We’ve all learned by now not to judge a book by its cover. Canice: Here in the mountains of Utah it’s the time of year when we’re running a mix of snow and muddy sections of trail combined with dry rocky high desert trails. A brand new shoe in Merrell's trail running lineup, the Merrell MTL Long Sky has the protection and comfort to get you through long days in the mountains. The outsoles are very different too.If we add the Salomon Ride 3 into the mix it would win the day on cushion. With thin socks they are fine. The Mudclaw may be up your alley. Enter the Merrell MTL Skyfire. Good ground feel too but they have a slightly more cushioned feel than Sense Pro 4 which I attribute to the spring within the foam, but the difference is very minor. Sa conception légère (242 g), sa grande adhérence et son empeigne respirante font de la MTL Skyfire … The outsoles are very different too.If we add the Salomon Sense Ride 3 (RTR Review) into the mix it would win the day on cushion. They’re definitely in my daily rotation now and I look forward to many more miles in them. If you like one, there’s a good chance you’ll like the other. The midsole is straightforward in look and feel, but it hits a perfect balance of cushion, being low and on the firm side, but soft enough with adequate protection for most sub-ultra distances. To say I was initially skeptical of the quality would be an understatement. The upper of the MTL Long Sky is constructed with a lightweight, wear-and-tear0resistant, large-pore mesh with a layer of thin but protective thermoplastic … Inviting and Enjoyable in Every Way! It is the longer run sibling to the Fire. The Long Sky’s midsole is a significant departure from what we’ve seen recently from Merrell’s Barefoot trail line, which includes shoes like the Trail Glove 5 and Bare Access XTR. The Merrell® MTL Skyfire trail-running shoes offer a comfortable, vegan-friendly construction with tear-resistant fabric and an aggressive outsole that will see you through mountain … Needs a tight lace up for good midfoot/heel security. The 5 mm lugs give it a pretty standard amount of bite over the usual mix of dirt, mud, and snow, but it really stands out with its incredible grip over rock. You can also follow RoadTrailRun on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram where we publish interesting run related content more frequently as well as links to our latest reviews. New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 Multi Tester Review. TAYLOR: Having slid into the ultra game in the last few years, I’ve become conditioned to seek out cushion for those longer days. When I tried to compare this shoe to other pairs I’ve worn, I ended up with an origin story looking something like this: A. I’ll be honest: When the new Merrell MTL shoe line was introduced to me, I wasn’t even aware that the brand was in the trail running game. It terms of fit while fine the Ride has a superior more secure upper with Long Sky a bit baggy when pushed beyond the support of its stout gusseted tongue. With lightweight, tear-resistant fabric, a medial post and an aggressive Vibram® Megagrip rubber sole, this race-day shoe is everything trail athletes need (& nothing they don’t) to adapt on long runs in … First while they say it is EVA it is pretty clearly a different flavor say compared to Energy Cell+. Seller 100% positive. MTL Long Sky No sky’s the limit. Additionally I was struck by the cushioning of the midsole. Canice: I agree with all of Jacob’s comments regarding the midsole. Mens Merrell MTL Long Sky The Merrell MTL Long Sky has been designed for long days on the trails. 0.0. However, my experience with the Roclite was that it had a dead feel and was harsh on most terrain, compared to the lively, surprisingly cushioned Skyfire. Merrell MTL Skyfire Review: Something New! The aspect which most limits its appeal is its slightly narrow forefoot, so those with wide feet may have issues, unless they’re intending to use it as a short-distance racer only. An EVA midsole with a 6 mm offset (23.5 mm heel to 17.5 mm toe) gives a solid base for responsive running and protection. … They can change on a dime. I LOVE the MTL Skyfire! However, were this shoe not available in its flashy retro digs, I’m not sure I could get past the bland looks to give it a fair shot. (But that’s because of its other performance qualities.) I wonder how it compares to the optivibe in the ride 3 or accelerate? All Rights Reseved . wider toebox), but having great security overall. I have run the Long Sky, on snow, mud, and more recently on dry single track trails. Washington MTL Skyfire brings classic New England attitude to the feet of trail runners everywhere. Cancel reply. The shoe is springy and lively when you want it and secure in tight technical trails. This was the first time I have worn a Merrell running shoe and was surprised how much I liked it. People are going farther that ever before, longer than ever before, and the mountains don’t relent. Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and current. Jacob: Out of the box the Skyfire is visually simple with a solid color mesh and no overlays—not a polished or highly-engineered look, but cleanly minimal. The MTL Skyfire has me doing a hard double-take– rest assured I won’t sleep on Merrell in the future. FREE 2 Day Shipping EASY No Sweat Returns, Join VIP Family, Get Free Shipping and 15% in VIP, All Reviews: Road & Trail Run Shoes, Gear & Tech By Brand, Latest Run Shoe and Gear Reviews & Articles, RTR Team Best of Road & Trail Run 2020. MATT: I’ll be honest: When the new Merrell MTL shoe line was introduced to me, I wasn’t even aware that the brand was in the trail running game. This little shoe eventually started hanging out with a “rugged crowd” and took on the attitude of a Topo Athletic MTN Racer. The Runventure is also harsh and not fun on the road. The best way I can describe the Skyfire is to think of it as something you’ve never experienced but also as something you swear feels familiar. The Runventure is zero drop and relatedly feels far less cushioned overall and doesn’t have the same bounce or forgiving feel of the Skyfire. The aggressive trail runners are ultra-light so nothing holds you back. With the Skyfire, the inner booty and molded TPU heel counter provide a really nice overall fit, sparing you from having to “bolt” or tie yourself into the shoe. Wind blows through in cold weather s exactly where it feels best as having lots ground... 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