Review: Asics Fuji Lite 2
I’m no aficionado when it comes to trail shoes; I’ve likely spent >95% of my running miles over the past 20 years on the roads! However, I wanted to give my thoughts around this one from Asics I was given earlier in the year considering its made its way into the rotation due to the wet weather (and some trails near our new home!).
Key takeaways after 100km on the trails
Asics are keeping things simple with this one, and that’s not a bad thing! No rock plate and a lowish stack mean you may not want to take it out on really technical terrain, so probably better suited as a smooth trail/gravel and road hybrid. It has a Flyte Foam midsole (Asics standard EVA foam) and its got a durometer that makes it softer than models gone by, much like in their road models over the past several years. Moderate midsole stack height and off a 4mm drop, this shoe functions fairly stable and makes you feel connected to the trail. Don’t expect loads of cushion, you will feel the ground which is not a bad thing for stability but probably not that enjoyable when used as a hybrid road/trail shoe. I’ll stick to just trail with this one.
The midsole is built for a good time, not necessarily a long time. Durability questions remain for me considering how quickly the Nimbus lite and Cumulus lost considerable forefoot midsole resilience (~350km). Time will tell as I put some more km’s into them.
Durability aside, this shoe is; light, smooth and flexible. The flexibility is in stark contrast to the number of road and trail shoes with high midsole stack heights and/or plates in the midsole that increase the bending stiffness of the shoe. For me, I appreciate having some shoes with decent forefoot flexibility in the rotation. This is especially true now my big toe joint has fully recovered from the fracture and swelling earlier in the year (helped along by the stiffer shoes!).
Fit is TTS and the upper has enough heel collar and tongue padding for comfort and security, while not being so bulky that it soaks up loads of water and weighs you down.
Lastly, it’s a shoe that’s light enough and stable enough to feel good picking up the pace on a trail, which was fun the last time I was in it. If I was to go longer or slower, I’d potentially prefer the Asics Trabuco Max.
If you’re looking for a reliable running shoe for your next adventure, it’s important to consider not only the shoe’s design but also the advice of professional podiatrists in Sydney to ensure you’re selecting the best shoe for your individual needs.