Merrell  MTL Adapt Matryx Trail-Running Shoes - Women's

I just bought my second pair of these shoes. I've gone through hundreds of shoes in my life and probably run tens of thousands of miles over the past 30 years. Right now I am in peak Cocodona 2026 training and running 100-180mi weeks. I have a quiver of about 10 shoes in my current rotation and I routinely go for the MTL Adapt Matryx. On first glance/feel, if you grab the shoe it feels stiff. The heel collar material, outsole, and matryx itself all feels stiff in the hand, but once you put it on they are money. Super confident bombing technical decents, running on rocks, beach, even pavement -all feel good. I am not going to race in these particular shoes, but I am planning to continue logging monster mileage in these bad boys.

- [ ] It’s disappointing to write this but I don’t think these are going to work for me. I’ve taken these between 4 and 12 mile trail runs and every time they have made the bottom of my arch ache and one foot blister at the top of my arch. The longer the run, the worse it feels. I have a high arch and a neutral runner, I don’t rely on heavy stability or arch support but if I had a flat arch, I can’t imagine it would feel any better. The insole of the shoe fills my arch like an orthopedic insole and just pounds the bottom of my arch each step. Without it specifically saying it is a supportive trail shoe, I just don’t expect that kind of instep. And call me impatient, but with that price I’m not training my arch to them or giving them an exaggerated break in period. Unfortunately these may turn into glorified walking shoes for me. Disappointing as they feel incredibly light weight for the amount of cushion and don’t increase in heaviness as you work in longer miles. Size wise, I’m a 7 regular, ordered a 7.5 and had not complaints with toe room or overall fit. Lose the weird arch support, and I’ll come back for what could be my favorite trail shoe!

Instant comfort and propels me JUST ENOUGH as I am walking and running without throwing me off balance. Cushioning is ON POINT but feels supportive and not too soft. If you are loving running on both the road and the trail and want to feel good and not fall on your face - this shoe is for you.

So disappointed. I love merrell as a company and their shoes. The merrell Skyfire 2 and Agility Peak 5 are my two favourite go to trail running shoes- I have gone through multiple pairs of both. So I mistakenly thought these shoes would be the best of both worlds- better ground feel and flex but still enough protection for technical and/or longer races. They were not. Looks 10/10- love the colorway. Weight: they were very heavy and not what I am used to from merrell. Response: these shoes were not lively at all. My feet felt heavy and clunky. There was no bounce. And forget road to trail because they are horrible on pavement to the point where I took them off and ran in my socks to get to the car. Fit: so-so. I didnt get any hotspots or anything but it was nothing to write home about. Grip: no issues there, solid lugs. Overall I give these 1/5 for the price I paid (they were expensive! If they were cheaper Id maybe bump to a 2/5). Definitely try before you buy because I didnt assuming I would love them and I will probably never wear them.