Asics Trabuco 14 run shoe review: “A bouncy, energetic ride”
Balanced comfort meets trail-ready performance – Jude Palmer tests the prowess of the Asics Trabuco 14...
220 Triathlon Verdict
Wide fitting, spacious and comfortable, the Trabuco 14 will help put a spring in your running step. Score: 92%
Pros
- Lightweight yet cushioned
- Energetic, bouncy ride
- Secure lace storage system
Cons
- Not for narrow feet
- Hard to find many cons!
This was my first experience of Asics trail running shoes and I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the Trabuco 14. Mind you, it’s a shoe with heritage as you don’t make it to version 14 of a shoe without doing something right. Here, the run shoe is 4g lighter than the previous version and includes an extra 2mm of cushioning.
An impressive six colourways are available for men and women, including two Gore-Tex (GTX) versions at £150/$155 if you prefer a little more waterproofing. Mercifully, both GTX versions are much more muted in colour as well, whereas the lighter colours of the main range wouldn’t last long in the recent winter mud!
How we test running shoes
Each running shoe we review gets put through the same level of testing, including numerous runs of varying distances over the period of several weeks at a minimum. This includes long, slow runs, plus faster tempo efforts or interval sessions. We test against a range of criteria including comfort, breathability, support, stability, ride, propulsion and value. For more details, see how we rate and test products.
First impressions and design
Fresh out of the box, they felt comfortable and energetic at the same time. Weighing just 249g/8.8oz, this shoe strikes the perfect balance between lightweight and long-distance comfort. There is no stinting on the generous padding around both the heel collar and tongue which is great for longer harder sessions. This comfort extends to the underfoot which has been updated with FF Blast Max foam, taken from Asics’ road shoes. This delivers a bouncy, energetic ride with a noticeable pop at toe-off. It feels responsive and lively, yet stable enough for longer efforts.
The toe box is roomy to the point of spacious and it took a few adjustments on laces to really dial in the fit and hold my feet in place especially on down hills. If you have particularly narrow feet this may not be the shoe for you.
Features and performance
An absolute must feature for trail shoes for me is some way of securing laces and the Trabuco 14 does this with an elastic across the laces at midfoot. Once tied, tuck them underneath and they’ll (hopefully!) not come undone and will also be prevented from snagging on low branches or undergrowth.
A mesh upper kept my feet from overheating although it also meant it was easy for water to get in on those wet winter runs. If this is an issue for you, then maybe look towards the GTX version in which an extra layer is included that comprises waterproof coverage that is bonded seamlessly with the upper and which helps promote quicker dry-out times.
With a stack height of 35mm and 8mm drop, the Trabuco 14 has the potential to feel unstable but the wide base helps keep you grounded and sure footed enough on more technical terrain. They feel cushioned yet I still felt connected to the trail. With 4mm lugs, I found the Trabuco 14 happy to take on all but the muddiest of terrains which a British winter has kindly delivered. The Trabuco 14 offer reliability on all sorts of runs and definitely gave me a playful energetic experience on both short and longer runs.
Asics Trabuco 14 specs
| Specifications | Asics Trabuco 14 |
|---|---|
| Price | RRP: £140/$145 |
| Size | Women: UK3-10.5 / US5-12.5 | Men: UK5-14 / US6-16 |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Midsole | FF BLAST MAX |
| Weight | 249g/8.8oz |
220 Triathlon Team
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