Asics Gel Trabuco 12 'Magnetic Blue Faded Yellow'
Colorway: Magnetic Blue/Faded Yellow · Style code: 1011B799-400 · Release date: December 22, 2023 · Price: $2682 · Availability: Available now
More colorways: Asics Gel Trabuco 12 'Black Light Blue Green' (1011B799-001) · Asics Gel Trabuco 12 'Feather Grey Dark Mint Koi' (1011B799-020) · Asics Wmns Gel Trabuco 12 'Dusty Mauve' (1012B605-502) · Asics Wmns Gel Trabuco 12 'Oatmeal Matcha' (1012B605-250) · Asics Wmns Gel Trabuco 12 'Black Lavender Glow' (1012B605-002)
The GEL-Trabuco has always been closer to a road shoe with teeth than a mountain racer, and the 12th version makes that explicit. It stands 35.4mm at the heel and 27.6mm at the forefoot for a measured 7.8mm drop, and the midsole keeps the FF Blast compound of the previous generation rather than moving to the softer FF Blast Plus, a decision that reads as deliberate given the shoe's job is long, stable ground coverage.
Protection is handled unusually. Instead of a plastic rock plate, ASICS laid a thin sheet of very firm foam beneath the standard FF Blast in the forefoot, which blocks point pressure from stones without adding the harshness a plate brings. PureGEL sits in the heel for landings, and the outsole is ASICSGRIP rubber in multidirectional chevrons 4.5mm deep.
The weight is the trade: close to 10.9 ounces, which rules it out of quick technical work. The mesh upper is fully gusseted against debris and breathes well for a shoe this substantial.