Asics Trabuco Max 5 vs Merrell MTL Adapt

Asics Trabuco Max 5

Asics Trabuco Max 5

$180
Merrell MTL Adapt

Merrell MTL Adapt

$200

Quick verdict

Asics Trabuco Max 5

$180

The better pick if you want:

  • To spend $20 less
  • More cushioning (38.5 vs 36 mm heel stack)

Merrell MTL Adapt

$200

The better pick if you want:

  • A higher overall score (38 vs 33)
  • A lighter option (12 g less)
  • Deeper lugs for grip (4 vs 3.5 mm)

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 150 products in Shoes on the site: the further out, the more it stands out in that spec (lighter, cheaper…).

Center: lowest in the category · Edge: highest

Asics Trabuco Max 5· leads in 2

CushioningAffordability

Merrell MTL Adapt· leads in 2

LightnessGrip
  • Cushioning

    39 mmTop 15%
    36 mmTop 31%
  • Lightness

    300 g
    288 g
  • Grip

    3.5 mm
    4 mmTop 49%
  • Drophigher isn't better or worse

    5 mm
    6 mm
  • Affordability

    $180
    $200

Technical Specifications

Compare features between Asics Trabuco Max 5 vs Merrell MTL Adapt

Best value in this comparison

Essentials

180 $
200 $
300 g
288 g

Overview

Max Cushion Trail Running Shoe
Trail Running Shoe
Light to moderate trails, gravel and forest paths
Rugged trails
Long trail runs and ultra training on light to moderate terrain
Trail running on rugged and varied terrain

Cushioning

5 mm
6 mm
38.5 mm
36 mm
33.5 mm
30 mm
FF BLAST PLUS foam for maximum, energetic cushioning
FloatPro™ foam for enhanced cushioning and energy return
Maximum cushioning for long runs
—

Grip & protection

ASICSGRIP rubber with 3.5 mm lugs for off-road traction
Vibram® MegaGrip high-performance rubber

Upper & fit

—
5% recycled PU footbed
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Asics Trabuco Max 5

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Video Reviews

Watch real-world YouTube reviews from content creators and the Trail Running community.

See all 5 video reviews

Asics Trabuco Max 5

No YouTube reviews available for this product yet.

Merrell MTL Adapt

Visual Comparison

See the differences between Asics Trabuco Max 5 and Merrell MTL Adapt in a side-by-side slider comparison.

Asics Trabuco Max 5
Merrell MTL Adapt

Comparison Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which offers better value: Asics Trabuco Max 5 vs Merrell MTL Adapt?

For value comparison: The Asics Trabuco Max 5 ($180) offers better affordability compared to the Merrell MTL Adapt ($200). Consider your budget and the specific features that matter most for your trail running setup.

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