ASICS Metafuji Trail Review: A Fast Trail Racer with An Identity Crisis

When it comes to running long distances on non-technical trails at high speeds, the ASICS Metafuji Trail comes into its own, providing a responsive, and cushioned ride thanks to its carbon plate and high-energy return FF TURBO midsole foam.

But does it deliver in the other important aspects of trail running? I’ve taken these for a few trail runs in my local mountains, and here’s my brutally honest take on this premium trail racing shoe.

Key Specifications

• Price: $250 at asics.com / £220 at sportsshoes.com (UK)
• Weight: 9.4oz / 266g (US 9)
• Drop: 5mm heel-to-toe
• Upper: Technical mesh, breathable and flexible
• Midsole: FF TURBO foam for bounce and cushion, with a carbon plate for high energy return
• Outsole: ASICSGRIP rubber compound for traction
• Fit: True to size, medium width, spacious toe box
• Support: Neutral

How They Fit and Feel

The ASICS Metafuji Trail fits true to size, and the medium width should accommodate most runners, with a spacious toe box providing enough room for toe splay, which helps improve comfort over long distances.

However, the heel walls are quite high, which may irritate runners with lower ankle bones – you know who you are, and if that’s you, this could be a dealbreaker, unfortunately.

On my first run I noticed the laces would loosen up significantly, requiring an extra tighten after the first 5 minutes of running, once adjusted heel lock improved significantly. No special lace-locking techniques like the racer’s loop were needed. The only real downside in terms of fit was the short tongue, which tended to slip during runs, leading to discomfort from the laces pressing into the top of the foot – more on that in just a moment.

What’s Good

The Metafuji Trail excels when it comes to speed. The carbon plate integrated into the midsole gives them excellent propulsion, particularly on flat sections and gradual inclines/declines.

This push-off power makes these ideal for fast runners looking to shave time off their long-distance efforts (or shorter runs for that matter). The FF TURBO foam adds to the responsive feel, offering a soft yet bouncy ride that absorbs impact and returns energy very well – I mean it performs very much like the Metaspeed Sky Paris, which is a race day super shoe for road marathons.

Another great feature for me, is the roomy toe box, which allows your toes to spread naturally, helping with overall comfort when running up hill or over longer distances.

The upper, made from a lightweight technical mesh, is highly breathable, and I find my feet stay cool, which is crucial for maintaining comfort, especially in warmer conditions or running at a high intensity. ASICS also added a thoughtful touch with an elastic loop to stow away your laces, ensuring they don’t get in the way while you’re on the move.

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What’s Not So Good

Unfortunately, these shoes don’t perform as well on more technical terrain. The lugs on the outsole, though decent for smoother trails, are too smooth and beveled for aggressive grip.

On slippery or muddy, they struggle to dig in, leaving you feeling less secure. This becomes especially problematic when the trails get rough – steep descents and technical paths will have you questioning your footing, and this is where instability begins to creep in.

The high stack height cushioning and narrow heel footprint, while great for speed, make the shoes feel unstable on rocky or uneven ground.

On more technical trails, you’ll notice a lack of stability and support, which could lead to missteps. Additionally, the upper, though flexible and breathable, doesn’t provide much structure to keep your foot secure or supported on challenging terrain.

This shoe is built for speed, but when the trails get challenging, it doesn’t offer the stability you need to be able to confidently take them head on. Lastly, the short tongue that moves to the side is a recurring issue. During runs, it tends to slip, and as a result, the laces dig into the top of the foot which becomes uncomfortable over time (see below).

The problem comes about for a couple of reasons, 1. the tongue is too short and swings around to the side (there’s nothing holding it in place), and 2. you need to have the laces done up extra tight in these in order to get a decent heel lock.

The Verdict

If you’re a serious runner with deep pockets, who thrives on speed and sticks to non-technical trails, the ASICS Metafuji Trail is certainly worth considering. Its carbon plate and cushioned midsole deliver excellent propulsion, and the lightweight, breathable upper keeps your feet comfortable on long runs.

Honestly, they feel like a road racing shoe with a subtle adaptation to make them worthy of running on light trails – they feel like a road-to-trail racing shoe, where performance is just as good on the roads as it is on light trails. So if anyone wants one shoe for both of those purposes, then they would also be good for you too.

However, for $250, it’s hard to recommend these shoes for most trail runners. The questionable lug design and stability on technical terrain, combined with some fit issues like the slipping tongue, make them a tough sell for the price.

For runners who spend most of their time on light trails or even mixing in some road miles, the Metafuji Trail could be a good option. But if you’re looking for a more versatile shoe that can handle technical trails and rough conditions, there are better alternatives out there that won’t cost as much. To find out what they are, visit my Best Trail Running Shoes RoundUp.

👋🏼 Have you tried the Metafuji Trail? What’s your experience been like? Let me know in the comments! And if you’re interested in more honest gear reviews, subscribe to my newsletter and check out my YouTube channel for in-depth reviews and trail-running tips.