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Merrell Agility Peak 5 Review | Worth It In 2026?
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Merrell Agility Peak 5 review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2026. As a seasoned trail runner with over 16 years of experience testing trail running shoes, I recommend these for runners looking for a low-cost, comfortable, and extremely stable trail runner.
For this review, I’ve logged over 80 miles in my personal pair of the Merrell Agility Peak 5, starting in 2024 and continuing testing into 2026.
I know exactly how they feel and perform out on the trails. I’ll go over comfort/fit, traction, stability & support, weight, overall protection, and durability. I’ll be giving a score of each category based on OBJECTIVE testing standards and an overall score with recommendations at the end.
Released in 2024, the Merrell Agility Peak 5 gained a lot of attention due to its lighter build, increased stack height, and very reasonable pricing.
Compared to the Peak 4, the upgrades include a significantly improved Vibram outsole, enhanced stability and support, and a more breathable mesh upper.
Editor’s Note: We updated this post on 12/24 with new insights after further testing miles and new overall protection scoring.
Our Verdict
On technical terrain the Merrell Agility Peak 5 really comes alive. This trail running shoe is for runners who want traction and stability on uneven ground.
The Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs bites into rocks, roots, and mud, so you can tackle tough trails with confidence. The built-in rock plate adds underfoot protection, so you can run over sharp rocks and debris without bruising your feet.
The FloatPro foam midsole is the perfect balance of cushioning and responsiveness, making the Agility Peak 5 great for both short and long distances. After running over 80 miles in the Agility Peak 5, I can confidently say the durability will hold up long term. We rated the Agility Peak 5 8.4/10
Agility Peak 5 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent stability on technical terrain
- Rock plate for superior protection
- Gore-tex (waterproof) options available
- Gaiter compatibility
- Engineered with sustainable materials
- Built for the long haul, durable and suitable for extended trail adventures
Cons
- Very firm ride
- Needs Better Heel Cushioning
- Fits larger than expected
- Not recommended for runners who primarily run on smooth paths or gravel alone
Watch this Full Review on YouTube!
If you want to see these in action, my 9:30 YouTube review breaks everything down category-by-category with real trail footage. You’ll see how the FloatPro foam handles impact on descents without feeling dead on climbs, and how the Vibram Megagrip holds on wet rock and loose dirt. That 6mm drop also felt like a solid middle ground for steep descents and technical scrambles.
Should you buy the Merrell Agility Peak 5 ?
Buy if
- You want one of the best budget trail shoes on the market
- You prefer a moderate stack height
- You are looking for a trail runner that can handle technical terrain
- You are looking for a trail runner similar to the Hoka Speedgoat 5
DON’T Buy if
- You prefer MAXIMUM cushioning and comfort
- You primarily run on pavement and gravel
- You prefer a minimalist, zero-drop shoe for responsiveness like the Altra Lone Peak 9+
Compare To Similar Products
Best Budget Trail Runner
8.4
Merrell Agility Peak 5
Our best budget trail running shoe. Premium materials like the Vibram outsole and quality upper
Top-Rated Trail Runner
8.3
Hoka Challenger 7
Top-rated trail running shoe for light to moderate trail runners. Excellent cushioning and fit. Does not appeal to the hardcore trail runner.
Top-Rated Trail Runner
8.1
Salomon Speedcross 6
One of the best overall trail runners. Excellent on-trail performance with waterproofness. Improved from previous model
Merrell Agility Peak 5 Price
At the time of this writing, the Merrell Agility Peak 5 retails for $140, but I found some awesome deals on Backcountry.com for as low as $105.
As an independent reviewer, I purchase all products myself. Some links may be affiliate links that support the site at no cost to you
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Merrell Peak 5 Comfort & Fit : 7.5/10 (20%)
Immediately once I put on the Peak 5’s, I felt there was more than enough room throughout the shoe.
The forefoot and midfoot cushioning felt comfortable, but the heel was noticeably stiffer, especially during initial step-in. That stiffness improves stability on trail, but it does come at the expense of out-of-box comfort. The shoe provides good arch support, contributing to midfoot stability and comfort.
The gusseted tongue is very stiff and somewhat immobile, which made the shoe harder to get into at first. I had to twist it slightly just to slide my foot in. Once on, though, it stayed secure and did a great job keeping debris out without creating pressure points.
Once out on the trail, I observed my right heel had a moderate amount of slipping. I was able to perform heel locking lacing for my right shoe, which corrected the slipping right away. Another cure for this is thicker socks as well.
At first, I thought the new TPU overlays in the Peak 5 upper would be very compressive however they were the exact opposite. The upper was very voluminous and inviting. The heel cup, heel collar, and heel counter all contribute to heel stability and comfort, providing a secure and supportive fit around the ankle and heel.
The toe box I measured at 3.5 in wide, which is about the same as the Merrell Moab 3. Some users consider the toe box narrow for individuals with wider feet, necessitating size adjustments, but there is enough wiggle room for most users. Overall, the shoe is definitely long. I would recommend purchasing your size or even sizing down ½ size.
The FloatPro™ Foam midsole is decently comfortable, but it doesn’t feel as plush as a softer EVA setup.
The foam midsole gives just enough cushioning for a comfortable ride, yet not too much to take away the responsiveness for those of you that are training your stride, or trail feel.
The shock absorption of the Merrell Agility 5 is average. I didn’t experience any crazy sore joints or such while on the trail or after my runs. While climbing loose gravel during testing, the trail feedback made it very hard to overstride. Every time I tried to lengthen my stride, I could feel my rear foot slipping slightly. I naturally adjusted by taking quicker steps and landing more on my midfoot, and the shoe gave me clear feedback when I was loading too much weight onto the trail.
However, don’t expect the shock absorption to be up to par with something like the Mafate 5. There’s always a trade-off between cushioning and trail performance, and I’ll get into that more in the stability section.
Overall, the comfort and fit of the Merrell Peak 5 is average. The fit, as we said, is a little on the larger size. The comfort is about what you’d expect for an extremely stable, technical trail runner.
Traction: 9/10 (20%)
The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is equipped with the Vibram Megagrip outsole with unique 5 mm multi directional lugs. The lugs over the midfoot are X-shaped which create an excellent bite in wet and dry conditions.
I tested them in snow, dirt, gravel, mud, sandstone, limestone, and about every other even or uneven terrain you could imagine.
The lug pattern is a real game changer, this one is made for trail runners looking for extreme grip.
The lugs on the medial and lateral aspects of the shoe are V-shaped, which are outstanding for hillside running and scrambling. They also provide excellent lateral stability and traction when running across hillsides or descending steep terrain.
The V-shaped lugs also do a great job shedding mud out quickly and effectively.
The grip holds exceptionally well on uneven terrain, this is where the stiff midsole makes up for the issues with comfort. The outsole provides a super secure grip on rugged and slippery terrain, giving runners confidence on challenging surfaces.
Transitioning to gravel or asphalt is not an issue. While the traction does excellent in all terrains due to the aggressive lug pattern, I would not suggest running a lot on asphalt or concrete which will prematurely wear the excellent grippy outsole. If you are looking for more of a road-to-trail shoe, check out the Hoka Challenger 8.
Overall, the Merrell Agility Peak 5 has some of the best grip and traction I have ever tested on a single pair of trail runners. This shoe is ideal for the hardcore trail runner looking for premium performance.
Stability & Support 8.5/10 (20%)
The biggest difference I noticed right away in the Peak 5 vs the Peak 4 was the high heel stack height. The stack height measures 32 mm, placing it firmly in the moderate-to-high cushioning category for trail runners.
I measured the drop at 6 mm, which leans a bit more toward heel strikers and matched what I felt throughout testing.
The upper hugs the top and sides of my foot in a nice secure fashion, inhibiting any internal movement. This really is a nice value-add for stability. The upper really inhibited me from overpronating during testing.
I must mention the stiffness of the Merrell Agility Peak because of how much it adds to the stability of the shoe overall. I was able to run through pretty uneven technical terrain with overall excellent stability provided through the stiffness of the outsole.
The torsional rigidity of the Merrell Peak 5 is excellent. The added TPU within the upper really adds that extra layer of rigidity to you need for an internally stable shoe.
The stability of the heel is increased by the wide heel platform of this model. I experienced some of the best heel stability I have ever tested in a trail runner with the Merrell Agility Peak 5.
The Merrell Peak 5 has some of the best stability and support you can ask for in a trail runner. The hindfoot stability is robust and highly sought after by heel strikers. This is definitely a great shoe for technical and rough terrain.
Weight 8.5/10 (15%)
I weighed my men’s 10.5 at 10.5 oz. The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is definitely a “midweight” trail runner which is expected from all the stability and traction technology it possesses. It weighs the same as the Hoka Challenger 7 for comparison.
At just over 10 ounces, this puts the Agility Peak 5 right around average for a stability-focused trail runner. If you want performance and excellent stability the Merrell Peak 5 is an excellent option.
How’s The Overall Protection Of The Merrell Peak 5?
The Merrell Agility 5 incorporates a rock plate for underfoot protection, especially against rough terrain. This really came in handy during descents where I was pounding down on my mid foot, protecting against sharp rocks or roots.
The 26mm forefoot stack with the added rock plate does a really good job of keeping the forefoot well protected against roots and sharp objects on the trail.
The engineered mesh is extremely breathable, especially while trail running in the summer. The mesh is still robust enough to not easily rip on the trail. This helps keep your feet cool and reduces the risk of blisters and hotspots during long runs.
There is an option of the Gore-Tex membrane for users who want waterproof protection. The shoe we tested out was the non-waterproof version of the Agility 5.
Overall, for a technical terrain trail runner, the “ruggedness” of the Merrell Agility Peak 5 brings a lot of overall protection to the table.
Merrell Agility 5 Overall Protection 9/10 (10%)
Durability 8/10 (10%)
After roughly 80 miles of testing, the outsole has held up extremely well. The lugs still have their original shape, with no rounding, chipping, or premature smoothing. Even the high-wear zones at the heel and outer forefoot show no meaningful loss of edge.
In my experience, around the 80-mile mark is when a lot of trail shoes begin to lose some edge control, particularly through the forefoot on off-camber sections. At this point, that drop-off hasn’t shown up yet.
The durable engineered mesh has shown impressive longevity without breakdown or rips and tears.
One issue some customers have reported involves the lace eyelets ripping out after a couple of months. I haven’t experienced it so far, but I can see how it could happen because the mesh around that area is pretty thin. If it happens in my pair, we’ll update this post
The Agility Peak 5 is definitely made with durable materials made to withstand the elements. The high-quality Vibram outsole, with its aggressive lugs, maintains excellent traction even after extended use on rugged terrain.
Is the Merrell Agility Peak 5 worth it?
If you are looking for a high performing, extremely stable trail runner without the premium price tag, the Merrell Agility Peak 5 should definitely be at the top of your list.
The Agility Peak 5 has earned a spot on my list of top trail runners, especially for hillside running and steep, uneven ascents.
Getting this kind of rugged trail runner for less than $100 is nearly unheard of.
The 6mm heel-to-toe drop makes sense for runners who want extra cushioning and support on long, technical trails, providing a balance between comfort and responsiveness.
The strengths of this shoe is the traction, stability, performance and price!
If you are looking for more comfort, with around the same performance, consider the Salomon Speedcross 6 or Salomon Sense Ride 5. For more technical terrain trail runners looking for more responsiveness and sensitivity take a look at the Altra Lone Peak 9+.
The Agility Peak 5 hits the sweet spot between affordability and trail-ready performance.
Value: 4.5/5 (5%)
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort & Fit (20%): 7.5/10
Traction (20%) : 9/10
Stability & Support (20%): 8.5/10
Weight (15%) : 8.5/10
Overall Protection (10%) : 9/10
Durability (10%) : 8 / 10
Value (5%) : 4.5 / 5
Total Weighted Score:
1.50 + 1.80 + 1.70 + 1.275 + 0.90 + 0.80 + 0.45 = 8.425 / 10
Our Rating: 8.4 / 10
As an independent reviewer, I purchase all products myself. Some links may be affiliate links that support the site at no cost to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Merrell Agility Peak 5 good for running?
Yes! The Merrell Agility Peak 5 are great for running. Trail running-wise they are excellent, be careful running on flat pavement all the time, this can cause premature outsole wear.
Are The Merrell Agility 5 Waterproof?
Yes the Merrell Agility Peak 5 comes in a gore tex version for purchase. This adds about another $20 to the price compared to the non-waterproof option.
Does The Merrell Agility Peak 5 Come In Wide Fit?
No, they do not come in a wide fit. However, they are a very voluminous shoe the toe box width is larger than the average trail running shoe.
Is Merrell Agility Peak 5 a stable shoe?
Yes! The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is an extremely stable shoe. They scored an 8.5/10 in our stability and support testing. The stack height, with combined TPU reinforcement really adds to the stability.
How does Merrell Agility Peak 5 fit?
The Agility Peak 5 fits more on the bigger side. I recommend moving a ½ size down or staying at your normal size.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Merrell Agility Peak 5 since their release, with continued testing into 2026, to give you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
Over the past 16+ years, I’ve logged thousands of trail miles across everything from smooth single-file roads to steep, technical singletrack. This includes long-distance runs in the Rockies, muddy East Coast climbs, loose desert terrain, and fast descents through alpine switchbacks.
This kind of firsthand testing lets me assess how a trail running shoe actually performs, whether it offers real stability, dependable grip across varied terrain, and long-term durability under real-world mileage.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Adventure Awaits,
Tyler
Tyler
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
