7 Best Merrell Trail Running Shoes, 40+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
7 Best Merrell Trail Running Shoes, 40+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Over the years, the Merrell trail running shoes have been very popular among off-road adventurers and trail runners in the world. In fact, its Moab model has been the most sold trail boot in the world and has evolved over several updated versions.

Trail enthusiasts love the Merrell brand for its solid quality materials that feel lighter and softer. Its reliability, performance-driven design, and stout build appeal to the most hardcore ultra trail runners and regular outdoorsy folks.   

If you’re out looking for a new pair of Merrell shoes for your next adventure, we can help you find that perfect fit. We’ve tested 30 pairs of trail running shoes from the Merrell brand, and selected our best picks for your browsing convenience.

How we test trail running shoes

For this fantastic list, we’ve rounded up the latest and previous offerings of Merrell trail running shoes. We’ve spent hours in the lab and the trails to test and review each one of them, and select the best for different categories. To give you some idea, our entire process involves the following:

  • Buying all the trail running shoes with our own money. This is to show everyone that we don’t have any loyalty to the brand. It also keeps us honest and unbiased in our reviews.
  • Cutting the shoes in the lab, reducing them into their essential parts. This makes us easier for us to measure 30+ different parameters such as cushioning, durability, and traction, among others.
  • Testing each model in the trails to see how it can handle technical terrains and other various conditions.
  • Gathering more information from shoe experts, professional trail runners, and regular outdoor enthusiasts.

To conclude the whole process, we calculate the final grade of each model using our CoreScore system, which assigns a rating from 0-to 100. The top-rated Merrell trail running shoes make it to our best picks.

Best Merrell trail running shoes overall

Merrell Moab Flight
Merrell Moab Flight

CoreScore

88
Great!
4.5 / 5 from 4,750 users
82 / 100 from 6 experts

Pros

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

Cons

  • Middling performance
  • Not so durable
  • Poor grip

Verdict

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.
Merrell Moab Flight full review

Best Merrell neutral trail running shoes

Merrell Rubato
Merrell Rubato

CoreScore

83
Good!
4.3 / 5 from 767 users
88 / 100 from 2 experts

Pros

  • Soft cushioning
  • Bouncy ride
  • Reliable traction
  • Feels light on foot
  • Roomy toe box
  • Good for road too
  • Beautiful colors

Cons

  • Lacks stability
  • Heel slips

Verdict

The Merell Rubato is a zero-drop, max-cushioned shoe that lets you run as fast or as slow as you please. The shoe is heavily focused on providing a bouncy and comfortable ride for high-mileage or quick-paced runs. The luxurious cushioning of the Rubato will make your feet happy on light, less demanding trail surfaces, but it is not suitable for those looking for extra support and stability.
Merrell Rubato full review

Best Merrell trail wide toebox running shoes

Merrell Trail Glove 5
Merrell Trail Glove 5

CoreScore

86
Great!
4.4 / 5 from 37,895 users
81 / 100 from 7 experts

Pros

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

Cons

  • Rubs the skin
  • Stiff outsole

Verdict

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.
Merrell Trail Glove 5 full review

Best Merrell trail medium toebox running shoes

Merrell Antora 2
Merrell Antora 2

Out of stock in all 52 shops

Merrell merrell trail running shoes  

CoreScore

83
Good!
4.4 / 5 from 8,487 users
80 / 100 from 3 experts

Pros

  • Straight-out-the-box comfort
  • Grippy
  • Protective
  • Stable
  • Versatile use
  • Spacious toe box
  • Light

Cons

  • Stiff
  • Not for narrow feet

Verdict

As the women's counterpart of the Nova 2, the Merrell Antora 2 offers a sneaker-light comfort and confidence-boosting performance on both light and rugged trails. It has a durable grippy outsole for uphill and downhill runs, and an underfoot cushioning uniquely tailored for female athletes. With its protective and stable platform, this trail running shoe won't disappoint on long-distance and slow-paced runs.
Merrell Antora 2 full review

Best Merrell trail cushioned running shoes

Merrell Nova 2
Merrell Nova 2

CoreScore

83
Good!
4.4 / 5 from 4,296 users
84 / 100 from 4 experts

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

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.
Merrell Nova 2 full review

Best value Merrell trail running shoes

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2
Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

CoreScore

86
Great!
4.2 / 5 from 178 users
92 / 100 from 7 experts

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

Verdict

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.
Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 full review
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.