Before our Merrell Agility Peak 5 demo evening tomorrow we thought we would give the shoe a quick review!
Merrell is a fairly well known brand in the outdoor and hiking space but their trail running shoes are less sought out. They have the resources and knowledge to make great trail running shoes though and have recently been making serious inroads into the market. One shoe in particular has stood out from the rest and that is the Agility Peak 5.
Take a quick glance at them and you will notice a sleek silhouette with a deep, aggressive Vibram® Megagrip® outsole and lugs indicating this shoe means business.
These shoes have a fairly decent stack height of 31mm at the heel and 25mm at the forefoot. The 6mm drop hits a sweet spot where those who need a bit more of a drop can just about get away with it but it is fairly close to the ground which is always a plus in a trail shoe.
This model has been enhanced with an increased rocker, sculpted heel cup and reduced weight. The men’s shoes coming in at 600g with the women’s weighing 470g. Despite not being dramatically lighter than other shoes, the fit is slightly airy creating a spacious but secure feel.
The midsole is FloatPro™ foam which provides exceptional lightweight comfort. Enjoy plenty of shock absorption on landing, a controlled roll-through and propulsive take-off on trail, gravel, grass or whatever terrain you are navigating.
There is a Rock Plate under the midfoot and forefoot to prevent any sharp objects breaking through the midsole and the abrasion resistant toe cap on the front provides added protection. The Vibram® Megagrip® outsole ensures grip on both dry and wet surfaces while the 5mm Vibram® traction lugs will tear through even the most technical terrain.
The upper consists of a mix of an engineered mesh and TPU that is highly breathable but also super thin, light and almost sock-like. The composition of the collar and tongue is SBR and mesh to provide enhanced stretch for an improved fit but also dispels water and reduces moisture absorption.
Small details matter and Merrell have recognised this. The external rear sling which is a thin but structured heel cup that gets more padded at the top of the shoe enhances comfort and keeps the heels locked into position. There is also a Gaiter D-Ring and velcro should you find yourself needing gaiters when hitting the trails.
Those who value sustainability will appreciate that the laces, webbing, mesh lining and mesh footbed cover are all made of 100% recycled materials. The EVA foam footbed consists of 50% recycled materials.
This shoe a serious competitor to some of the leading trail shoes in the market. If you enjoyed running in the Hoka Speedgoat 5, Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 or Saucony Xodus Ultra 2 then this is a shoe to try!
Experience a captivating fusion of cushion and performance in Merrell’s most popular trail running shoe.
