Merrell Agility Peak Flex - Women's Review

The Merrell Agility Peak Flex stands out for its outstanding arch support that fits all kinds of feet. We also loved its proficient performance on trail, making it versatile for all uses.

Performance Comparison

Foot Protection

Earning a seven out of ten in this category, the Agility Flex isn't one of the most protective shoes out there. Lacking a rock plate, this shoe doesn't protect from the sharpest underfoot obstructions. However, the 27 mm of EVA injected foam protects just fine on the most technical terrain. The welded toe cap and impenetrable mesh do a great job on rocky trails full of fine trail debris.

In addition, this shoe wicks well, making it a good option for light rainy days, but not down pours. If you're looking for a runner that offers a bit more in the way of foot protection, be sure to check out the inov-8 Roclite 305. This Editors' Choice winner offers a water-resistant overlay, an integrated rock plate, and a super hard, protective toe cap. The Salomon Speedcross 4 - Women's is another protective option, offering an impenetrable upper to fine particulates.

Traction

With an aggressive outsole integrating 4 mm skeleton-like lugs, this outsole does well on a plethora of surfaces. Scoring a seven out of ten in this category, it sticks well to slippery and steep surfaces. We took it running during the spring and found that it also did well in most mud, with the exception of super sticky clay. While the shoe stuck to most surfaces, it did not shed mud well like the Salomon Speedcross 4 (our Top Pick for Sloppy Surfaces) or the inov-8 Roclite 305. In addition, on a particularly rainy day, we also learned that the outsole was not super sticky on wet rocks (hardly any shoes performed well in this area). That said, it still performed well over dry and technical terrain.

Stability

With 27 mm of stack in the heel and more narrow toe box than the Altra Lone Peak 3 - Women's, this shoe leaves you feeling like you're riding high. Even though it felt tippy at times, the flexibility of the shoe makes it feel a little more stable than it would if it was more rigid. The EVA injected foam midsole is on the softer end of things, making it super responsive and absorbent. As a result, this shoe earned a six out of ten in this category. If you're looking for a shoe that doesn't have a rock plate but crushes in the stability category, be sure to look into the Salming Element. This option has little foot protection and is super intimate with the trail. Or if you don't want to go that deep in terms of stability, check out last year's Editors' Choice winner, the La Sportiva Bushido - offering great stability and foot protection.

Comfort & Fit

Sporting stacked cushion and ample flexibility, this shoe is very comfortable and somewhat breathable. It earned an eight out of ten in this category just for that reason. The only other contenders that beat it out were the Hoka varieties. The new Hoka Challenger 4 fits both wide and narrow feet and has really soft cushioning in comparison. It feels bouncier and cushier even though it only has one mm more of cushioning.

Featuring the best arch support of any shoe in this review we'd have to say this is one of the better fitting shoes out there. The Agility Peak Flex features an Omni-Fit lacing system that provides a "glove-like fit". The toe box is plenty wide to accommodate wide feet with a tight fit throughout the arch. It also features a Hyperlock molded urethane heel that locks your foot in for quick turns and agile moves while the 6 mm heel-toe drop gives it a low-profile feel. In general, we love the fit and comfort this shoe has to offer.

Weight

Weighing in at 10.50 oz, this shoe has a mid-range weight. It also absorbs only 3.6 oz when totally drenched and air dries over a day's time. On trail, we noticed that it did a good job of wicking away water, and when drenched, it dried within tens of minutes. As a result, we'd recommend this shoe for everything in all sorts of conditions. If you're interested in an ultra-lightweight option, check out the Nike Terra Kiger 4 - Women's weighing only 8.55 oz. Or if you're looking for a shoe that absorbs the least amount of water, be sure to look at the New Balance Leadville Trail v3 - Women's.

Sensitivity

A lack of a rock plate makes this shoe a little more sensitive than other contenders - but in a good way. While the shoe protects from most trail obstructions we liked that we could feel sticks and rocks underfoot. If you're looking for a shoe that's even more sensitive, check out the Salming Elements instead.

Best Applications

If you're looking for a trail runner that is flexible with great arch support and great all-around versatility, this is it! We loved it for all distances - long and short. Given the shoe's outsole, we'd even recommend it for day hiking and even backpacking. In general, a well-rounded all-purpose trail shoe.

Value

For $130, we think the price is fair but not the best deal out there. While this is the only trail runner that sports such a flexible sole with great protection, there are other options with better protection and overall comfort. For example, take a gander at our Best Buy award winner, the Saucony Peregrine 7 - Women's for only $120 (and earning higher points). That said, $130 is standard for a good trail shoe these days and there are currently sale prices and deals online that you might find.

Conclusion

The Merrell Agility Peak Flex stands out for its flexible midsole that provides comfort and protection all day long on the trail. It's also one of the only shoes that offers so much in the way of arch support that we might argue it's one of the best fitting shoes in this review. That said, don't take our word for it, try it out yourself!