Merrell MQM Ace review
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all hiking shoes.
This shoe has a 7% 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 moreVerdict from 100+ users
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent arch support
- Impressive comfort
- Breathable
- Excellent traction
- No break-in period
Cons
- Constraining fit

80% say it's true to size.
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us.
Comparison to similar hiking shoes
+ + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | + + Add a product | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CoreScore | |||||||
Users rating | |||||||
Experts | |||||||
Best price | |||||||
Ranking | |||||||
Popularity | |||||||
# of colorways |
Who should buy the Merrell MQM Ace
The Merrell MQM Ace is a superb low-top hiker that offers a set of trail-centric features specific for summer excursions. It is a solid option if you:
- Prefer a low-top shoe that is engineered to give a lightweight performance for fast trails set in warm conditions.
- Prefer a shoe that is built with an emphasis on lightness.
- Prefer a shoe that can reduce odor-causing microbes to a minimum.
Durable
Trail enthusiasts can traverse trails with the help of the Merrell MQM Ace’s Vibram outsole. It is composed of a Megagrip rubber compound, imbuing it with durability.
Excellent grip
The outsole’s surface is filled with 4mm-deep arrowhead-shaped lugs which delivers grip on uneven ground and slippery surfaces. Several grooves can be found on both ends of the sole for added traction in uphill and downhill conditions. It also extends toward the forefoot for extra protection from accidental knocks.
Shock-absorbing cushioning
This shoe-type offering from Merrell uses a compression-molded EVA midsole for cushioning. It contains dual-directional flex grooves called FLEXconnect for extra stability and agility. The brand’s Air Cushion is positioned in the heel to absorb shock from every strike.
Excellent arch support
The Merrell MQM Ace sports the company’s proprietary Kinetic Fit Base removable insole for arch support. The shoe also comes with a TrailProtect rock plate which shields the wearer from underfoot debris.
Breathable and durable upper
Merrell’s MQM Ace is equipped with a mesh upper which promotes breathability, especially in warm and humid environments. It is reinforced with TPU overlays for extra durability. The shoe also features a Floating Hypercage—the overlay unit in the ankle area that’s connected to the midsole—which yields lightweight support to the user.
Easy to wear
The hiking shoe’s closure system uses a series of metal eyelets, which extends toward the toe box, for the fit organization. A pull-tab can be found on the collar to help the wearer have an easy on and off.