Merrell - MTL Long Sky 2 Trail Running Shoes

Okay, I'm gonna go off rails here, but... Look at clearance stuff online. You can get some great shoes cheaply, if you dig. I'm currently running in Merrell Long Sky2 and Columbia Montrail (Montrails were my shoe back in the day). I also have a couple Peregrine styles. All under $80, most at $50. You can get good shoes cheap if you're willing to do the work and don't get too technical (kinda like running).

After trying a few different shoes, I've decided that Merrell Long Sky 2 and Skyfire 2 are perfect for me. Fairly firm, don't have a massive drop and grippy enough for all but the worst weather conditions. I also have some Inov-8 x-talon 212 which come in handy when it's wet and muddy. I don't think they make them anymore, very narrow shoe but I've run varying distances up to 32km in them with no problems.

I've got around 450km on mine, used them for runs up to 40km with no issues when I was training for an ultra earlier this year. The grip is still good on them and I've found them super comfortable but I noticed some tears on the upper last week. Planning to keep them until they fall apart and would buy another pair, no doubt. I have the skyfire 2 as well, also a fan.

Merrell skyfire 2 although I've just ordered a pair of lone peaks to try out. I liked the long sky 2 as well but the uppers developed some tears after about 540km.

I use Skyfire 2s for almost all my trail running. Longest run I've done in them so far has been a 50k ultra. With 482km on them, I think they're reaching the end of the line but I'll squeeze a few more runs out of my current pair before I retire them. I have another pair ready to replace them. Also had Long Sky 2 but the upper tore after 543km, they were also a great shoe.

I haven't tried any of those, but did try an earlier Peregrine (10 maybe), and didn't like it. Too "dead" and heavy for my liking. But the newer versions are better from what I've read. It could be worth a try, given how popular they are. I do have all three of the Salomons I mentioned, but also have and like the Merrell Long Sky 2 and their Agility Peak, which I'm wearing more these days because they have a wider toe box.

Some shoes to consider for muddy uk hills: Ronhill Reverence - great value. Big Michelin lugs, matryx upper and last for ages. More cushioning than you’d think too. Vj maxx 2 or vj irock wide - if you want the grippiest rubber vj is the best. Maxx 2 more of a trail shoe (similar to Hoka tecton). Irock better for wet rock and off road. Merrell long sky 2 could be worth a try too. Decent lug pattern and foam. I run in inov8,mudtalon speeds from my house to the park and the insole/midsole combo is surprisingly okay on the roads and excellent once I get to the mud! Not tried but maybe worth looking into La sportive prodigio pro too. Agree with above comments US brands that talk about being grippy are most often useless in the mud over here! They normally mean grip for dry rocky trails 🤷‍♂️

I had these last year, I imagine they’ll be excellent on the described trail. I completed the mid section of UTS and they were great - grip is great. They are low stack compared to others but still comfortable - wore them for 6+ hours multiple times. Only problem I had was durability of the upper, if you can get the matryx upper I’d recommend them

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.

Hi all, I've had a terrible experience in my first ultra (75 km 5000 d+) with Altra shoes. They simply collapsed on the inside and never recover. https://preview.redd.it/mflrnlm1rfbf1.jpg?width=1152&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e18a39ec839e5eb20c81bd5ba29f790a90feb3e I'd like to find an alternative, if possible with arch support, zero drop, wide toebox. I'm also using the Merrell Long Sky 2 which I'm quite satisfied, but they don't have wide toebox and have a light drop. Do you have any alternative suggestion?

Ran 18 hours at the Ouray 50 in em just the other day! 22k of steep, techy, muddy climbing and descending. Perfect tool for the job. My favorite shoe right now. Recommended.

Summertime, I like to wear my non-waterproof shoes so they are cooler and more breathable. Just got some Merrell MTL Long Sky 2’s and they’re decent for both traction and lightness. Got a pair of Adidas Terrex for the cold and wet courses. And Merrell Moab’s for dry cold places.

I don't know if the Dynafit Ultra 100 has changed in the last couple years. I had a pair 3 years ago, they had the Pomoca outsole. Most of my shoes are pretty minimal, I love Nnormal Kjerags and Merrell Long Sky. The Dynafit felt heavy and unstable to me. I sized up 1/2 size (US), it was still very low volume for the toes. It was a pretty comfortable shoe, but too heavy and slow for smooth trails, too thick and unstable for technical trails.