Asics Metafuji Trail Review. High Risk, High Reward!

[@jimduyck]

I feel like we’re almost on the verge of being able to call this show Trail Shoe Reviews with Jesus and Magnum P.I. 🤔

[@ConversationalPace]

hahahahha omg I love this so much 🤣🤣🤣

[@johnborton4522]

Conversational Pace used to just be a GREAT shoe review channel for me. Now it's a survival channel -- Brett and Finn put their lives on the line so I don't have to.

[@ConversationalPace]

All in a days work! Well actually about 100 miles worth of work 😅

[@ryanlemley7736]

I don't have the Metafuji's but I do have the Trabuco Max 3's and wore them for the last 53 miles of my 100 miler two weeks ago. I went up a full size and absolutely LOVED THEM. they were perfect.

[@ConversationalPace]

Trabuco Max is still one of my favorite ultra distance trail shoes of all time. Such an underrated shoe!

[@greenOddsock]

Great review! Living and running on (and off) the trails of Norway, I will stay away from trail shoes like these, which eliminate all connection with the ground. I tried them on, and I could immediately tell they would be useless for 90% of my runs. I have watched most of your videos this year, and your review of the Agravic Speed and Agravic Speed Ultra convinced me to order the Agravic Speed. They feel great on a variety of trails, but sadly give me chafing problems on the big toe joint. I would love the hear your take on the VJ Lightspeed, by far my favourite trail shoe this year. In fact, probably my favourite trail shoe ever. It has a type of super foam, a forked composite plate and a quite pronounced rocker. Incredibly light, great ground contact, yet ample cushioning and superb grip on wet rocks and roots. Just putting them on I feel like I need to go fast. In my book the perfect shoes for a mix of technical and runnable trails. They replaced the Terrex Speed in my rotation. Certainly not the ideal shoes for ultra races, although Hallvard Schjølberg finished 44th in UTMB this year wearing them.

[@ConversationalPace]

+1 for the VJ Lightspeed! That is such a fun shoe! I wish there were more technical terrain in my area to take them, as they seem to be able to handle that super well. I wasn't able to take them on runs more than a few hours, but oh man do they make me feel fast!

[@KristianJørgensen-d4s]

Why you only have 5k subs, you guys are awesome!

[@kevinhub57]

Blow up friendly is my new favorite review point

[@ConversationalPace]

I think it's a very important piece of information!

[@PhuriousPhil]

"Foot placement paranoia" - excellent description. I'm currently experiencing this with my recently bought Trabuco Max 2s. After 2 years of only running in the Nnormal Kjerag its been quite a transition. But I had to get some plusher shoes for my 100+ milers (and your review really sold me on them). However I will definitely be giving the Metafujis a very wide berth after this thorough and fair review. Great job as always guys.

[@BillNanson]

All my questions answered - appreciated… Keeping it real…

[@pier-olivierbeaulieu5863]

They made a metaspeed for the trails, but they should have made a superblast for the trails. The stability in the superblast is very good and I am pretty sure they would do really good in the trails (if they had lugs). This shoe look just like my paire of metaspeed sky + and I would never run in this in trails. A superblast for the Trail don’t even need a plate to be a supershoe for the trails.

[@ConversationalPace]

I have a hunch you're right and this would have been the better trail shoe to build off of. Superblast trail would be 🔥

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

“Actively trying to kill me.” So true for me! I bought without a use case and wasn’t disappointed 🙃 Yet it is a beautifully crafted and designed product. I raced the Cowboy 200 across northern Nebraska on crushed limestone and gravel mostly level rails to trail. The MetaFuji would have excelled at that! I will use on slick winter roads to train for trails.

[@matthewgriffith6218]

Obviously I don't think these are it, but what would you or Finn recommend for GDR (I think he's raced it before)? Tecton X3, Speedland, Zegama, Mafate? I live in the southwest so am not sure what to expect from the trails out there in the Spring. Thanks for the best reviews!

[@ConversationalPace]

Paging Dr. Finn!

[@runsingletrack]

I would strongly encourage using the Mafate at GDR

[@matthewgriffith6218]

Awesome, thanks for the recommendation! Look forward to your tre content.

[@tomharvey-run]

Sounds a bit like the Saucony Endorphin Edge wrt road shoe with trail outsole, bouncy unstable. Terrex Speed Ultra is a great shoe. Nice review, swift butt recovery.

[@ConversationalPace]

Yeah Definitely got some Endorphin Edge vibes, but perhaps even more sketchy feeling. Coming up on 9 days no running, but I think it's almost time for the comeback to begin 🤣

[@tommilam6320]

Merch that Hoodie Brett….I’ll throw you some money no prob. 🔥💯👊

[@ConversationalPace]

Stay tuned!!

[@mdicello1823]

Yep, I'd buy immediately!

[@jakeva9802]

Gorgeous looking shoe

[@ConversationalPace]

Truly is!

[@ramblingrunner2172]

Great job guys. I will say, the FF turbo plus foam that’s in the new ASICS road shoes is quite a bit softer than the FF turbo.

[@ramblingrunner2172]

It would be interesting if they took the carbon plate from the magic speed 4 and put it in this shoe. That plate is a bit more flexible than the one in the Metaspeed Sky Paris

[@ConversationalPace]

Yeah I'd love if they put in a plate with a bit more flex. Thanks for the knowledge on the turbo plus foam! Why can't trail just get the nice things too???

[@s_kavan]

People commenting about your looks, so I'll share too :D For some time I've been thinking you guys sort of look like Anthony Kiedis and John Frusciante (from RHCP)

[@berry5954]

I'm so applauding your work. Awesome. Since you learned to run in these bricks do yourself a favor and try the Adios Pro 3 on the trail, as long as it is still not too wet. Rip the liner out ( a bitch todo), put in a nice insole you feel comfortable with, pref a harder one. Glue a tongue you like from one of your older shoes under the "tongue" of the AP 3 with shoegoo. And blast over the trails with full confidence and comfort at a speed which cant be matched by any other shoe. (No the Speed Ultra isn't faster, its way slower and way way less stable) When the weather gets worse, rip the outsole of the speed ultra and glue it with shoegoo. I'lld do this when I receive the AP4. I love the tecton X 3, but don't like the narrow toebox, but it isn't as fast and effortless as the AP3 And yes the blended " Matthaus Passion" / Magnum PI look is a keeper ;-))

[@ConversationalPace]

hahaha I someone's got to log the miles! I do really need to get a pair of the AP3 or 4 and try them out on trails. I've never put a pair on actually, but with the good luck I've had with Adidas, I bet I would really enjoy them

[@tobiasschneider8075]

Have you tried the Novablasts with the TR outsole on it? I was wondering how they could work for road-to-trail runs and whether the sole upgrade was actually worth it or if the normal one would be fine too, as long as it is not too wet?

[@ConversationalPace]

I haven't tried that one yet, but that TR outsole doesn't look half bad. I bet you would get decent grip out of it that would hold up better than the road version on some looser trails. If it's pretty buffed out and dry all the time, I bet the normal one would be just fine too

[@MonteComeau]

I often wondered that possibly the reason for the huge recent improvement in Women’s marathon performances is due to exactly what you mentioned in regards to what a 40mm stack height translates to in a size 6 and a 100lb athlete? Not saying it’s not fair play but there must be some corresponding stats that could prove this. Great pod, I have made a few purchases based on your reviews 🇨🇦

[@ConversationalPace]

There has been speculation for a number of factors with the shoes benefitting the majority of female running economy more than male. Perhaps the stack height and foam density is even more beneficial for a smaller runner. I think we're also seeing more support across female athletics, which is likely just allowing for more opportunities. Thanks for watching!

[@ethansalter4489]

What I’m looking for is a trail version of the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3.

[@djclass005]

Adidas opted to not use carbon because it was too stiff on the trails. Point proven by this shoe!;-) great review again!

[@ericperramond3463]

If v2 is only FFTurbo, with either no carbon or even just a TPU plate for protection, and a lower stack and a back heel that flares out for more width in the landing.... then I'm in. But this is a crazy fun and dangerous shoe on technical terrain. I didn't dare race this shoe at Leadville, but the heel cup is much more comfortable to me compared to the Tecton X3 (which rubbed my heels raw by 100k because of the baby bumpers in the sock). No ankle sprains yet, but it really does feel awkward at first.... great review and good precautionary notes for the masses.

[@ConversationalPace]

If the whole thing was turbo (maybe just a thin eva layer on the bottom for protection), and had a tpu plate, it would have potential to take the trail super shoe crown. At least the shining light for this shoe is the comfy heel cup 🤣

[@Anonymous-nu1xf]

Tecton x3: Seams on the inside heel bumper thingies gave me blisters as well..had to send them 😢

[@stevros48]

Hi guys ... Have you tried the Asics metafuji speed 3 or 2 ? I see it's a slightly lower stack height ...I had heard mixed opinions that the plate felt like concrete but yeah I was really curious how it compared to the metafuji trail.

[@ConversationalPace]

We haven't yet but have also heard mixed opinions. I'd say that we have heard more in favor of the shoe being super fun and more tolerable on technical terrain

[@Azer_GG]

seems like TX3 drainage issue is a bit overblown a bit. I've tested them in early October, and soaked them in a creek, and it took them 2 hours to get dry. It was a cooler weather in Canada so they're just OK like other shoes. I'd say Nordas are way worse.

[@ConversationalPace]

I agree with this, I think the TX3 drainage is average, but in comparison to some of it's competitors it is one of the worst. Agreed though Nordas definitely struggle a lot with drainage

[@zacharygarner9425]

I took this shoe through some pretty rough terrain. You can run all kinds of up hill, but it will tough to get back down loose single track. Exact opposite of a super shoe in the wrong conditions

[@ConversationalPace]

I've definitely struggled quite a bit running uphill in carbon shoes, but with these, I struggled both going up and coming down

[@zacclowes4999]

Blew up my ankle just watching this review.

[@josiah1583]

Lol

[@ConversationalPace]

🤣 🤣 🤣

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Usually they scale the midsole height according to the shoe size (Although not all manufacturer will do this). Listed stack heights are for the sample size.

[@ConversationalPace]

Do you by chance know if the 40mm height is the cap regardless of shoe size, or of 40mm is off one size and then there's a new max depending on if the shoe is larger or smaller?

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

@@ConversationalPace It's definitely hard capped at 40 mm. But smaller sizes probably scale down.

[@JuneScapula]

@@RowOfMushyTiT No it is not hard capped at 40mm, there are shoe reviewers out there with size 12+ feet and the shoes measure higher.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

@@JuneScapula World Athletics caps the stack height at 40mm for all sizes.

[@JuneScapula]

@@RowOfMushyTiT "Note (iii): The maximum sole thicknesses referred to in Rule 5 are based on the sole thickness of a standard sample unisex size 42 (EUR). World Athletics acknowledges that a shoe above that standard sample size might contain a marginally thicker sole than that of a standard sample size shoe of the same make and model, which marginal increase in sole thickness is only attributable to the larger size of the shoe. Such marginal increases will be disregarded for the purposes of confirming compliance with these Rules.“ On Page 4 in Amendments to Rule 5 of the Technical Rules (formerly Competition Rule 143) Approved by Council on 15 July 2020, effective from 28 July 2020

[@melmacruns]

I actually don’t hate it but it’s lucky the ankle cup is a soft and lovely as it is because this is not a hiking shoe and it moved so much at the back it would have tore my ankle to shreds. Can we message the folks at Hoka and add the heel cup to the tecton x3?

[@ConversationalPace]

I would absolutely sign off on giving that TX3 a more padded heel cup

[@jamesschwinghamer3163]

Any chance you guys are gonna do a Solomon slab ultra FDH review. I’ve been really liking the ultra glide and want to know if this would be a good race compliment thank guys :)

[@EnduranceMaineiac]

Finn looks like a pirate

[@ConversationalPace]

🏴‍☠️ 🏴‍☠️ 🏴‍☠️

[@finnmelanson]

Yarrr I be the dreaded pirate Steve

[@ConversationalPace]

@@finnmelanson Who's Steve the pirate?

[@HawaiiFranke]

I thought the Fuji Speed 2 / 3 would be the Asics trail super shoe as it also has a plate. Why now make a much higher stack shoe with a plate?

[@529mt]

If you didn’t have anything to test for a month what shoes would you be wearing?

[@ConversationalPace]

That's an awesome question and something I'd really have to sit down and think about since I haven't had to in a few years. When we record our end of 2024 episode, we'll definitely include this question!

[@damienadame3455]

First Micro traction 🎉 Now Macro traction 🤯! Trail shoe engineering is limitless 😅

[@ConversationalPace]

I just don't know where they could possibly go from here 🤣

[@danreiser449]

wait, so is it 39 in the heel or forefoot? The graphic says 39 heel 34 forefoot but Brett says 44 heel 39 forefoot in the video?

[@ConversationalPace]

Oh crap good catch. It's 39mm forefoot and 44mm heel. I have always feared I would typo the stats one of these days and It has finally happened 😭

[@mitchellsmith9531]

Toe bang

[@ConversationalPace]

It's a very scientific term 🤣

[@davidwalsvig2959]

So what you're saying is.... buy buy buy?! 😂 I hope your injury clears up soon.

[@aaronsmith2929]

Lol, I had a feeling this review wasn’t going to be pretty

[@ConversationalPace]

I had never wanted to be more wrong about a shoe 😭

[@RachelKatzable]

This shoe isn't even available in Canada lmao

[@alb.1911]

Nonsense stupidity from Asics, it's too high.

[@ConversationalPace]

i think it could have worked if they increased the width underfoot, but I agree, perhaps a few mm less would have gone a long way with regards to stability, still provided a ton of cushion, and would have brought the weight down even more

[@dviv11]

"One of us might actually be injured" is never what you want to see as a chapter title for a shoe review... send that to Ya Boy Scott Jurek for meme testing

[@leonisbacher1772]

Dude on the right speaks way too much

[@melmacruns]

I actually don’t hate it but it’s lucky the ankle cup is a soft and lovely as it is because this is not a hiking shoe and it moved so much at the back it would have tore my ankle to shreds. Can we message the folks at Hoka and add the heel cup to the tecton x3?