In all, they’re so hard-wearing that Merrell bills them as all the best bits of a trail shoe and a hiking boot combined. Plus, unlike many runners they’re fully waterproof – kitted out as they are with Gore-Tex tech. The air cushion in the heel absorbs shock without losing stability. And, although the sole is harder, it is punctuated with dual-directional flex-grooves in the midsole, which are fancy-sounding design tweaks to give you flexibility and agility on uneven ground. The Quantum grip outersole promises ‘mountain-grade traction’, even while moving at speed. Clear that initial hurdle, though, and you’re running free. Which is helpful when it comes to hammering across country paths, of course, but when you’re used to the feather-light uppers and responsive soles of road runners, that lack of comfort can nag in the back of your mind. I admit, swapping to trail shoes takes some getting used to. My saviours have been the Merrell MQM Flex 2. Move Quickly in the Mountains with the Merrell MQM Flex – available at effective home workouts, uplifting stories, easy recipes and advice you can trust, subscribe to Men’s Health UK today
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Even at this stage, well over halfway there, my feet are comfortable, even if no other part of my body is.įor the full story and film visit /untrailed. The grippy sole, Gore-Tex invisible fit (where the Gore-Tex is woven into the panels of the hiker to improve breathability), and light total weight – combined with flexibility and responsiveness to suit a faster pace – on a remarkably simple shoe mean that we have one less thing to worry about. Our objective on the Great Glen Challenge is to move fast and light, covering nearly 200km in four days, and the MQM Flex Trainer is the perfect choice for this style of adventure. We add rocks to a small cairn, pointlessly marking our pointless accomplishment. When we crest the rocky spine, we are heartily rewarded with a view to die for, lochs and Munros in all directions – a special treat in the Highlands. We forge our own path to the summit, crawling with our hands and pumping with our legs, our MQMs tackling the variety of terrain we are throwing at them. Off trail, the glen is a mix of bog and boulder, and my shoes alternate between sinking ankle-deep into sucking mud or grabbing onto slippery bits of rock. We agree to leave the trail and explore the view. See our shipping policy for more details. Australia, Europe, & New Zealand: 48 flat.
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This item qualifies for free UPS Ground shipping to the 48 contiguous United States. A smaller, rocky peak stands between us and the loch. Merrell Womens MQM Flex 2 GORE-TEX 139.95. We ascend above the trees and the High Route levels out, the trail forming an undulating ribbon in front of us, with views of Loch Ness below and to our right, snowy peaks to our left. My feet are light as air, even if my thighs are closer to concrete. The shoes are incredibly light for a trail shoe, and my Day Three legs are grateful. On each footstrike I can feel the rush of blood and my core temperature rising. I smile and run harder, warmth returning to my toes as they flex and bound over puddles and rocks. They naturally connect to and respond to the trail. The trail is a mix of packed dirt, rocky steps, and fresh mud, and my MQM Flex light hikers come into their own here: a hybrid between a trail shoe and a responsive runner, with gentle lugs that grip the loose terrain perfectly, but allow enough motion for my feet to run with full freedom of movement. The wooden sign points towards the High Route, which takes on a literal meaning as the path rises like a wall in front of us. Part of me wishes we could have stayed all day in the warm café at Drumnadrochit where I had tried to warm up over two coffees, but I know that there’s only one thing for it: I need to get running. I pull my gloves on and grip my trekking poles tightly to stimulate blood flow to my fingers. My clothes are wet and it’s too cold outside for them to dry. I’m frozen to the core – teeth chattering, lips blue. Written by Jenny Tough // Photography: Kelvin Trautman