7 Best Merrell Running Shoes in 2022
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 overall
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 24% in trail running shoes
- Top 13% in Merrell running shoes
- Top 6% most popular running shoes
Pros
- True to size
- No break-in period
- Comfortable ride
- Light
- Excellent breathability
- Reasonably-priced
Cons
- Middling performance
- Not so durable
- Poor grip
Verdict
Best Merrell road running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 1% in Merrell Vapor Glove running shoes
- Top 13% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Natural sensation
- Sock-like fit
- Versatile use
- Lightweight
- Roomy toe box
- Durable
- Easy on and off
Cons
- Not breathable
- Less barefoot than predecessors
Verdict
Best Merrell trail running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 7% most popular running shoes
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
Verdict
Best Merrell neutral running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 22% in Merrell running shoes
Pros
- Soft and responsive cushioning
- Bouncy
- Upper wraps the foot smoothly
- Soft underfoot
- Roomy toe box
- Secure fit for wide-footed
- Excellent outsole grip
Cons
- Lacks stability
- Too loose for narrow feet
Verdict
Best Merrell cushioned running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 23% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Ample protection
- Delivers ground feel
- Multisurface traction
- Glove-like fit
- Comfortable upper
- Lightweight
- Excellent lockdown
Cons
- Not responsive
- Lace bite
- Heel slippage
- Lacks ventilation
- Difficult entry
Verdict
Best value Merrell running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 11% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Straight-out-the-box comfort
- Grippy
- Protective
- Stable
- Versatile use
- Spacious toe box
- Light
Cons
- Stiff
- Not for narrow feet
Verdict
Most popular Merrell running shoes
Corescore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 11% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Natural ride
- Lightweight
- Snug fit
- Durable
- Grippy
- Straight-out-the-box comfort
- Stable
- Versatile
- Sustainable
Cons
- Less ground feel
Verdict
What are the most popular Merrell running shoes in 2022?
What are the cheapest Merrell running shoes in 2022?
- Merrell Nova 2 - from £51
- Merrell Moab Flight - from £56
- Merrell Trail Glove 6 - from £61
- Merrell Rubato - from £71
- Merrell Agility Peak 4 - from £89
- Merrell Vapor Glove 5 - from £90
- Merrell Agility Synthesis 2 - from £120
