Because of the comfort and stability that the MQM Flex 2 bring to the table, they not only make good trail running shoes but light hiking shoes too. This versatile set of footwear also makes a great running errands shoe or working around the yard shoe. Serious runners will most likely want to reserve them for that activity alone, but others will find plenty of other excuses to put these comfy shoes on their feet. Big Shoes to Fill We like the fit, which is spacious around the toes, but you can cinch it down nicely around the midfoot and heel. The waterproof GORE-TEX membrane on these shoes worked well, and I was able to submerge my feet almost all the way up to my ankles on numerous occasions without any water seeping in. In most cases, I prefer non-waterproof shoes because they breathe better and dry faster. But I’ll admit that having the ability to walk straight through puddles rather than hop-scotching around them was a nice benefit on shorter hikes.

Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX Hiking Shoe Review - The Trek Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX Hiking Shoe Review - The Trek

The advantage of a non-waterproof shoe with liberal use of mesh is that it’s very comfortable in the heat. I wore the MQM Flex 2 throughout the spring and summer in central Washington State without issues, and I’ve stayed mostly comfortable in temperatures reaching the high 80s Fahrenheit. Interestingly, I’ve found the MQM does run a little warmer than the Moab 2 Ventilator—perhaps because it doesn’t use as much open-weave mesh—but it’s still a much better breather than any Gore-Tex model (including the MQM Flex 2 GTX) out there for summer adventuring.One of the things that first caught my attention about the MQM Flex 2 is how comfortable they are on your feet. Not only do they provide plenty of cushioning, but they are also designed to move with your foot as it adjusts to the changing terrain and environment. The aforementioned Quantum Grip sole flexes nicely as you run, enhancing the runner’s connection with the ground at all times. Brandon is a guide, writer, and endurance athlete from Maine. In a previous life, he was a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State and had the opportunity to explore over 60 countries while serving at U.S. Embassies in Egypt, Cyprus, and Pakistan. The weight of the shoes has consequently increased from 648g to 708g, reflecting a sturdier and more durable build for the 2.0 iteration, but the extra 60g per pair isn’t particularly noticeable on foot. Another change is that the 2020 version is 100% vegan friendly, reflecting the growing consumer demand for ethical products. In fact, the pleasing fit, grippy outsole, and waterproof GORE-TEX liner blend together seamlessly into what I would consider one of the best shoes for wet-weather day hikes in the Northeast and beyond. I will be keeping these close at hand for just that purpose!

Merrell MQM Flex 2 Hiking Shoe Review | Switchback Travel

The GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane is lightweight, waterproof and breathable, giving you total protection on the trail or the hill. The InvisibleFit construction, Kinetic Fit™ BASE insole and FLEXconnect® cushioned midsole combine to offer extreme comfort when running or walking. Swarovski NL Pure10x42 review: sensational high-end binoculars for wildlife spotting and spectator sports The MQM Flex’s lightweight hybrid design also puts it in the crosshairs of one of the top trail running shoes: Altra’s Lone Peak 5. Right off the bat, we'll note that this shoe has developed a strong following among thru-hikers with its supportive cushioning, wide toe box, and solid traction. Altra even includes nice touches for long-distance hikers like attachment points for a pair of gaiters. Compared with the MQM Flex, the Merrell has the upper hand in durability, but we give the advantage to the Lone Peak because it’s more comfortable, weighs around 3 ounces less, and has a more proven outsole. Quantum Grip Outsole: A proprietary rubber compound developed by Merrell, Quantum Grip is designed to grab well while keeping weight to a minimum. Take your actual body measurements as they are more accurate than measuring over your clothes or shoes.

As with most Merrell walking shoes, I found the MQM Flex 2.0 GTXs to be comfortable straight out of the box. Due to the trainer-style design, they fitted like a glove and I immediately felt at ease with them on my feet. They were true to size for me, there was no rubbing or discomfort anywhere and I was immediately eager to get out in them. They were pretty lightweight too. At 708g per pair, they were far lighter than many other pairs of approach shoes I’ve owned in the past, which made me feel fast, light and nimble on my feet. From cruising around town at the weekend to pedaling to work Monday–Friday, riding a good bike transforms travel time into quality time seven days a week In terms of stability and support, the MQM Flex 2 more closely resembles a burly trail runner than a typical hiking shoe. The heel cup is fairly solid, which helps keep ankle rolls to a minimum, but it doesn’t have the wide footprint or planted feel of a shoe like the Moab 2. That being said, I had no complaints while hauling a load of just under 30 pounds or lighter weights while day hiking. If you’ll be carrying much more weight, however, or just prefer a sturdier shoe, there are plenty of more capable options. For low-tops, the La Sportiva Spire GTX is almost boot-like in its stability, and Salomon’s X Ultra 3 also offers better support. I found them to be winners in the comfort department – no blisters or pinch points encountered – and versatile enough for a range of disciplines from hiking to trail running. For everyday adventures that weren’t excessively hardcore, I found them ideal and didn’t have any complaints. Merrell is no stranger to the outdoors, having produced highly-acclaimed hiking shoes and boots for many decades. In recent years, hiking footwear has trended toward trail runners, and Merrell has answered the call with options like the Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX.

1TRL MQM Flex 2 | Merrell

That said, adding a Gore-Tex liner to a shoe—or any garment for that matter—will cut down on the overall breathability of that product. Gore-Tex has come a long way towards improving breathability in general in recent years. However, most waterproof membranes still tend to have a hard time keeping moisture out while allowing perspiration to pass through too. Because of this, I found my feet occasionally getting warm and sweaty, but usually, this only occurred on warmer days. I’m not sure if you’re aware of their new “Nova 2 Gore-tex” trail runners. They come in wide and have been doing great for me so far. I can’t speak to their durability just yet, unfortunately. Merrell has put out a good looking shoe here, very low-profile and streamlined in the best technical trail-running tradition. As a hiking shoe the Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX hiking shoe gives lots of ankle movement for speed, but less protection than a more robust shoe or even a mid-height hiking boot. This generally means that the wearer has to compensate by concentrating harder on more technical terrain and dig deeper on longer journeys – not necessarily a bad thing, but a more taxing proposition. In terms of fit, a few customers say that the sizing runs slightly large, but the main thing to note is that Merrell has opted for a particularly roomy toe box. The idea is that you have room for your toes to splay while walking / running. Most reviewers agree that while this might feel a bit odd and oversized when you first put these shoes on, the design actually works well in practice. Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX hiking shoe review: performance and comfortThe final modification is to the Gore-Tex membrane. The original MQM Flex had a waterproof membrane constructed by stitching pieces of Gore-Tex material together, but the 2.0 version use an InvisibleFit Gore-Tex with a single piece of seamless material providing wraparound waterproofing.

Merrell MQM Flex 2 Gore-Tex Trail Running Shoe Review Merrell MQM Flex 2 Gore-Tex Trail Running Shoe Review

When it comes to running footwear, you can keep your GTX-lined gear, I’m better off without it – in more ways than one 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 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. That makes for a visually appealing shoe, but there are practical tradeoffs, most obviously in terms of support and ankle protection. Less obviously, there’s no protection against deeper mud, rain or debris getting into the shoe, leaving the wearer quite exposed. A dedicated trail runner might use gaiters to avoid this issue, but that seems a little overkill for a hiking shoe. All in all, the changes to the 2.0 version are incremental tweaks and improvements, rather than a wholesale re-design, as Merrell have chosen to build on the solid foundation created with the original MQM Flex GTX product. The Merrell MQM Flex 2 GTX is a well-designed and executed shoe. It’s a far cry from the clunkier and heavier models offered by many outdoor brands. Although it doesn’t quite hit the mark for being a reliable and extra-comfortable trail runner, nor does it likely meet the durability standards of a rough-trail hiking shoe, it still does a lot of things right and effectively bridges the gap between shoe types. Protection is more in-line with a trail running shoe than a burlier hiker like Salomon’s X Ultra 3.I am in the same boat with ridiculously wide feet and high arches. Finding trail running shoes is a nightmare. Feet: Use a ruler or tape measure to measure your foot (from the heel to the tip of your longest toe) Be sure to measure both feet. Many people have feet of different sizes. Fit to the larger of the two. The rest of second-generation MQM Flex is reflective of the original: Merrell did a great job mixing open mesh along the top of the shoe for ventilation with tightly woven mesh and TPU reinforcements in the lower areas most prone to tearing. TPU film and a small rubber toe cap also combine to provide decent protection around the front of the foot. In about four months of use, the uppers are holding up very well, and the same goes for the lacing system and interior of the shoe. An advanced outdoor performance shoe for trail running and hiking that’s boosted by GORE-TEX® waterproof technology.