Merrell Agility Peak 5 Review | Worth It In 2025?
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.
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 2025. As a seasoned trail runner with over 12 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 have put in over 40+ miles into testing my own personal pair of the Merrell Peak 5 throughout 2024 with continued testing into 2025.
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 Peak 5 sales grew substantially quick due to the lightweight construction, new stack height, and very reasonable pricing.
Compared to the Peak 4, The upgrades consisted of a significantly improved Vibram outsole, enhanced stability and support, and a more breathable mesh outer.
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, with a stiff pre
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+
Challenger 7 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
Cons
Very firm ride
Needs better heel cushioning
Fit larger than expected
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.
Get up to 20% OFF on the Merrell Peak 5 (Do NOT pay retail):
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. However, I couldn’t help but feel both of my heels digging into the stiff midsole.
The forefoot and midfoot cushioning was good, but the heel was much stiffer especially when trying them on for the first time.
The gusseted tongue was very stiff and immobile, which made it tough to get into the shoe. I had to twist it around just to get into it. Otherwise, the tongue or upper didn’t have any immediate areas of compression.
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.
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 toe box I measured at 3.5 in. which is about the same as the Merrell Moab 3. 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, it definitely does not have the cushion of something as plush as the EVA midsole.
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.
However, don’t expect the shock absorption to be up to par with something like the Clifton 10. There’s always a trade-off between cushioning and performance on trail. Which we will get to 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 lateral further lateral stability and traction while coming down deep descents.
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.
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.
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 is 40mm which is quite high for trail runners, favoring the heel striker.
Merrell claims the heel-to-toe drop is 6 mm which is moderate, however I personally measured the heel-to-toe drop at 9 mm which makes more sense for heel strikers and the way the shoe tests.
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.
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.
10 oz is about average for trail runners, if you are looking for a more comfortable lightweight option, this is not the trail runner for you. However, 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 heel stack height of 40mm really adds that protection and shock absorption you really need in technical terrain.
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.
The forefoot stack of 26 mm and underfoot protection really doesn’t help with responsiveness and sensitivity while on the trail. This shoe is definitely not meant for runners training for trail feel.
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 8.5/10 (10%)
Durability 8/10 (10%)
After testing the Merrell Agility Peak 5 over 50+ miles of jagged terrain, the outsole has held up exceptionally well. The lugs still hold true without any slipping or real wear and tear.
The durable engineered mesh has shown impressive longevity without breakdown or rips and tears.
One issue customers have complained about the Agility Peak 5 is the lace eyelets. Many customers have complained about the lacing eyelets ripping out of the shoe after a couple of months.
Although I did not experience this myself so far, I can see why this is happening due to the thin mesh around this area. We will update this post with any issues related to this if we experience it.
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.
As a high-performance trail runner, the Agility Peak 5 have really made it into my list of top trail runners. It is my favorite for hillside running and steep ascents with uneven terrain.
Getting this kind rugged trail runner for less than $100 is nearly unheard of.
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%) : 8.5/10
Durability (10%) : 8 / 10
Value (5%) : 4.5 / 5
Total Weighted Score:
1.50 + 1.80 + 1.70 + 1.275 + 0.85 + 0.80 + 0.45 = 8.375 / 10 = 8.4 / 10
Our Rating: 8.4 / 10
At the time of this writing, the Agility Peak 5 retails for $140, but I found some awesome deals on Backcountry.com for as low as $105.
Get The BEST deal on the Agility Peak 5 at the LOWEST Price Available! (Do NOT pay retail):
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?
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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 for the last two years with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
Over the past 15+ 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
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.