Details
Brand
Merrell
Heel To Toe Drop
6 mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• M Select GRIP+ outsole is durable and resistant to wear• FLEXconnect technology in the midsole allows the show to move any which way• Hyperlock heel construction ensures the foot stays inside the shoe• Flex Grooves in outsole help create a smooth ride• Skeletal lugs look cool and provide excellent traction in all weather conditions• Upper is made up of mesh material for great breathability• M Select FRESH interior help promote a dry environment and keeps odors from lingering• EVA removable liner• EVA foam midsole• Sticky laces stay put
Upper
The upper of the Merrell Agility Charge Flex is made up of mesh. There’s no debris blocker in the upper to keep out small rocks or twigs, though. The upper is fairly standard fare and is a bit of letdown compared to the rest of the shoe. An M Select FRESH interior helps keep nasty smells at bay, perfect for those with super sweaty feet. The interior EVA liner can be removed for those who need to use an orthotic.;The shoe’s Hyperlock heel technology helps to ensure the back of the foot stays put and is hugged snugly inside the shoe. A neat feature of the shoe is that the laces have a sticky texture to them so they’re likely to stay put and won’t easily come undone.
Midsole
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex features EVA foam in its midsole. Reviewers appreciated the comfortable cushioning provide by the midsole but did complain about the lack of a rock plate. Still, the cushioning is adequate for most terrain. The shoe also features FLEXConnect technology in the midsole which allows the shoe to bend in different directions to ensure nimble footing on even the most technical terrain. Runners won’t feel hindered by the stiffness of the shoe since the Agility Charge Flex is intended to move with them.
Outsole
A trail shoe needs to provide traction. When runners go off-road, uncertainty reigns. Surfaces might remain slick even long after a rainfall, loose rocks might find themselves underfoot, and the ground is not always even. The Merrell Agility Charge Flex’s outsole definitely delivers these qualities. The M Select Grip+ outsole is durable enough to handle repeated use on rough terrain. In addition, Flex Grooves in the outsole help to ensure the wearer gets a smooth ride. The most important part of the Agility Charge Flex’s outsole? The gnarly lugs. The skeleton-like formation of the lugs don’t just look cool, they also provide excellent traction whether it’s dry or it’s pouring rain.
Breathability
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex’s mesh upper does a decent job at wicking moisture and circulating air. Most trail runners will prefer a shoe that drains quickly and dries out easily. Hikers appreciate these types of features as well. Being waterlogged inside a shoe for more than an hour isn’t exactly comfortable. The Merrell Agility Charge Flex ensures that moisture doesn’t stay inside the shoe. Moisture is wicked away quickly thanks to the M Select FRESH interior and the shoe drains water fairly efficiently.
Comfort
Reviewers praised the Merrell Agility Charge Flex for its comfort. The shoe feels great on the trails and even hikers found themselves selecting the Charge Flex as their dedicated hiking shoe. It’s lightweight so even after hours of wear, the shoe doesn’t weigh the wearer down. The upper fits nicely and features a nice large toe box. The Flex Grooves in the outsole promote a natural ride and the shoe never feels stiff. The cushioning feels great underfoot and even without a rock plate, the ride ends up being quite nice on most surfaces.
Style
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex looks aggressive, but not overly so. It’s a nice looking shoe with a modern, pared-down aesthetic. There are minimal overlays and bells and whistles which make for a clean look. Fresh color pairings for both men and women make this a great shoe for the style conscious trail runner.
Durability
When you’re out on the roads, a tough outsole is important. Repeated friction wears down outsole materials quickly and cushioning falls flat after a while. On the trails, a shoe needs to have a tough outsole to deal with uneven terrain so its lugs need to stand up to repeated use. Also important is a durable upper. Trail obstacles may pose a threat to your shoe. Sharp rocks, twigs, and branches may potentially come in contact with your shoe and your upper needs to be tough enough to repel potential rips.;The Merrell Agility Charge Flex has a fairly tough construction. The standard mesh upper isn’t prone to ripping and is solid enough to handle contact with debris. The outsole lugs, shaped like parts of a skeleton look aggressive and certainly are. They won’t shave down easily and will continue to provide traction throughout training.
Protection
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex doesn’t feature a rock plate, which may seem like a glaring omission for a trail shoe. Runners will need to be a little more cautious when running over rocky terrain. But the lack of a rock plate means that the shoe is lighter than others in its category. There’s also enough cushioning in the midsole to provide protection both from impact and debris.
Responsiveness
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex is pretty responsive thanks to its lightweight construction. Reviewers explained that they felt super quick and capable when running off-road in this shoe. The ground feel is excellent which may not be something all runners appreciate but it does mean that agility isn’t compromised at all when wearing the Agility Charge Flex.
Support
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex offers a nice amount of support, but keep in mind that it’s a neutral trail shoe. The EVA midsole cushion provides a nice layer of supportive foam to keep runners protected from impact and grounded as they move forward. The shoe also features Hyperlock heel technology to secure the entire foot inside the shoe and reduce the chance of heel slippage from occurring.
Terrain
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex meets all this criteria and more. It has an aggressive outsole with skeletal lugs that look badass and work hard to grip the ground. The shoe can also handle varied terrain thanks to its FLEXconnect midsole construction. The shoe can bend in a variety of ways so runners will always be able to land with agility even on the most technical terrain. The shoe is durable and can stand up to repeated use and it’s also supportive enough to be used on uneven ground.
Price
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex is an affordable trail shoe that’s perfect for beginner trail runners looking for a quality option for off-road use. It comes in a variety of attractive colors and does everything a trail shoe should. The only real downside is the lack of a rock plate, but it’s not a deal breaker. The Merrell Agility Charge Flex is a feature-packed shoe at a fair price point with very few negatives. It will work for runners and hikers alike and is suitable for long distance training.
Drop
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex features a slightly lower than normal heel to toe drop of about 6mm. It delivers excellent ground feel even with a moderate amount of midsole cushion. Some reviewers felt the ground feel was excessive and the lack of rock plate made the shoe feel a bit too connected to the earth but the majority were happy with the lower to the ground construction and appreciated the fact that the shoe encouraged a natural stride.
Stability
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex fits into the neutral category so you won’t find any kind of pronation control here. Runners will still feel secure when they encounter technical trails but the shoe is not stable enough for even mild pronators. There’s just too much movement for the shoe to offer any kind of meaningful stability. It’s highly flexible and has too much give to provide appropriate pronation control.
Flexibility
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex does just that. The shoe’s FLEXconnect technology ensures that the shoe can move in nearly any direction to help runners navigate gnarly trail surfaces quickly and easily. The Flex Grooves in the outsole also work to add some additional bend in the shoe. The result is a highly flexible trail shoe that feels great when worn.
Traction
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex provides excellent traction. It has an M Select GRIP+ outsole that’s resistant and is covered with a tough skeletal tread pattern. These lugs can handle any kind of weather and nearly any kind of surface. Reviewers were extremely pleased with the outsole’s performance on various trail surfaces. The only weak point was with wet rocks. Slick rocks made the ride feel a bit unstable, but otherwise, the lugs are aggressive enough to tackle nearly any kind of trail.
Bottom Line
The Merrell Agility Charge Flex is a great trail shoe suitable for both runners and hikers alike. It boasts a comfortable fit and an attractive design. Underfoot, the unique skeleton-looking lugs provide excellent traction. The shoe can handle a multitude of trail conditions and is able to deal with all types of weather. The shoe is tough but the ride remains responsive, lightweight, and super flexible.;The Merrell Agility Charge Flex is a great option for neutral-footed wearers who want a solid yet lightweight shoe for experiencing the trails.
