Asics Trabuco Max 5 vs Merrell MTL Skyfire 2

Asics Trabuco Max 5

Asics Trabuco Max 5

$180
Merrell MTL Skyfire 2

Merrell MTL Skyfire 2

$200

Quick verdict

Asics Trabuco Max 5

$180

The better pick if you want:

  • To spend $20 less
  • More cushioning (38.5 vs 25 mm heel stack)

Merrell MTL Skyfire 2

$200

The better pick if you want:

  • A higher overall score (38 vs 33)
  • A lighter option (90 g less)
  • Deeper lugs for grip (5 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 Skyfire 2· leads in 2

LightnessGrip
  • Cushioning

    39 mmTop 15%
    25 mm
  • Lightness

    300 g
    210 gTop 2%
  • Grip

    3.5 mm
    5 mmTop 12%
  • 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 Skyfire 2

Best value in this comparison

Essentials

180 $
200 $
300 g
210 g

Overview

Max Cushion Trail Running Shoe
Trail Running Shoe
Light to moderate trails, gravel and forest paths
Technical trails
Long trail runs and ultra training on light to moderate terrain
Fast technical trail running and racing

Cushioning

5 mm
6 mm
38.5 mm
25 mm
33.5 mm
19 mm
FF BLAST PLUS foam for maximum, energetic cushioning
Dual density FloatPro™ foam
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

—
EVA foam footbed
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Asics Trabuco Max 5

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Merrell MTL Skyfire 2

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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 Skyfire 2

Visual Comparison

See the differences between Asics Trabuco Max 5 and Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 in a side-by-side slider comparison.

Asics Trabuco Max 5
Merrell MTL Skyfire 2

Comparison Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which offers better value: Asics Trabuco Max 5 vs Merrell MTL Skyfire 2?

For value comparison: The Asics Trabuco Max 5 ($180) offers better affordability compared to the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 ($200). Consider your budget and the specific features that matter most for your trail running setup.

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