New perk! Get after it with local recommendations just for you. Discover nearby events, routes out your door, and hidden gems when you sign up for the Local Running Drop.

The Dirt: From the kings of the road-running world comes the trail-friendly FujiRacer 3. Now in its third rendition, the FujiRacer is reminiscent of a racing flat—minimal cushioning, a thin upper and a low ride.
Its simple, lightweight design feels fast right out of the box—“perfect for those looking at running a fast 5K to half-marathon trail race,” suggested one tester. A basic rock plate protects against small stones and bruising.
With this update, ASICS increased spacing between the multidirectional lugs to better handle mud. Reviews were mixed; one tester reported feeling “invincible” on a rainy, sloppy run, though others said wet mud caked on fast, compromising their confidence on technical terrain.
Best For: The “door-to-trail” runner looking for speed and agility on roads, grass and dry trails.
Traction: The lugs offer adequate grip in dry conditions on relatively non-technical trails.
Fit: It runs a smidge small, so consider going a half-size up.
The Downsides: Prepare to replace the laces, which refuse to stay tied—“even with a triple knot!” complained one tester. Several testers also reported that the stiff toebox fabric created an uncomfortable pressure point above their toes.
Tester-Monial: “I keep comparing the ride to a Subaru—great for the streets, but when you get in some snow or go off-road, you won’t have any worries about losing traction and control.”
–Khris Vickroy, North Liberty, IA