Stacked up to the competition, the shoe undercuts Salomon's popular X Ultra 3 by about an ounce per shoe, but the Salomon gets you a jump in comfort, support, and traction. And the waterproof GTX version came in at 1 pound 8.5 ounces (again for a men’s size 9). On our scale, a men’s size 9 of the non-waterproof model weighed in at 1 pound 7.7 ounces, which is exactly the same as the first-generation (the listed weight is 1 lb. In the end, the MQM Flex 2 can’t match the outright comfort of alternatives like Salomon’s X Raise or X Ultra 3, Danner’s Trail 2650, or Merrell’s own Moab 2, but it’s sufficient for moderate trails and when hauling light loads. It doesn’t absorb impacts as well as a more cushioned design, which can lead to foot soreness as the miles add up. But like the original MQM Flex, we found that comfort degraded if we were carrying a heavy pack or if the terrain was particularly technical and rocky. In terms of best uses, the shoe lines up nicely for ambitious day hikes, short trail runs, and ultralight backpacking. And with a rock plate in the midsole, you get a dose of protection for traveling over rough trails when hauling an overnight load or running.
MERRELL MQM FLEX 2 GTX WOMENS PLUS
On the plus side, the MQM feels a lot like a trail runner: it’s light, very flexible under the forefoot, and its low stack height keeps you close to the trail.
The padding around the heel is pretty thin, and the cushioning underfoot is a far cry from the thick foam you get with their most popular design. Putting on the Merrell MQM Flex 2, it’s immediately clear this shoe is a completely different animal than their Moab 2 hiker.
To see how it stacks up, see our article on the best hiking shoes. Below we break down our experiences with the MQM Flex 2. On one hand, the shoe is light and makes it easy to put on miles, but we experienced some concerning durability issues with the revamped outsole. We put the second-generation model to the test in the Washington’s Cascade Mountains and have come away with mixed feelings. Merrell’s offering in this category is their hybrid MQM Flex, which aims to combine a hiking shoe, trail runner, and moderate approach shoe into one. The growing popularity of wearing trail running shoes for hiking has pushed the market towards lighter and nimbler designs.
0 kommentar(er)
