ASICS Metafuji Trail Multi Tester Review 6 Comparisons

Article by Mike Postaski and Jeff Valliere

ASICS Metafuji Path ($250)

Introduction

Mike P: Asics enters the carbon-plated, high-stack superfoamed path super-shoe fray with a model new mannequin – the Metafuji Path. If you happen to’ve occurred throughout the specs already – sure, you learn them proper. The stack is totally MASSIVE – at 44/39mm underfoot, the very best of any path tremendous shoe that I’m conscious of. Sure, they do really feel that top. 

As an entry within the path tremendous shoe market, you will have the requisite carbon fiber plate – this one being full-length, with no point out of any splits or forks. The midsole can also be the requisite mixture of superfoams – FF Turbo and FF Blast+, which permits the tremendous low weight (9.5 oz, 270g in my US 10.0). This mix of carbon fiber, superfoams, stack, and weight places the Metafuji Path within the area with the highest extremely path racers available on the market at present. However the query is – do they actually play in the identical “area”?

Execs:

Large stack – no lack of cushion/safety Mike P/Jeff V

Unparalleled forefoot cushion Mike P/Jeff V

Properly fitted, safe higher, good forefoot width Mike P/Jeff V

Unimaginable gentle weight given the large stack Mike P/Jeff V

Cons:

Unstable underneath the heel, doubtless not for heel-strikers Mike P/Jeff V

Not for slower paces Mike P/Jeff V

Huge stack requires break-in  Mike P/Jeff V

Lace rail setup shouldn’t be supreme Mike P

Lugs appear to be too spaced out for nice traction Mike P

Most  comparable sneakers

Hoka Tection X 3 Mike P

Adidas TERREX Agravic Pace Extremely Mike P

Nike Ultrafly Path Mike P

Please discover the testers full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Estimated Weight: males’s 9 oz / 255g US9

Pattern Weight: males’s  9.5 oz / 270g US 10.0,  

Stack Peak: males’s  44mm heel /  39 mm forefoot (  5mm drop) 

measure  Platform Width: mm heel / mm midfoot / mm forefoot 

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Mike P: The large slab of froth offers fairly a placing first impression, particularly with the dynamic graphic design up entrance. The froth underneath the forefoot, simply by appears to be like alone – appears spectacular, and in reality the shoe visually appears to be like virtually prefer it’s reverse-rockered. That’s because of the aforementioned slab of froth underneath the forefoot, the visible design (thick, yellow FF Turbo-labeled space), plus the slim platform underneath the heel. 

Upon first step-in, the very slim heel is straight away noticeable. Actually – don’t lean again straight away with out warning! The lateral heel particularly is so squishy, that the slightest outer lean could depart you needing to take a backward stabilization step. The impact is sort of dramatic, and fairly paying homage to the brand new Adidas Terrex Pace Extremely. The  Pace Extremely’s heel is unstable because of its excessive rocker, whereas with the Asics it is the softness of the froth. Notice to self – have to see how this rear setup performs out on the path. 

The match and really feel of the higher is sort of optimistic for me. I knew from expertise to go a half dimension up with Asics for my typical ultra-sizing. For one factor, Asics appears to run a bit small, and usually large toe rockers are likely to eat up toe area on toe-off. Forefoot width is nice, and even with the (big) toe rocker, I’ve sufficient area in entrance of the toes in my US 10.0.

The engineered mesh higher is ethereal and breathable, doesn’t stretch, and holds the foot nicely. The rear of the shoe can also be nicely completed – a hoop of ordinary padding alongside the inside of the collar works simply positive with no inflexible spots. 

[Nicely designed padding, but yet another short tongue]

A couple of particulars in regards to the lacing and tongue.. A lace rail setup is used right here, versus eyelets. I’m not a giant fan of this, because the laces have a tendency to slip too simply on the rails and you’ll’t pressure particular areas if you must. The excellent news is that the higher matches simply positive for me, without having to fiddle round with pressure. The tongue has well-placed bolsters which mitigate any lace chew – this can be a nice design and works completely. 

However, once more we’ve got one other just-on-the-edge-of-being-short tongue. This factor of shoe design (throughout many manufacturers) continues to puzzle me. My lace knot (with out utilizing a runner’s loop) hits simply on the very prime fringe of the tongue. I haven’t had a problem but with the tongue transferring an excessive amount of, however one thing to concentrate on in the event you’re delicate to lace chew. You may see the tongue size within the image under (from Asics personal web site!). 

[Short tongue, as seen even on Asics’ own website – not ideal]

Jeff V:  I had comparable impressions as Mike, as out of the field, it’s evident that this can be a distinctive and spectacular shoe, spectacular stack and a really racy supershoe appears to be like.  I run my street races within the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and most lately, Sky Paris and they’re so so quick, a really particular shoe and distinctive expertise to run in a shoe that’s so gentle, tremendous stacked and responsively propulsive.  For years, I’ve typically puzzled what it will be prefer to convert that shoe to path use with a treaded outsole.  Wouldn’t it be efficient?  A legal responsibility?  Might I even discover a bit of little bit of that magic?  The MetaFuji Path at first look appears to be like as if my needs are granted, with an analogous stack, form, look and vibe, however with a pleasant luggy outsole.

Similar as for Mike, upon preliminary step in, it’s obvious that the heel is on the slim aspect and the froth is sort of delicate and I discover them to be unstable simply strolling within the kitchen.  I’m a heel striker and I used to be instantly nervous about this, however naively hoped that they’ll behave otherwise on the path.

The higher could be very minimal, gentle, versatile and breathable, to the purpose the place the higher is actually see via.  As Mike describes, the tongue is a bit on the brief aspect, however has not been an issue for me and I discover the lacing to be efficient and simple to tighten.  The heel counter is minimal, however is nicely padded, safe and efficient.

Match for me is true to dimension, with a safe heel, midfoot and simply sufficient room within the forefoot for wiggle room over lengthy distances.  I frightened that this higher can be too minimal to be safe on trails and be a legal responsibility and unable to maintain your foot sufficiently linked to manage such an enormous stack.  I’m impressed although at how nicely the higher holds and controls this shoe, even in technical terrain. 

Midsole & Platform

Mike P: Midsole is a mix of FF Turbo and FF Blast+.  In contrast to Jeff, I’ve no expertise with Asics street supershoes, so I actually don’t have anything to match the sensation to. I’ve additionally by no means examined something past “common” Flyte Foam in any of Asics’ sneakers, so far as I do know. 

FF Turbo is Asics’ prime of the road tremendous foam. It’s oriented right here extra underneath the forefoot with a layer of FF Blast+ under and underneath the heel. Regardless of the mixture of froth is underneath the forefoot – it’s fairly distinctive, in contrast to something I’ve ever felt underfoot in any shoe, street or path. Initially, and on the primary run, the sensation of froth underneath the ball of the foot is sort of bulbous, and I felt, largely unstable. On subsequent runs, the froth appeared to mildew or break in barely to accommodate my foot, and it felt significantly better than the primary impression. I do assume with this a lot foam, it takes a bit of time to interrupt in. 

Regardless of that large stack underfoot, the sensation remains to be considerably agency. I take that to be the presence of the total size carbon plate. It looks like the plate tends to agency up the layer of froth that’s closest underfoot, with the softer, bouncier layer being under the plate and nearer to the bottom. It’s considerably reverse of the sensation from different path supershoes such because the Tecton X 3 and the Adidas Pace Extremely. These have a particular delicate feeling up in opposition to the underside of the foot.

This does give the Metafuji Path a really quick “really feel” – there’s no feeling of dropping something to the “squish” of the superfoam. On the flip aspect, with the direct underfoot really feel being so agency, its consolation over the lengthy haul comes into query. Usually most extremely runners search for cushion – that actual “feeling” of softness underfoot for longer distances. The market speaks for itself in that regard with the explosion of superfoams and better and better stacks. This midsole/plate setup shouldn’t be that. 

Jeff V:  I share all the similar observations as Mike right here.  The FF Turbo and Blast+ combo is sort of efficient, with the total size plate giving it a agency really feel underfoot and is sort of quick if you find yourself operating with energy and pace on smoother terrain AND you must be a mid/forefoot striker. 

Just like the Metaspeed Sky Paris street racer, the heel is comparatively slim, however not fairly as slim.  I discovered the heel of the Paris to be fairly slim and it’s clearly not a shoe for a heel striker like myself, however I used to be capable of get by OK on the roads with them.  

The Metafuji path was was not as forgiving to my heel strike, partly as a result of I’m operating them on trails, but additionally as a result of the froth within the heel feels softer and has much less help, such that,  upon every touchdown, I’m continually attempting to compensate and proper.  This results in stability points and fatigue for me.  They felt higher as I centered on a mid to forefoot touchdown, however that solely helps some and for a short while, as that isn’t my operating model.

I examined on a variety of terrain, from street to steep technical path and I really was not overly troubled by the excessive stack per se, however I feel with a wider, extra secure heel, they’d really get via the technical terrain significantly better.  For that a lot top, you actually need extra width and a extra supportive heel foam.

Outsole

Mike P: My expertise with AsicsGrip on the paths has been very optimistic. I’ve examined kinds of Asics Grip on the Trabuco Max 1, Trabuco, and Fuji Lite. Usually I’ve discovered their outsoles to be sturdy, but additionally grippy, and usually fairly lugged out. 

This outsole is sort of completely different – the lugs are very broadly spaced, maybe with the widest gaps I’ve seen in a path shoe. Throughout the forefoot on the widest level, there’s max 4 lugs throughout, and at factors 3 or much less! I’m assuming the principle issue right here is to save lots of weight. So that is clearly not a shoe designed for unfastened terrain, and most positively not mud. 

I’ll need to typically defer to Jeff V on this one, as I haven’t had ample time to check in assorted circumstances. Usually talking, the outsole ought to maintain up simply positive in most circumstances, particularly dry, which they’ve for me. I don’t see the outsole as being the figuring out issue when deciding whether or not or not to decide on this shoe. 

Jeff V:  I used to be stunned at how good the traction is on the Metafuji Path, the place tread is greater than enough for the aim and vary of this shoe.  I personally discovered the restrictions of the unstable heel to be the first limiter, the place I’d again off lengthy earlier than reaching any traction limits.  I even encountered rain on my first run and the tread was sticky on the moist rock and moist filth, which was confidence inspiring.  The spacing of the lugs for me weren’t a problem, however this isn’t a shoe I’d tackle steep, unfastened off path terrain and I didn’t get into any mud (or frozen surfaces this time of 12 months).

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Mike P: Full disclosure- I’ve to defer to Jeff V for his views on taking these out in additional assorted and particularly extra technical terrain. I acquired these sneakers on the tail finish of coaching for a yard extremely, so I’ve been operating gradual loops for a while, whereas additionally recovering from my final 100M. I plan to check them out additional after this upcoming race. I’ve been capable of take a look at on smoother, rolling terrain and likewise at average/quick paces.

My preliminary take a look at run was a bit regarding, primarily because of perceived instability on the rear of the shoe. Though the shoe appears so forefoot-focused, I felt that lack of stability on heel landing, even on flat terrain. After all when path operating, your footstrikes are likely to run the total spectrum front-to-rear, even in average terrain. All through that first run, the rear of the shoe felt “squirrely” on every step. I had the sensation in my thoughts of a automotive dropping traction out of a curve and fish tailing. 

My subsequent take a look at runs felt higher although as the froth appeared to interrupt in a bit of bit and adapt round my foot. I felt extra secure total, and significantly better than that very first run. On stage floor, with some twists and turns in reality, I used to be stunned that the shoe felt comparatively secure. I haven’t been capable of take them out on actually rocky floor but, however I believe the excessive stack would work in opposition to you in that terrain. Once more, I defer to Jeff V’s evaluation at this level. 

As a result of elements of the acute stack top and the delicate/slim rear – I spent a lot of my take a look at runs questioning what kind of race I’d really use these sneakers for (they’re clearly not a coaching shoe). The pace is actually there – gentle weight, large stack, however with a agency really feel and nice propulsion from the carbon plate. One thing like a street marathon-type race/tempo occasion would in all probability be finest. However after all in largely runnable terrain, so that you’d really feel comfy in that top of a stack. In that case, there’s the query of why not simply go together with a street tremendous shoe and shave much more weight? I’ve positively seen Vaporflys out on the path for shorter, “straightforward path” races. 

Lengthy ultras would appear to be out of the query because of the instability – which is extra evident at slower paces – the paces you’d be doing throughout longer occasions. In lengthy ultras you possibly can’t be worrying about footstrikes, foot placements and many others. for a lot of hours. Finally, I’ve but to determine the fitting race situation the place these can be decide. Is a supershoe actually a supershoe if it doesn’t have a race to run in?

Mike P’s Rating: 8.8 / 10

Experience: 8.5 – Bulbous forefoot really feel is completely different. Lack of rear stability could be difficult to deal with at something aside from quick paces

Match: 9.5 – Wonderful match and foothold. Please can we’ve got an extended tongue.. anybody?

Worth: 7 – Sure, a legit tremendous shoe, however struggling to seek out the fitting race situation for these

Model: 10 – Love the flashy appears to be like and lightweight colour

Traction: 8 – Lugs are considerably limiting

Rock Safety: 10 – Safety nice, however stability a priority if operating over rocks

Smiles 😊😊😊😊

Jeff V:  I REALLY wished to love this shoe and there’s a lot to love.  They’re extremely gentle, have a formidable midsole foam mixture and stack, a minimal, but safe breathable race prepared higher and total design, even surprisingly good traction.  Like many path supershoes, it takes a really highly effective and expert path runner, on much less technical trails to probably achieve any benefit and on this case, it’s best to be a mid to forefoot striker. 

 When writing my evaluations, I do my finest to establish and concentrate on the supposed use of a shoe and never be overly vital if it doesn’t maintain as much as my expectations or necessities for quick operating on steep and technical trails.  However, I do attempt to steadiness that with the truth that this can be a path shoe and in my lifetime of expertise on trails, most of the time, one goes to seek out, whether or not it’s your choice or not, rocks, roots, steep ups/downs, off camber sidehilling, and many others…. And a “path” shoe ought to be capable of deal with most, if not all of what it’s possible you’ll encounter on trails.  

With all that mentioned and considered, I attempted my finest to run on mellow to average trails or roads and in a method that most closely fits this shoe, however was nonetheless unable to seek out them to be a bonus.  In contrast to the Metaspeed Sky, I sadly didn’t discover the magic right here.  I feel it’s a good begin although and I hope the subsequent model can provide a bit extra heel stability and help underfoot, which might make them way more efficient and versatile for a wider vary of runners.

Jeff V’s Rating: 8.8 / 10

Experience: 8 – Heel stability because of delicate foam and narrowness.

Match: 9.5 – Superb match and safe, particularly contemplating minimal nature.

Worth: 7 – Costly and never very versatile, I can’t think about a situation on the paths the place they are going to be a bonus.

Model: 10 – Very sharp and quick trying

Traction: 9 – surprisingly good, however the stability of the shoe turns into a problem earlier than traction comes into play.

Rock Safety: 10 – nice rock safety underfoot

Smiles 😊😊😊😊

6 Comparisons

Adidas Terrex Agravic Pace Extremely (RTR Evaluation)

Mike P (10.0): The Adidas shares an analogous slim mid/rear platform underfoot – with the Adidas “instability” coming from its excessive heel rocker. I discover this to be extra manageable than the Asics’ instability because of the softness of froth underneath its  heel. The Adidas has a smoother rocker up entrance – much less sudden than the Asics’ extra excessive toe spring. Each uppers have comparable supplies and really feel, however I do just like the heel space of the Asics higher significantly better. The Pace Extremely’s heel is its weak level. The experience of the Pace Extremely is smoother, and extra secure for actual extremely distances, and it’s a legit decide for quick ultras of any size/length as much as average terrain.

Asics Trabuco Max 2 (RTR Evaluation)

Mike P (10.0): Take the Metafuji Path, lose the carbon plate, swap in additional FF Blast+ as a substitute of FF Turbo, and widen the midfoot/rear platform. Sure, you get a a lot heavier, cruiser shoe, however a shoe that’s way more typically helpful – and at a a lot lower cost. The Max 2 higher can also be a bit extra relaxed up entrance – with an analogous foot form, however extra relaxed and fewer of a race-fit snugness. It’s maybe the final word cruiser shoe in the event you worth safety and a secure, easy experience.

Hoka Tecton X 2 and three (RTR Evaluation)

Mike P (10.0): Tecton X 3 feels a lot, a lot softer underfoot compared to the Asics. Hoka places the softer PEBA layer nearer to the foot, and its parallel plates really feel so much much less intrusive than the total size Asics plate. It’s way more comfy underfoot, and I’m certain 99% of runners would like that really feel for a protracted extremely. Far more quantity within the X 3 higher as nicely – I’d say the Asics higher matches equally cosy to the prior X 2’s higher. The X 3 shouldn’t be probably the most secure shoe – because of the PEBA foam – but it surely has a large on-the-ground platform, so you possibly can handle it. With the Asics super-narrow rear, it’s very tough to handle. Both Tecton is a superb and way more versatile path operating/racing shoe.

Nike Ultrafly Path (RTR Evaluation)

Mike P (10.0): The Nike plate feels simply as stiff/agency because the Asics plate, but it surely’s couched in additional ZoomX foam nearer to the foot, so the texture is softer. The Asics is a a lot lighter shoe, and can also be clearly sooner.The Nike’s softness works higher for longer stuff. It’s additionally a extra commonplace, wider shoe, so it’s extra secure total. I didn’t like the load and stiffness of the Ultrafly, but it surely’s objectively a extra versatile shoe. That mentioned I’d go together with the Metafuji although in a shorter, pure pace race.

Salomon S/LAB Genesis (RTR Evaluation)

Mike P (9.5): The S/LAB Genesis is probably the most agile and technically-oriented of the path supershoes – though it doesn’t have a carbon plate. I nonetheless put it with the tremendous sneakers because of its confirmed leads to large races. The Genesis is totally completely different in that it’s a versatile shoe, with a stable, however not super-stack stage of cushion. There’s a versatile plate for cover, but it surely’s not oriented for propulsion. The Genesis higher is superior in that it offers nice, versatile foothold, no scorching spots, with light-weight supplies and even has a inbuilt gaiter. I discover it  to be the final word versatile path shoe for coaching and racing – though I like a bit extra cushion/safety and the longer finish of the race spectrum. The one edge the Asics will get is in pure pace in runnable terrain.

Saucony Endorphin Edge (RTR Evaluation)

Mike P (9.5): Specs say the Edge is a “excessive” stack shoe, but it surely’s actually not in the identical class as the principle high-stack path shoe gamers available on the market now. That is actually the shoe that calls into query the Metafuji Path’s existence. If you happen to’re going to run a shorter, quick path race – there’s not a lot motive (together with value) to decide on the Asics over the Edge. The Edge is considerably wild because of its bouncy foam and plate, but it surely’s a lot nearer to the bottom than the Asics and has a standard, extra secure floor platform (relative to the Asics). You get extra quantity of froth and safety from the Metafuji, however for a shorter race, that’s much less of a priority. 

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Tester Profiles

Mike Postaski presently focuses on lengthy mountainous ultras – anyplace from 50K as much as his favourite – 100M. 5’10”, 138 lbs, midfoot/forefoot striker – he usually averages 70 mpw (totally on trails), ramping as much as 100+ mpw throughout race buildups. A current 2:39 street marathoner, his straightforward operating tempo ranges from 7:30 – 9:00/mi. From 2022-23 Mike has received the Standhope 100M, IMTUF 100M, and Scout Mountain 100M path ultras, successful the Scout 50M in 2024. He additionally set a CR of 123.74M on the Pulse Endurance Runs 24H and accomplished the Boise Trails Problem on foot in 3 days 13 hours, besting the earlier file by 7 hours. Mike’s shoe preferences lean in the direction of firmer, dense cushioning, and sneakers with narrower profiles. He prefers additional forefoot area, particularly for lengthy ultras, and he strongly dislikes pointy toe containers.

Jeff Valliere likes to run and discover the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and extra technical the higher. He has summited all the 14ers within the state, many 13ers and different peaks in Colorado and past, plus, he has summited his native Inexperienced Mountain over 2,100 instances prior to now 20 years.   He could be discovered on mountain trails day by day, regardless of the climate, season, circumstances or whether or not there may be daylight or not.  On the aspect he likes to ski (all types) bike and hike, typically together with his household, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outside. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, however has known as Colorado dwelling for over 25 years. He’s 5’9” and 145 lbs.

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