4 Best Merrell Running Shoes in 2023

Designed as a traditional trail shoe, Nova 2 focuses on traction and solid protection. It’s flexible enough to be a running shoe while holding the benefits of a trail shoe, making it a great companion for easy hikes to tempo road runs. Our lab and run results confirm it’s Merrell’s best running shoe.

Its midsole balances comfort and support. We’re able to stride our feet naturally with the flexible midsole. Our 90-degree bend test confirms it's 13.6% less resistant than average. With stack heights rising to 35.1/25.8 mm, it's max-cushioned. Yet its foam feels firm, providing added support and stability. Our durometer shows it’s 24.1% denser than average.

It features the esteemed Vibram outsole that’s 3.5 mm thicker than average. This extra defense doesn’t sacrifice grip with its soft outsole (72.5 HC vs. 85.1 HC average) and 4.2 mm deep, sticky lugs.

The upper is exceptionally sturdy with its mesh that doesn’t stretch for durability and protection. Even with robust materials, it’s still really breathable. There’s no discomfort because of the thick tongue and heel collar that hugs our feet with padding.

Unfortunately, the shoe’s solid construction entails heavier weight. At 10.9 oz (310g), it’s well above the 10.4 oz (296g) average of trail shoes.

Among Merrell runners we’ve tried, Vapor Glove 6 gives the best barefoot experience with its breezy glove-like fit, minimum weight, and maximum ground feel. Its flexibility enhances natural movement, while its Vibram outsole ensures protection. Best of all, it fits the below-£110 budget!

Intended as a trail shoe, VG6 is one of the lightest we've tested. At 5.3 oz (150g), it's almost half the 10.4 oz (296g) average of its counterparts. It embraces minimalism by keeping its stack 6 mm low for maximum surface feedback. This made us adapt quickly to uneven terrains and helped strengthen our legs.

Upping the comfort game is its perforated mesh upper that kept our running experience light. Even if we run sockless, we have no issues with blisters, sweat, and odor thanks to its material that adjusts to the shape of our feet and its odor-control compound.

Below the VG6 is the Vibram outsole that wraps around the heel and toebox for more protection and durability. It's lined with 2-mm lugs arranged in an aggressive tread to enhance grip. We had no slips running through wet and muddy trails and could seamlessly shift to road running without the chunky underfoot feeling.

With its accommodating room for wide feet, runners with narrow feet shouldn’t expect a snug and glove-like fit.

Having excellent comfort and protection, outstanding breathability, and great versatility—Merrell Moab Flight is definitely the Merrell running shoe with the best comfort.

Nothing bad can be said about the Merrell Moab Flight's quality. Right out of the box, these feel great to run in and the midsole absorbs much of the bumps that come along with our trail runs.

The shoe also has superb breathability due to the loose weave in the upper material. Despite having no dedicated vents, the upper remains well-ventilated. We really enjoyed feeling the wind in our toes, especially on those tough verticals. 

While the Merrell Moab Flight’s Vibram outsole is not the most aggressive, it is very versatile. We obliterated dirt, rocks, and mud with ease. It can also handle going from road to trail easily. 

Unfortunately, when it comes to the weight, it sits just in the middle of the pack. Runners looking for faster shoes will need to look at other options.

Nova 3 proved itself as Merrell’s best summer running shoe as we indulged in its unmatched comfort and breezy upper. It’s a great hybrid shoe for mid-distance runs and all-day casual wear, as it keeps us sweat and fatigue-free. Not to mention, it’s made of recycled materials to allow us to contribute to the sustainability movement.

With a breathable mesh upper, our feet remained cool despite running on hot and humid days. We had no instances of hotspots and blisters.

We had no discomfort at all with its soft cushion. The fit made us feel at home even if we tried it fresh out of the box. No complaints here! We enjoyed our runs with every stride caught by a supportive platform. We’re amazed how sustainability and comfort can go hand in hand as Nova 3’s laces, upper, and EVA foam footbed are all made of 100% recycled materials.

Unfortunately, the outsole’s durability, or lack thereof, underwhelmed us. We recommend investing in shoes with tougher outsoles if a long-lasting shoe is a priority.