Article by Renee Krusemark and Sam Winebaum
Merrell ProMorph ($160)
Pros:
Secure and comfortable upper fit: Renee/Sam
Nimble ride on trail yet smooth on gravel: Renee/Sam
Well designed geometry: effective rockers with some front flex: Sam
Quality Vibram rubber outsole: Renee / Sam
Cons:
Firm midsole: Renee
Rear rocker design leads to a somewhat firm/dense landing at slow paces, disappears off the heels
Stats
Spec or Approx. Weight: men's 9.4 oz / 267g women’s 7.06 oz / 200g Sample Weights:
women’s 8.04 oz / 228 g US8
men’s : 9.2 oz / 261g US8.5 sample
Stack Height: 32.5 mm heel / 26.6 mm forefoot
Platform Width: 90mm heel / 80mm midfoot / 107mm forefoot
Most comparable shoes (see detailed comparisons at end of review)
Hoka Challenger 7
Nike Pegasus Trail 5
Salomon Aero Glide GRVL
Saucony Ride TR 2
Altra Experience Wild 2
Scarpa Golden Gate 2
Mount to Coast T1
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Renee: We had a preview of the ProMorph during the 2024 The Running Event and after enjoying the $100 budget Morphlite (RTR Review), I was looking forward to this shoe. The more trail-ultra MTL Adapt Matryx (RTR Review) was too much of a shoe for me and the ProMorph offers a much lighter, more diverse option .
The upper is a synthetic mesh upper with 100% recycled laces and mesh lining. The breathability is good and the overlays provide a secure fit for uneven and trail surfaces.
The fit is “athletic” and because of the midfoot rocker, the midfoot width is narrow to average.
For wider foot runners, I suggest the available wide version. The sizing is on par with other Merrell shoes. As someone between half sizes, I prefer the half size up to provide a roomier forefoot. The heel and tongue are moderately padded and the lace tuck is useful.
Overall, the fit and security of the upper match the shoe’s intended purpose: secure for trail and comfortable for gravel roads (or paved roads, although I don’t run paved roads).
Sam: The main upper material is a thin very pliable mesh.
A firm heel counter with foot sitting down in the foam side walls and longitudinal substantial overlays, a thick non stretch tongue gusset provide plenty of support while keeping the upper from feeling stiff or heavy.
The lace up is easy, never needing to adjust on the go, reminding me, as does the overall fit and hold of many Saucony, another company in the Wolverine family along with Merrell.
The toe box is somewhat pointy and the shoe runs close to half size short in length for me.
If you have a higher volume foot or a “long” toe consider a half size up here or the available wide version. That said, the soft and pliable toe box mesh provides a comfortable, very secure fit with plenty of volume just back of the very front area at the toe bumper.
This is an even technical trail worthy upper and a comfortable one. The styling is quite frankly quite boring
Midsole & Platform
Renee: If the shoe has one negative, it’s the firm midsole. For softer terrain and single track, the firm midsole helps with a solid stable landing and I don’t notice the midfoot rocker in those instances. For rolling gravel roads, I would need a touch more forgiveness underfoot for long distances. I never wore the shoe for more than 16 miles at a time on that type of terrain. For single track with a mix of paces, the shoe has enough midsole for long duration runs for runners who don’t need max cushion underfoot. The rocker will cater to those with a midfoot landing, although, because of its dual directional FlexConnect grooves, the shoe runs well from a forefoot landing while climbing or running hills, to a degree depending on debris as the outsole does not have deep lugs).
Sam: Renee and I most often see eye to eye when it comes to midsoles but here not quite. The FloatPro+ foam here is yes quite dense and firm to pressing but on the run has not quite have a springy or bouncy feel bt does have some good rebound and a forgiving feel. I reminds me of Salomon Energy Foam, an EVA/OBC blend or Saucony PWRRUN with a touch more bounce.
Given the 32.5 mm heel / 26.6 mm forefoot stack height and 90mm heel / 80mm midfoot / 107mm forefoot platform width, the weight is very reasonable at 9.4 oz / 267g in a men’s US9, maybe pointing to a supercritical EVA blend of some kind. Merrell doesn't say what compounds it uses. Regardless the midsole has a solid well cushioned and stable feel appropriate for the shoe’s uses but lacking in big excitement.
The excellent geometry here really helps move it along. We have both a rear and front rocker profile with a front flex point which I found very helpful on uphills and for picking up the pace.
The front rocker is long and really helps the shoe turn over. The rear rocker is also effective at faster paces (10:15 mile or faster on the flats for me) although at slower paces may contribute to the firm feel Renee noticed and to a certain extent I did too. I found the front cushion plentiful and toe offs quite agile and fun.
Outsole
Renee: The Vibram XS Trek Evo outsole is a tacky rubber good for traction on wet terrain. As stated in the midsole section, the flex grooves work great to provide a forefoot take off when running uphill despite the shoe’s strong midfoot rocker.
The outsole does not have traditional trail shoe lugs so the traction on loose debris surfaces is limited. For gravel country roads or running on thick loose gravel, I’m not getting the grip I would with a non-rocker shoe with lugs. So while the forefoot takeoff is good because of the flex grooves on smooth surfaces, it can be limiting on loose rock. '
Sam: The outsole white Vibram XS Trek EVO rubber is laid out in a pattern designed to provide light trail grip while delivering a smooth ride on railtrails, easy forest paths, and roads. The front flex grooves contribute to effectiveness of the front rocker of the shoe.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Renee: The ProMorph is a quality choice as an uptempo daily trainer for gravel or moderate trail for runners who like a midfoot rocker. If I had to list a con about the shoe, it’s the firm midsole. The firmness actually helps on single track because it provides stability that counters the rocker on uneven landings. For runnable gravel, the firmness limits the comfort for long runs. The shoe feels nimble and controllable thanks to the secure and comfortable upper fit. Wide footed runners should elect for the wide version.
Renee’s Score: 9.125/10 (Ride 8.5/10, Fit 9.5/10, Value 9/10, Style 9.5/10, Traction 9/10, Protection 10/10)
Sam: So far I have taken the Pro Morph on gravel, pavement, soft forest paths and hard packed granite dust trails. It delivered a well if somewhat densely cushioned ride but stable ride on all surfaces.
Most notable with the ride is the long front rocker, decent front flexibility, and stable rear of the shoe. The heel rocker may be over accentuated for slower paces leading to somewhat firm landings but picking up the pace and landing further forward this went away,
One really fine upper here that provides road shoe like comfort in a supportive trail shoe package. It balances road comfort and pretty much any trails support just right for me, is easy to lace, and disappears on the foot. I would recommend a half size up if you are between sizes due to its slightly short length in my TTS pair where I have just under a thumb’s width in what is a somewhat pointy toe box.
The Pro Morph overall gets very close to great for easy trails, gravel, and door to trail. A bit livelier, less dense midsole and it would get there. As it stands now ,it is a fine cruiser for moderate to faster paces on smooth and mixed terrain.
Sam's Score: 9.15 /10
Ride 8.9/10, Fit 9.6/10, Value 9/10, Style 8/10, Traction 9/10, Protection 9.5/10)
7 Comparisons
Hoka Challenger 7 (RTR Review)
Renee: Both shoes have a midfoot rocker but work well for single track forefoot landings with control on switchbacks and descents/ascents. While they are hybrid shoes, I prefer both on trail more so than gravel because of the rocker and the firm midsoles. The advantage of the ProMorph is the Vibram outsole rubber. The Challenger is a slightly lighter shoe and I find the midsole more comfortable for long runs. I wore a half size shorter in the Challenger as someone between half sizes.
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 (RTR Review)
Renee: The Peg Trail has a much softer and forgiving midsole along with a traditional ride (no rocker). The Peg Trail 5 is less friendly on trail as compared to v4 and compared to the ProMorph. The Peg Trail has lugs to help with loose terrain although the traction on the ProMorph outsole is far better. As a casual run shoe, the Peg Trail 5. For running on trail, the ProMorph. Sizing is comparable although I prefer a half size shorter in the Nike as someone between half sizes.
Salomon Aero Glide GRVL (RTR Review)
Renee: Both are marketed as gravel shoes, but they are very different. The Salomon has a much softer and forgiving midsole, almost too soft for anything uneven. For trail or anything uneven I much prefer the ProMorph. For long runs on rail trails or smooth gravel, the Salomon. The ProMorph has a much more secure upper and better outsole rubber. Neither shoe has actual lugs. I don’t have the Aero Blaze GRVL but that shoe will be more similar to the ProMorph than the Aero Glide GRVL. The Aero Glide runs a half size long for me.
Sam: Agree with Renee that the Salomon has softer and bouncier midsole and is more fun to run. But it lags the Merrell in upper support and stability.
Saucony Ride TR 2 (RTR Review)
Renee: The Ride TR has a traditional higher drop and no rocker along with a firm midsole, but one that is not as firm as the ProMorph’s. For a more secure fit and nimble shoe on trail, the ProMorph is better. For longer runs and casual paces on gravel roads or trail rail, the Ride TR works better. Sizing is comparable.
Altra Experience Wild 2 (RTR Review)
Renee: The Wild 2 is more forgiving and flexing underfoot but doesn’t have the same protection as the ProMorph. The forefoot and overall width are greater in the Wild 2 although it’s not a sloppy fit (just not as secure). For a diverse shoe, the Wild 2 works better on a mix of trail and gravel for me because it provides a bit more ground and a less aggressive midfoot rocker. Sizing is comparable although I prefer a half size shorter in the Wild 2.
Scarpa Golden Gate 2 (RTR Review)
Renee: The GG2 has more ground feel and is much more flexing from a mix of foot landings. It’s a heavier shoe without as much protection, but it works better on trail for that reason. For protection and a midfoot rocker, the ProMorph is better. For any other reasons, I’d opt for the GG2. Sizing is similar.
Sam: Yes as Renee says the Scarpa has more ground feel but somewhat less cushion. It is a more trails focused shoe with a very secure best in class upper. That said if you prefer a more direct trail leaning ride in a mixed terrain shoe it is a better choice
Mount to Coast T1 (RTR Review)
Sam: The new T1 has a considerably more energetic (and lighter) supercritical foam midsole, superior traction with a fully any trails worthy outsole. It’s very adjustable upper will accommodate wider feet better than the Pro Morph’s but for my narrower feet is not quite as secure as the Merrell upper. While a trails shoe, the T1 for me is also a superior choice to the Merrell for gravel due to its superior energy return and is also somewhat lighter at 9 oz / 255g US 8.5 with 3.5 mm more stack height.
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
The ProMorph is available at Merrell
women and men SHOP HERE
Tester Profiles
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
No comments:
Post a Comment