ASICS Metafuji Trail Multi Tester Review: 4 Comparisons

ASICS Metafuji Path 2  ($280)

Introduction

Zack-The ASICS Metafuji Path 2 has been a a lot anticipated launch after Tom Evans received the 2025 UTMB with Ben Dhiman taking 2nd in a prototype of this shoe.  It’s definitely a race shoe constructed with a X-shaped carbon plate, twin layers of froth, and a sock-like becoming higher.  

It was constructed to run the world’s hardest trails and underwent a number of prototype testing rounds.  Asics makes its mark on the path working class with this up to date launch.  

Main adjustments over the earlier mannequin embody a newly redesigned ankle collar building with velocity laces, and an X-shaped carbon plate sandwiched between two totally different densities of froth.  The shoe maintains the identical weight as model one however loses 3mm of stack top within the forefoot and rear.  I used to be excited to obtain this shoe and provides it a run on the paths and really feel the velocity.

Professionals:

Delicate, and responsive forefoot – Zack, Dom

Extra versatile carbon plate than earlier mannequin – Zack, Dom

Sock like higher actually holds foot in place – Zack, Dom

Lighter than the path race competitors – Dom

Cons:

Stats

Spec Weight: males’s  8.99 oz / 255g US9 

  Pattern Weights: 

       males’s  266g / 9.38oz US10 / EU (v1 9.5 oz / 270g US 10.0,)

Stack Top:  

V2  41.5 mm heel /  36.5 mm forefoot, 5mm drop 

V1  44.5 mm heel /  39.5  mm forefoot,  5mm  drop 

Platform Width: 84mm heel /  77mm midfoot  / 124mm forefoot 

Obtainable August 1st, 2026. $280 

Most comparable footwear Adidas Terrex Agravic Pace Extremely 2 – Zack

Nike ACG Ultrafly – Zack

First Impressions, Match and Higher

I

I beloved the aesthetic and design of this shoe out of the field.  Photographs of mountains encompass the heel, gentle seamless higher, a mixture of neon and earth tone colours, and we now have  a sock-like knit heel collar to maintain out particles.

 

Slipping this on my foot initially I felt like my foot was very safe.  I might really feel the comfortable midfoot and heel.  What I seen instantly was how rather more pronounced the width of  the forefoot was in comparison with the midfoot and heel.  

It positively has a extra race-like slender match.  The forefoot is extensive, has fairly a slender midfoot that wraps the arch securely with the higher materials.  The Movement Wrap higher ( a woven mesh with elastomeric yarns) felt very breathable and safe.  It was not stretchy and my foot didn’t slide round contained in the shoe in any respect.  

I actually just like the very light-weight speedlace system.  It felt rather more snug than Salomon’s.  

It didn’t minimize into the highest of my foot or trigger any irritation like I’ve had in different speedlace footwear.  Total, very safe feeling higher that is able to race proper out of the field.

Dom:  Like Zack, I used to be taken with the looks of the Metafuji Trial 2.  I’ve lengthy had a comfortable spot for pale lime footwear (ever for the reason that Montrail Rogue Racer), that give me light-and-fast vibes.

First port of name is all the time the digital scale, and I used to be delighted to find that the MT2 is gentle.  At 263.5 g (9.3 oz) per shoe (in US M10/EU 44) it’s barely lighter than every other plated path shoe that I’ve examined.  In my measurement, the present competitors ranges from 273 g (Altra Mont Blanc Carbon) to 290 g (Nike ACG Ultrafly).  That’s spectacular, on condition that its stack top (41.5/36.5 mm) is increased than almost all of the others.  Solely the Hoka Rocket X Path (42/36 mm) is analogous, at 279 g.

Like many footwear with built-in gaiter and steady tongue, moving into the shoe takes a little bit extra effort than typical.  (Positively not a shoe for quick triathlon transitions!)  On the foot, this can be a snug shoe.  The forefoot has loads of width, and whereas I’m not an enormous fan of the tapered form of the toebox, it’s not less than uneven sufficient that I can almost straighten my massive toe.  Midfoot is comfortable and heel maintain was rock strong.  

I assumed the speedlace system labored very effectively: the motion is easy, the laces tuck away properly, and general sizing appears a great compromise between gentle weight and talent to regulate with frozen fingers.

The higher material, which Asics consult with as ‘Movement Wrap’, is gentle, very breathable, and appears very robust – paying homage to Matryx.  There’s little or no stretch to it, however it’s most likely higher to err on this route, significantly for a shoe targeted on lengthy mountain races like UTMB the place foot safety trumps consolation.

My first impression was overwhelmingly optimistic.  We needed to wait a very long time for this shoe to hit the market, and it was definitely worth the wait.  The shoe feels quick, refined and punctiliously thought out, with no apparent weaknesses.

Midsole & Platform

Zack-I’ve been an enormous fan of the footwear Asics has been placing out for the street, because of their foam, which made me very excited to attempt the Metafuji Path 2.  The midsole make-up is the very same because the Asics Superblast, which has been one in every of my favourite tremendous trainers for the street.  

The Metafuji Path 2  provides a X-shaped carbon plate between the FFLeap (A-TPU foam) underfoot  and FFBlast+ (EVA+OBC) beneath the plate to supply responsiveness and stability on the path. The froth was noticeably comfortable and responsive within the forefoot. 

The X formed carbon-plate is totally different from the complete size carbon plate in V1.  This permits the Metafuji Path to carry out a lot better over the paths and extra stability on technical terrain.  It’s a extra dynamic shoe and can be utilized on extra terrain comfortably than the earlier model.  

 With a slender heel and midfoot platform at 84mm heel /  77mm midfoot  , it appeared firmer to me particularly on steep downhills.  Particularly coming down the ski resort roads the place I lived, the place I actually needed to dig the heel in and velocity down the street. This shoe positively promotes a forefoot strike, as that’s the place many of the foam and width is with an enormous 124mm platform width with solely I feel the Rocket X Path wider by 1mm.   

Dom:  As with all the pieces about this shoe, the midsole feels properly judged.  With 41.5/36.5 mm of whole stack, there’s loads of froth underfoot.  Sufficient to go actually lengthy distances in consolation.  The unique Metafuji Path was 3 mm increased, at 44.5/39.5 mm.  I didn’t take a look at that shoe, however I’m guessing the additional stack top compromised stability, and it’s exhausting to think about wanting extra cushion than the MT2.  In my testing, the Metafuji Path 2 felt very composed and predictable in technical terrain.  It wouldn’t be my first alternative for exceptionally tough trails (like, say, Cactus2Clouds), however when it comes to all-day consolation and effectivity, the Metafuji Path 2 is an excellent all-rounder.

With that a lot foam underfoot, you would possibly count on the Metafuji Path 2 to be on the heavy facet, however at 263.5 g (9.3 oz) per shoe (in US M10/EU 44) it’s barely lighter than every other plated path shoe that I’ve examined.  The multi-layer midsole, with FF Leap on FF Blast Plus  is similar to that utilized in Asics’s highly-rated Superblast street coach.

The embedded carbon plate feels stiff when hand-flexing the shoe, however is unobtrusive throughout runs.  Largely, the shoe feels surprisingly regular.  It doesn’t have the wild rocker of the Adidas Agravic Pace Extremely, nor the rigidity of the Nike ACG Ultrafly.  And I haven’t skilled any of the sudden launches that scared me with early Tectons, for instance.  Aside from a satisfying spring to your step, you would possibly even neglect that you just’re in a plated shoe.

I’m predominantly a forefoot striker, and have discovered different race footwear with a cumbersome or extensive  heel (just like the Hoka Rocket X Path) a little bit cumbersome.  Not so with the Metafuji Path 2.  There’s an honest quantity of heel rocker, however nothing excessive.  I additionally appreciated the slender heel, which makes the shoe really feel impressively nimble for its general measurement.  

The footbed within the Metafuji Path 2 is pretty skinny at ~2 mm, of uniform thickness. I’m not clear what foam is used right here (i.e. common EVA, or one thing extra unique), however it’s closed-cell, not less than.  It’s additionally, unusually, lifeless flat, as is the strobel board beneath.  This would possibly doubtlessly be a problem if you happen to’re accustomed to vital arch help: You get nothing in any respect right here.  I didn’t discover any draw back in testing, however perhaps after many hours of exhausting working your toes would possibly want extra help.

Outsole

Zack- The outsole is constructed with ASICSGrip with 3.5 mm lugs.  These lugs supplied loads of traction on technical terrain, free rock, and muddy terrain.  

The rubber outsole is extra dense within the forefoot and heel to supply safety.  

It’s interspersed with foam which permits the shoe to flex and accommodate rocky terrain.  

There was loads of safety supplied by the mixture of rubber, carbon plate, and foam.  I didn’t really feel any rock penetration and my foot felt very protected.  The froth wraps a little bit increased than V1 on the sidewalls which I seen to supply extra lateral stability on the paths.  

Dom:  This can be a strong outsole.  The partial protection saves weight and improves flexibility, whereas retaining almost all of the grip that you just get from a full protection outsole.  The three.5 mm lugs are sufficiently big to provide first rate traction, with out feeling blocky on easy floor.  Whereas I’ve but to check this particular shoe within the moist, I’ve been beforehand impressed by ASICSGRIP rubber within the ice and moist, so I’ve excessive expectations there.

Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions

Zack- This was positively one in every of my favourite path footwear to date of 2026.  As soon as I hit the paths I felt the footwear rework my path velocity and make the path miles enjoyable and exhilarating.  It’s positively a race shoe in all features, not one which I might use as an on a regular basis coach however a shoe I might  reserve for races, velocity exercises, and a few simulated lengthy runs.  

Whereas the shoe could be very snug and responsive, it didn’t really feel as nice at my slower paces or throughout restoration runs.  I might have appreciated a barely wider heel on this shoe to make it prepared for extra each day working. 

 It felt extraordinarily poppy climbing up steep terrain, mixed with good stability over the earlier model.  It definitely favors a forefoot stride and performs finest when you’re working extra on the toes.  

The width of the forefoot, mixed with the three.5mm AsicsGrip lugs supplied loads of traction in essentially the most technical of terrain with lugs designed in each instructions to supply grip on the ups and the downs.  I’m excited to get out and race on this shoe quickly and can proceed utilizing it for path velocity exercises and hill exercises.  

ASICS is unquestionably placing its stamp on the path tremendous shoe class with the discharge of the Metafujitrail 2!

Zack’s Rating: 9.49 /10 

Trip (30%): 9.3/10 Match (30%): 9.8/10 Worth (10%): 8/10  Fashion (5%); 10/10 Traction (15%): 9.7/10  Rock Safety (10%): 10/10

😊😊😊😊😊

Dom:  After Asics athletes went 1,2 on the 2025 UTMB in an unreleased prototype shoe, we now have all been ready with bated breath to see what magic Asics would lastly launch to the general public.  I’m completely happy to report that they (lastly!) delivered a very sturdy shoe that one can legitimately argue is one of the best all-round mountain race shoe at the moment obtainable.  There’s no single aspect that enables the Metafuji Path 2 to leapfrog the competitors.  Slightly, each aspect of the shoe – the higher, the midsole foams, the carbon plate, the outsole – is great, and the assembled result’s state-of-the-art.

That mentioned, there’s no common proper reply in footwear: what works for one runner might annoy one other.  For me, the Metafuji Path 2 nails nearly all the pieces.  Maybe my solely quibble is that I wasn’t thrilled with the tapered toebox, although I’m assured I might nonetheless race comfortably on this shoe.  Zack needed extra outsole width on the rear, however the slender heel is totally to my style.

The Metafuji Path 2 has tons of cushioning, however nonetheless manages to be impressively gentle, nimble, and secure for its appreciable measurement.  The trip is easy, environment friendly and subjectively quick.  It additionally looks like a really approachable and mainstream shoe in comparison with extra polarizing supershoes (like, for instance, the Adidas Agravic Pace Extremely 2.

4 Comparisons

Hoka Rocket X Path (RTR Evaluation)

Dom:  The Rocket X Path is maybe the supershoe most just like the Metafuji Path 2 in that its 42/36 mm stack is sort of similar to the MT2’s 41.5/36.5 mm.  The MT2 has a slight edge in weight at 263 g vs 279 g (about 5% lighter).  

The RXT has a traditional lacing system and tongue, whereas the MT2 has speedlaces and an built-in gaiter with steady, seamless tongue.  Each work excellently in my expertise.  Each footwear have cutting-edge foams with low density and excessive resilience.  

Total stiffness is fairly shut between the 2, but when we’re moving into the small print, the Hoka flexes extra uniformly, whereas the Asics is stiffer beneath the midfoot and extra versatile within the forefoot.  For my part the largest differentiator is on the heel.  The RXT outsole is wider, front-to-back, than the MT2, however the heel flares out significantly extensive with a stiff heel counter to help it.  

As a predominantly forefoot striker, I assumed the RXT heel was unnecessarily overbuilt, and made the shoe really feel cumbersome.  I want the narrower heel of the MT2 which helps the shoe really feel nimble and simpler to maneuver in technical terrain.  However most likely lots will depend on your gait and private style.  Zack, for instance, is much less enamored with the MT2 heel, and I think would most likely want the RXT.

Hoka Tecton X3 (RTR Evaluation) 

Zack: Very related feeling midsole and response and each designed with a X-shaped carbon plate.  Tecton has a wider winged heel which I most well-liked, however is just not as comfortable general because the Metafuji Path.

Dom: Each footwear have built-in gaiter and seamless tongue building.  TX3 has typical lacing; MT2 has speedlaces.  TX3 is a hair decrease to the bottom at 40/35 mm stack, in comparison with MT2 41.5/36.5 mm.  Forefoot width is analogous, however TX3 is barely wider on the heel, which could possibly be a plus if you happen to like a flared sole.  MT2 has a slight edge in weight at 263 g vs 280 g (about 6% lighter).  The MT2 is a little bit stiffer in flexion, however there’s not a lot distinction. 

It’s tempting to get overexcited by the shiny new Asics, whereas the TX3 is beginning to really feel considerably long-in-the-tooth.  (Subsequent gen Tecton is predicted in Aug/Sept, BTW.)  But it surely’s additionally vital to respect that the TX3 has been battle-tested by tens of 1000’s of runners throughout a whole bunch of races, and it’s exhausting to seek out anybody who doesn’t suppose it’s a superb shoe for nearly any terrain and distance.  The Asics MT2 at $280 is barely inexpensive than the TX3 at $275.

Adidas Terrex Agravic Pace Extremely 2 (RTR Evaluation)

Zack: Comparable slender heel and designed extra for racing just like the Metafuji Path 2.  Makes use of a TPU plate which has barely extra versatile forefoot.  Wider forefoot platform within the Metafuji supplies extra help and floor contact on technical terrain.  ASI S are extra secure on path.

Dom:  The Adidas ASU/ASU2 has a loyal fan base that love its closely rockered form slender heel, myself included.  It feels constructed to race quick.  But it surely’s a polarizing shoe, with many runners who discover it unstable/unforgiving.  The MT2 is a extra mainstream alternative.  Stack top of the ASU2 is nominally 38/30 mm, however with a shoe this rockered, these numbers are deceptive: the thickest a part of the only is just not beneath the heel however beneath the midfoot (most likely 43 mm ballpark).  At any price, the MT2 is flatter and cushier, and with a a lot stiffer carbon plate; the ASU2 has polyamide rods. MT2 additionally has a ten% weight benefit at 263 g in comparison with 293 g for the ASU2 (which disappointingly ended up heavier than the unique ASU).  ASU2 is priced at $225, in comparison with $280 for the Asics MT2.

Nike ACG Ultrafly 2 (RTR Evaluation) – 

Zack: The Ultrafly is far stiffer and extra backside heavy than the Metafuji Path 2.  Each are designed with a carbon plate however the ACG has a virtually full size plate.  Feels decrease to the bottom and rather more padding and wider heel for steep street descents.  Doesn’t carry out as effectively on technical terrain because the Metafuji path.

Dom:  As Zack says, the ACG Ultrafly is notably stiffer than the MT2.  Actually, throughout 9 totally different plated path footwear, the ACG Ultrafly is stiffer than all however the TNF Vectiv Professional 3, (which has two stacked carbon plates).  The 41.5/36.5 mm MT2 has a better stack than the 39/30.5 mm Nike.  And although the MT2 stability is spectacular for its measurement, I discovered the decrease stack ACG Ultrafly, with its snugger higher, to be safer on tough floor. (Observe that Zack disagrees with me!)  Personally, I want the decrease heel-to-drop (5 mm) of the MT2 over the street shoe-like 8.5 of the Ultrafly.  I additionally want the narrower heel (83 mm) of the MT2 over the 96 mm Ultrafly.  However once more, this can be a matter of style.  Objectively, the Nike is stiffer, firmer, heavier (294.5 g vs 263.5 g).  The Asics has a roomier, extra breathable higher: the Nike has exemplary foot retention however can really feel a little bit sizzling.

Index to all RTR evaluations: HERE

Obtainable August 1st, 2026. $280 

Tester Profile

Zack Russell was born and raised in Atlanta, GA.  He has since transplanted to Carbondale, Colorado the place he at the moment calls residence and works as Athletic Coach at Aspen Excessive Faculty.  He started working in school after rising up a workforce sports activities athlete.  He has fallen in love with all issues endurance, competing in a number of 100 mile races, Unbound XL 350, Ironman Arizona, and a number of other extra ultras and biking occasions.  He has a 20:51 PR putting third within the 100 mile (IMTUF 100) and a 2:41 PR within the marathon.  He enjoys a pleasant mixture of all kinds of adventures from bikepacking, extremely distance working, tenting, and tremendous lengthy days on the mountain and gravel bike.  He has a serious candy tooth that fuels his adventures alongside along with his ardour for espresso.  He’s a former working retailer supervisor and is a coach with Microcosm Teaching teaching runners, cyclists, and skimo athletes.  Comply with him on Strava and Instagram: willrunfor_cookies for all his mountain endurance adventures.

Dom 51, trains and competes primarily on trails in Southern California.  In 2017 he was 14th at Western States 100 and in 2018 completed fiftieth at UTMB and thirty second on the 2018 Los Angeles marathon in a time of two:46.  In 2019, his solely notable end was on the multi-day Dragon’s Again race within the UK.  In 2022 Dom completed 4th within the Angeles Crest 100 and was tenth in his age group at UTMB. In 2025 Dom received the Ray Miller 50 Mile in California.

Samples had been supplied at no cost for evaluate functions. No compensation was supplied by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and should earn fee on merchandise bought through purchasing hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are completely the authors’.

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