Merrell Nova 4 review

Based on our testing, we found that the Merrell Nova 4 is a great match for:

• Beginners who want an affordable way to try trail running without overthinking gear.
• Heel strikers who prefer a high-drop trail shoe that feels supportive in every landing.
• Runners who want a simple, no-frills model and are not focused on performance.
• Fans of the Nova 3 who liked the shoe but wished it was lighter.

In our view, the Nova 4’s ultra-low energy return makes it a poor choice for anyone who wants a lively, bounce-filled ride. We found that its foam feels flat and slow, and we believe there are far better responsive options—like the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 or the Nike Pegasus Trail 5—that deliver a more dynamic experience.

We also believe that its steep, high-drop geometry creates an awkward feel for midfoot and forefoot strikers. If that's your footstrike, the shoe simply pushes you forward in a way that feels forced and far from smooth on trails. From our perspective, those who prefer moderate or low-drop shoes will get a far more natural ride in the ASICS Gel Trabuco 13 or the Altra Experience Wild 2.

We found that the Nova 4 delivers average shock absorption with 118 SA in the heel and 103 SA in the forefoot. While the heel result is nearly identical to the Nova 3, the higher forefoot score noticeably improves one of the previous model’s weak points.

The FloatPro foam in the Merrell Nova 4 delivered a very weak result in our energy return test. There’s not much to praise with 41.9% in the heel and 44.7% in the forefoot, especially when the previous version performed better.

There’s a bit more foam underfoot in the Nova 4, as we measured 37.7 mm in the heel compared to 34.1 mm in version 3. It’s not a huge change, but it does push the shoe closer to maximalist territory... which is simply Merrell following current trends.

The higher forefoot stack is what finally fixes the low shock absorption of its predecessor, now measuring a much more reasonable 25.6 mm. However, this also creates a big difference from heel to toe, so it’s worth taking a closer look.

Merrell lists the Nova 4 at an 8 mm drop, which is already on the higher side for a trail shoe and makes it more friendly for beginners and heel strikers.

However, after we tested the shoe on runs, we discovered that it definitely does not feel anywhere near 8 mm, and our lab measurement of 12.1 mm confirmed that huge difference.

The FloatPro foam disappointed us before with its low energy return, although this only matters if you want a lively feel underfoot for serious running, since for casual runs or hiking it is not a big issue. 

As for softness, we discovered during our runs that the shoe feels a bit firm, and while this is mainly a matter of taste, it will not satisfy you if you prefer a plush feel underfoot, yet it can work great if you enjoy a slightly-firm and more stable ride.

The Nova 3 already had a slightly rockered shape, but the Nova 4 takes it further with a much larger heel bevel clearly aimed at helping heel strikers. The forefoot stays more relaxed, which fits well with a flexible shoe that has a moderate stack height.

We found that the Merrell Nova 4 fit our foot nicely during our first runs, but we know that feeling-based impressions are misleading, so we tested it with our unique gel method so you can get a fair measurement.

The first result came in at 96.9 mm, giving us an objective starting point for evaluating its real fit.

The second measurement focused on the toebox, and we found 74.5 mm, which puts the Nova 4 in a very average range that should suit most of you. And if you have wide feet, Merrell also offers a wide version in select countries.

There’s also plenty of vertical space for your toes to move comfortably.

We found 31.0 mm in our final measurement, rounding out a secure and trail-ready fit.

Merrell ended its agreement with Vibram for the Nova line, so the Nova 4 switches to the brand’s own Quantum Grip rubber.

This may seem like bad news, but the previous TC5+ outsole was not Megagrip and scored only 0.37 in our test. After we tested the new compound, we discovered an improved 0.41 result, and even though it sits below the lab average, we found that anything above 0.40 performs well on a wide mix of trail conditions.

The Nova 4 uses versatile 4.0 mm lugs that strike a nice middle ground, giving solid grip on easy and moderate trails while still handling the occasional stretch of more technical terrain without trouble.

The outsole of the Nova 4 changes a lot from version 3. Now it features less coverage for weight loss purposes and improved flexibility, both of which are achieved. 

In terms of lug design, we observed that the Nova 4 uses a mixed layout built for all-round grip. The heel features backward-facing, chevron-style lugs for braking control. The midfoot switches to smaller, flatter transition lugs that keep the ride smooth, and the forefoot uses forward-facing chevron lugs with sharper edges.

Flexibility gets a strong boost thanks to the new outsole design and Merrell’s FlexConnect technology, which uses specific grooves to create easier movement in all directions. We tested it and measured only 11.4N for a natural ride, a great improving coming from 15.0N in version 3.

Many small updates can deliver a big win, and the weight drop here is a perfect example. We measured just 9.6 oz or 272g, a huge improvement over the Nova 3’s 10.8 oz or 305g.

If the Nova 3 felt heavy, this completely solves it... while adding even more foam underfoot.

The upper of the Nova 4 is completely new and fully redesigned. For a shoe priced on the lower end of the trail market, it looks surprisingly good at first glance, and we made sure to analyse every detail in our tests.

Starting with our smoke test, we discovered strong airflow in the toebox. We rated it 4/5, which makes sense given the oversized ventilation holes Merrell added to this model.

Merrell used a very thin recycled mesh similar to what we usually see in road shoes, then reinforced key areas to protect it from common wear points on the trail.

Under the microscope, the engineered mesh showed large, open holes that allow air to pass through easily. The secondary inner layer adds comfort and protection without blocking ventilation.

In our view, the upper is one of the Nova 4’s biggest strengths. It breathes well, feels comfortable in every area, and looks really cool.

The Merrell Nova 4 provides average stability, standing far apart from oversized trail tanks like the HOKA Mafate X. Its reasonable dimensions and high flexibility mean your body handles part of the stabilising work, and for many runners, that more natural feel is exactly what they want.

We rated this shoe 4/5 for torsional rigidity. We honestly expected a bit more flex, but with the added stack height, it may simply not be realistic.

The heel counter provides a natural feel with minimal restriction, which helps with comfort in the Nova 4—especially on day-long hikes or long runs. We scored it 2 out of 5.

We noticed that the forefoot looks clearly wider than the midfoot and heel when the shoe is flipped over. After we tested it with our digital callipers, we discovered 118.0 mm, which surprised us at first.

Then we remembered the super-high drop of this model and how the ride constantly shifts you forward, so it makes sense that Merrell added extra width up front to keep the shoe stable in that area.

The heel sits near the average at 89.8 mm, and it feels stable enough for heel strikers with a neutral running style. We also liked that this reasonable width helps the shoe stay agile, something that is getting harder to find in modern trail models.

Despite scoring high in ventilation, the Nova 4’s upper held up well in our Dremel test and earned a solid 3/5. It’s not amazing, but considering the summer-ready mesh and the lower price, it’s actually pretty impressive.

The heel padding performed poorly at 2/5, and we think this area clearly needs attention in future versions.

The new Quantum Grip rubber could be a bit more durable, as we discovered that 1.1 mm of material disappeared after the Dremel test. It’s not a bad result overall and feels fair for the price.

There is 1.6 mm of outsole thickness, which offers enough protection from small trail hazards. However, the Nova 4 drops the rock plate found in earlier versions, so protection against sharper impacts is reduced in exchange for lighter weight.

One of Merrell’s unique touches is the insole. Instead of a regular insert, they use a thicker 6.0 mm version made with 50% recycled foam and treated with an odor-neutralizing finish named Cleansport NXT, which is a nice upgrade.

If you want extra room in the toebox, just swap the thick stock insole for a thinner one from another shoe. The original insole is fully removable.

At least the FloatPro foam doesn’t get excessively firm in cold conditions, which is a small consolation after its weak energy return performance. It became 20% firmer after spending 20 minutes in the freezer.

The Nova 4 skips reflective elements, which isn’t a major drawback but would have been a welcome addition.

The lacing system of the Nova 4 has been totally revamped, and it now features thin, hi-vis laces that run through punched eyelets instead of lace loops, creating a more durable and simple setup. The tongue strap also remains in place to keep the laces tidy and secure, adding a subtle yet helpful detail for many runners.

The tongue stays extremely plush at 10.6 mm, giving excellent instep protection and offering a soft, comfortable feel that lasts for long mountain days without causing any soreness at all.

Having a fully gusseted tongue in a shoe priced below most competitors is a pleasant surprise, even if it’s not entirely unexpected given that version 3 already used the same design.

The Merrell Nova 4 gets a modest 5-dollar price bump, but it’s still an increase. And while the shoe brings some solid updates and remains fairly priced overall, we think it’s time for a better foam to fully justify what it costs now.

In its push to shed as much weight as possible, we found that the shoe drops the heel tab as well.