Discontinued · trail · Trail / Long run · $180
Asics Trabuco Max 3: 42 mm heel stack, 5 mm drop, 308 g — specs from independent lab testing.
Built for trail, long run, at a target pace of 8:30–12:00 /mi on trail.
This model is no longer in production. The closest shoe you can buy today is Asics Trabuco Max 5.
Asics tuned this midsole very soft (5/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is moderate — comfortable and predictable rather than bouncy. At 42 mm of heel stack this sits in max-cushion territory; legs stay fresher on long efforts, but the platform is tall. Combined, the ride reads as lively at 3/5 responsiveness.
A rock plate sits between the foam and the outsole to spread the load of sharp stones and roots. It is protection, not propulsion — it does not add pop, but it keeps the underfoot bruising out of long days on technical ground.
A low 5 mm drop encourages a midfoot landing and keeps the ankle working through a fuller range. The rocker is aggressive: the sole is curved and stiff enough to tip you into the next stride on its own, which saves the calf on long runs but feels strange when you slow right down. Forefoot flex is middle of the road. It is a neutral platform with no built-in correction.
The toe-box is standard width — comfortable for most feet without swimming. It runs small; most runners size up a half. Expect roughly 450 miles from the outsole, about $0.40 per mile at $180.
For the foams and plates Asics uses across its line, read the Asics brand guide.
Measured against the 542 currently-available shoes in the catalog. The bar shows where this shoe sits in that range.
Weight
298 g / 10.5 oz
23 g heavier than the catalog median of 275 g
Heel stack
42 mm
6 mm taller than the catalog median of 36 mm
Drop
5 mm
1 mm lower than the catalog median of 6 mm
Price
$180
20 pricier than the catalog median of 160
Responsiveness
3 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Cushioning
5 / 5
Catalog median 4 / 5
Energy return
3 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Durability
~450 mi
Catalog median ~400 mi
Within the Asics line it is heavier than the brand's median (268 g / 9.5 oz) and sits taller than its median stack (38 mm).
Current shoes with the nearest combination of weight, stack, drop, foam feel and plate.
Asics Trabuco Max 5(2025)
300 g / 10.6 oz · 41 mm · 5 mm drop · Rock · $170
Max-cushion trail cruiser, lighter than the 4, with water-repellent mesh.
Hoka Speedgoat 6(2024)
277 g / 9.8 oz · 40 mm · 5 mm drop · Rock · $155
Vibram grip and a tall cushioned stack — road comfort translated to dirt.
New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v2
320 g / 11.3 oz · 45 mm · 4 mm drop · Rock · $170
Max-cushion trail cruiser — the More's soft slab on dirt.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v10
290 g / 10.2 oz · 40 mm · 4 mm drop · Rock · $150
Cushioned trail cruiser with Vibram Megagrip and a roomy fit.