Introduction:
With trail season just around the corner, it’s time to lace up and find the right shoe to carry us through those long, muddy miles. The Trabuco Max 4 promises a comfy experience for long distance trail runners, offering a substantial stack height and FF Blast+ cushioning technology. But does it live up to the hype? Is this the shoe you’ve been waiting for on your rugged runs? Let’s dive in to see how the Trabuco Max 4 stacks up in the real world.
The fit is snug, supportive and cosy
Esther: Straight out of the box, the fit of the Trabuco Max 4 is every bit as cozy as promised. The tongue is near perfection, being neither racer style nor a pillow like you would see in the 90s. And the heel collar is soft, snug and ready to keep your foot securely in place for many trail hours.
The upper on the Trabuco Max 4 is on the snug side, which, for me, was a positive. But if you like a little more room or have wider feet, I’d definitely recommend sizing up by half a size. When fitted correctly, the upper doesn’t budge, which is helpful support on trails given the stack height.
Speaking of the upper, ASICS have switched things up from the Trabuco Max 3. The previous ripstop fabric has been replaced with a jacquard-woven mesh that looks like something your grandma might have knitted while sipping tea (cozy vibes all the way). The mesh still traps a bit of heat, even with its perforations. Clearly, grandma wasn’t too worried about air circulation when she made that sweater!
Unfortunately, the laces remain unchanged from the previous model. The dreaded loose laces issue, as experienced by Silke and Theo, is still very much a thing in the Max 4. Noting this, the double knot and elastic lace tab worked wonders. That said, once adjusted, the lockdown is decent.
I appreciated the fact that between the stack and the overlays, you’re not getting wet until that whole foot plunges in the puddle. The toe cap is minimal and yet this shoe feels very protective from the elements. A nice reflective detail on the heel adds some safety for those evening runs when the trail is a little darker, because let’s face it, our chamois deserve to see us cruising up ahead!
Theo: I found the fit of the Trabuco Max 4 to be true to size. When I put it on foot, I found it to be comfortable from the off. All of the materials in the upper have been completely changed from the previous version. Firstly, we have a more breathable, lighter mesh. Then, we find plastic overlays to protect both the materials and your feet from rocks and roots. Finally, the toe protection is lighter than before so don’t be shocked if you end up with a few black nails from rocks.
If you have a high volume foot, this may not be the shoe for you. I found it a little on the narrow side. That said, I found that the toe box gave plenty of room for my foot to expand and breathe. This is a major improvement on the last version which was tight on my toes, especially on the downhills. Furthermore, ASICS have added more foam around the ankle which helps keep the foot stable. In addition to this, ASICS have also added two small foam pillows to the tongue which help protect the top of the foot from lace tightness.
Overall, and despite a narrow fit, the Trabuco Max 4 has improved on the upper. While there is slightly less protection, there is more protection, more comfort and more stability.
A firm, light and durable midsole to get you on your way
Esther: The midsole wasn’t at all what I expected from a max trail shoe, but it might have been exactly what my feet needed. Am I alone in thinking “max,” means max cushion? Well, spoiler alert: the Trabuco Max 4 isn’t all squishy clouds and pillow-soft landings. Instead, it’s more of a “max” in comfort and protection.
While the shoe delivers a huge stack, the FF Blast+ ECO midsole is on the firm side. It’s not a bad thing, that firmness is actually going to give you more durability than those squishier shoes.
FF Blast+ technology isn’t new to the Max line, it is used to be bouncier and lighter than previous foams (taken from ASICS website). The new and improved FF Blast + ECO in the Max 4 uses some recycled materials unlike in the previous iteration. This foam is said to assist toe-off which you can definitely feel. Is it “bouncy” like a trampoline? Nah. But does it keep things light on your feet? Absolutely. For a trail shoe with this much stack, it’s surprisingly light (242gr in my size 37 / 6.5). And while the bounce is there, it’s a bit more moderate—so don’t expect to feel like you’re springing off the trail with each step like its cousin the Trabuco 13.
In terms of ride, there is a clear rocker feel in the forefoot helping you get through endless long stretches. Possibly more useful on flatter sections. Possibly a little less helpful on the downhill when you will be wondering why you didn’t size up a half size.
Before you even feel that rocker magic, though, the metatarsals sink into a wonderfully padded section of the midsole. Forefoot and midfoot strikers, you’re going to love this. It’s like a little “thank you” from the shoe for all that extra support.
Theo: After finding the midsole of the Trabuco Max 3 to be amazing, I had great expectations here. As soon as I started running in the Trabuco Max 4, I knew it was not the same. I could feel that the reshaped midsole and was firmer. Here is where I agree with Esther, I lost the fun bounce of the shoe. In this iteration, the FF Blast+ seems to be a different recipe. It has lost some of the fun, instead it is a more serious, ultra race day shoe.
That said, it is still an enjoyable shoe to run in. However, it will take a few kilometres to break in. If you are a person who likes more trail feel and a lower stack, the Trabuco 14 will be the better choice. In fact, this is where I become confused with ASICS’ choices. I would have imagined that the Trabuco Max 4 would’ve had much more cushion than the regular version. However, that is not the case. Why, therefore, would I pick the Trabuco Max over the classic Trabuco? I have no answer to this. In fact, the main reason I can think to pick this shoe is if you are a heel striker. The new shape of the midsole will protect you on the downhills and it would be a good choice for a heavier runner.
In conclusion, the Trabuco Max 4 loses some of the fun of the 3. Nonetheless, it is a decent shoe to run miles on the trails. The high stack doesn’t penalise it on the more technical trails. If you are a heavier runner with a heel strike. If you are a lighter runner, the Trabuco 14 will provide all of the cushion but with more playfulness.
The outsole grips in the dry but slips in the mud
Esther: The Trabuco Max 4 outsole features the trusty ASICSGRIP rubber, which is a standout on rock, gravel, and grass. It’s tacky, grippy, and just what you need when you’re powering through different terrains. The 4mm lugs are M-shaped and arranged in three neat rows, with one row reversed on the medial side to help you handle those downhill descents like a pro. That’s the bright side of this outsole.
Now, here’s where it gets a bit tricky, especially for trail runners in North and Western Europe: this outsole really struggles in the mud. If it’s just packed, dried mud, you’re good to go. But as soon as the rain comes and turns the trail into a slippery bog, you’ll be slipping and sliding, wishing you had snagged the chevron lugs from your Trabuco 13 cousin. The 4mm lugs on the Trabuco Max 4 are simply too shallow, and the little M and Ms, no matter the orientation, tend to hold onto packed mud until you stomp it out, definitely energy sucking when you’re fighting to stay upright in a fresh, muddy mess.
Theo: This is where my disillusionment became even greater. Not because the outsole is not good. But on the contrary because it is so much improved from the previous version. What a shoe it could’ve been. The print of the outsole is really large which led me to expect low precision on the trails. That said, I had no fear going fast on the downhills and it has treated me well on every type of terrain.
The lugs have been completely renewed which shows that ASICS have taken on board feedback. Their previous lugs were catastrophic on rainy runs. While it still isn’t the best wet weather shoe on the market, they do a more than decent job. For the next version, I would like to see some deeper lugs in the heel. If ASICS did that, they would be a step closer to perfection.
This is your dry trail BFF but not your mud covered companion
Esther: Overall, the Trabuco Max 4 is a great option for runners who prioritize comfort, durability, and protection over a super soft, squishy ride.
It is a strong contender for mid to long-format trails. The firm and durable midsole offers just the right amount of bounce. It’s very similar in feel, weight, purpose and price to the NB Hierro v9. Both shoes position your foot higher up than, say, the Brooks Caldera 8, ideal for those who want comfort without feeling much of the trail underfoot. The Trabuco Max 4 offers a more pronounced rocker for smoother transitions on flatter sections.
While it excels on dry terrain, the shallow lugs struggle in softer, boggy conditions. For trail runners tackling wet, muddy conditions, the Trabuco Max 4 may not be the best option. That said, I’d grab them any day on a chill 30km buffed out river trail run any day.
Theo: If you want a comfortable shoe which is ready to take you for hours on the trails, this is a good option. That said, the Trabuco Max 4 has lost the fun of the previous version. This is a shame because ASICS have improved everything but the midsole. The upper is more breathable and more comfortable. Overall, the Trabuco Max 4 will be more suited to a heavier heel striker who is on the quest for comfort. For those who loved the previous versions, this is a good shoe, but I would stick to the classic version now.
