First impression?

It’s no secret that I always seem to be impressed by ASICS trail shoes. For a brand with roots in the road market, I think in the past few years in particular they have really created quite a lot of noise within the trail community. Every time a new trail shoe comes out, I am eager to give them a try and that is exactly how I felt when the new Gel-Trabuco 9 landed. Now, first off, like all ASICS trail shoes, the style in eye-catching, vivid and beautiful; everything I want in a trail shoe. They looked well-cushioned and it was very evident just from looking at the sole that it has superior grip and will work well on a variety of different terrain. This particular shoe has a normal lacing system which I was a little surprised by as I have become so used to the boa system with the Fujitrabuco Pro and the Fujitrabuco Sky and must admit that I have become quite accustomed to having such an easy lacing system.

How do they perform?

For me, I need a trail shoe that is versatile enough to work on concrete whilst I run to my trails, but then rugged enough to cope with beachscapes, cliffs and mountains. I also need something which is cushioned enough to keep my (somewhat delicate) legs in good working condition – these absolutely provide all of that and tick every box I need in a trail shoe. I was particularly impressed by how much grip they provided on muddy trails and also pleasantly reassured by how sturdy they felt around my ankle; no chance of any ankle rolling here, which is a relief! They do feel a little heavier than my usual go-to trail shoes (the Fujitrabuco Sky) and as I tend to run trails after a heavy week of training when my legs are fatigued I did notice the extra weight. But this is something you soon get used to.

Technical stuff:

• Breathable mesh upper
• FLYTEFOAM technology cushioning
• DUOMAX technology improves stability
• GEL technology cushioning
• ASICSGRIP outsole improves durability
• 3D-print overlays improve support

Pros?

• Great for overpronators who need a more stable trail shoe to prevent injury
• Really cushioned so your legs and feet do not feel every stone, rock or branch you run on
• Beautiful colourway which makes them look stylish
• Can tackle any kind of terrain as the traction is superb
• Feels extremely durable and rugged whilst also feeling highly responsive

Cons?

• Has a regular lacing system (I much prefer the boa system on trail shoes)

Verdict

I feel like this is a truly excellent all-rounder trail shoe which would equally suit a runner new to trails and needing a shoe they feel confident in, and also a more experienced trail runner wanting a responsive shoe to propel them uphill fast. There really is nothing not to like about this shoe; whilst it does not feel quite as ‘cool’ as my favourites; the Fujitrabuco Sky, I can definitely see that this Gel-Trabuco 9 will be a firm feature of my future trail adventures. It really is a lovely shoe.

GEL-Trabuco 9

The GEL-TRABUCO™ 9 shoe has been re-engineered from top to bottom to assert itself as an all-around trail pioneer. Rugged and comfortable are the two terms that best describe this trail running shoe. It's for the off-road runner seeking excellen...

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