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
CoreScore
- Top 21% in trail running shoes
- Top 10% in Merrell running shoes
- Top 13% 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 neutral trail running shoes
CoreScore
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
Best Merrell trail wide toebox running shoes
CoreScore
- Top 23% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Grippy
- Flexible upper
- Supportive fit
- Extremely light
- Versatile
- Affordable
- Stylish
Cons
- Rubs the skin
- Stiff outsole
Verdict
Best Merrell trail medium toebox running shoes
CoreScore
- Top 12% 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
Best Merrell trail cushioned running shoes
CoreScore
- Top 8% 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 value Merrell trail running shoes
CoreScore
- Top 19% in Merrell running shoes
- Top 30% in running shoes for high arches
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
Most popular Merrell trail running shoes
CoreScore
- Top 17% most popular running shoes
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