Merrell MTL Skyfire

Review Score
80%
🏅 Highly Rated
See 9 reviews
Your rating
Price band

Buy Merrell MTL Skyfire at today's best price (men's/women's)

UK

Merrell MTL Skyfire: Review

“A lightweight, fast shoe designed for maximum performance in trail races.”

Overview


The Merrell MTL Skyfire is a trail running shoe designed for maximum performance in races. It is a lightweight and fast shoe that combines the best materials and advanced technologies. The shoe is aimed at runners with good technique and is suitable for short and explosive distances. It offers lightness, grip, and a design that is ideal for greasy terrain. The shoe has a midsole made from a new BZM material that provides stability and acceleration. The upper is composed of an ultra-light TPU mesh that offers breathability. The outsole features FloatPro Foam and a Vibram MegaGrip® outsole with multidirectional lugs for extra grip and traction. The shoe is recommended for fast and demanding runners and is suitable for both racing and training.

According to our analysis of reviews from experts around the world, it averages a review score of 80%. This puts it rated just above the median rating of comparable running shoes. According to our analysis of prices across the internet, at current rates it's just below the median price of running shoes.

Verdict

The consensus on the Merrell MTL Skyfire


The Merrell MTL Skyfire is a trail running shoe that delivers on its promise of speed and performance. Its lightweight design and advanced technologies make it an excellent choice for runners looking for a shoe that can handle short, explosive distances. The shoe's midsole, made from a new BZM material, provides stability and acceleration, while the ultra-light TPU mesh upper offers breathability. The outsole, featuring FloatPro Foam and a Vibram MegaGrip® outsole with multidirectional lugs, provides extra grip and traction. Overall, the Merrell MTL Skyfire is a highly recommended shoe for fast and demanding runners.

Comparable Shoes


Compared to the Merrell Trail Glove 5, the Merrell MTL Skyfire is lighter and faster, making it better suited to racing. However, the Trail Glove 5 offers more ground feel, which some runners may prefer.



The Merrell Bare Access XTR is another lightweight trail running shoe from Merrell. However, the MTL Skyfire offers more grip and traction, making it a better choice for more technical trails.



The Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator is a more rugged and durable trail shoe compared to the MTL Skyfire. However, the MTL Skyfire is lighter and faster, making it a better choice for racing.

5 Merrell MTL Skyfire Pros & Cons


3 Pros

Lightweight and fast design
Good grip and traction
Breathable upper

2 Cons

Narrow toe box may not be suitable for runners with wider feet
Focus on speed and performance may not be suitable for those who prefer a shoe with a lot of cushioning

In Depth


Upper

The upper of the Merrell MTL Skyfire is composed of an ultra-light TPU mesh that offers excellent breathability. This ensures that your feet stay cool and dry during your runs, regardless of the weather conditions. The mesh material is also highly durable, ensuring that the shoe can withstand the rigors of trail running.

Midsole

The midsole of the Merrell MTL Skyfire is made from a new BZM material. This material provides stability and acceleration, making the shoe ideal for runners who want to push their pace. The midsole also offers a good amount of cushioning, ensuring that your feet stay comfortable during your runs.

Outsole

The outsole of the Merrell MTL Skyfire features FloatPro Foam and a Vibram MegaGrip® outsole with multidirectional lugs. This provides extra grip and traction, making the shoe ideal for running on a variety of terrains, including greasy and uneven surfaces.

Size/fit

The Merrell MTL Skyfire is designed to fit true to size. However, some runners may find that the shoe has a narrow toe box, which may not be suitable for those with wider feet. It is recommended to try the shoe on before purchasing to ensure a comfortable fit.

Comfort

Despite its lightweight design, the Merrell MTL Skyfire does not compromise on comfort. The shoe's midsole provides a good amount of cushioning, while the breathable upper ensures that your feet stay cool and dry. This makes the shoe comfortable to wear for both short and long runs.

Who should buy the Merrell MTL Skyfire?


The Merrell MTL Skyfire is ideal for runners who are looking for a lightweight and fast shoe that can handle short, explosive distances. It is particularly suited to those who run on trails and need a shoe with good grip and traction. The shoe's breathability and comfort also make it a good choice for runners who value these features.

Who should not buy the Merrell MTL Skyfire?


The Merrell MTL Skyfire may not be the best choice for runners with wider feet, due to its narrow toe box. It may also not be suitable for those who prefer a shoe with a lot of cushioning, as the shoe's focus is on speed and performance rather than plush comfort.

Merrell MTL Skyfire: What's it good for?


The Merrell MTL Skyfire is good for trail running and is designed to handle a variety of terrains. It is also good for short, explosive distances, thanks to its lightweight design and advanced technologies. The shoe's breathability makes it good for running in warm weather.

4 Merrell MTL Skyfire FAQs


Is the Merrell MTL Skyfire true to size?

Yes, the Merrell MTL Skyfire is designed to fit true to size. However, some runners may find that the shoe has a narrow toe box, so it may not be suitable for those with wider feet.

What type of terrain is the Merrell MTL Skyfire suitable for?

The Merrell MTL Skyfire is suitable for a variety of terrains, including trails. Its outsole features FloatPro Foam and a Vibram MegaGrip® outsole with multidirectional lugs, providing extra grip and traction.

Is the Merrell MTL Skyfire breathable?

Yes, the Merrell MTL Skyfire is highly breathable. Its upper is composed of an ultra-light TPU mesh that allows air to circulate, keeping your feet cool and dry during your runs.

Is the Merrell MTL Skyfire suitable for long runs?

The Merrell MTL Skyfire is designed for short, explosive distances. However, its comfort and breathability make it suitable for longer runs as well.

Merrell MTL Skyfire alternatives



Merrell MTL Skyfire
Now viewing

Merrell MTL Skyfire
bestDealShow prices
priceBand
Price band
released
Released
Feb 2020
Jun 2019May 2020May 2022
expertReviewScore
Expert Review Score












productAthletes
Pro athlete users

Jan MargaritClare Gallagher
Weight
Weight
M: 241 g
W: 213 g
326 g
M: 221 g
W: 176 g
343 g
360 g
289 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
18 mm
15 mm
23 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
6 mm
4 mm
12 mm
12 mm
4 mm
Heel
Heel
24 mm
19 mm
27 mm
Terrain
Terrain
Trail
TrailTrailTrailTrailSnow/iceTrail
Brand
Brand
Merrell
New BalanceLa SportivaPUMAPUMASaucony
Support Type
Support Type
Neutral
NeutralNeutralNeutralNeutralNeutralStability
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
Lightweight
LightweightLow drop
Low drop
Breathable
Breathable
Rock plate
Rock plate
Orthotic friendly
Orthotic friendly
Removable insole
Removable insole
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
Sustainable
0

Merrell MTL Skyfire: what the experts say (1 review)

Merrell MTL Skyfire: 3 Expert video reviews

Merrell MTL Skyfire: 5 Manufacturer videos

Merrell MTL Skyfire characteristics and specifications

Characteristics
SportsRunning (+2049)
TerrainTrail (+533)
BrandMerrell (+34)
Support TypeNeutral (+1603)
Pronation TypeNeutral pronation (+1578)
Strike TypeFore/Midfoot strike (+1115)Heel strike (+1097)
Arch TypeHigh arch (+1525)
Shoe TypeLightweight (+409)
FitNarrow toe box (+222)
FeaturesBreathable (+753)Rock plate (+127)
MaterialsReflective (+181)
EventsFell running (+59)
ColorwaysBlack, Black / White / Grey, Blue / Orange, Granite, Green / Olive / White, Green / Orange, Grey, Orange, Orange / White, Pink / Blue
Specificationsvs Average
Released
Feb 2020
Measurements
Weight
M: 241 g
W: 213 g
Heel to toe drop
6 mm
Heel
24 mm
Forefoot
18 mm

Related guides

AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
new!
Sync your parkrun results to your Strava activities
Profile picture
Tom Green
December 2, 2024 at 9:55 AM
Gunnersbury parkrun #230 (my #3️⃣4️⃣)
📊 Stats by geerly 👟 🕒 Official time: 00:22:45 | Course PB 🚨 🏁 Overall position: 35/549 🚹 Gender position: 21/299 🎯 Age grade: 61%