the landing area.

We moved our callipers and measured 96.0 mm across the heel platform, finding a generous base beneath the rearfoot. Heel strikers have a broad area available for their initial landing, which complements the structured heel counter we tested before.

The toebox earned 3/5 in our Dremel test, delivering moderate resistance to abrasion. The overlay adds coverage around the toe, but we would still have liked an even tougher material in the tested area.

The rear lining handled abrasion better, earning 4/5 in our Dremel test. We found good resistance in a part of the shoe exposed to repeated rubbing as the foot moves inside the collar.

Our outsole abrasion test left a 1.3 mm dent, a higher-than-expected amount of localized damage. So it's clear to us that grip and wear resistance tell different stories here. 

Beneath the lugs, we measured just 1.2 mm of outsole rubber, leaving a thin layer between the lugs and the midsole with little extra material to wear through.

However, it's worth remembering that ASICS added a forefoot rock plate, providing extra underfoot protection where the midsole is thinner.

The Trabuco 14 GTX managed just 1/5 when we pumped smoke through its upper, the lowest possible score. Like it happens with all GORE-TEX shoes, we found very limited airflow.

For this reason, we would reserve this rain-ready construction for cooler, wetter conditions and choose a more ventilated upper (or the regular version) when releasing heat becomes the priority.

ASICS uses flat woven laces with cord-based loops across the lower instep and punched eyelets near the collar. We like the freedom to adjust tension at individual crossings, while the elastic lace keeper helps contain the loose ends.

Underneath, we measured 6.8 mm of tongue padding. That's good cushioning against lace pressure without an excessively bulky tongue.

We found a fully gusseted tongue attached along both sides, closing the usual gaps beside the instep. The ideal setup for a waterproof shoe!

The removable insole measured 4.2 mm, which is pretty close to the average.

We removed the insole without difficulty, making replacement quick and easy.

There's no heel tab on this model. We found a strip running down the back of the collar and covering the upper stitching, but it doesn't extend into a finger loop or pull strap.

We confirmed that the upper includes reflective elements in the heel and instep areas, a useful addition for early starts and evening outings.

The ASICS Trabuco 14 GTX costs £20 more than the regular Trabuco 14. That extra cost gets you a GORE-TEX Invisible Fit upper for waterproof protection. However, we believe this is a steeper premium than most brands charge for waterproofing, making the GTX version a less compelling option in terms of value.