This shoe has ASICS advanced FLYTEFOAM technology. The midsole is composed of a durable layer of FLYTEFOAM that runs from the tip of the toes to the heel. I would definitely recommend these shoes if you're looking to venture off road. Even if you need something with a bit of added grip for the roads now that we're heading into the depths of winter and the weather is making the pavements more hazardous with wet leaves, mud or snow. My biggest criticism with the previous iterations was it always felt very weighty. It was never a shoe you can take off/accelerate with ease. So, with the new weight and a better looking design, it definitely sends the message out that this is serious performance trail race shoe.

The shoes are designed for over pronation, this is when the foot lands on outside of heel, then rolls inward (pronates) excessively, transferring weight to inner edge instead of ball of the foot. If you usually wear something like GEL-Kayano for road running then these are the trail shoes for you. Mike P: Truly an under-the-radar workhorse shoe, and even ultra racer - if you are like a more traditional, firmer ride. It must be repeated - the toebox can’t be beat if you’re looking for an all-day, ultra distance shoe. In terms of longer distances, I’m comfortable taking these out for any length or duration over any terrain. I even planned to start with them at IMTUF 100 Mile this past September, although unfortunately I had to pull out due to illness.The improved lug pattern made trekking uphill not as painful and made going downhill on technical terrain less stressful. I didn’t have to worry about the shoes losing traction. The heel also offers additional protection with GEL cushioning that helps to absorb the impact when running on various surfaces. The Asics Gel TRABUCO 9 is the updated version from previous models. If you are looking to upgrade your current ASICS trail shoe, then I would highly recommend making the switch to the TRABUCO 9.

The upper of this shoe is not like your typical trail shoes. The reimagined upper is one of the modifications made to this shoe from the GEL-TRABUCO 8. The Trabuco 9 seems to be quite an under-the-radar shoe, as I’ve never seen anyone wearing them and haven’t found much information out there on the interwebs. That being said, throughout the review I will lean on comparisons and contrasts with the other two Asics shoes which seem to be better known - Trabuco Max (TM) and Fuji Lite 2 (FL2). Typically I don’t critique laces, as it’s a simple fix to trim them down or even switch them out. So I’ll just note that the T9 laces are a bit light and slippery, and the shoe also uses two fabric loops instead of eyelets at the midfoot. I switched to a pair of Knotley laces that have a bit more “grab” around eyelets and all is fine now. When running on uneven trails, it is super important that your shoes boast a wide toe box to allow your feet to naturally splay for added stability. While this toe box is is fairly wide, there are some runners that feel that it is just a tad too wide for their feet. This trail shoe will cost you around 129 dollars. It’s not the most expensive trail stability trainer and it’s not super budget-friendly either.I had no problems other than on the steep downhills. Because of the roomy toe box, I did have my toes jam into the front of my shoes. It wasn’t terrible but definitely noticeable. The last area where you will find protection is the upper. It is composed of 3D overlays that really allow them to hug your foot and keep them in place. But our trail running shoes aren't just functional - they're also stylish and eye-catching. Choose from a range of styles and colours that can be mixed and matched with our range of running clothes too. Recommended to those who are looking for peace of mind with kit on big adventure runs or someone looking for a stable shoe for support and comfort for their ‘longish’ off road runs. The aesthetics of the shoe has been redesigned to what resembles a very sleek and streamlined look. The detailing on the cushioning now has aggressive indentations to reduce the drag on the shoe.

Additionally, this design has a slightly narrow forefoot without a lot of room to make micro-adjustments in the shallow lacing system. While this shoe works for most, it’s important to note that it may not be right for others. I suggest trying it on first at your local shoe store before you take the plunge! Specs also list “GEL” cushioning in the heel - again, this is another feature that is not noticeable to me. Heel landings are definitely harsher than say, a Hoka, but definitely in line with other less cushioned shoes, for example - Salomon’s Ultra Pro or S/LAB Ultra. A little bit of extra heel cushion would be welcomed for extended downhills, maybe something along the lines of how Boost is utilized in the heel of Adidas Agravic Ultra.I would recommend using these shoes for daily training runs on trails or grass. If we are talking about races then I would say, use them for a race that is marathon distance or under.

By redesigning the upper with lighter mesh and less stitching, this has saved the shoe an welcoming 30g. The toebox has also been reshaped offering more room.I have completed a number of obstacle course and trail races and have tried many different trail shoes over the years. The GEL-Trabuco 9 are by far my favourites to date.