Step 02 — The lineup
6 shoes scored across eleven metrics · Any purpose
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On Cloudultra 2 — Long-haul trail shoe with an adjustable-fit upper and cushioned platform.
Sizing note
Most of this lineup runs roomy in the forefoot — stay at your usual size.
Durability
Expect roughly 450 miles before the midsole flattens out.
Step 03 — Every metric
| Metric | Merrell Agility Peak 5 | Merrell Agility Peak 6 | New Balance Fresh Foam X Garoe | Merrell Agility Peak 6 GORE-TEX | New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v10 | Brooks Caldera 8 | Brooks Cascadia 20(2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 300 g / 10.6 oz | 287 g / 10.1 oz | 300 g / 10.6 oz | 300 g / 10.6 oz | 290 g / 10.2 oz | 309 g / 10.9 oz | 306 g / 10.8 oz |
| Drop | 6 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm | 4 mm | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Stack (heel) | 39 mm | 38 mm | 36 mm | 38 mm | 40 mm | 39 mm | 38 mm |
| Cushioning | |||||||
| Flexibility | |||||||
| Stability (5 = most guidance) | |||||||
| Rocker geometry | |||||||
| Energy return | |||||||
| Responsiveness | |||||||
| Toe-box | Wide | Wide | Wide | Wide | Wide | Wide | Standard |
| Plate | — | Rock | — | Rock | Rock | — | Rock |
| Intended pace | 9:00–12:00 /mi | 8:30–11:30 /mi | 9:30–12:30 /mi | 8:30–11:30 /mi | 9:00–12:00 /mi | 9:30–13:00 /mi | 9:00–12:00 /mi |
| Purpose | Trail, Long run | Trail, Long run | Trail, Daily | Trail, Long run | Trail, Long run | Trail, Long run, Recovery | Trail, Long run |
| Sizing | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size |
| Durability | ~400 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi |
| Price | $140 | $160 | $130 | $185 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
Your reference shoe is shown first for context. Cushioning, flexibility and stability are rated 1–5, where 5 stability means the most guidance and 1 means fully neutral.