7 Best Merrell Running Shoes in 2023

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
7 Best Merrell Running Shoes in 2023
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Known for their excellent durability, versatility, and performance-driven design, Merrell running shoes have become a favorite among ultra-distance runners and regular outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Whether you’re into off-road adventures or road running, a big fan of the brand, or a first-time buyer, the Merrell lineup offers great options for everyone that would suit their needs.

To help you save time and eliminate the hassle of reading hundreds of reviews, we’ve handpicked, wear-tested, and analyzed 30+ of the best Merrell running shoes available out there. We brought all pairs to our lab for a battery of mechanical tests and selected our top picks for your quick reference.

How we test running shoes

Our goal at RunRepeat is to provide our audience with in-depth reviews of the latest releases of Merrell running shoes. We’ve spent hours examining each model at our independent lab and wear-testing them on the road and on the trails. Our entire approach involves:

  • Purchasing all the Merrell shoes with our own funds to avoid bias and brand loyalty.
  • Cutting the shoes into pieces and measuring their essential parts in our lab, including over 30 different parameters from durability, breathability, and softness of the midsole, among others.
  • Logging at least 30-50 miles on each pair to gain more perspective on its overall value, sustainability, and performance.
  • Collecting more information from various shoe experts and user reviews from regular runners who have tried a particular shoe.

To conclude the process, we use our proprietary CoreScore system to calculate the overall ratings of each model, showing a number from 0 to 100. You can immediately see the rank of each pair of Merrell shoes as compared to others.

Best Merrell running shoes for long distance

Merrell Nova 2
83
Good!

What makes it the best?

The Merrell Nova 2 is a traditionally designed trail running shoe, with less flair than many modern alternatives, but versatility and grip enough to prove its position as one of the best trail running shoes for beginners.

Pros

  • Fits true to size
  • Grip is great in good conditions
  • A decent amount of cushioning
  • Excellent lockdown
  • Sturdy upper
  • Dependable Vibram outsole
  • Good laces

Cons

  • Too much ground feel for some
  • Heavier than most
  • Grip isn’t reliable in wet conditions
Full review of Merrell Nova 2

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Rainbow (J06717)
Black/White (J06701)
Rainbow (J13542)
Grey (J06707)
Olive (J03556)
Boulder (J06671)
Natural Wonders (J06735)

Best Merrell running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

Looking for a modest shoe, without fluff, that will last for miles? Then take the Merrell Vapor Glove 4. For a minimalist shoe, it gave our feet sufficient protection and loads of ground feel. And of course, it's super light, it felt like we had no shoes on! Even with its stripped-down construction, it's built to last! If we had an issue with it, it's more on its roomy fit in the heel and midfoot.

Pros

  • Incredibly lightweight
  • Spacious fit
  • Exceptional flexibility
  • Very responsiveness
  • Resistant, dependable upper
  • Grippy and durable soles

Cons

  • Too much space in heel/midfoot
  • Missing a heel tab to help get it on
Full review of Merrell Vapor Glove 4

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Men
Women
Any color
Black (J06668)
Grey (J50403)

Best Merrell running shoes for trail

What makes it the best?

The Merrell Moab Flight is the Toyota RAV4 of shoes. It looks decent, can handle moderate dirt trails, and is comfortable enough to wear in many applications. While it is not the fastest or the most aggressive off-road, it has enough features that warrant consideration if you are looking for an all-around good quality trail shoe.

Pros

  • True to size
  • No break-in period
  • Comfortable ride
  • Light
  • Excellent breathability
  • Reasonably-priced

Cons

  • Middling performance
  • Not so durable
  • Poor grip
Full review of Merrell Moab Flight

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Men
Women
Any color
Orange (J06674)
Monument (J06684)
Poséidon (J06714)
Black (J06675)
Black (J06709)
Herb (J06694)
White (J06693)

Best Merrell running shoes with wide toebox

What makes it the best?

The first version didn’t go unnoticed, but the Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 is definitely a worthy update. Testers emphasized how things are kept simple here, yet the result is an exceptional, durable, and light shoe for climbing up mountain trails fast and with security. It’s even better doing so when you know it’s made of recycled materials, unlike many other brands that still lag behind in this matter.

Pros

  • Lightweight, yet protective
  • Superior traction
  • Roomy toe box
  • Comfy, locked-in fit
  • Airy upper
  • Good ground feel
  • Stable on technical terrain
  • Well-crafted and durable
  • Gaiter attachments
  • Environmental friendly

Cons

  • Debris can slip in
  • Not for very narrow feet
Full review of Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Tangerine (J06714)
White/Orange (J06769)
Black/Jade (J06736)

Merrell running shoes with best cushioning

What makes it the best?

If you're a runner and you're unsure what lies ahead in the trails, this is where the Merrell Agility Peak 4 hits home. Runners love the colorways and the wilder they are, the more compliments they get. A letdown of this trail shoe is that it's not fast, so it shines at slower paces. Think recovery runs, jogs and hikes.

Pros

  • Ample protection
  • Delivers ground feel
  • Multisurface traction
  • Glove-like fit
  • Comfortable upper
  • Lightweight
  • Excellent lockdown

Cons

  • Not for fast runs
  • Lacks ventilation
  • Difficult entry
Full review of Merrell Agility Peak 4

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black/White (J06713)
Blue (J13511)
Jade (J03684)
Black Highrise (J06734)
Black (J13510)

Best value Merrell running shoes

What makes it the best?

Praise was dutifully given to the 5th version of Merrell Trail Glove because it was able to meet the expectations of consumers, particularly those who desire a trail running shoe that doesn’t have a bulky frame or a restricting design. The versatility and effectiveness of this product’s components became highlights, with some people even claiming that they were able to use it on the roads. On the other hand, a handful of runners felt that the available sizes for this neutral shoe were more substantial than their usual choices.

Pros

  • Grippy
  • Flexible upper
  • Supportive fit
  • Extremely light
  • Versatile
  • Affordable
  • Stylish

Cons

  • Rubs the skin
  • Stiff outsole
Full review of Merrell Trail Glove 5

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Green (J62281)
black (J50293)

Comparison of the 7 best Merrell running shoes

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Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways
Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.