Merrell - MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx

Peba is radical but I find anything over 25mm of stack to be uncomfortable as the foams are too soft and for whatever reason it strains my arch on long runs. So I’ll train in a night stack shoe but then when I’m on my feet 3+ hours I’ll use a fairly minimal trail shoe. The merrell long sky 2 Matryx is amazing, minimal upper and great foam under foot.

Yea it’s weird, I wear barefoot shoes for work and I’m on my feet all day so I think my feet are just used to feeling a firmer floor. I love the norda 001 feel but it’s a touch too wide for my skinny feet to feel very secure.

Where they bend the upper definitely gets less stiff but I wouldn’t say it stretches. You may want to try and manipulate that area just to be more compliant. I’m with you and wish more shoes didn’t taper like that against the big toe. I can’t get comfortable ina shoe that’s cramped like that on my toes. For long runs I prefer Merrell’s long sky 2 matryx, I’ve put nearly 12 hours of running on those and my feet were fine. The non matryx version is a better fit but the upper is shit and rips fairly easy.

Long sky shoe is my go to for everything. Amazing feel and grip, fit is great with a comfortable toe box. The matryx version is the way to go as the upper on the regular version, while extra super breathable and amazing at draining water, is pretty fragile around rocks. Matryx also breaths and drains well too.

I literally went up a ridge in the Rockies with them two weeks ago. It was wet and muddy and steep and they felt good and reliable. Only issue would be how thin they are for colder temps. Great for summer, should be suitable for fall.

After trying a few different shoes, I've decided that Merrell Long Sky 2 and Skyfire 2 are perfect for me. Fairly firm, don't have a massive drop and grippy enough for all but the worst weather conditions. I also have some Inov-8 x-talon 212 which come in handy when it's wet and muddy. I don't think they make them anymore, very narrow shoe but I've run varying distances up to 32km in them with no problems.

I've got around 450km on mine, used them for runs up to 40km with no issues when I was training for an ultra earlier this year. The grip is still good on them and I've found them super comfortable but I noticed some tears on the upper last week. Planning to keep them until they fall apart and would buy another pair, no doubt. I have the skyfire 2 as well, also a fan.

Merrell skyfire 2 although I've just ordered a pair of lone peaks to try out. I liked the long sky 2 as well but the uppers developed some tears after about 540km.

Wondering what you would consider to be "short"? I've been happy with the LS2 Matryx on technical vert-filled races up to 18 miles and am debating whether to use it for 26 or try something else...

Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. I use them for everything from [the Catskills](https://escarpmenttrail.com/bs/?thiswillhurt=9168) to the Hudson Highlands to the boulder fields of central Pennsylvania. I had a pair of the non-Matryx ones, and the upper shredded quickly. But the Matryx version has held up remarkably.

I always champion the Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx, and since you're coming from Merrell's, maybe they're worth checking out. Not high stack, with moderate drop (4mm). I use them for technical trail running in the NE and have easily taken them up what have been called Class 3 scrambles. Vibram MegaGrip and easy to run in.

I like the Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx for being agile and fast over anything technical, from rocky singletrack accents and descents, to scrambling hand over foot on slabs. Also took me through snow and ice covered boulder fields. 5mm lugs on the Vibram outsole are grippy. The upper on the non-Matryx version was prone to ripping prematurely but the Kevlar Matryx version has held up remarkably.

What type of trails do you run on? La Sportiva Prodigios tend to be well-liked in my neck of the rocky woods, and I love my Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx, but neither may be appropriate if you're running over smooth trails with your Ultraflys.

The Speegoat 6 in wide didn't help me any, but going up a half size did. Might be worth trying a pair like that on. But it's still not perfect for me, and I plan to try the Merrell Agility Peak next, because their MTL Long Sky 2 fits me so well, with a generous footbox (but the Long Sky's a much different shoe).

I haven't tried any of those, but did try an earlier Peregrine (10 maybe), and didn't like it. Too "dead" and heavy for my liking. But the newer versions are better from what I've read. It could be worth a try, given how popular they are. I do have all three of the Salomons I mentioned, but also have and like the Merrell Long Sky 2 and their Agility Peak, which I'm wearing more these days because they have a wider toe box.

Over the years I’ve worn trail runners from Merrill and Salomon, or standard running shoes from Nike and NB. A comfortable fit was the main criteria. Even on wet ground I’d rather have fast drying sneakers than boots.

As always it’s very personal depending on how well the shoe fits my feet and the terrain I’m running in (technical mountains, mud, rocky). I like sky running races around 20-30k and VK’s. Sometimes short road races from 5k to Half Marathon. Current rotation: - Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. Great allrounder. - VJ Ultra 3. Cushion. Great for easy and long runs. - NNormal Kjerag Brut (mud) - Salomon Aero Glide 3 (road and treadmill) Recently retired shoes: - Nnormal Kjerag 1. Fast but too small lugs to have good grip in mud/loose debris. Too little cushion for me. Kjerag 2 has more cushion but same outsole. - Nnormal Tomir 2. Great allrounder but didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). A bit heavy when wet because the insole keeps a lot of water. - Salomon S/lab Genesis. Great allrounder but worse grip on wet rocks than Vibram Megagrip and VJ. - VJ Maxx 2. Really good allrounder. But didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). Shoes I’m considering next: - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx - Merrell Skyfire 2 Matryx

I have it in UK 9 which is my usual size. If you’re familiar with Salomon sizing, I also wear UK 9 in their shoes. Same for the VJ Ultra 3. On me the Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx has a nice lockdown around the midfoot with extra toe space. Exactly how I like it for my narrow feet and big toe. A couple of things worth noting about the LS2 Matryx: - There can be a bit of space between the ankle collar and the foot which can let in small debris. I don’t use gaiters but I’ve seen some use it in areas with lots of loose dirt or stones. A knit collar here could really take the shoe to the next level. - I’ve seen people mention that the heel could use a bit more cushioning, but I haven’t had that issue personally. Overall I’m very happy with the LS2 Matryx for the terrain it’s designed for. Would give it a 4 to 4.5 out of 5. A knit collar would take it to 5/5.

Already been mentioned, but the Tecton X3 is a great fast shoe. If you want a really low slung fast shoe for the fells then you can’t beat the VJ iRock or the Inov8 MudTalon either. Also, I suspect it’s contentious but I really like the Merrell Longsky Matryx

It depends on the trail itself. If there is any wet surfaces I go with a Vibram MegaGrip option. For me, Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. If no wet surfaces I go for comfort which is the Saucony Endorphin Rift. Either way, it has a rock plate for any technical trails with jagged rocks.

The Vibram is nice for sure. I can tell a big difference between the Vibram and Saucony’s soles which are most of my other trail shoes. I’d get them not hesitate. I’d certainly buy another pair and I have about 130 miles on mine with a 50k race on them. Most of the miles are long runs of 10+ miles and zero issues. I agree with others comments on sizing as well.