Asics MetaFuji Trail 2 Shoes (Unisex)

The MetaFuji Trail 2 is the second generation of Asics' carbon-plated trail super shoe, and the changes from version one are substantive rather than cosmetic.

The biggest shift is the midsole. Where the original ran FF Blast+ and FF Turbo, a combination that reviewers consistently found underwhelming in energy return for the price, the MetaFuji Trail 2 replaces the top layer with FF Leap, the same foam Asics introduced in the Metaspeed Ray. FF Leap is their lightest and most responsive compound, and adding it here closes the gap between the MetaFuji and the Metaspeed race shoe line in a meaningful way. The stack drops 3mm in both heel and forefoot from the original, landing at 36.5mm heel and 31.5mm forefoot, retaining the cushioned, protective feel the platform is known for. The carbon plate is redesigned with a forked forefoot geometry for better lateral adaptability on uneven terrain. Weight holds at 255g, 5g lighter than version one.

On trail, expect a shoe that's poppy and propulsive on climbs with improved stability over the first version. The forefoot width and 3.5mm ASICSGrip lugs handle technical terrain better than the narrower, stiffer v1, and the ride rewards a forefoot strike at pace. At slower speeds it feels firm underfoot, which is consistent with the race-shoe positioning.