Merrell Ontario

Where do you plan to run?

• Road or track: Lighter shoes for speed, more cushioned shoes for distance
• Gravel paths: Hybrid shoes, designed for both road and trail

Cushion comes down to "feel" vs. "float"

• Minimal and barefoot cushioning: little to no padding, more groundfeel
• Moderate cushioning: more traditional ride
• Maximum cushioning: softest, bounciest ride

What kind of support do you need?
Depending on your gait, you may need a stability shoe. But most runners will fare well with a neutral shoe.

Make sure the shoe fits.
No breaking in periods, period! Your shoe should fit well from the get go.

Are you new to hiking?

• Look for thicker soles and potentially a higher cuff for better support.

Do you need speed?

• Lightweight trail-running shoes can shave time off the trek.

Check the temperature

• Hiking shoes and trail runner are cooler in hot months; hiking boots provide more warmth.

Match the outsole with your terrain

• Technical terrain requires a beefier outsole and can call for deeper lugs.

Where do you plan to run?

• Light trail: Best for well-groomed trails
• Rugged trail: Work on a wide variety of terrain, including technical trails
• Off trail: A more aggressive design protects you on rocky, extremely variable terrain

Cushion comes down to “feel” vs. “float”

• Minimal and barefoot cushioning: little to no padding, more ground feel
• Moderate cushioning: more traditional ride
• Maximum cushioning: softest, bounciest ride

Check the heel-to-toe drop

Barefoot and minimalist shoes are very flat with 0-4 mm drop. Moderate and maximalist shoes have higher drop. Choose what you're used to.

Consider the fit

Don't assume you know your size—go to your local REI or running-shoe store to get a fit assessment. Happy running!