Details
Brand
Merrell
Heel To Toe Drop
N/A
Breathability
6/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Leather & canvas upper design• Regular laces• M Select Fresh Anti-Bacterial Liner• M Select Move midsole design for flexibility• Air Cushion midsole for impact protection• M Select Grip outsole for traction
Upper
The upper of the Shift is made up of leather and canvas. A pair of standard laces and an M Select Fresh liner are also present. Some users found the tongue portion of the shoe a bit short and the laces weirdly long. But generally, reviewers found the Berner to fit well. Users particularly liked the thick insole, which provided an extra layer of padding. Many liked the soft leather material of the upper. Reviewers were also happy with the anti-odor design of the shoe’s liner. Some users did note that the laces were a bit flimsy, compared to the rest of the shoe. A few also felt the design was a bit too narrow.
Midsole
The midsole of the Berner Shift Lace contains Air Cushion for impact protection. The cushioning also helps to deliver a comfortable ride feel. The midsole also features M Select Move technology which promotes a flexible ride, as well. Reviewers liked the supportive midsole and appreciated the shoe’s midfoot arch support. Users also found the Merrell shoe provided plenty of cushioning and was overall, very comfortable.
Outsole
The outsole of the Berner Lace features Merrell’s standard grippy compound called M Select Grip. The material provides durability and traction. Reviewers liked the sturdy design of the Shift Lace from outsole to upper. Users also liked the grip provided by the shoe. The outsole provides enough traction that users felt comfortable wearing it for short hikes in the outdoors.
Breathability
Reviewers found the upper quite breathable. Many commented that the upper breathed well even on very hot days. Inside, the anti-odor M Select Fresh liner wicks moisture and inhibits bacterial growth. The shoe is a pretty good moisture manager and users didn’t feel overheating was an issue with the Lace.
Comfort
People who tried the Berner were impressed with how comfortable it felt. Users liked the well-cushioned (with Air Cushion) midsole and appreciated that there was even more padding with the shoe’s insole. Most users were impressed with the fit of the Lace and liked that the shoe also provided adequate arch support. The upper, too, composed of leather and canvas was great at delivering proper ventilation, said reviewers. The shoe is great for walking around. One thing users did have an issue with was the shoe’s tendency to squeak very loudly. Even after a breaking in period, reviewers reported that the annoying squeaking did not seem to subside. A minor issue in the grand scheme of things, though.
Style
The Berner Shift Lace is an incredibly good looking shoe. It’s meant for casual wear and it’s certainly a shoe anyone would be happy to wear with a pair of jeans. The Merrell shoe comes in brown, black, or dark charcoal. The men’s only shoe looks like a classy sports shoe with a simple skater aesthetic. Pretty much all of the reviewers who tried the Berner Lace liked the look of the shoe.
Durability
The shoe is quite durable. From the M Select outsole to the well-cushioned midsole, thick insole, and leather blend upper, the Lace is sure to last a significant amount of time. Users felt comfortable wearing the shoe for all sorts of occasions, even for light hiking off-road. Users did point out that the laces had a tendency to fray very quickly, compared to the rest of the shoe. Thankfully, laces are super easy to replace and don’t compromise the structural integrity of a shoe.
Protection
With the Berner, expect protection in the form of midsole Air cushion. The generously padded midsole provides protection from impact. The upper breathes well to help cool down the feet. The midfoot delivers arch support and the shoe fits very well so that movement in it doesn’t feel sloppy and unstable. Oh, and the outsole provides plenty of protection on the slick ground thanks to M Select Grip technology.
Responsiveness
The casual wear shoe is as responsive as it needs to be. Don’t expect to be bouncing around but users should feel that the natural transition from heel to toe comes easily in the Merrell brand shoe.
Support
Reviewers were pleased with the amount of support provided by the Merrell Berner. The midsole provides arch support in the midfoot area and delivers users a supportive platform to walk upon. The leather and canvas upper fits very well and ensures users don’t encounter a sloppy fit with the shoe.
Terrain
Made for walking around, the Berner is still sturdy enough to be used for hiking on well-groomed trails. Reviewers felt the shoe was solid enough for hiking and felt comfortable wearing it off road as long as the terrain wasn’t too aggressive.
Price
Reviewers were happy with how much they paid for the Merrell shoe and found that they got plenty of use for the amount invested int he casual wear sneaker. The durable construction, attractive design, and comfortable feel of the Shift Lace made the purchase worthwhile.
Drop
We couldn’t find a listed drop height for the Merrell Berner Shift Lace but as a skater-style inspired shoe, it looks as if it’s close to a zero drop design. Regardless, users didn’t have any complaints or comments regarding the drop height of the shoe.
Stability
Not a running shoe and not a stability shoe, users shouldn’t expect that much stability from the Berner Shift Lace. It’s a casual wear shoe that doesn’t feature any corrective components. Still, the fit is good and the cushioning is both comfortable and supportive. Wearers didn’t complain of feeling unstable in the Lace in great part due to the excellent grip provided by the shoe’s M Select Grip outsole.
Flexibility
Reviewers actually pointed out that the Shift Lace was a bit stiffer than they expected at first but with a few wears the shoe loosened up a bit and felt a little more flexible. The M Select Move midsole’s flexibility takes a bit of time to work accordingly and provide users with a flexible feel.
Traction
The Berner Shift features an M Select Grip outsole which is very durable and provides excellent traction for wearers. The shoe provides enough traction that wearers seemed to feel comfortable using the shoes for light hiking.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Berner Shift Lace is a good choice for runners seeking a good looking shoe for the hours when training is put on hold and life goes on. Whether you want a shoe for quick errands or are looking for a fabulous sneaker to wear with jeans on your next Tinder date, the Merrell Berner not only has an attractive design, it’s also super comfortable. The shoe is sturdy, made of quality materials, supportive, grippy, and well-priced. It’s a great option for anyone, non-runners too, who wants a classy looking walking shoe for any scenario.
