Merrell - MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx

For ridge terrain as pictured? Merrell long sky matryx. Apart from some La Sportiva shoes, nothing else is quite as confidence instilling on similar terrain, I think Merrell has the more accomodating toe box and dialed fit. Really under the radar in terms of a technical goat.

Another vote for the long sky

Peba is radical but I find anything over 25mm of stack to be uncomfortable as the foams are too soft and for whatever reason it strains my arch on long runs. So I’ll train in a night stack shoe but then when I’m on my feet 3+ hours I’ll use a fairly minimal trail shoe. The merrell long sky 2 Matryx is amazing, minimal upper and great foam under foot.

Yea it’s weird, I wear barefoot shoes for work and I’m on my feet all day so I think my feet are just used to feeling a firmer floor. I love the norda 001 feel but it’s a touch too wide for my skinny feet to feel very secure.

Where they bend the upper definitely gets less stiff but I wouldn’t say it stretches. You may want to try and manipulate that area just to be more compliant. I’m with you and wish more shoes didn’t taper like that against the big toe. I can’t get comfortable ina shoe that’s cramped like that on my toes. For long runs I prefer Merrell’s long sky 2 matryx, I’ve put nearly 12 hours of running on those and my feet were fine. The non matryx version is a better fit but the upper is shit and rips fairly easy.

Long sky shoe is my go to for everything. Amazing feel and grip, fit is great with a comfortable toe box. The matryx version is the way to go as the upper on the regular version, while extra super breathable and amazing at draining water, is pretty fragile around rocks. Matryx also breaths and drains well too.

I literally went up a ridge in the Rockies with them two weeks ago. It was wet and muddy and steep and they felt good and reliable. Only issue would be how thin they are for colder temps. Great for summer, should be suitable for fall.

Wondering what you would consider to be "short"? I've been happy with the LS2 Matryx on technical vert-filled races up to 18 miles and am debating whether to use it for 26 or try something else...

Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. I use them for everything from [the Catskills](https://escarpmenttrail.com/bs/?thiswillhurt=9168) to the Hudson Highlands to the boulder fields of central Pennsylvania. I had a pair of the non-Matryx ones, and the upper shredded quickly. But the Matryx version has held up remarkably.

I always champion the Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx, and since you're coming from Merrell's, maybe they're worth checking out. Not high stack, with moderate drop (4mm). I use them for technical trail running in the NE and have easily taken them up what have been called Class 3 scrambles. Vibram MegaGrip and easy to run in.

I like the Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx for being agile and fast over anything technical, from rocky singletrack accents and descents, to scrambling hand over foot on slabs. Also took me through snow and ice covered boulder fields. 5mm lugs on the Vibram outsole are grippy. The upper on the non-Matryx version was prone to ripping prematurely but the Kevlar Matryx version has held up remarkably.

What type of trails do you run on? La Sportiva Prodigios tend to be well-liked in my neck of the rocky woods, and I love my Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx, but neither may be appropriate if you're running over smooth trails with your Ultraflys.

As always it’s very personal depending on how well the shoe fits my feet and the terrain I’m running in (technical mountains, mud, rocky). I like sky running races around 20-30k and VK’s. Sometimes short road races from 5k to Half Marathon. Current rotation: - Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. Great allrounder. - VJ Ultra 3. Cushion. Great for easy and long runs. - NNormal Kjerag Brut (mud) - Salomon Aero Glide 3 (road and treadmill) Recently retired shoes: - Nnormal Kjerag 1. Fast but too small lugs to have good grip in mud/loose debris. Too little cushion for me. Kjerag 2 has more cushion but same outsole. - Nnormal Tomir 2. Great allrounder but didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). A bit heavy when wet because the insole keeps a lot of water. - Salomon S/lab Genesis. Great allrounder but worse grip on wet rocks than Vibram Megagrip and VJ. - VJ Maxx 2. Really good allrounder. But didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). Shoes I’m considering next: - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx - Merrell Skyfire 2 Matryx

I have it in UK 9 which is my usual size. If you’re familiar with Salomon sizing, I also wear UK 9 in their shoes. Same for the VJ Ultra 3. On me the Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx has a nice lockdown around the midfoot with extra toe space. Exactly how I like it for my narrow feet and big toe. A couple of things worth noting about the LS2 Matryx: - There can be a bit of space between the ankle collar and the foot which can let in small debris. I don’t use gaiters but I’ve seen some use it in areas with lots of loose dirt or stones. A knit collar here could really take the shoe to the next level. - I’ve seen people mention that the heel could use a bit more cushioning, but I haven’t had that issue personally. Overall I’m very happy with the LS2 Matryx for the terrain it’s designed for. Would give it a 4 to 4.5 out of 5. A knit collar would take it to 5/5.

It depends on the trail itself. If there is any wet surfaces I go with a Vibram MegaGrip option. For me, Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. If no wet surfaces I go for comfort which is the Saucony Endorphin Rift. Either way, it has a rock plate for any technical trails with jagged rocks.

The Vibram is nice for sure. I can tell a big difference between the Vibram and Saucony’s soles which are most of my other trail shoes. I’d get them not hesitate. I’d certainly buy another pair and I have about 130 miles on mine with a 50k race on them. Most of the miles are long runs of 10+ miles and zero issues. I agree with others comments on sizing as well.

I have the long sky 2 matryx and unless its an absolute bog the megagrip 5mm lugs are ridiculously good. Been using them over wet seaweed and they still somehow work

I have them and basically rock climbed in them. They should handle the scramble really well. Som people dont like the heel cup but ive had no issues at all. Taken them to 30km with no bother.

Im 6ft about 190lbs and can see a 50km maybe working in them but much longer would probably be a bit harsh. But theres people running ultras in leather sandles so maybe im just not getting hard enough.

Ive got the prodigios and for anything bar really soggy ground they are great. Noticeably more confidence inspiring than the tecton X3 that i also use. If they dont grip it’s probably so rough underfoot that nothing will bounce. Maybe the coast to coast t1 but im not sure of the lugs. If its a bog fest ive found the matryx in merrel longsky keeps my feet good and has a nice pop, but is low stack if there is sections of road. Im unfamiliar with the brecons 100.

Adidas Agravic 3's tend to go no sale quite often. That's a solid trail shoe. Brooks Divide is also a solid budget option - cheap to begin with and they also go on sale. Keep an eye out for Merrell sales too - Long Sky 2 Matryx is great, but the regular non-Matryx version is also good, and cheaper.

Adidas Agravic 3's tend to go no sale quite often. That's a solid trail shoe. Brooks Divide is also a solid budget option - cheap to begin with and they also go on sale. Keep an eye out for Merrell sales too - Long Sky 2 Matryx is great, but the regular non-Matryx version is also good, and cheaper.

Agravic 3 and Brooks Divide are. The Merrell models are narrower.

That's absolutely a great pick - low to the ground which sounds like what you like, and no plate interference. It's an extremely flexible shoe. At that price point, very much worth it. The ankle collar is a bit loose, so I find debris gets in - you might have to rig up a gaiter if that's an issue for you. Other potential options for that terrain: Norvan LD 4, Salomon S/LAB Genesis or S/LAB Pulsar 4. I also really like the Sky 2 from TNF - it does have a plate but it's very flexible. About as much cushion/protection underfoot as the LS 2 Matryx, but a noticeably wider forefoot.

The best ones I had for me were Long Sky 2 Matryx and Catamount 3. I don't do well with too much height or too much cushion.

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