In terms of stability and support, the MQM Flex 2 more closely resembles a burly trail runner than a typical hiking shoe. Those who spend the majority of their time on easier, well-maintained trails shouldn't have an issue, but for serious hiking and even lightweight backpacking, this is definitely a consideration to weigh. In pinpointing the problem, it seems there’s too much “give” in the rubber, and the raised sections make it vulnerable to excessive wear. The individual, pod-like tread is pretty flexible, and on the rough granite trails in the North Cascades, we’ve had issues with the lugs under the toes tearing almost completely off. Our only concern-and it’s a pretty big one-is the durability of the rubber. All in all, it’s an improvement almost across the board, although the thicker tread doesn’t feel as natural while running (it tilts more to the hiking end of the spectrum, which should be fine for most folks). Most notably, the outsole now has substantial lugs that bite into dirt and mud very effectively, an aggressive shape the holds nicely on steep slopes (both while climbing and descending), and the rubber itself is tacky and is easy to trust on rock. The original MQM Flex was a letdown in traction-its tread was too shallow and we found it surprisingly slippery on rock-but Merrell gave the second-generation shoe a big upgrade. Taken together, the MQM isn’t an ultralight standout, but it’s undoubtedly light and easy to manage on the trail. 6.2 oz.) and Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 (1 lb. 5.5 oz.) or a pair of hiking-ready trail runners like the Altra Lone Peak 5 (1 lb. On the fast-and-light end of the spectrum, you can shave a bit of weight with Salomon’s X Raise (1 lb. 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 GORE TEX 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.