Merrell All Out Peak Trail Running Shoe Review
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Price: $130
Weight: 10.4 oz. men’s, 8.6 oz. women’s (half pair)
Heel to Toe Drop: 6mm
Best for: Trail running and day hikes
If you’re in the market for a new trail running shoe and you’re looking for a great do it all shoe, the Merrell All Out Peak is just what the trail gods ordered. This trail running shoe is a well built shoe that provides amazing traction on nearly any trail surface and provides plenty of cushion for longer runs.
Merrell All Out Peak Trail Running Shoe with Vibram
Merrell All Out Peak Trail Running Shoe Testing
To test out the Merrell All Out Peak trail running shoes, I tested these shoes on a number of different trail types and surfaces. To date, I have about 175 miles on these shoes, mostly consisting of trails, but also some road running miles. For trails, I’ve tested the Merrell All Out Peak’s on wet and muddy trails, dry rocky trails, steep ascents and descents, and two track fire roads. For distance, I tested this shoe mostly on distances between 6-12 miles, but also a few shorter runs around 3-4 miles.
6mm Vibram Lugs Providing Killer Traction
Merrell All Out Peak Vibram Outsole with 6mm lugs
The Merrell All Out Peak trail running shoes come with a Vibram Megagrip on the outsole, which provides impressive traction on wet and dry surfaces. As most of you know, almost all Vibram rubber is designed not only for grip, but most of their rubber compounds are extremely durable.
The lugs on the Merrell All Out Peak trail running shoe are 6mm in length, meaning they can dig into almost any surface for superior traction. The deep lugs are best for softer dirt, but they also perform great on uneven rocks and roots as well. Outside of traction, the longer lugs will last a little longer if you’re tackling really aggressive terrain which tends to wear out trail running shoe outsoles pretty fast.
Midsole Cushioning
Merrell All Out Peak Trail Running Shoe Midsole
While the Merrell All Out Peak looks like it could be a max cushion trail running shoe from the outside, I am hear to tell you this is not a max cushion trail running shoe. The upper part of the midsole that has the zig zags on the outsole of the shoe go high up on the shoe upper, but this is not actual cushion that your foot is landing on. This EVA material is meant for side protection and and provides a unique aesthetic.
I feel the Merrell All Out Peak has similar cushioning as many of the other trail shoes out there that are meant for mid to longer distances. Through all my trail runs, I never felt any rocks or roots poking up and jabbing my feet which is always a plus on longer runs.
Trail Running Shoe Upper Provides Foot Security and Comfort
Synthetic material that provides security and support throughout the shoe
The Merrell All Out Peak was designed with the purpose of running up peaks, so whether you’re running your local peaks or using the trail running shoe as your go to shoe for all things trail, the shoe won’t disappoint. For protection on the front of the trail running shoe, the toe bumper on the Merrell All Out Peak is made of thick outsole rubber that is sure to protect you from getting bruised toes.
Merrell All Out Peak Toe Bumper protecting your toes from bruises and lost toenails
There is a synthetic rubber piece that wraps around the toebox which helps for shoe durability and also helps keep out water. There is a zig zag synthetic material that Merrell calls Hyperwrap on the sides of the shoe. This provides structure for the shoe, so when you’re bouncing from rock to rock and going side to side, you’re not going to blow out the side of the shoe. In addition to the zig zags on the side of the shoe, there is a long strip of reflective material on the outside of each shoe which helps keep you visible while running in the dark.
Reflective material helps getting noticed in the dark
Along the tongue of the Merrell All Out Peak trail running shoe, there is a mesh layer that helps prevent small rocks and pebbles from getting into your shoe. This is big plus in my book as stopping to pick rocks out of your trail running shoes can get annoying. The lacing of the All Out Peak shoes is unique in that there is a fabric that connects the laces to the tongue of the shoe, but I did not see any difference in this lacing system compared to a traditional lacing system.
All Out Peak Lacing System and mesh layer that keeps rocks from getting into your shoe
Having run through small streams and through big puddles, I can tell you that this shoe dries out well thanks to the mesh upper. The mesh upper is woven tight enough to keep out most dust and dirt, but loose enough to allow your feet to vent.
All Out Peak Trail Running Shoe Fit
The Merrell All Out Peak trail running shoe fits true to size. The shoe fits normal to a little roomy on the inside of the shoe, so if you have a really narrow foot, this might not be your best bet. If you have a traditional or slightly wide foot shape, the All Out’s fit great. The toe box size and width is average to a tad wide when comparing this shoe to the average for trail running shoes.
Trail Running Shoe Style
As for style, the shoe comes in 3 different colors for men and women. The turquoise model I tested looks more like a women’s shoe and I personally wouldn’t choose this color if I had my choice. The orange/red and black/red color combo look much better for men’s in my opinion. The women’s colors are pretty spot on and our women’s testers liked the looks on All Out Peak trail running shoes they tested.
Final Thoughts
Merrell All Out Peak Trail Running Shoe
While many people still look at Merrell as a hiking shoe and boot company, I am here to tell you that they have been a strong contender in the trail running shoe scene. Having run in a handful of Merrell trail running shoes, I have never run into a shoe that I haven’t like to date. At a price of $130, this shoe is priced similar to most trail running shoes on the market and I feel with the quality of the shoe, it’s worth the price. Overall, a great trail running shoe. For more info on the All Out Peak Trail Running shoe and other Merrell footwear, visit www.amazon.com/merrell.
I have also had the opportunity to test out the women’s version of the Merrell All Out Peak. I don’t need to rehash Kevin’s review, but here are a few areas that I felt that the shoe really excelled in.
1. The Vibran Mega-Grip tread pattern was awesome in a variety of conditions; including wet, slippery rocks and trails. The lug length will hopefully give the shoe a bit more longevity in terms of miles.
2. Excellent protection and cushion, without going over board, including the reinforced region over the front of the toe.
3. Plenty of volume and width in the toe box, while the upper wraps around your foot and is comfortable on run #1
4. Not usually a big fan of black shoes due to the summer sun and heat, but I am learning to love the fact that they don’t looked totally ruined after each run.
Thanks for the great review Kevin! I’ve run in a number of Merrell shoes, namely from their minimal line, but as I started migrating toward the ultra distances I found myself wanting a little more shoe. The All Out Peak looks like Merrell’s answer. I can’t wait to grab a pair!
Have been using them for steep rocky desert trails, which are a challenge for any shoe, runs from 65 min to more than 180 minutes. Wonderful shoes. Will buy another pair. Sole does not seem to wear out fast on trails. After a few seasons, have one tear in the upper, easily sewed shut, and minor ungluing of the rubber layer in front easily re-glued if I decide to do it. Shoe, though quite protective, has more freedom of motion than any other I have used, e.g. as compared to a design that might feel more like a boot. GREAT traction, stability and cushion. Also find they hold when climbing down to the beach on rocks and gravel, wet and dry. They dry out well in the wind, take my own inserts easily, and the black color is good for the dirt. Other shoes I have tried: Adidas Trail Response(old model), Hoka One One (trail and road models), Inov8 Roclite 305(much firmer trail shoe), Adidas “Bounce” Energy(road), Brooks Cascadia, etc. Lacing holds well, has a special asymmetric design for better fit.