Merrell - Agility Peak 5 BOA® GORE-TEX®

Agreed here. Coincidentally wearing my AP5 BOA in the office right now. I’ve been really happy with my agility peaks and depending on where you’re based, the Merrell website has been running discounts.

Merrel Agility Peak 5 GTX - is a great max-cushioned trail shoe, nice and light with Goretex for wet conditions

Try the Merrel Agility Peak 5 GTX - excellent max cushioned trail shoe with goretex

Try the Merrel Agility Peak 5 GTX - excellent max cushioned trail shoe with goretex

I have 2 pairs of these, one Gore-tex and one not and I went TTS on both. I have pretty wide feet though.

Have served me well on many trail runs and races. Very comfortable & good grip however the build quality varies from shoe to shoe. People say the upper glue isn’t very strong but I’ve had no problems with mine on over 500+ Km. Come in many colours too so pick one that suits you!

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.

Really depends on what kinds of trails you'll be running, and what kind of milage. I have and like the AP 5 a lot, but use it mostly for muddier and/or steeper terrain on longer runs. It has aggressive lugs, that you don't need for smoother, flater single track. They'll of course work for that, but won't be as fun. Same with the Speedgoat (which I also own) but they're a little more stable, while not a agile. If you're coming from the road and some fast running, something like the Salomon Genesis might work better. Or even the Sense Ride, if you'll be doing mostly shorter runs. The Sense Ride is what I use for "speed" work on the trails, and it's a fun shoe. But it doesn't have deep lugs or a lot of cushioning/stack height, so I don't use it for longer runs.

Merrell Agility Peak 5.

Thank you for this. I haven't run in the SG5 but have tried the Agility Peak 5. The durability part is reassuring.

Yes!! Went to these after the SG6 and I’m never going back

One of my favourite trail shoes of recent times. Great grip, ample cushioning, and I find it nowhere near as narrow as some reviews suggest. Coming from Speedgoats (which the AP5 beats hands down), there's a bit more wiggle room.

Merrell agility peak 5. Tons of sticky vibram rubber. I’ve used it on tons of trails and multiple ultras this year. Also has a rock plate while being super light and comfortable.

Merrell agility peak 5! I switched to them and never looked back. I have 5 pairs now and one with 2 ultras and 700km. Still holds up with no torn outsole.

I have 600km on my pair. PROS: Easy to run, enough cushion, breathable and fast to dry, room in forefoot, rockplate AVERAGE: Outsole works great, but are better options for wet rock. Too high for really techincal terrain for my taste. In general i like it, if fits great and your everyday terrain is not supertechnical is a nice shoe. I may repeat.

The Saucony Xodus has a pretty high stack, and the PWRRUN PB is definitely a super foam. Version 4 is set to release in a couple of months with significant upgrades over the previous model—most notably, a Vibram outsole ([Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 First Look](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klJoS7fwkJk)) Personally, I’m planning to grab a pair as soon as they drop and use them for all my summer 25 races. My Merrell Agility Peak 5s from last summer have flattened out, so it’s time for an upgrade!

I focus on trail running during the summer months, and last June, I picked up a pair of Merrell Agility Peak 5 — and absolutely fell in love with them. In 2022 and 2023, I ran in both the Salomon Ultra Glide and the Asics Trabuco, which are excellent trail shoes in their own right. However, the Merrells stood out offering great comfort and protection over long distances. They’re a fantastic all-around choice though they are a bit on the heavy side. Looking ahead to 2025, I’ve been considering the Saucony Xodus, as I’ve heard great things about them and am eager to see how they compare.

I've been really happy with 3 shoes since moving away from the Speedgoat 4: Salomon Genesis, Merrell Agility Peak 5, and the Arc'teryx Norvan LD3. IMO, the Merrell comes closest to what the Speedgoat wishes it still was.

I’ve run lots of technical alpine CO terrain up to 50k. I’ve found the Mafate Speed 4 and Xodus Ultra 2 to be comfortable and capable for long mountain days including scrambling. Merrell Agility Peak 5 also good. Speedgoat didn’t work for my foot but is a renowned mountain ultra shoe. I think pretty much any outsole will be capable in our dry climate and terrain, including some light scrambling- I would head to One of our great running stores in Denver metro and try on a bunch of pairs to see what feels good for your feet. Comfort is the most important factor for a long mountain day, more so than all the performance features *I do have a pair of Prodigio Pros that I intend to use for your stated purpose

Merrel Agility Peak 5 just used them for 30 days trekking in Nepal and they were brilliant no blisters or foot issues, tough as well lasted the trek np and super comfortable plenty pf room in the toe box. Also used them for runs as well and work great for running as well highly recommended

Absolutely shit on wet rock - like running on verglas

I have had 3 pairs of these. The first two were great. First pair lasted me 400 miles of hard wear, second were in great shape then a freak stick accident ripped a hole in the side of them. My 3rd pair however really let me down. Have had nonstop heel blister issues that never occurred in the first two. Not sure if it was a different production run or what, but it really soured me on them and forced me to look elsewhere

+1 for the AP5! Such a versatile shoe that handles hard, soft, loose and paved ground without issue.

They were my only shoe last year including training and they managed a very dry and dusty (and a lot of surprise tarmac) 50k, a week of running and hiking in the alps, and a boggy scrambly wet peak district 60k. No problems on any of it 👍🏻 highly recommend.

At almost 900km in my training pair of agility Peak 5 and still plenty of life left in them. Clocked around 1400km in inov8 roclites and 1600km in some older Merrells. Can't imagine having to replace shoes after just 500km! Shameful.

GREAT SHOE

Compared to Speedgoat 5 and Merrell Agility Peak 5, similar but far far more durable. Also had the Merrell Long Sky 2, which were lighter and speedier than Tomir 2, but all 3 died and my Tomirs have done the same mileage and look brand new

No better use of vibram megagrip than what is on the AP5. Those X shaped lugs are awesome. Really wish they would work on their uppers though. Hard to get a good heel lock if your foot is on the narrower side.

my rotation is the hoka speedgoat 6 and the Merrell agility peak 5 and love them both

Merrel always has great sales on Agility Peak 5, and they are an awesome shoe.

Love them, an absolute steal on sales like that

I feel this way about the agility peak 5, and some of the sales make them an insane value

Fair critique, the plate does go up far enough to cause that stiffness

I bought the agility peak 5 online but returned them because I found them to be very stiff. I like my shoes to have a flexible forefoot sole and those Merrell had the stiffest forefoot I ever tried.

Nothing wrong, but buyer beware: the soles are very stiff. No flexibility.

I ordered a pair of the ap5 online and returned them because of the stiff sole, I prefer flexibility in the forefoot. But I also acknowledge it is just a preference thing, not a better or worse shoe design.

Bought a pair on sale online, the sole was extremely stiff and that's the reason I returned them, I like flexibility in the forefoot.

They can be found for cheap, but I returned a pair because the sole was incredibly stiff. I like flexibility, especially in the forefoot.

I bought a pair online and I returned them because the sole was very stiff, stiffer then anything I've had before. I like my shoes to have flexibility in the forefoot, especially trail shoes. But I can imagine that they do work for others. If price/value is important to you, have a look at INOV8, they're very durable and last forever. Also look at Reebok floatride energy trail, they're regularly on sale and are great value.

Merrell agility peak 5 for the long and long sky 2 matryx for the short. These are the truncheon carrying moustachio'd men of trail running

The AP5 is a really great shoes. The durability is ok but it's not like a Norda or a NNormal. I am on my 4th pair. I had problem with ripped eyelets. So I asked a cobler to put metals eyelets in my new pairs. Merrell send me a new free pair regarding this matter. I found that there is a breaking period. So I wear them casually for a week prior to run in them. Also I find that they killed it with the colors, they are absolutely beautiful. The brown and purple are the best looking shoes I ever had !

Agility peak 5. 4th pair !

I currently own both of the shoes that you mentioned. Agility Peak 5 is a fine shoe. Good grippy Vibram outsole. Very well cushioned. They are a bit on the heavier side, but not too noticeable, especially for a beginner. The drop is steep like you might see on road shoes, so that might be a good transition for you. I would try it on and see how it fits, as that is the most important part. The toebox is not very wide, so if you have wider feet, that could be a deal breaker.

Love mines. They are excellent in the mud, plenty of grip. They're also super comfortable and there's a lot of colors to choose from.

Some are saying the agility peak 5 but I found them to be way to stiff and “clunky” feeling. The closet shoe I’ve come to have that same stability, cushion and keep the fun bouncy feel have been the newest model north face vective enduris 4.

I liked them and think they are an overlooked all-arounder trail shoe that isn't too expensive for what you get. Hope it's ok to share, but I did a review video of the Agility Peak 5 on my channel: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb\_uvopflvY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb_uvopflvY)

Merrell Agility Peak 5 Insane lugs, better than speedgoats, incredibly protective, great for extreme terrain. Nike Zegama 2 Comfy but heavy, the vibram grips well, but somehow the lugs are shallower. Good for walking and slow runs up to moderately rough terrain, but doesn't excel at anything. Saucony Peregrine 14 Good fitting shoe, protective, comfy with sightly lower stack height. Great for everything up to 10 miles, that's when my feet get sore due to the thinner midsole. Very nimble, but they do not grip well on wet rocks or roots. Oh yeah the lugs wear out faster than i hoped affecting the longevity, that's something to be considered as well. Puma Deviate Nitro 2 They are the bomb if you are running your trails instead of walking them. Super light and have enough grip to handle moderate terrain. But they have very little protection on the uppers and outsole (shallow stack height), so you kind of have to watch where you place your feet to avoid sharp rocks and stuff. But goddamn they are fast. I much prefer the Merrell and Puma over the others, because they excel for certain usage conditions. The Zegama is meh (weak energy return) except for walking, while the Peregrine is limited by low stack height and incapability to gain traction on certain surfaces.

I don't have a lot of trail shoes to compare to, but I'm currently using the Merrell Agility Peak 5 and, despite the long lugs, it handles periods of running on tarmac just fine.

I wish I could find them with 50% off, I love my pair, no problems with my feet on a 31 and 35 mile trail race, so a big thumbs up from me.

I use Merrell Agility Peak 5 (non waterproof version). Good lug size comfy as heck. Mesh upper dries fast. On a side note I swap out insoles for Dr. Scholl's rigid arch support insoles in all my shoes or boots. I did 75 miles across the Sierras in those last summer; still using them. Holding up well. I like 'em because you can lace them up tight as heck so there's no slippage, and it doesn't hurt your feet at all to hike in them like that. And, I need a wide fit and Merrell doesn't disappoint there. Just my two cents worth. Trail runners are a personal choice/fit/comfort. Everyone is different. But I'll never go back to boots.

I would look at the Merrell Agility Peak 5. They don't have a wide version, but if you're fitting into regular Speedgoats these will be higher volume. They have the stack height you want and a great outsole. You should know that most trail runners don't last for 500mi+. Most people find that they need to replace them by the time they're a few hundred miles in. It's not just about wear and tear on the uppers or outsole - by the time you get to that point, the midsole foam will often be seriously deteriorated. If you're looking for ultimate durability, I've heard positive things about Norda in that department, but no idea if they'll fit your feet and they're pretty pricey.

Merrell Agility Peak 5 are great, or check or the new LS Prodigio Max.

They're a great shoe. Light, lots of cushion, great grip. I personally find them a bit generous in sizing and you might consider going 1/2 size down from your usual; best thing is to try them on. I don't know why one commenter said they're heavy, they weigh about as much as the Speedgoats. They're pretty light for such a cushioned shoe. I also don't find them to be particularly narrow, especially compared to the Speedgoats. It all comes down to fit and you need to wear what fits you best, but at $120 these are a great value.

Merrell Agility Peak 5s have an aggressive outsole that's pretty good in mud, and they're roomy through the midfoot as well IMO.

LS Prodigio, Merrell Agility Peak and Topo MTN Racer as my go-tos. LS Bushido for techy shorter stuff. Saucony Peregrine ST for mud. Old pair of Cascadias with screws for the snow and ice.

If you're comfortable in/looking at high stack stuff like the speedgoat, consider the Merrell Agility Peak 5. Great outsole for technical stuff and a nice roomy fit.

I am very, very pleased with my AP5. Got mine on clearance at breatheoutdoors for dirt cheap ($100CAN). Their characteristics make them an ideal winter running shoe… the best feature is the design is more robust, and yes, the sole is a bit firmer than other shoes, but that makes them excellent for supporting my Kahtoola microspikes without collapsing, and keeps the Kahtoola front rubber strap from crushing my toes. That they are a bit heavier doesn’t make much difference when I have spikes strapped on anyway. The AP5 upper is more robust, which provides a bit more insulation from the cold. And I LOVE the metal gaiter clip in the front which seems to be disappearing from many other shoes. I’ll use a lighter shoe for summer running, but AP5 is my winter shoe going forward.

I am very, very pleased with my AP5. Got mine on clearance at breatheoutdoors for dirt cheap ($100CAN). Their characteristics make them an ideal winter running shoe… the best feature is the design is more robust, and yes, the sole is a bit firmer than other shoes, but that makes them excellent for supporting my Kahtoola microspikes without collapsing, and keeps the Kahtoola front rubber strap from crushing my toes. That they are a bit heavier doesn’t make much difference when I have spikes strapped on anyway. The AP5 upper is more robust, which provides a bit more insulation from the cold. And I LOVE the metal gaiter clip in the front which seems to be disappearing from many other shoes. I’ll use a lighter shoe for summer running, but AP5 will definitely be my winter shoe going forward.

I prefer Trail Runners about 95% of the time, unless in snow or something to that degree. I wore Merrell Agility Peak 5's for Annapurna and Hoka Speedgoat 5's for Buran Ghati and no blisters or sore feet. I loved them both but I think it's all a personal thing.

I felt like they were stiff at first but provided some cushioning. The tongue is thick but it didn’t become an issue for me, I felt like than ran a little long and I went down a 1/2 and I like a lot of room. They are $79 including shipping. This is a really store in MN, USA.  https://www.schulershoes.com/men-s-merrell-agility-peak-5-mensagilitypeak5merrell.html

Yep, agreed. Got these recently, and does hold up nicely on tarmac.

I have to really work the laces to get my heel locked in well but overall have enjoyed running in these the last couple months!

For sure a wide roomy shoe and think I down sized .5 a size. Also ended up returning those because I thought they were too firm for my liking.

I hike/backpack in Hokas.... but like you, afraid of buying v6 of speedgoat. V4 were awesome. V5 seemed pretty good... Are there any alternatives that have that comfort of Hoka, but also have great traction for rugged terrain and could be wet. Update: I ended up going with Merrel Agility Peak 5. I'm testing them out soon.

I’ve got two pairs of trail runners 1 merrell and 1 Nike Pegasus gtx. Both 9.5ik size. The merrell are roomier but have a slightly harder sole. The Nike have a softer sole but are tight across the width of the foot. So as others have said try and get to a running shop and try them on with different types of socks.

I have a couple of pairs of trail runners . Nike Pegasus gtx. Normally use them for road running and a bit of trail. When I 1st got them they felt very tight round top of foot. They have given a bit but not too much. I’m normally a size 9 but have them in 9.5. I wouldn’t try and wear thicker socks with them, just trainer/running socks as they are very snug. I also have a pair of Merrel agility peak 5’s. These are better on actual trails again they are in 9.5 but can wear a slightly thicker socks if in colder weather. As with all shoes try them on in a shop if you can.

I have the same passion for good trail shoes and also a colourful rotation at the moment. In my rotation I’ve got 2x La Sportiva Akasha II - my absolute favourites for technical terrain and yes it is a very simple shoe, but I’ve ran a 100 miler in them and had no problems at all. Also here in Greece we have very technical mountainous terrain, so that’s why they are my go to. Just retired my SG 5s which I loved for daily training. Did 1000K in them - Never made it to a race though. Altra Olympus 5 - not a huge fan of the zero drop. I took my time and I’ll throw them in there every once in a while. The Salomon Slab Genesis is an interesting one. Could work for you, if you have narrower feet. It grew on me, but it does not compare to the Akasha II. Merrell Agility Peak 5 - not really a hidden gem anymore. Many say it’s like the SG 3. I like the shoe. Rugged, solid, but with a little bit of a loose heel. Every foot is different though. I’ve tried to find something that might blow me away just like the Akasha II did, but haven’t found that shoe yet. Give it a try!

Maine/White Mtn runner here. my experience: • wide foot/low stack/general purpose sticky lugs: Norda 002 • narrow foot/low stack/minimal lugs for rocky: salomon s/lab ultra 2,3 • medial width/high stack/fat lugs for mud/long days: merrell agility peak • narrow for mud: salomon s/lab pulsar sg, or any shoe with “cross” in the name by salomon

rocking norda 001’s still, 700 miles in. almost bald lugs and lookin preddy bad but feel great somehow norda 002 for sub 30k races, so fast and so sexi salmon pulsar trail pro for hot days, love em mostly merrell agility peak - put a few miles in these, they feel great if a tad tall

I've done a few rounds of the 46 and race in the Adirondacks and Whites. Best for grip (and on the narrower side, so you might get a great fit): VJ Maxx Pretty bombproof, grippier, not the lightest: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Comfortable, dependable all-arounder: Merrell Agility Peak Cadillac cushioning with a solid outsole: New Balance Hierro My favorite racer is the MTL Skyfire 2, but it doesn't offer a ton of protection for long days. My most recent Great Range Traverse was in the Saucony Endorphin Rifts. Not for everyone (the outsole isn't the best) but I find their midsoles the comfiest. I quit on Salomon years ago because they wrecked my toes on long days, but I have a medium foot and would have liked them more if I were a narrower guy.

I had the agility Peak 4 in the past and was happy with the performance, but I destroyed the inner collar and sole in less than 300km. At least I know that they will work for my attributes. Many thanks

I just started wearing the Merrell Nova and the Merrell Agility Peak. In my opinion the Nova are way more comfortable and the grip is great. Dont bother spending more money on the Agility Peak. They arent as comfortable and the grip is the same.

It has taken me so long, and cost a lot of money, for me to get the right shoes. I like near the Peaks and walk there all year round but am also ticking off my Wainwrights in the Lakes. I found that leather boots just weren’t flexible enough for longer hikes. My feet would kill and, although sturdy, I really suffered after big days in the Lakes. I tried Danner and Meindl boots, both setting me back a fair amount of cash! I then tried Merrell, Salomon and Inov8 trail runners. They were much more comfy and I could do multiple hiking days with less hassle from my feet. Finally settled with Altra. No blisters, feet feel fresh after big hikes and my feet stay dry in the gore tex ones. I’d recommend the Altra Timp Hiker GTX. Best boot I’ve had and have a similar shape to the Hokas (bit wider at the front). They feel light like the trail runners but have the support and are waterproof like a proper pair of boots. Hoka also do hiking boots too if you get on well with them!