Review of the Merrell Agility Peak 5

For some time now we have also been selling Merrell in our (web)shopWe have several pairs at home to thoroughly test them. We're enthusiastic about some of them and will be selling them. The first one we received is the Agility Peak 5. Here are our experiences.

• Designed for trails with lots of obstacles and debris. Frequent changes in speed, direction, and elevation.
• 100% recycled laces and webbing
• The SBR/mesh collar and tongue offer low water absorption and improved stretch properties for a better fit.
• Cover with D-ring
• External sling closures in the heel
• Protective and wear-resistant toe cap
• 100% recycled breathable mesh lining
• Footbed covering made of 100% recycled mesh
• Cleansport NXT™ treatment for natural odor control
• 50% recycled EVA foam footbed
• Rock plate for protection
• FLEXconnect™ bidirectional flex grooves in midsole for better ground contact
• FloatPro™ foam midsole for lasting lightweight comfort
• Vibram MegaGrip high-performance rubber outsole provides unparalleled grip on both dry and wet surfaces
• The Vibram traction tread pattern is specially designed to increase traction and shed dirt with every step
• Vegan

Now for the Agility Peak's specifications. We'll stick to the basics:

• Heel drop: 6 mm
• Stack Height: 31/25 mm
• Studs: 5 mm
• Weight: 300 grams (men) and 235 grams (women)
• Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
• Midsole: FloatPro
• Rockplate: Yes
• Suggested retail price: 160 euros

We tested them on various surfaces. I even ran 56 kilometers of the Grizzly 100 in them. Read the review of that run. here.

It's a very comfortable shoe with a great fit. Which is only natural when you're on the fifth edition of a model. The grip is more than adequate for most surfaces. I found it a bit loose at the heel, so I secure it with a heel lock. It's not the lightest shoe on the market, but you hardly notice that. It's also designed for longer distances. For short distances, I'm testing the Merrell MTL Longsky. A completely different shoe.

The Agility Peak will definitely remain in the shoe rack, because it is a joy to walk in.

The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is often compared to other popular, well-cushioned trail shoes suitable for long distances and rugged terrain. Here are some comparable models:

1. Hoka Speedgoat 5 This shoe is known for its excellent cushioning and grip, with a Vibram Megagrip outsole, similar to the Agility Peak 5. However, the Speedgoat has a lower drop and a slightly lighter weight, making it popular among ultra runners.

2. Salomon Sense Ride 5 Salomon's Sense Ride series offers versatility and grip, especially on technical trails. It has a slightly lower profile and less cushioning than the Agility Peak 5, making it suitable for runners who prefer a little more ground feel.

3. Altra Olympus 6 Like the Agility Peak 5, this shoe offers generous cushioning and a wide fit. However, the Olympus has a zero-drop design, meaning there's no height difference between the heel and forefoot. This model is popular with runners seeking a natural stride and comfort over long distances.

4. Brooks Caldera 6 The Caldera 6 is similar to the Agility Peak 5 in terms of its cushioning and stability. It has a slightly less aggressive outsole but offers a stable ride, making it suitable for long runs on varied trails.

5. The Sportiva Jackal The Jackal is designed for long distances and rugged trails, with excellent grip and a good balance between cushioning and responsiveness. This shoe offers slightly more ground feel than the Agility Peak 5, making it suitable for technical trails.

6. Nike Terra Kiger 8 Although the Kiger is less cushioned than the Agility Peak, it does offer plenty of grip and a dynamic ride. It's often chosen by trail runners looking for a lightweight, flexible shoe with good traction on both dry and wet surfaces.

Each of these shoes has unique features and benefits, but they all share qualities that suit runners who grip, cushioning and comfort consider important for long trails.

Wij hebben met twee personen de Agility Peak getest en zijn tot bovenstaande conclusie gekomen. Uiteraard hebben veel bekende Youtubers en reviewsites deze schoen ook getest. Hieronder lees je een samenvatting van hun ervaringen.

RunRepeat prijst de Agility Peak 5 om zijn uitstekende Vibram Megagrip-buitenzool, die zorgt voor grip op diverse terreinen. De schoen biedt veel demping dankzij de bijna 40 mm hoge zool, wat vooral gunstig is voor langeafstandslopers. Hoewel de schoen iets zwaarder is dan verwacht en de daadwerkelijke drop afwijkt van de opgegeven 6 mm, wordt hij aanbevolen voor trailrunners die op zoek zijn naar stabiliteit en duurzaamheid.

RunRepeat

GearJunkie benadrukt de samenwerking tussen Merrell en Huckberry voor een speciale 'Dune'-editie van de Agility Peak 5. De schoen wordt geprezen om zijn FloatPro-tussenzool, die zorgt voor een uitnodigende, veerkrachtige demping. De 5 mm diepe Vibram Megagrip-noppen bieden uitstekende grip op zowel natte als droge oppervlakken. Hoewel de schoen iets zwaarder is dan sommige prestatiegerichte trailrunningschoenen, wordt hij aanbevolen voor ultralopers die op zoek zijn naar comfort en stijl.

Gear Junkie

Deze Spaanse website benadrukt het comfort en de veelzijdigheid van de Agility Peak 5, dankzij de FloatPro-tussenzool en het Vibram Megagrip-loopvlak.The shoe is flexible, which contributes to a dynamic running experience. While less suitable for highly technical terrain, it is recommended for medium to long distances on less demanding trails.

Trail Running Review

This website praises the Agility Peak 5 for its excellent grip thanks to the Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm deep lugs. The FloatPro midsole provides comfortable and responsive cushioning, ideal for long distances. While the shoe is slightly heavier than some competitors, it's recommended for trail runners looking for durability and comfort on a variety of terrain.

Believe in the Run

Advnture highlights the improved cushioning and stability of the Agility Peak 5, with a thicker FloatPro midsole and a protective rock plate. The Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs offers excellent traction on both wet and dry surfaces. While the shoe has a higher stack height, which isn't suitable for all runners, it is recommended for technical trails and longer distances.

Adventure