Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Meet your goals with these men's Merrell trail-running shoes. They're tuned for the trails with FloatPro™ Foam that provides long-distance comfort. And the uppers are breathable and durable.
Imported.
View the Merrell MTL Product LineView all Merrell Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 4 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 23.5 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 19.5 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Matryx Kevlar-reinforced synthetic/textile |
Lining | 37.5 temperature-regulating mesh |
Midsole | FloatPro Foam |
Support | ETPU high-rebound foam footbed |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 0.57 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
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U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
UK | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 |
EU | 40 | 41 | 41.5 | 42 | 43 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 46.5 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 |
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I hardly complain about Merrell MTL products because they're pretty fantastic for me, but I just received my Long Sky 2 Matryx in Mantis a couple of days ago and had to say something. I'm not sure who in the R&D department thought the bottom material of the sockliner was a good idea, but OMG I had to replace them almost immediately! They are so smooth and shiny that they sound like you're opening and closing a styrofoam cooler with every step! It is the most annoying sound you can have on a trail, lol. Thankfully I kept the insoles from a different pair of sneakers. Otherwise I love the Matryx version of these shoes, I feel like they corrected a lot of the for issues I encountered with the regular version. But wow that squeak is crazy!
A squeak is usually caused by tiny air pockets in-between the insole and the foot bed. A little baby powder in between the insole and the foot bed or a new insole usually does the trick. If not, please let us know and we will get you taken care of. Our team can also help at 800-288-3124 or live chat at Merrell.com.
Used this to run the Breakneck Point Half (4400' of vert, Golden Trail National Series race) in wet conditions and really happy with how it (and I) performed. Handled steep scrambles, rocky descents, creek crossings, muddy stretches, and sending it downhill. It's light, fast, grippy, and maneuverable. Heel doesn't fit as well as the non-Matryx version, but if I use heel lock lacing, it holds well enough and no blisters. But because of that, I do wish the tongue was a bit longer. Also the laces are grippy but really stiff. Cushioning is good but on the firmer side and responsive not bouncy or plush. This is great to feel the trail and helps for technical trails like Breakneck, and didn't hurt my feet, so not an issue, just something to be aware of. Overall the shoes are great, love them and they get attention because they look great and people are surprised that Merrell makes badass trail running shoes (vs hiking stuff).
Thank you for sharing your awesome experience with us!
Having raced the original Long Sky in a 50-miler in the Colorado Rockies, there was much to admire. But the upper was overly stiff and crumpled in places, irritating the top of the feet. The Matryx upper eliminates these problems. This is a brilliant shoe for rough rocky terrain. Agile, lightweight, grips well, and surprisingly comfortable midsole.
I was looking forward to buying the MTL Long Sky 2 Matryxes last month after putting several hundred miles on a pair of Moab Flights trail running shoes, among the best shoes I ever owned. I have worn the Matryxes once, having developed blisters after the first mile. Unlike the Moabs, which have a smooth inside heel construction, the Matryxes feature what Merrell might euphemistically call an additional heel pad. I would refer to it as an abrasive ridge that constitutes a design defect and renders the shoes unwearable. I have read similar complaints from at least two other users.
We'd love the opportunity to look into this and help at 800-288-3124 or live chat at Merrell.com
These have become my favorite shoe! I didn't think it could get better than the Peak 5 but then these hit and I am hooked.
Just got them. 2 runs in 2 new PR. I have the regular version too. Really like the fit.
Love the shoes overall, but has 2 issues - first is that the tongue is just too short. Tongue BARELY makes it to the top of the laces. Please make the tongue another 1 cm longer. Tongue so short makes it difficult to put on the shoes and the laces can actually rub on your foot if the tongue isn't pulled completely up tight. Second - there isn't enough padding at the back of the shoe over your heel/Achilles area. I never get blisters with any other shoe - but first time I wore these got blisters on both sides over my Achilles.
We appreciate your valuable feedback and if we can help please give us a call at 800-288-3124 or live chat at Merrell.com. Thank you.
I was hoping to get something with excellent grip and perform great on most all terrain and be comfortable. These are perfect for that. Ran a 50k in them and would be comfortable up to 50 miles I’d imagine. Not super cushioned but I personally don’t like a big stack on technical trail running shoes. I’d rather feel the ground better than cushion and not roll an ankle. Only thing is feel like wearing a gaiter will help keep out debris. Depending on what trails your running of course.
Still early but gave them an early test. I live in the northeast so we currently have too much snow but on a trip to Phoenix took them out for a 3h ridge running trip and they were great. The next day went to the Superstition Ridge that included serious uphill with scrambling followed by a steeper descent, then several miles of smooth singletrack. This shoe performed superbly on all those conditions. Only 38 miles in at this point but good enough I bought another pair.
Thank you for sharing your great experience with us!
I wanted to love these shoes because the look, feel, responsiveness, ground protection, and durability are amazing. The ride is great without being too firm or too padded. And they have a minimal toe rocker, which is a fresh breath of air in a market where it seems like every other brand has excessive toe rockers. It's like running with a snug mountain cleat. They perform amazing even on rugged, rocky PA Apalachian Trail sections However, they rub my arch just below the ball of the big toe. I can only run in these for a max of 10mi before I start to notice the beginning of blisters on my arch and my toes start to feel jammed together. And it's because the toe box is too narrow. Please Merrell, please, make these shoes with a natural foot shape and they would be the best shoe on the market. This shoe blended with the foot shape from a brand like Altra or Topo would be perfect.