Merrell Mix Master 2 Review
If you’re looking for that perfect minimalist shoe for both road and trail, look no further because the Merrell Mix Master 2 is here for the rescue. The Merrell Mix Master 2 has a 4mm drop going from 9mm in the heel to 5mm in the toe, meaning this doesn’t fit into the “barefoot” category, but it does an amazing job in the minimalist running category.
The upper of the Merrell Mix Master 2 is made from a mesh material for breathability and synthetic leather to allow the shoe to keep proper shape and form. The synthetic overlays go over the forefoot which helps prevent your foot from blowing out of the sides and it also keep your foot from running too sloppy. From the top lacing hole, there is a heavier synthetic material that goes in a diagonal direction down the the heel and wrapping around to the other side to provide a snug secure fit in the heel. 
The upper sits pretty low on the foot, so there is less ankle support for those needing that extra protection, but for me it was just right. The footbed of the Mix Master 2 is standard footbed foam, nothing fancy but it does its job. For a little abrasion protection on the toebox, there is a layer of synthetic material with a light coat of rubber over the material. I wouldn’t consider this to be a beefy toe bumper by any means, but it helps keep shoe form in the toebox and helps keep your precious little toes protected.
The midsole of the Merrell Mix Master 2 is made from a blown EVA for weight savings and a little cushion. As mentioned previously, it is 9mm thick in the heel and 5mm thick in the toe. I’ve used the Mix Master 2 on runs up to 12 miles so far and I found them to provide plenty of cushion for a minimalist shoe. As a reminder, there is a lot less EVA in this shoe and many other minimalist shoes compared to standard running shoes, so if you haven’t run in a minimalist shoe, you will notice a significant difference. This will take a little time to get used to for most runners and it is important to slowly transition into a shoe with less cushion and drop.
The outsole of the Mix Master 2 is made from a sticky rubber that does a great job at keep you upright whether its on road or trail. I tested these shoes out running road, trail, and I also used them a few times for hiking in Colorado. I have been very happy about how sticky the rubber is in these shoes. As far as tread goes, the Mix Master 2 has 3.5mm lugs that provide plenty of traction on most surfaces. If you end up doing serious uphill and downhill mountain running, I can see these lugs not lasting as long, but this is the case for most trail running shoes. For added protection from sharp rocks and sticks, there is a thin rock plate under the outsole rubber that prevents your feet from having to feel every stick and stone if you are running trails.Overall, I feel the Merrell Mix Master 2 does an amazing job on both the road and trail and I highly recommend this shoe for anyone looking to buy their first pair of minimalist running shoes or for the person looking to buy their next pair.
