Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx Performance Review

The Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx is Merrell’s first attempt at adding maximum amounts of soft cushion to its well-regarded trail running shoe line. Was Merrell able to bridge the gap between modern trends and its more flexible and minimalistic trail line? Let’s find out.

What is the Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx?

Merrell begins the MTL Adapt Matryx’s product description with a clear claim: “Elite Cushioning and Durability Combined.” The copy continues, “built for our athletes competing in ultra marathons, this shoe is perfect for long days on both rugged terrains and smooth trails with enduring all-day cushioning.”

Pretty straightforward here by Merrell. The MTL Adapt Matryx is a shoe built with a lot of cushioning and durability for running long distances over difficult terrain. That’s a solid value proposition for a trail running shoe.

Cushion

The Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx utilizes FloatPro foam. We were able to chat with the Merrell team at The Running Event about this particular midsole makeup. Underfoot, as an inner layer of foam, you have a nitrogen-infused, supercritical foam that is springy and responsive. Encased around this inner layer is a thinner, outer EVA layer that’s a denser and stiffer foam, meant to protect the softer inner foam and your foot. 

My first impression of the Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx was that it was noticeably stiffer than I would’ve expected, likely due to the outer EVA layer. However, after a break-in period of ~50 miles, the shoe softened up, and I started to feel the supercritical layer really perform.

The midsole reminds me a lot of the Hoka Mafate Speed 4, allowing for a smooth ride without being too soft and squishy. It definitely provides a little pop. It’s a sturdy midsole, and I felt like the foam combination made for a great ride, walking the line between pillow and concrete. I particularly liked the way this shoe performed on downhills, finding I was able to push pace and still feel some stability.

Visually, perhaps the most striking part of the shoe is the FLEXconnect midsole design, which is seen in the caterpillar-like grooves that run on the outside of the midsole. These aren’t just visual cues – FLEXconnect is designed to allow for flexion in the midsole and give the runner more groundfeel than a typical high-stack shoe would deliver. I liked this shoe on uphills and downhills more than, say, the Brooks Caldera 8, as I felt I had better foot control. Kudos to Merrell for this interesting design. If you want a high-stack shoe that is still somewhat nimble, the Adapt Matryx could work for you.

Upper

I love the upper and fit of the Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx. The obvious point here is that the Matryx upper is sturdy and bombproof. It’s going to last a long time without being too stiff and uncomfortable. 

I loved the way my foot sat in this shoe, with the gusset cupping nicely around my foot. Despite the look of the shoe, it felt like I was sitting lower and more securely in it. The tongue was comfortable and not too thick. There’s a padded heel collar that’s also comfortable and different from some of the more minimal models in Merrell’s high-performance lineup. I used the heel lockdown lacing and haven’t experienced slipping, which adds to the shoe’s ability to perform in more technical environments. 

The upper provides plenty of space, and the toebox seems to be a bit roomier than in the Agility Peak 5. You may need some break-in for your foot to really settle into this shoe, but once it does, you won’t want to take it off.

Traction

Merrell goes with a Vibram Megagrip outsole that features a 4mm lug pattern with microlug traction. The outsole is constructed with the FLEXconnect in mind, engineered around the grooves instead of as one flat piece of rubber. This allows more movement and groundfeel. I could always use a 5mm lug, but I didn’t find any issue with the performance of the outsole here. It’s Vibram – what else can you expect? We already know that you’re almost guaranteed a good outsole when Vibram is involved. 

Kudos to Merrell again for the ingenuity when designing this outsole. The shape works to the shoe’s advantage and allows the outsole to adapt to multiple terrains.

Is the Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx wide foot friendly?

The Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx gets a yes from me. It feels wide enough to accommodate most wide-footers.

Is the Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx worth $180?

Merrell pro Coree Woltering has put around 800 miles on a pair of the Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx, and I was able to see said pair at The Running Event. The shoe will hold up for a long time. The $180 price tag is in line with comparable models from other brands and many of the shoes on our best trail shoe list.

Cons

I truly don’t have a big con for this shoe other than the fact that it’s not super flashy. Like I mentioned while discussing the midsole, the Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx strikes a balance between stiff and squishy. If you’re looking for one or the other, this shoe won’t provide that. It’s also a lot of shoe; so it can feel a little clunky at times, especially before you really break it in.

Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx Summary

This is an awesome and innovative high-stack shoe from Merrell. I was pleasantly surprised to see the MTL Adapt Matryx break into a comfortable and somewhat nimble option. The FLEXconnect midsole actually makes a difference for ground control. So although this is a max-cushion shoe, the design allows it to be more versatile than a traditional cushioned option. 

Visually, it looks like you’re standing on a platform; but you’ll find the step-in keeps your foot secure and feeling lower-to-the-ground than expected. I like this option as a new entrant to some of the high-performance, high-stack shoes in the game right now. All smiles from me with the Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx on-foot. Hats off to Merrell!

How does the Author Run?

Sam Lohse (age 28, 6’0″, 170 lbs): Runs daily, sometimes morning/night doubles, with one rest day a week (typically). Hangs right around 40-50 miles a week in general unless in race-specific training. Races distances from 50K to 100 miles, almost always on the trails.

Disclosure

While Merrell did provide a pair of the MTL Adapt Matryx to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.