Merrell Tempo Sol review

We believe that the Merrell Tempo Sol caters to people who:

• have a limited trail shoe budget
• need one shoe to transition from city streets to the trail
• prefer softer step-in comfort

We found that the Tempo Sol lacks breathability for a non-waterproof shoe. If you need a more summer-ready option with more effective sweat management, the ASICS Gel Venture 11 is much better in that regard.

Another budget-friendly alternative from Merrell that offers even more shock absorption in a lighter construction is the Morphlite. If you don't mind a slightly more athletic look for enhanced comfort, it's worth a look.

Since Merrell positions the Tempo Sol as an everyday comfort option, we paid particular attention to the amount of shock absorption it offers in the heel area.

And, as expected, the shoe returned an above-average reading of 113 SA, proving to be cushioned enough for prolonged wear.

Next, we assessed how bouncy this Merrell shoe's midsole feels on the go by measuring its energy return.

With a moderate result of 48.9%, we found that it's not the springy type, but a touch of responsiveness prevents it from feeling too dull or dead.

Contrary to the claimed 34 mm, our digital calliper measured the Tempo Sol's heel stack at an above-average 36.4 mm.

That makes its foam buffer a bit thicker than that of an average hiking shoe, which is another bonus point for its versatility as a city-to-trail option.

However, the shoe's forefoot stack turned out to be closer to the specs at 23.1 mm.

This moderate platform keeps the ball of the foot and the toes fairly elevated from the ground without making them feel isolated from it.

The heel-to-toe drop, therefore, comes in at 13.3 mm instead of the promised 10 mm.

A bit steeper than average, it can feel off to hikers who are used to flatter offsets. But we think most people will appreciate the reduced stress on the Achilles and calves it offers.

A softer EVA foam is another factor that enhances this Merrell shoe's comfort.

It's not exactly plush, but with a durometer reading of 35.5 AC, it proved notably softer than the average hiking shoe platform. That makes it feel more forgiving on hard surfaces like concrete pavements.

The Merrell Tempo Sol fit perfectly in our wear tests, and a gel cast of its interiors further confirmed the shoe's proper medium fit.

After removing a solidified replica from the shoe and measuring it with a digital calliper, we recorded a good 95.7 mm in its widest part. This falls into the medium-width range but leans slightly toward the wide fit.

This is good news considering that the shoe is available in a medium width only.

The toebox shape of this Merrell shoe also proved to be perfectly standard, neither broad nor tapered. We recorded a medium width of 73.6 mm in its big-toe area.

We experienced no lack of space above our toes either, as the shoe's toebox height measured a generous 29.1 mm.

That helps prevent the suede rand from putting any pressure on the toes or toenails.

True to the brand's official specs, we measured the Tempo Sol's lug depth at 4.4 mm.

Slightly deeper than average, it makes the shoe versatile for mixed terrain, which includes gravel, grass, sand, moss, light dirt, roots, and the like.

But please note that it's a no-go for deep mud due to broad and closely packed treads.

A closer look at the shoe's outsole design shows how wide, smooth, and flat its lugs are, especially in the centre. They make the shoe better suited for hard-packed trails as well as concrete and asphalt.

However, the perimeter treads have slightly sharper edges with a square-like shape that helps the shoe bite the ground more effectively on ascents and descents.

Our stiffness test confirmed that the Tempo Sol is not particularly rigid in the forefoot and bends just enough to make transitions smooth for casual walking and hiking.

At 17.5N, it requires slightly less force to bend by 30 degrees than the average hiking shoe but still packs enough rigidity to maintain a supportive ride.

Lugs aside, the Merrell Tempo Sol is essentially built like a casual sneaker. There are no rock plates or heavy supportive elements to add extra weight here.

As expected, the shoe tipped the scales at a moderate 11.9 oz (337g), putting it into the lightweight range of hiking shoes.

If you are considering this Merrell shoe for hot summer hikes, you will most likely be disappointed in its breathability.

With a below-average result of 55 BR, the Tempo Sol doesn't wick sweat away from the skin effectively enough to keep the foot dry when heavy perspiration is involved.

Unfortunately, insole perforations don't necessarily improve sweat control.

And once it gets damp, this Merrell shoe is not particularly fast to dry either.

After running an additional 3-hour test and measuring the moisture it evaporated within that period, we recorded a moderate 40%. This is good enough for an average hiking shoe but not ideal if you get your shoes wet mid-hike, be it from sweat, creeks, or puddles.

The Merrell Tempo Sol doesn't pack any tough, supportive elements and is generally less structured than its more advanced counterparts like the Merrell Moab 3.

But given the shoe's budget price point and more casual intent, we believe that it offers a solid footing on light-to-moderate terrain, which is exactly where it belongs.

The shoe actually surprised us with a solid torsional rigidity measurement of 19.5 Nm, making it anything but flimsy. It's not an ankle-rolling disaster by any means.

However, the shoe's heel counter proved to be quite pliable, earning a low stiffness score of 2 out of 5 in our manual test.

That's what can make it feel less supportive for people with increased stability needs like overpronation.

The midsole dimensions of this Merrell shoe fall within the standard range of hiking shoes, neither too slim nor too broad.

Measuring the widest part of its platform in the forefoot, our calliper showed a regular reading of 112.3 mm.

The same is true for the Tempo Sol's heel, where it showed a normal width of 90.1 mm. No additional stability benefits here, but also no unnecessary bulk.

Although its low price point can raise concerns about the Merrell Tempo Sol's durability, we are here to reassure you that it can take a beating.

Aside from its tough suede panels, the shoe also relies on a sturdy textile to maintain the integrity of its upper. And as our Dremel barely scratched the surface of that fabric during a 12-second test, the shoe's toebox durability score went up to a solid 4 out of 5.

As the shoe's interior mesh looks rather frail, we were surprised to see it show decent wear resistance in our durability test - 3 out of 5 it is.

The shoe's outsole rubber was no disappointment either. Resisting abrasion as effectively as a more expensive rubber would, it sustained a very moderate damage of 0.8 mm. Excellent result for this price range!

The amount of rubber on this Merrell shoe also looks reassuring with a solid calliper reading of 3.0 mm. So overall, we have every reason to expect great long-term durability from the Tempo Sol.

There is nothing cheap about this Merrell shoe's step-in comfort, thanks to its well-padded and contoured insole.

It showed a solid thickness of 5.6 mm in the heel area, which is right on par with the average hiking shoe.

You also have the option of replacing the insert with a custom orthotic if needed.

As pleasantly soft as the Tempo Sol's midsole proved to be at room temperature, it loses that benefit once the mercury drops.

After exposing it to cold in the freezer for 20 minutes, we recorded a notable 30% decrease in its foam softness. That's a tangible difference for a hiking shoe.

Night-time visibility is not part of the deal in this Merrell shoe. We found no reflective elements anywhere on its upper or sole.

The shoe's amply padded tongue and collar complement its insole in creating a cosy step-in feel.

Measuring the tongue with a calliper, we recorded a solid thickness of 9.1 mm.

With no gussets on its sides, the shoe's tongue has a classic, free-floating design.

On the positive side, it offers easier entry and a slightly more relaxed fit in the instep. However, it doesn't block water or debris as effectively and is prone to shifting and bunching.

A finger loop at the back helps with the on-and-off.

The Merrell Tempo Sol is one of the cheapest hiking shoes in our catalogue, yet it offers impressive value for money, as multiple lab tests showed!

Merrell has a good reputation for incorporating sustainable materials into its shoes, including even the most affordable options like the Tempo Sol. The shoe features:

• 100% recycled breathable mesh lining
• 50% recycled mesh footbed cover
• 50% recycled EVA foam footbed