Merrell - Agility Peak 5

I have the Merrell Agility Peak 5 non gtx. Worth it and they dry pretty fast too.

I have two pairs. They are great and comfortable. One pair has over 100 miles on them and surprised how well they are handling. They are a higher stack. Might look into Mount to Coast T1’s. Heard they are comfortable too.

I have recently completed a few months trip in Europe. Walked 1600km in AP5, including 1000km of intense hiking kms in the European alps. Great shoe. Now I have it retired and switched to long sky 2.

I have used Merrell long sky and Salomon Genesis for door to trail. Love both. Merrell agility peak 5 was great for that too. If the run is predominantly road with a little bit of buffed easy trail I’ve also used puma velocity nitro and forever run.

Not similar necessarily, but as someone who loved the SG5s and was sorely disappointed by the 6s, I'm really enjoyed the Salomon Genesis. I also tried the Merrell AP5s and while they did feel very good they wound up giving me foot pain, probably from a slightly off fit

This might be a fit thing. I tried the AP5s and found myself having very bad medial foot pain very soon into my run. Switched to the Salomon Genesis, and have not had it happen since. My podiatrist linked the pain to overpronation, and it was telling that I only had it with the AP5s, not with the SG5s I had before or the Genesis I have now.

Speaking broadly of the brand, I kind of wrote off Merrell for a long time before the the AP5's came on my radar when they started clearing them out this fall. For those who don't know, Merrell and Saucony are both owned by Wolverine brands and it seems like Wolverine is struggling a bit with their trail running strategy. Saucony expanded their trail presence a few years ago with models like the Endorphin Edge and Endorphin Rift, but has aggressively pulled back from that and now have only three non-budget trail shoes (Peregrine, Xodus Ultra, Ride TR) in their lineup. I bring this up because I'd heard rumors that Wolverine didn't think Saucony would focus on trail when Merrell was their "trail" brand. So far I've not seen any evidence that Merrell is increasing their trail running line or expanding into higher end trail super-shoes. It doesn't seem like Merrell gets much/any shared tech from Saucony so while the world moves forward with better foams it seems like Merrell is kind of staying put? I bought the AP5 this fall when they went on sale and came onto my radar. I've only got \~40 miles on my first pair, but once they broke in after 15-20mi and the mid-sole softened up they've been pretty great. The Vibram outstole is as good as anything and the rest of the shoe seems fine (although I have concerns about the thin tongue). I wouldn't hesitate to try the AP6, but at MSRP they've got a lot of competition with models like the Hoka Speedgoat 7, Saucony Xodus Ultra 4, etc.

I have the Merrell AP5 and my criticisms is I find it a very dead shoe (lacks energy return). That is confirmed by RunRepeats review of the shoe (once I’ve learned about such things). They have an energy return metric as well as a shock absorption metric. It does “ok” in shock absorption (average) but low energy return. Their lugs are deep, which is great, but a little less grippy on bare stone than I’d expect, good for mud though. Basically I like as a hiking shoe but find it only ok as a running shoe. Have you tried the Endorphin Edge? Has a carbon plate, great energy return, ok shock absorption, and you can get them for $70 because they are considered old technology. Great, fast shoe.

The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is a narrower shoe with a terrific outsole. 5mm lugs. As a pure, fast, trail runner it is a bit dead. But for technical, slower terrain I like it. It can also be found really cheap right now.

They are built like a tank, I would have zero durability concerns. It is a dead running shoe though, very little energy return. I think it is a much better hiking shoe than running shoe.

The AP5 (and apparently the 6 based on the runrepeat review) are the least energy return shoe I own. I think it is quite noticeable and I am not much of a runner. I consider it a hiking shoe.

I don’t have the Speedcross but do have the AP5. It is a pretty dead shoe, low energy return, confirmed by RunRepeat stats after I looked it up later. Slower shoe, good for technical trail. Narrow/tighter fit than say a wide toe box Altra. Not bad, just different. It reminded me of the Altra Olympus 5 as far as ground feel (dead, slower, but a solid shoe). I bought a second pair, my first Gore-tex shoe for snow since the deep lugs and enclosed shoe of the Goretex version would be good for me for that type of slower running.

I tried going a size up and just couldn't get the fit right.. 300km in these shoes now and hate them. I'm really finding that true to size works well with a cushioned moisture wicking sock, as long as the shoe allows me to splay my toes and feel snug in the heel. What you say rough sides, are you meaning fabric and stitching etc? The past 12months of trails I've been experimenting with: Adidas Agravic Ultra Salomon s/lab Ultra Salomon Ultra Glide 2 (sized up) Merrell Agility Peak 5 Hoka Speedgoat 6

Thanks for your recommendation and congrats on your race! not sure what REI is (I'm in Australia).what combo did you go with? I have been experimenting and don't mind an excuse to spend money :D I'm quite experienced running..(10 years with a decent marathon time) and don't have this problem with road shoes. The past 12months of trails I've been experimenting with: Adidas Agravic Ultra Salomon s/lab Ultra Salomon Ultra Glide 2 (sized up) Merrell Agility Peak 5 Hoka Speedgoat 6 Sock wise, experimented too and find cushioned, moisture wicking best, morino wool good too.

Not sure about this.. I'm quite experienced running 10 years with a decent marathon time and don't have this problem with road shoes. The past 12months of trails I've been experimenting with: Adidas Agravic Ultra Salomon s/lab Ultra Salomon Ultra Glide 2 (sized up) Merrell Agility Peak 5 Hoka Speedgoat 6

Anything made for technical stuff like from La Sportiva or Salomon. I like the Merrell Agility Peak 5 and am mostly into technical, slippery downhill stuff.

The higher stack makes me suffer on rock trails

Merrell Agility Peak : good traction on rock and in the mud, durable Vibram sole, good cushion and dries pretty fast (remove the inner sole for faster drying). I tested the AP4 and AP5 which were pretty roomy for wider feet. I have not tested the Agility Peak 6. It's a good option to consider if the Hoka (too tight for me) or Altra (heel slippage issues) shoes don't fit you perfectly. I've also heard great things about trail shoes from Topo Athletic.

I had issues with the SG6 and asked for recommendations awhile back. Many folks recommended the Merrell Agility Peak 5. I picked these up a couple weeks ago and couldn't be more pleased. They check all the boxes. Lightweight, comfortable and responsive ride, rock plate, and aggressive Vibram Megagrip outsole. The price is right too.

I also have AP5 and can confirm this. This is literally my only complaint for this shoe. I wish the foam was a little more responsive and comfortable. Other than that it checks every single other box. I did pick up the new Mount 2 Coast T1 and it is now my new favorite (if you remove the trash lacing system and replace with traditional lacing). They do not have a rock plate but I run in an extremely cheese grater rock style area and haven't had an issue with any rocks impacting my feet. The foam is next level. So bouncy and comfortable. Grip is also very good and the upper is comfortable. I can tell they will work great for sessions with a lot of time on feet.