ASICS Men's Gel-Trabuco 9 Running Shoe

Product Information

They offer high-end cushioning with their FLYTEFOAM midsole and GEL technology. Both of these were felt each time I have run in them. And lastly, the ASICSGRIP rubber outsole.

The Trabuco 9 is definitely a staple in my ultra quiver. I like the flexibility, dense cushioning, and overall protection for the longest days out on the trails. 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. 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.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!

The ASICS GEL TRABUCO 9’s offer everything you need to make your foot feel protected. I will start with what the outsole offers. Ever since I tried on the ASICS Gel-FujiTrabuco 6 in 2018, since then, it has always been the shoe to get the job done.Modifications has also been made to the ASICSGRIP traction system. The ASICS Gel-Trabuco 9 now introduces a uphill and downhill directional lug. Cuts in the lugs gives extra traction whilst on the ascends as well as descends. In between the layers of the FLYTEFOAM, you will find DUOMAX cushioning. This plate allows for your foot to have even more support and also guides your foot into a pleasant gait cycle. Mike P (10.0)- Fuji Lite is more suited to shorter runs and “shorter” ultras, if the terrain is smooth to moderate. Fuji Lite Flytefoam is much softer, the shoe is a lot more flexible and overall is less protective. FL2 has a bouncy, fun ride which I enjoy for shorter runs. FL2 upper is also less structured and less secure, partly due to the much softer base. 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.

I think anything past that I would want something a bit more cushioned. A great choice would be the ASICS TRABUCO MAX. When I initially put them on I was surprised with how plush the midsole felt. This comfort comes from the FLYTEFOAM midsole that’s partnered with GEL technology cushioning in the heel. The mesh material is lightweight and high quality. The mesh is very breathable. It works to take hot air up and away from your feet to keep them cool and dry.Ordinarily I would not run a marathon in a brand new pair of shoes. I would take the time to break them in. The Trabuco 9 performed amazingly though and I had no issues with them at all. To me, this is a fair price considering the comfort and durability this shoe offers. I have run close to 100 miles in them and so far there has not been any indication of wear. The Trabuco 9 have a DUOMAX support system, this placement of foam on the medial side of the midsole offers a firmer density that keeps the foot from rotating inward too much. A combination of FLYTEFOAM midsole material and GEL technology cushioning in the heel give the shoes such a comfortable feel. 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. I recently put the shoes to the ultimate test during a multi day trail race along the north Cornwall coastal path. Atlantic Coast Challenge (ACC) is a 3 day race that covers 80 miles and over 10,000ft of elevation. On the first day I wore the pair of Trabuco 9 I had been training in. Towards the end of the first day I had to run through part of the sea and they were completely submerged. Not wanting to wear wet shoes the following day I wore a brand new pair straight out of the box.

Mike P: As mentioned in the intro, they felt good on my feet straight away when I first tried them on in the store. Noticeable was the flexibility - I was accustomed to the stiffness of the Trabuco Max (™), but these “regular” Trabuco’s have a nice even flex from the midfoot through the forefoot. They felt really comfortable just walking around and I could tell that they were more my style as I tend to appreciate flexibility in a trail shoe. 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. Mike P (10): TR2 actually has a wider toebox than the Trabuco 9 - too wide in fact, especially with the looser knit material they use. TR2 lugs are also much shallower and traction is not as good. The ride is just dull. These were a miss for me. The reduction of weight hadn’t compromised the robustness of the shoe. It still feels just as sturdy and hasn’t lost its comfort. Both very much a key requirement for me when being outdoors for long periods. 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.What I also love about the styling of this shoe is that while it behaves like a killer trailer runner, it doesn’t look like one! It boasts a low profile that sits a little bit lower on your foot, and the lugs are modest enough that they won’t add to the overall bulk of this shoe. 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.