Details
Brand
Merrell
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Excellent grip on numerous surfaces• Highly breathable and moisture-wicking upper• Classic and understated style• Flexible while remaining stable and protective• Ergonomically designed• Reflective accents provide visibility in low-light environments• M Select FRESH removable footbed allows for custom orthotics• Hyperwrap fit system maintains high foot stability
Upper
The design of these shoes’ upper has been thought out to ensure excellent safety and freedom of movement for the purpose of preventing the onset of unforeseen injuries. Thanks to the excellent materials used in its manufacture, the All Out Charge provides excellent heat management. This means that these highly breathable shoes can be worn during summer seasons without much hassle, all while providing other needs at the same time. These needs include comfort, provided by a highly cushioned insole, and stability, derived from a posture-correcting heel pad.
Midsole
One important thing to note about the All Out Charge is that Merrell designed it with minimalist tendencies. This means that the central design philosophy behind it is neatness, purity, and the idea that less is more. You aren’t going to find a plethora of flashy colors or excessive flanges and gills. What you are going to find is a midsole that reflects this ethos with the aid of lightweight UniFly technology. This innovative feature has been incorporated for the purpose of providing the supportive cushion of a much heavier shoe in a much lighter package.
Outsole
The outsoles of these Merrell shoes are able to manage even the most challenging forms of running terrain. Reinforced grip and friction is on display in the All Out Charge at the highest level. This is possible due to the special rubber used to construct the outsoles, providing resistance and grip even on slippery surfaces. This material appears very hard and unforgiving at first but is in actuality highly flexible. There is no risk of breakage while walking, nor is there any risk of blisters or swampy feet. These extremely comfortable and durable outsoles that have undergone rigorous testing, guaranteeing their quality.
Breathability
It is a difficult balancing act to provide adequate protection and ventilation for just about any form of apparel, with footwear being no exception. To meet this dire need, these Merrell shoes have a design that emphasizes breathability in order to prevent runners’ feet from feeling the discomfort commonly associated with running in higher temperatures. As a result of significant permeability, these shoes aren’t recommended for use in the rain. The same absorbent properties that help these shoes counteract sweat accumulation will work to your detriment as they soak up rainwater like a sponge. As a consequence, drying these shoes after a rainy run can take several days.
Comfort
Perhaps the greatest advantage offered by these shoes over competing brands is the supreme level of comfort. The front of the All Out Charge provides the perfect spacing for runners’ toes that avoid feeling too loose or too constricting. The upper portion, in addition to providing important scaphoid bone support, is also soft to the touch. However, the most comfortable aspect of these Merrell shoes is the heel, with significant padding present in order to prevent bodily harm.
Style
Merrell is known for primarily sticking to a minimalist style of design, absent of redundant accessories or excessively weighty material. The resulting agility, lightness, and firmness provided to the final composition of their products lead to the high acclaim of their brand. A touch of understated elegance can be observed as well, resulting in an article of footwear that is versatile enough to fit in almost any situation. These shoes can be worn to class, while dancing at the clubs, and when trail running or hiking the next day. With the exception of black-tie formal events, these shoes are great for just about any occasion.
Durability
Having undergone the Vibram treatment common among Merrell shoes, lighter fabrics and synthetics are made to have a measure of durability nearly comparable to heavier construction materials. The Merrell name is in honor of a famous hiker, and these shoes reflect the ethos of a dependable and reliable explorer as a result. The Vibram-treated material is highly protected from cracks and will last for a considerably longer period of time before needing to be replaced. You will be surprised at just how sturdy simple nylon can be after undergoing this treatment process!
Protection
What these shoes gain in durability is also gained in protection. However, it should be noted that these trail shoes are only protective from hard surfaces and steep inclines when they are used in drier climates. Unfortunate drawbacks of its design make them less protective in wet conditions. They are still functional during a rainstorm or flash flood, but the degree to which they function will still be inhibited. As a result, caution should be exercised if you encounter these conditions while wearing the Merrell All Out Charge.
Responsiveness
These Merrell trail shoes showcase an astonishing degree of flexibility, especially when compared to the degree of robust sturdiness with which they are initially presented to the buyer. The design of the All Out Charge exceeds the expectations of a first glance, especially in regards to its flexibility. Trail shoe runners may not be used to the responsiveness on display here since these Merrell shoes are lighter than the average trail runner and are made from a material that is a bit more forgiving. Ultimately, however, the same level of protection and stability are present in this model that runners would find in heavier offerings, so this is a net benefit.
Support
While it’s comparatively easy to provide a shoe that can provide foot and leg support in low-intensity environments such as a flat track or soft grassy field, the real test of a shoe’s design is how well it supports a runner when they travel through hell. To provide the kind of support needed for the roughest trails and steepest inclines, the Merrell All Out Charge was designed with a great deal of thought put into this aspect. Thanks to clever foot coverage and implementation of technologically advanced construction material, these shoes are highly resistant to damage directed at the distal and medial phalanges of the foot. The heel, instep, and ankle are all attentively protected, ensuring a smooth ride the entire way up and down the mountain.
Terrain
Two situations should be considered in regards to footwear and appropriate running terrain, First is to be careful around excessively smooth environments, and second is to be careful around excessively wet surfaces. In both of these forms of terrain, outsole adhesion is substantially reduced and the likelihood of slippage is high. Fortunately, these Merrell trail shoes are a triumph of footwear design, offering superior competence in grip, comfort, and endurance throughout any type of terrain. This includes the aforementioned smooth and wet environments, although exercising caution around them is still a good idea.
Price
When considering how these shoes are so versatile, comfortable and secure, you may be expecting them to cost an arm and a leg. Couple that with the fact that they are trail shoes, historically some of the most expensive forms of athletic footwear on the market, and you would probably expect something double or triple the cost of a casual running shoe or cross-trainer. Fortunately for the more frugal running shoe enthusiasts out there, the Merrell All Out Charge comes with a very reasonable suggested retail price that is below the average cost of a trail shoe. Particularly shrewd shoppers can even snag a pair of these for a steep discount if they find it on retail sites such as Amazon.
Drop
Thanks to the impeccable design of these trail shoes, the heel, arch, and forefoot are adequately protected. Unlike many running shoes, the elevation difference in midsole cushioning from the heel to the forefoot in the All Out Charge is comparatively low. This isn’t to suggest that these Merrell shoes have a completely neutral heel drop since they are also noticeably higher than many competing trail shoe brands. As a result of this strange compromise, runners with experience in either running shoes or trail shoes will most likely need to take some time in order to adjust to this heel elevation. However, after this initial grace period, the movement will feel natural and highly efficient, especially on inclined surfaces.
Stability
In the same vein of flexibility, the stability present in these shoes is outstanding. Although many footwear manufacturers struggle to find the balance between a flexible and stable shoe, that is not a problem experienced in the Merrell All Out Charge. They have clearly undergone rigorous testing, resulting in a symmetrically designed pair of shoes that will not let you down in this regard.
Flexibility
As previously mentioned, the flexibility offered by the Merrell All Out Charge doesn’t seem like it would be much at first glance. They have the initial appearance of a sturdy and uncomfortably rigid trail shoe. However, it is a completely different story once you actually place your feet inside their highly adaptive uppers. It’s true that you will most likely need to break in these shoes a bit before they really come into their own, but this process doesn’t take too much time. After this short transitional period, the flexibility offered by these trail shoes is excellent and perfectly adequate in environments for which it is suited.
Traction
The combination of nylon and rubber materials used for these trail shoes that have undergone Vibram treatment add a significant degree of traction on top of protection. This is most noticeable along the outsole, where the treated material is also designed with grippy lugs that provide a stable grip to even the most unforgiving forms of terrain. This is highly beneficial to trail runners not only for competitive reasons but for safety reasons as well, since no one wants to lose their grip on top of a mountain only to find themselves tumbling all the way down to the bottom.
Bottom Line
Merrell has designed these shoes for adaptability in any kind of off-road trail environment. Various technological innovations have been made for the sake of endurance and to provide reinforcement around areas in your foot that most need it during runs or long walks. These advantages are not simply based around ergonomics, however, the subdued yet appealing style of the All Out Charge make them adaptable to many different social settings as well. A unique combination of style and pragmatism leads to a head-turning aesthetic both on and off the trail. Style aside, experienced athletes can appreciate the value of these trail shoes in their exercise routines. Softness, comfort, grip, flexibility, and stability make these some of the most appealing trail shoes for hiking or running.
