Which should you buy?
Choose the Metafuji Trail if you find it at a good discount and it already suits you.
Choose the Metafuji Trail 2 if you want the latest version and its updates.
It has 3.5 mm less foam under the heel. It costs £20 less at full price.
Side by side
| Spec | Metafuji TrailASICS | Metafuji Trail 2ASICS |
|---|---|---|
| Review score | 83/100 (2 reviews) | 90/100 (2 reviews) |
| Type | Trail | Trail |
| Weight (men's UK 8.5) | 255 g | 255 g |
| Heel stack | 38 mm | 41.5 mm |
| Drop | 5 mm | 5 mm |
| Cushioning | Balanced | Balanced |
| Bounce | Springy | Springy |
| Plate | Carbon plate | Carbon plate |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Fit | True to size | True to size |
| Widths | standard | standard |
| Waterproof version | No | No |
| UK RRP | £200 | £220 |
Weights are for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5. Prices are UK RRPs; shops often sell for less.
What the critics say
The reviews comparedReviewers see both as light, fast trail racers with weak heels. Road Trail Run's Mike Postaski and Jeff Valliere found the ASICS Metafuji Trail propulsive but unstable on technical ground, with a narrow, soft heel. Road Trail Run's Zack Russell praised the ASICS Metafuji Trail 2's responsive forefoot and sock-like upper, yet found its narrow, firm heel shaky on descents.
Metafuji Trail
- Rare race-shoe energy on trails
- Light
- Less stable on very technical ground
Scores from RunRepeat, Road Trail Run.
Metafuji Trail 2
- Fast, responsive forefoot with real race-shoe energy
- Light for a plated trail shoe
- Secure, sock-like upper and good grip
- Narrow, firm heel can feel wobbly on rocks and steep descents
- Loses its spark at easy paces, and it's pricey
Scores from RunRepeat, Road Trail Run.
Paraphrased from published reviews.
What's new in each
ASICS Metafuji Trail 2: Cuts 3 mm of stack, swaps the full-length plate for a more flexible X-shaped carbon plate, raises the foam sidewalls for stability and adds speedlaces and a reworked collar.
About each shoe
About the Metafuji Trail 2
ASICS builds the Metafuji Trail 2 for trail racers and ultrarunners, aiming to save energy and add cushioning so they can cover ground with less effort. It sits above the Pebax-plated Fujispeed 4 in ASICS' trail range, adding a carbon plate and FF Leap foam.
The plate is X-shaped, full-length and trail-specific, and ASICS says its geometry and position improve stability over roots, rocks and uneven ground. FF Leap, which ASICS calls its lightest midsole foam, combines with FF Blast Plus for impact absorption and energy return at toe-off. Grip comes from ASICSGRIP rubber, while the engineered woven upper has speed laces with an integrated lace pocket and a streamlined ankle collar. It replaces the original Metafuji Trail, weighs 255 g in a men's US 9 (UK 8.5) and has a 5 mm drop, placing it among the brand's trail racing shoes.
Specs and features from asics.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Metafuji Trail vs Metafuji Trail 2
In short
The ASICS Metafuji Trail 2 replaced the ASICS Metafuji Trail in August 2026. What's new: Cuts 3 mm of stack, swaps the full-length plate for a more flexible X-shaped carbon plate, raises the foam sidewalls for stability and adds speedlaces and a reworked collar.
- Better reviewedMetafuji Trail 2
- CheaperMetafuji Trail
- More foamMetafuji Trail 2
Get the full story
ASICSEverything on the Metafuji Trail3 video reviews, scores from 2 published reviews, what critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Metafuji Trail
ASICSEverything on the Metafuji Trail 23 video reviews, scores from 2 published reviews, what critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Metafuji Trail 2Still torn?
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