Asics Gel Trabuco 11 Introduction
Asics continues to impress with their latest iteration of the Trabuco; a moderately light shoe with a firm, fast, and adaptive ride.
Updates in this version include a slightly higher stack, improved outsole, and an upgrade to the rock plate. It currently retails for $140 which is not a steal by any means, but won’t break the bank.
While it has a lower profile, it is heavier than the Trabuco Max 2. It is most comparable to the Saucony Xodus Ultra, but it is also similar to the Hoka Speedgoat.
Asics Gel Trabuco 11 Impressions
This felt comfortable immediately out of the box. Walking around I could tell they were going to be grippy and was itching to take them out on the trails. I really liked the colorway and the topographical map in the bottom areas.
From the start, I was immediately a big fan. I felt completely in control and was taking downhills and uphills with ease. My home park is nothing short of rooty and rocky with lots of climbing and descents and these did great.
Further runs proved to be enjoyable. . The grip is some of the best traction I’ve seen in a trail runner. I had zero issues running on muddier trails and felt in control the entire time.
It did great going through stream crossings and had great drainage. Even taking these briefly on the road felt great.
Asics Gel Trabuco 11 Protection
The upper material is a heavy duty engineered mesh that is made of recycled material. It breathed great and dried quick when it got wet. If my feet got caught in sharp roots or brushed against rocks I never felt like the integrity of the upper would be compromised.
The rock plate helped protect me from sharp rocks and debris. There were several times I would step on something but wouldn’t feel it nor felt like it would penetrate through.
One other nice touch is the lace “garage”. While just an extra piece of elastic on the tongue, it allowed me to tuck my laces into the shoe and didn’t have to worry about the laces catching on anything.
Asics Gel Trabuco 11 Durability
This shoe is incredible durable. After testing, there were minimal signs of wear. I could see these being in my rotation for quite some time.
I would definitely take these on harsher trails than the trails I normally run in Maryland which consist of roots, rocks, and mud.
I would probably not wear these past a 25K but not for durability reasons. I just prefer a chunkier shoe for when I’m going to be out on my feet for a very long period of time.
Asics Gel Trabuco 11 Responsiveness & speed
The shoe handles well and can ride fast. This is thanks to the FF Blast midsole compound. It is firm and has a bouncy energy return. Despite the shoe being a little heavy, I could easily pick up the pace when I wanted to.
The outsole helped me stay in control on impact and easily lift off for quick transitions. I had no issues picking up the pace on any of the terrain I went on.
Asics Gel Trabuco 11 Comfort and fit
The shoe fit quite well. I always found Asics shoes to be on the narrower side, but these run wide. It is true to size and I saw no need having to size up or out.
The lacing system is just ok. The loop lacing left me having to tie the shoes to get a locked down fit that would last for more than an hour. I was constantly having to re-tie my shoes when I was out in the woods for longer than an hour. I would have much rather preferred a traditional eyelets on the entire lacing system, not just as the top of my foot.
Perhaps one of the only other issues I had was the tongue began riding in. This opened the door to some extra debris and discomfort if I didn’t pay attention lacing up. The tongue is partially attached so it was never a huge issue.
That said, the lacing is forgivable as it really is quite comfortable. The heel kept me locked in and I never felt like I was going to fall out of the shoe when the laces were starting to get loose.
Asics Gel Trabuco 11 Conclusions
I really like what Asics is doing with their whole trail lineup the last few years and this is no exception.
I really like the firmer ride and that it isn’t as chunky as the Trabuco Max. This allows it to be a little more flexible and not be as rigid. The grip on the outsole is exceptional and I hope other companies take note as this rivals even shoes that outsource to vibram.
If you are looking for something with a firmer ride with ample protection then this shoe is for you.