TRABUCO and FUJI — you may have heard those series names a few years ago. Back then, a pair of trail running shoes with a "tiger-claw" logo was relatively rare on the trails. But after Tom Evans and Ben Dhiman both wore the same "prototype" to take the top two spots at UTMB last year, ASICS was pushed back into the spotlight of trail-running gear conversation. Today we take stock of ASICS' current trail running shoes. Last year's "prototype," now appearing in stores as the METAFUJI TRAIL 2, is ASICS' top trail racing shoe at the moment — and this generation's biggest changes are in the midsole. A lighter, springier upper midsole foam has contributed to the Gen 2's weight savings. The Gen 2 carbon plate is also reshaped into a more stable "H" form, unlike Gen 1's split forefoot/heel arrangement. The goal is to balance the need for flexibility across varied terrain. It also follows the wider trend of mid-cut trail racing shoes. The sock-like mid-cut construction removes the tongue and reduces stone ingress; a quick-lace system over the instep replaces the previous generation's traditional laces. ASICS has found its way down the path of making "thicker" trail shoes. The TRABUCO MAX 5 delivers a "bottomless" cushioning feel thanks to its exaggerated forefoot and heel midsole thickness. It differs somewhat from Gen 4 in the directional layout of the M-shaped lugs across forefoot and heel. Aside from an upgraded upper, the MAX 5 hasn't changed dramatically. By contrast, the core TRABUCO 14 makes breakthroughs that have attracted more runners' attention. The midsole is upgraded to a lighter, more responsive foam, and paired with a dynamic, adaptive last to boost the comfort that matters most in trail running. Its relatively "lean" sole design is easier to handle and offers better control. The lug shapes and their arrangement also make grip more reliable across varied terrain. As a traditional thin-soled running-shoe heavyweight, the brand still offers two lesser-known but faithful "thin-sole spirit" trail shoes — the FUJI SPEED 4 and FUJI LITE 6. Despite its slim profile, the FUJI SPEED 4 even adds a PEBAX plate in the forefoot to increase rebound after deformation. A bit like a spike shoe, this makes the SPEED 4 harder to handle and more geared toward elite racing. The reversed lugs placed early in the forefoot give extra confidence on technical sections. The FUJI LITE is more like a "no-plate" version of the SPEED 4. Same midsole foam, same slim sole and low drop. The outsole lug layout places lateral forefoot lugs for braking and medial lugs for forward traction — a clever touch. For trail beginners and lightweight trail racers, these shoes offer solid technical and strength training benefits — and the current price is appealing. Would you still choose a thin-soled trail shoe? #ASICS #trailrunning #trailrunningshoes #TrailRunningBigBang