Details
Brand
Merrell
Heel To Toe Drop
6mm
Breathability
6.9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Excellent grip on almost all surfaces• Allows feet to freely perspire• A classic look that prints elegance and style for any occasion• Flexible but also very resistant• Ergonomically designed• Protective toe cap• Reflective details• Treated, breathable mesh lining reduces shoe odor• M-Select GRIP outsole
Upper
The upper of the AllOut Fuse has a variety of qualities that make it unique. The combination of leather and textile and the exceptional design of the upper makes it aesthetically attractive, but its core composition material—AirMesh—is what provides it both breathability and durability. The AirMesh is highly durable, which translates to a long-lasting, resistant to wear upper that offers a surprising amount of breathability in a trail shoe. Besides the minimalist TPU overlays that provide structure and support, Merrell’s unique Omni-Fit Lacing System gives a lockdown feel after lace-up. In addition, the 2mm insole hugs the foot for a snug fit.
Midsole
The technology and design meant for everyday labor shoes have been applied in the Fuse´s midsole. Its minimalistic style matches perfectly with its basic composition. The low to the ground feel the midsole provides is due to Merrell’s UniFly midsole, which is a high-grade EVA that’s above average in terms of durability and cushioning. This plush foam manages to be comfortable without adding weight to the overall shoe and effectively disperses the shock of impact from footfall.
Outsole
The Merrell line uses a special treatment called Vibram for their shoes, which endows any shoe with excellent resistance. However, it also makes them slippery on wet surfaces, since the friction with the sole is not the most optimal. For this reason, a different technology—the M Select Grip–has been used for the All Out Fuse, which allows the Vibram to have its enormous resistance but adds superior adhesion without increasing the weight. This is further aided by the newly conceived round lugs for this edition that make the sole gain incredible grip. Add to this the incredibly grippy rubber that coats the outsole and the AllOut Fuse offers a great amount of traction for a hybrid trail runner.
Breathability
The feet require oxygen to keep the balance of the body regulated, and the ability to allow the foot to perspire is essential for a shoe. This will always be needed in high temperature conditions especially, simply because the body generates heat with movement. The use of light materials in fabrics—specifically the synthetic, lightweight AirMesh that comprises the upper–helps make the AllOut Fuse breathe properly. Footwear that does not allow this, especially trail runners, so for this hybrid shoe to offer such a high degree of breathability is something truly unique that it brings to the table.
Comfort
Regarding comfort it is necessary to mention that the overall feeling of the AllOut Fuse is excellent, Merrell’s commitment to a design in which the user is able to feel the ground during a run without losing plush comfort is an impressive achievement. The dynamic UniFly midsole offers comfort but never feels plush or unresponsive as a result. Experienced runners understand that training on steep terrains is a matter of acuity, and that being able to feel the ground beneath one’s feet provides a greater awareness of ground conditions and what hazards there are–and what risks can be taken—when running a trail. However, Merrell has managed to keep the foot snug and comfortable without diminishing ground feel with the AllOut Fuse.
Style
The style of the AllOut Fuse is one of the biggest advantages going for it. Unlike many trail shoes—even hybrids—the Fuse isn’t clunky-looking or awkward. Instead, its minimalist aesthetic achieves the look of a sleek high-speedster sprinting shoe rather than a hybrid shoe. Elegance and effectiveness are the keywords that describe the look of the Fuse: it hides its true nature by being a bright, bold, dynamic-looking trainer instead of the hybrid shoe it really is. The fusion of colors that it comes in is eye-catching, and the details within its overall aesthetic give the Fuse a great presence that cannot go unnoticed. In other words, it looks like a lit fuse about to go off.
Durability
As previously mentioned, the Vibram method applied to most of Merrell’s shoes has changed for this edition to introduce a new technology in the AllOut Fuse. The new treatment consists of a mix of polymers and synthetic materials that serve as a coating to the outsole. This new coating provides high protection and prevents rapid deterioration of the outsole’s integrity. The materials used in the new mode of manufacture of the AllOut Fuse do not adhere to the shoe but are intrinsically part of it. And while the outsole is impressive in its durability, the rest of the shoe is made of similarly durable materials, as its midsole is made of Unifly technology, a high-grade EVA material that won’t lose its cushioning and responsiveness over time, and its upper is made from sturdy, wear-resistant AirMesh synthetic material.
Protection
The advantage of not using polymers does not negatively affect the overall protection provided by the AllOut Fuse. As a shoe designed for mountain or asphalt, it has an intelligent design intended to protect feet against any hazards or rough terrain. Wearing a pair of the AllOut Fuse, the runner does not have to worry about having part of their feet vulnerable to harm or being poorly reinforced. The flexible band located in the forefoot allows a greater subjection and reaffirms footfall so that the runner will not suffer from the typical pain after a walk or run in the distal and medial phalanges of the foot.
Responsiveness
Merrell has also managed to surpass itself in the AllOut Fuse by obtaining an astonishing flexibility. It should be noted that very few hybrid shoes can be found on the market today with this level of sensitivity and recognition. The thin insole and the movable entwines within this shoe’s construction, allow an enormous flexibility. In addition, the midsole is well-equipped for excellent responsiveness and there’s a great amount of ground feel that the AllOut Fuse provides.
Support
The firmness of the AllOut Fuse is slightly reduced due to Merrell’s commitment to making them lighter and more flexible. The support on the fingers and the support under the ankle are very good, but the support is geared toward neutral runners, so those with pronation issues or falling arches may not find the support they need in this hybrid trainer.
Terrain
Few shoes are as versatile as the AllOut Fuse, and it’s almost hard to believe how useful they are in almost any running condition. In terms of terrain–excluding sludge or water –these shoes will perform admirably. Whether on the road, on the trail, on grass, dirt, or track, runners will appreciate just how dynamic the AllOut Fuse is in the varied terrains and topographies it can traverse.
Price
When we talk about this kind of quality in footwear—durability, versatility, lightweight, comfortable–we are always accustomed to high prices. It is necessary to say and emphasize that Merrell has never abandoned the idea that quality does not necessarily mean an elevated price, and that style and versatility should not be an unattainable luxury. And for those looking for such a dynamic hybrid shoe, the price point of the AllOut Fuse is not prohibitive. Although it is more expensive than the average running shoe, for a lightweight trail runner it comes at a reasonable price.
Drop
The sole of the Merrell AllOut Fuse is a little thinner and may not play so much in favor of activities that involve too many hard drops on the heel. The drop is 6mm, which is slightly lower than the standard on running shoes, but this will also provide a greater amount of stability for neutral runners. It is recommended that you use these shoes in closed circuits or surfaces of an average risk.
Stability
There are no drawbacks regarding stability with the AllOut Fuse: even walking on a frozen lake will have the feeling of sufficient adhesion since these shoes will not lose balance easily. However, this is not specifically a stability shoe–but it will provide a great amount of stability to neutral runners on the trail.
Flexibility
Sensitivity and flexibility are two concepts that always go hand in hand, and in this case, Merrell has made a union worthy of the highest praise. The AllOut Fuse has adequate flexibility, neither too loose nor too tight, and runners will appreciate the firm but flexible nature of this hybrid trainer.
Traction
The round lugs that have been added to the outsole of the AllOut Fuse are an advancement in how traction is added to a lightweight hybrid trainer. The Merrell AllOut Fuse has an excellent adhesion to any terrain thanks to the sticky rubber on the outsole, and the replacement of the Vibram method provides traction even in areas that may be difficult to find a grip. That said, these are not a hybrid shoe that should be used in more extreme outdoor situations.
Bottom Line
The Merrell AllOut Fuse comes out streets ahead of the competition in the lightweight hybrid shoe class. With durability, comfort, style, performance, and dynamics, the AllOut Fuse is one of the best on the market for those looking for a road to trail hybrid trainer. For the adventurous runner that wants no limit on where they go and what surfaces they perform on, the Merrell AllOut Fuse will not disappoint.
