Merrell MQM Flex 2 Low - Women's Review
Cons: Not waterproof, lacks support
Manufacturer: Merrell
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Merrell MQM Flex 2 Low - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $110 List | $190.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $140.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $149.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $124.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Lightweight, breathable, affordable | Superb traction, supportive, waterproof, relatively lightweight | Comfortable, stable, great traction, durable | Lightweight, versatile, great all-around performance | Comfortable, waterproof, excellent traction |
| Cons | Not waterproof, lacks support | May be less durable, expensive | Upper absorbs water (but doesn't leak), a little heavy | Quicklace system not our favorite, didn't feel great with a heavy pack on | Needs breaking in, runs short |
| Bottom Line | If you are looking for a breathable and lightweight hiking shoe for mellow summer hiking, the MQM Flex is worth a look | Utilizing all the latest and greatest technology, this hiking shoe performs well in every hiking metric | While slightly heavy for a hiking shoe, the Sawtooth II is great for pretty much every hiking adventure | A lightweight pair for times when you want to move fast on the trail | A solid performer in most of the metrics we test for, and it's one of the cheapest |
| Rating Categories | MQM Flex 2 Low | Spire GTX | Sawtooth II Low BDry | X Ultra 3 GTX | Merrell Moab 2 WP - Women's |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (20%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | MQM Flex 2 Low | Spire GTX | Sawtooth II Low BDry | X Ultra 3 GTX | Merrell Moab 2 WP... |
| Weight per Pair (Size 7) | 1.22 lbs | 1.61 lbs | 1.83 lbs | 1.50 lbs | 1.69 lbs |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular, Wide | Regular | Regular, Wide |
| Upper | Mesh/thermoplastic polyurethane | Abrasion-resistant mesh | Leather & textile | Synthetic mesh | Suede leather, mesh |
| Midsole | EVA | EVA | Dual density EVA | Injected EVA | EVA |
| Lining | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex Surround | B-Dry | Gore-Tex | Mesh |
| Sole | M Select Grip | Vibram XS Trek | Sawtooth | ContaGrip rubber | Vibram TC5+ |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Comfort
Comfort in a hiking shoe is paramount, and the MQM Flex provides a good amount of cushion underfoot, particularly in the heel. The fabric is soft and flexible and the shoes do not require any breaking in to be comfortable. They are also quite breathable which would make them a great choice for summer hiking.
We did find that the mesh allows fine particles into the shoes and on dusty trails. We removed quite a bit of dirt from these shoes after hikes. The midsole is quite flexible and soft, which makes the shoe feel nimble underfoot, but does not provide much protection from rocks. We enjoyed this model on mellow hikes with a predictable tread underfoot. It does run a bit narrow, especially in the toe box, which is something to keep in mind if you like to have room to wiggle your toes or wear thicker socks. The bottom line is that these shoes are perfectly comfortable on groomed trails and in hot weather, but their comfort quickly suffers as soon as you increase the ruggedness of the terrain.
Support
Lightweight hiking shoes typically don't offer as much stability or support. If you aren't carrying a lot of weight or heading out on multi-day treks, then this might not be an issue. We found that the MQM Flex, though cushioned, does not have much rigidity anywhere in the upper or sole to provide the protection or support that is needed for technical terrain where the surface may be uneven or rocky. Long hikes left us with very tired feet. Shoes that are just a little bit heavier are significantly more stable and allow for longer adventures in more varied terrain.
Traction
With decently deep lugs and sticky Quantum Grip rubber, we were pleased with the traction on the MQM Flex. The lugs held onto looser surfaces well and the rubber was grippy on rock slabs.
Weight
At 1.22 pounds for a pair, the MQM Flex is a very lightweight hiking shoe. The tradeoff here is a lack of support and waterproofness that would make it appropriate for longer hikes in unpredictable weather, or when more weight is being carried. For light and fast hikes in dry weather, however, these shoes would fit the bill.
Water Resistance
The MQM Flex is not waterproof and failed our bucket test, as we would expect a shoe without a liner to do. However, there is a Gore-Tex version of the shoe if waterproofness is a primary concern (though it was not a part of our test), and the price jumps a lot to add this feature. The version we tested was adequate for keeping feet dry on dewy mornings or in a very light drizzle, but we would not recommend them for hikes where the weather might be unpredictable. The tradeoff for waterproofness is a high level of breathability, which can be appropriate for hikers in the desert.
Durability
While synthetic materials are inherently less durable than leather, the MQM Flex has multiple TPU overlays to protect the mesh. Within the period of our test, we could see wrinkles in the sole that indicate that the EVA midsole is being compressed. This is common in lightweight shoes which typically have a shorter life than more durable hikers. We can't confidently expect this shoe to outlast its competition.
Value
This shoe is one of the least expensive in our test. However, it lacks many features that most hikers value in a shoe. If you live in a warm, dry environment or are able to have multiple pairs of hiking shoes, you will find these to be a great value.
Conclusion
For lightweight excursions in dry climates, the MQM Flex is not only affordable, but it is bright and colorful. It lacks versatility, though, and is mostly suitable for shorter, easy hikes.
— Laurel Hunter