All this is taken into account in our reviews of each shoe. In addition to measuring a shoeвЂ™s weight, we measure sole thickness (everything that sits between your foot and the road), how well the foam cushions your stride, and the flexibility of the forefoot. We put each shoe through real-world usage and a battery of mechanical tests in our lab to provide you with objective-and exclusive-data. While the laces are on the thinner side for a more substantial shoe, testers had no problems achieving a secure and comfortable fit. The Flex uses a traditional lacing system with reinforced plastic eyelets and an extra-wide tongue that ensures rocks and pebbles wonвЂ™t trickle inside. Throw in the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, and youвЂ™ve got a shoe for all conditions. The shoeвЂ™s extra swatches of ballistic mesh in high-wear areas act as an safeguard against scrapes and seeping moisture. MerrellвЂ™s winning combo of mesh and TPU in the upper help lighten up the shoe and ramp up breathability, without sacrificing protection. вЂњI wore these shoes in rain, snow, and wet leaves and my feet always felt very secure to the ground.вЂќ Upper вЂњThis shoe gets an A+ in both traction and durability,вЂќ one tester raved. This Bassist Always Finds Time for Local Trails Those that were accustomed to a firm ride and light cushioning felt right at home in the MQM Flex. Testers would have liked to see a little more flexibility in this area, but did note that the extra punch of stiffness made the shoe feel a bit more responsive. Merrell uses a firm EVA foam midsole with added grooves that flex with the foot and boost overall ride quality. вЂњThey did feel a bit rigid at first, but I was definitely able to break them in once I put some miles on them.вЂќ Midsole вЂњThis shoe has nice traction and a really stable base,вЂќ remarked one tester. The firm EVA midsole makes this Merrell especially solid and snappy, so while itвЂ™s not for runners looking for a pillowy ride, it does offer unparalleled stability to hit the trails hard. Some testers thought the Flex was a little lacking in comfort, and would have liked to see more cushioning throughout the shoe. Most agreed that this was definitely a hearty shoe with excellent traction and support that theyвЂ™d trust for miles off-road. ItвЂ™s a far cry from the clunkier and heavier models offered by many outdoor brands.

Plus, testers loved the shoeвЂ™s superior arch support for tackling steep climbs, uneven terrain, and shifting gravel. The Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX is a well-designed and executed shoe. That webbing strap across the forefoot lacing does a particularly good job, adding support in a key area, but floating so it is tensioned by the laces.The Gore-Tex InvisibleFit waterproof upper easily stood up to wet and rainy runs and sloshing through puddles. A dedicated trail runner might use gaiters to avoid this issue, but that seems a little overkill for a hiking shoe.Д¬omfort is good for a minimalist hiking shoe though, the flexing midsole and air cushion cocooning the foot nicely against the ground, while the laces lock the foot in very well too. Less obviously, thereвЂ™s no protection against deeper mud, rain or debris getting into the shoe, leaving the wearer quite exposed.

That makes for a visually appealing shoe, but there are practical tradeoffs, most obviously in terms of support and ankle protection. Merrell has used a bonding system to integrate the Gore-Tex membrane inside, as well as TPU overlays on the outside, both of which combine to remove bulk and streamline the design.

The Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX is a very light shoe, and that low-profile trail runner styling makes it seem even more minimalist.

Merrell mqm flex reviews