February 07

ASICS GEL TRABUCO 9: BIG CHANGE IN THE ICONIC JAPANESE SHOES. LIGHTER AND AGILE.

Posted by Héctor Rubio on February 7, 2021 in trail running gear, trail running spain | Leave a comment

ASICS GEL TRABUCO 9: BIG CHANGE IN THE ICONIC JAPANESE SHOES. LIGHTER AND AGILE. The Asics trail running shoe range has grown a lot in recent years. And this 2021 finally tackles a deeper updating of its icon. Our TRAIL SHOES section presents the 23rd version of the Asics Trabuco saga, in two different times.

This 2021 the Asics Fuji Trabuco 9 gets thiner. It maintains a price of 140€ but loses no less than 40 grams, to stay at just 305 grams. Changes also in the upper and adjustment. It consolidates the 8mm drop and the Asics Grip sole. It continues to bet on being a versatile shoe, now open to both the beginners and the average runner. Let’s go with the review, by Mayayo.

ASICS GEL TRABUCO 9: TECHNICAL ANALYSIS BY MAYAYO. PAST AND PRESENT. EVOLUTION 1997 TO 2020.

The Asics Trabuco saga takes a leap in 2021 in its long history, after 23 years in the market. Its previous name as Asics Trabuco came to version 14, plus the nine that it now adds, renamed as fuji-trabuco. Last year a lot of changes were already considered, such as adjusting the drop to 8mm or fitting it with a great own rubber, the Asics Grip. Now, one step further, with an overall slimming cure and tighter fits.

The Trabuco family has had two periods in the Japanese house, before and after 2012. While mountain races exploded worldwide from 2006-2008 driven by constant development from Salomon, pioneers such as Asics or Adidas suffered for a few years of immobility, confident in the success of classic bestsellers such as the Asics Trabuco and its 14 editions or the Adidas Response Trail that arrived until 21 editions.

Asics Trail GEL-TRABUCO 14 V2 & Adidas Response Trail 21

Asics finally reacted in July 2012 rebuilding its entire range towards a more advanced design within the trail. All Asics trail running shoes became lighter, more agile and flexible, earning more and more points each year. And so it has continued, renewing its range step by step, with a last key leap in 2018 with the Asics Gecko XT that with 285gr / Drop6 applied for the first time a completely different last, sharp, clean, light … but also much more demanding with the technique of who wears it. Then came the Fuji-Trabuco Pro with cable lacing, the Fuji-Trabuco Lyte. The first notable step forward in Trabuco was in 2020 with the Fuji-Trabuco 8, the queen of the house. This 2021, add a double somersault to the previous one. And it looks very good….

ASICS FUJI TRABUCO 9: VERTIGINOUS CHANGE IN TWO YEARS.
(Price140€ ; Weight 305gr ; Drop 8mm; Asicsgrip )

The Asics Gel Trabuco continues its development in this ninth iteration. Despite the number of reviews, it remains a recognizable shoe over time. It seems incredible, 23 years later…! It maintains the soul and appearance of a robust, resistant and all-terrain shoe. The evolutions have been consistent year after year, seeking to lighten the weight, using lighter fabrics and more advanced materials to finally jump from 2020 to a sole with better performance.

ASICS TRABUCO 9: DATA SHEET

Weight 305 grams: The official weight of 2020 suffered a small repetition to the Trabuco 7. Curiously, the same trend as its archrival the NB Hierro 5 that rose in 2019 to 359 grams. And for this 2021 it goes down … although only up to 339 grams. It is clear that the Japanese have risked more. Logically, to have its own sole, now perforated and optimized since rubber is the most heavy of every shoe.

Upper: As you can see below, compared to the Trabuco 8, from year to year Asics has been refining the silhouette. This year is perhaps the critical point of change, it draws attention to its exterior appearance, much more up and stylized by eliminating reducing protections on the side. In return, the toe and heel continue to have generous reinforcement.

Cushioning: The joint work of the Duomax system and the Asics Flytefoam, released in 2019, is consolidated. A work that we already told you about in its asphalt sisters. We have sought to create a lightweight midsole with better recovery properties, while maintaining its usual long durability. And it worked. So this 2021 continues. The ground clearance, about 21mm at the front and 29mm at the rear for an 8mm drop. Thus, geometry with cushioning and medium-high drop, the most logical for multipurpose and popular use.

The sole: The design of 2019 brought big changes, which now go one step further. Then he was finally left behind the very limited AHAR rubber compound to bet on the new Geckotrac that performs so well on its Gecko XT sisters. Renamed Asics Grip in 2020, the same rubber is still here. But it makes it very refined, perforated even to save weight, a lot of weight. There is no more to see them together, the Trabuco 8 version on the right, the new Trabuco 9 on the left. Thus, a sole that is aligned with advanced designs, combining reinforced perimeter studs to hold us to the ground in case of forced support, with central lugs for agile tread.

CONCLUSION: Asics returns strongly to the ring. With this Trabuco 9, it puts on the market a shoe whose numbers make it interesting for many people. Well protected, medium-low weight, medium cushioning and medium-high drop with a reliable traction outsole.

In other words, a shoe that meets almost everything and for almost everyone. It will be of special interest to mountain runners who appreciate that feeling of protection it brings, and who can now consider even forcing them into rhythm and on delicate terrain, although we also see brilliant alternatives from the brand itself.

The best is yet to be tested: We will soon start a thorough test to verify its versatility and durability. Without a doubt, it will fit well with anyone looking for just a unique pair of mountain shoes for occasional or no-compromise outings. It also comes with a goretex version with a little more weight (355 grams) and price (160€), as usual.