Merrell has been making good trail running shoes for years. And at first impression, the company's foray into the road running world seems to have produced a line of pretty good trainers. I got the neutral /light stability shoe out for a nine mile run the other day, and the true stability shoe and while I found both a touch stiff in the forefoot and heel, and not without their quirks, they passed the first level of testing: I could forget I was wearing them and just enjoy my run.
In both shoes, the toebox is nicely high-volume, the upper is well padded and comfortable, and the last seems pretty close to what's already out there; most feet will be happy in these shoes.
The outsole has two different compounds of blown rubber tuned to smooth out the ride. There's also a large, thick midfoot shank -- which is great for runners like me who seem always on the verge of plantar fasciitis. Many neutral shoes have a thin, flexible midfoot shank to save weight and reduce clunk, but I appreciated the extra support here. The Converge is still nice and light -- my men's 9.5 was 10.8 ounces; not bad at all. Merrell's stated weight is 11.3 ounces. (There's also a true neutral shoe, a hybrid trail/road shoe, and a control shoe.
These shoes have their quirks. Some runners will certainly find the ride too firm. Take a few laps around the running store parking lot to make sure you like that feel. But bottom line: This is a line of road shoes to keep an eye on. We'll be working them into our road tests, and keep you posted after we log a few more miles. Stay tuned.
If going fast on trails is second nature, the easy-fitting Chameleon II Stretch is second skin. Built with more reinforcement material along the upper than most trail running shoes, Merrell’s easy-access trail shoe features extra comfort and fit features like an elastic cord lacing system and convenient friction cordlock. Above the impact-absorbing Air Cushion midsole is a contoured 4.5-mm. anatomical footbed backed by a supportive nylon 6.6 injection molded arch shank.
The Vibram Chameleon Sport sole looks narrower than some bulky hiking shoes, but Merrell divided the high traction sole between long-lasting Dura rubber lugs and grippy Versa rubber lugs for reliable hold on a range of surfaces. If you’re looking for some extra weather protection, consider checking out the waterproof and breathable Merrell Chameleon shoe.
The Men’s Hardrock Shoe by Montrail weighs in at only 13 ounces yet features a well-cushioned heel strike and forefoot for high mileage treks without discomfort. The footpad is designed for pronation control and features superior protection with surprising forefoot flexibility. The shoe puts the main emphasis on arch and heel fit for support and allows for medium volume in the toe. Reinforced side panels create additional support and protection, and the ventilated tightly woven mesh upper repels water and keeps feet cool.
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