In production · trail · Trail / Long run · $160
Cushioned technical trail workhorse on Vibram Megagrip with a rock plate.
Built for trail, long run, at a target pace of 8:30–11:30 /mi on trail.
Merrell tuned this midsole soft (4/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is moderate — comfortable and predictable rather than bouncy. 38 mm of heel stack is the modern daily-trainer sweet spot — enough foam for long miles without losing contact with the road. Combined, the ride reads as lively at 3/5 responsiveness.
A rock plate sits between the foam and the outsole to spread the load of sharp stones and roots. It is protection, not propulsion — it does not add pop, but it keeps the underfoot bruising out of long days on technical ground.
A 8 mm drop is the mainstream middle — familiar to almost anyone coming from a standard trainer. The rocker is moderate — enough curve to smooth the roll-through without dictating your footstrike. Forefoot flex is middle of the road. Support is light — neutral, with a mildly steady platform.
The toe-box is wide, with space for the toes to spread late in long runs. It fits true to size. Expect roughly 450 miles from the outsole, about $0.36 per mile at $160.
For the foams and plates Merrell uses across its line, read the Merrell brand guide.
Measured against the 542 currently-available shoes in the catalog. The bar shows where this shoe sits in that range.
Weight
287 g / 10.1 oz
12 g heavier than the catalog median of 275 g
Heel stack
38 mm
2 mm taller than the catalog median of 36 mm
Drop
8 mm
2 mm higher than the catalog median of 6 mm
Price
$160
Level with the catalog median of 160
Responsiveness
3 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Cushioning
4 / 5
Catalog median 4 / 5
Energy return
3 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Durability
~450 mi
Catalog median ~400 mi
Within the Merrell line it is heavier than the brand's median (263.5 g / 9.3 oz) and sits taller than its median stack (29.5 mm).
Current shoes with the nearest combination of weight, stack, drop, foam feel and plate.
Merrell Agility Peak 6 GORE-TEX
300 g / 10.6 oz · 38 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $185
Waterproof Agility Peak 6 for wet, cold and sloppy trail days.
Under Armour Infinite Pro
300 g / 10.6 oz · 36 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $135
Cushioned trail version of the Infinite platform for mixed terrain.
Brooks Cascadia 20(2025)
306 g / 10.8 oz · 38 mm · 6 mm drop · Rock · $150
Stable, protective trail workhorse for rough ground.
Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX
306 g / 10.8 oz · 38 mm · 6 mm drop · Rock · $180
Waterproof Cascadia for sloppy, cold and wet trail conditions.