SHOE REVIEW: Merrell Long Sky 2

The Merrell Long Sky 2 is the perfect shoe to take for a trail run when you aren’t sure what terrain or conditions you’re going to encounter. With the internal bootie ensuring a constant snug fit, once you have the shoe on, on you may be tempted to run longer than planned. I headed out on a new trail with my dog for a test run that ended up being surprisingly challenging. Despite slogging through some mud and scrambling up some steep sections, my feet were still in such great shape when we hit the destination that we tacked on an extra hour of gorgeous rolling singletrack, to our mutual delight.

Type: Trail
Men’s: 260 g (9.17 oz.)
Women’s: 243 g (8.6 oz.)
Drop: 4 mm
Stack Height: 23.5 mm
Lug Height: 5 mm
Price: $180 CAD

The upper

The Long Sky 2 features a super-breathable upper made of mesh with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) overlays for increased durability. Merrell is also making leaps in environmental sustainability with 100 per cent recycled TPU, mesh footbed cover, tongue webbing and laces. The upper has been redesigned to be lighter and more quick-drying, but it still provides protection from rocks and roots on the trail. The forefoot is very flexible, making it easy to stay in close contact with the ground for constant feedback.

The midsole

While the Merrell Long Sky had an 8 mm drop, the Long Sky 2 has been altered to a more responsive 4 mm drop, fitted with a FloatPro Foam midsole, also found in the popular Moab Flight. At the same time, the durometer (firmness) of the Floatpro foam is just enough to ensure a cushioned and protected sensation.

The outer

Vibram MegaGrip high-performance rubber outsole makes the Long Sky 2 extra grippy on both wet and dry surfaces, and I had no concerns when switching from packed singletrack to slippery, dead-leaf-strewn paths. Gaiter attachments are a great addition, taking them just that notch further in versatility.

The verdict

I took these shoes on a spin during a trail race and noticed a fellow runner also sporting them. We chatted about what we liked about the shoe, and while I appreciated the roomy toe box, she said that the internal bootie kept her more narrow feet perfectly in place. We both appreciated the shoe’s adaptability, along with the flexible forefoot, enabling us to feel responsive to the ground beneath us.

I thoroughly enjoyed test-driving these shoes on trails that varied widely in technicality, and as a runner who occasionally lacks balance, the grippiness was appreciated every step of the way. A huge win for Merrell on embracing sustainability in these trail gems, something many brands are now doing.