Merrell AllOut Terra Trail Runner
These hot-weather trail runners have superior airflow and a snug, grit-repelling ankle cuff, making them great for dusty summer trails.
Brand: Merrell Gear Reviews
Model: AllOut Terra Trail Runner
Breathability
The wide-open, synthetic mesh sides let air circulate freely, so testers felt comfortable even on runs in 115°F temps in California’s Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Usually this much breathability comes at a durability cost, but not this time: rigid TPU reinforcements help the shoe stand up to miles of wear.
Cushion
The 24mm of cushioning in the heel thins to 6mm in the forefoot to provide a lot of tactile feedback on the trail. But the thin plate in the forefoot caused soreness for some testers on runs more than 10 miles. Others noted rock bruising.
Traction
“I ran up a 40-degree incline a on dirt and ash a few days after a wildfire, and the lugs dug right in,” one tester reports. The chevron-shaped lugs act as cleats in soft terrain, even holding strong on steep downhill runs.
Protection
We’re huge fans of the stretchy ankle cuff, which kept dirt and debris out of our shoes. “I don’t get why this isn’t standard on every trail shoe,” said one tester after a 15-mile run.