Asics Trabuco Max 4: The Max Cushion Monster

Trabuco Max 4: Quick Facts

 Weight: 

• M: 312g US 9
• W: 269g US 8

Best For: 

• Long easy days on the trail
• Easy to moderate terrain

Price: 

• $260 AUD

Stack Height, Drop & Lug Depth: 

• 40mm heel / 35mm forefoot
• 5mm drop
• 4mm lugs 

Favourite Features: 

• Well executed upper feels premium and refined 
• Midsole and rocker combo make for smooth transitions

Release Date: 

• January, 2025

What’s the Trabuco Max 4 all about?

Asics have been putting in a lot of work to develop their trail running line up over the last couple of years. The MetaFuji Trail was an interesting addition, bringing some speed and bounce and I’m keen to see the updated Trabuco 13 landing soon.

Now, the Trabuco Max 4 is a different beast altogether—built like an absolute tank, with a high stack of cushioning and a design that makes you feel like you can bulldoze through anything. But as always with heavily cushioned trail shoes, the big question is stability. Does the high stack and soft foam make it wobbly on uneven ground? Or has Asics found a way to make it cushioned, smooth, and controlled at the same time? Let’s dig in...

There's three key changes in Trabuco Max 4:

1) New geometry, same max cushion feel

The Trabuco Max 4 keeps Asics’ GUIDESOLE rocker, but it feels a little less aggressive than before. For me, this is actually a good thing. While I enjoy the rolling sensation of a rockered shoe, it’s not something I necessarily want to run in every day—especially on trails where I want more control. By toning it down a bit, Asics has made this shoe feel more natural and versatile.

On flatter, runnable trails, the transitions feel nice and smooth, almost effortless. It flows really well on hard-packed dirt and rolling terrain, keeping things efficient and comfortable. When we got the Trabuco Max out the box it felt pretty stiff and our first thoughts were it might not contour to trail terrain super well, but it's more adaptable than we originally thought. That said, it's probably one of the stiffness shoes in the max cushion trail category, which is something to keep in mind if you prefer a more flexible feel underfoot.

2) The Nimbus of the trails?

The midsole features FF BLAST PLUS ECO, the same foam found in the Nimbus 27. But don’t expect that same plush, sink-in softness—the Trabuco Max 4’s foam feels noticeably firmer, which is actually a smart move. If they had kept it as soft as the Nimbus, stability would have been an issue, especially with this much stack height.

Instead, the ride feels cushioned yet controlled, with enough firmness to keep things predictable when moving over rocks and uneven terrain. There’s still some bounce, but it’s more of a stable, well-structured kind of responsiveness rather than a trampoline effect. Because of the high stack and dense midsole construction, the shoe feels fairly stiff, which I can see being beneficial for runners who like a more structured ride that takes pressure off the forefoot.

3) Traction and upper - Asics Grip for the win

The outsole uses Asics Grip, which, in my opinion, is one of the best proprietary rubber compounds out there right now. It performs well on both dry and wet surfaces, and the lug pattern feels really well-balanced—not too aggressive but not too shallow either. It should handle a variety of terrain without feeling overkill on smoother trails. It’s not necessarily built for deep mud or super loose scree, but for general trail use, it’s dialled in just right.

The upper is also really solid. Asics generally nails their uppers. The engineered mesh is breathable yet structured enough to give a locked-in feel, and the gusseted tongue helps keep debris out. There’s a pull tab for easy on and off, a solid heel counter for extra support, and an interesting lacing system with cord along the sides, which seems to help with midfoot lockdown. The toe bumper has some flexibility to it, which I personally appreciate and prefer over the more rigid type found in the Brooks Caldera 8.

Our first thoughts

The Trabuco Max 4 delivers max cushioning and max protection in a smooth yet structured package. It shines on long, easy days on the trails—perfect for recovery runs or when you just want to cruise without worrying about every little rock underfoot.

Best suited for easy to moderately technical trails with compact terrain, it feels stable thanks to its wide base and solid outsole. Ground feel is on the low side, making it great for those who prefer a more protective ride, though runners who like a more connected ride might find it a bit too detached.

About the author

Seb Lopez - Trail Runner & Photographer

I’m passionate about trail running, hiking, adventure racing, and the outdoors in general. My favourite runs are long days spent with mates, exploring new places.

I also appreciate how different shoes allow me to connect with the terrain in unique ways and how that affects the running experience. When I’m not out on the trails, you’ll probably find me behind the camera as a sports photographer. It’s great to be on the other side and see the sport from a different angle.