Merrell Agility Peak 6 ($150)
Introduction
The Agility Peak 5 was a little bit of a shock for me 2 years in the past and was one in every of my favourite sneakers of 2024 due to its total consolation, traction, safety, sturdiness, versatility and throughout efficiency. The Agility Peak 6, whereas wanting fairly comparable has added some delicate, however helpful modifications that add as much as a pleasant enchancment over the earlier. The modifications embrace:
a re-worked higher that’s extra breathable and sturdy,
expanded FlexConnect grooves to now be full size, enhancing stability and conforming higher over technical terrain,
the addition of Vibram Traction Lug to the already wonderful aggressive lug form/sample used on the 5.
Professionals: Cushion, safety, traction, stability, match, consolation safety, sturdiness, slight drop in weight
Cons: Hmmm….Perhaps just a little heel slip, however that may simply be cured by using the additional eyelet.
Stats
Spec. Weight: males’s 9.8oz / 278g US9 :: girls’s 7.93oz / 225g US8
Pattern Weight: males’s 10.5oz / 298g US10
Stack Peak:
V6: 32mm heel / 26mm forefoot
V5: 31mm heel /25mm forefoot
Platform Width: 90mm heel / 80mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot
Anticipated launch February 2026
First Impressions, Match and Higher
The Agility Peak 6 seems to be loads just like the 5, however with a slight higher replace, with additionally another delicate variations past the higher, reminiscent of 1 extra mm extra cushion within the midsole, full size Flex join grooves and now Vibram Traction Lug to enhance an already excellent outsole.
The brand new higher is a jacquard mesh higher that’s marketed as extra breathable, whereas nonetheless being fairly sturdy and of a considerably of a tighter weave to assist maintain out sand and grime.
Match is true to dimension and really near the 5, although I really feel the 6 has a barely extra accommodating toe field and a barely safer midfoot as the brand new flat laces appear to cosy up extra securely than the earlier spherical laces.
I discovered that I used to be getting some heel elevate on steep hills (and even reasonable hills),as I did with the 5, however I used to be capable of rapidly remedy that by using the extra lace eyelet.
The toe bumper and rand combine seamlessly and wrap the shoe 360 levels for added safety and gentle water resistance.
The tongue is gusseted and nearly booty-like, thin-ish, however very snug and protects effectively from the laces. The heel collar is generously padded and cozy. As I discussed above, threading that additional eyelet actually makes a distinction in heel to midfoot lockdown. The heel counter is effectively structured and protecting, however not overly cumbersome. There is no such thing as a longer a gaiter lure, bu moist nonetheless have a heel loop.
Midsole & Platform
The Midsole consists of Merrell’s FloatPro Foam, the identical foam utilized in model 5, however based on specs with an extra 1mm of cushion for a 32/26 stack, which feels fairly ample and extra so than the numbers recommend, maybe partly as a result of 5mm lugs. Just like the earlier model, they positively have a extra maximal really feel.
The FloatPro midsole feels very gentle, effectively cushioned and supportive and is proof against hardening in chilly temperatures. I respect this softer foam, which actually makes for a cushty and compliant experience for every day coaching and lengthy distances.
The froth feels gentle and responsive and whereas the shoe total will not be the lightest on the market, it has a really cheap weight at 10.5oz / 298g in my US10 for the entire safety, cushion and efficiency offered.
Just like the 5, the 6 has a rock plate (#3 beneath) for added safety, although based mostly on the diagrams it’s barely totally different in form.
The 6 feels good and versatile (however not overly so) as a result of improved FLEXconnect twin directional flex grooves within the midsole which have been prolonged to cowl the total size of the shoe (vs. the entrance half beforehand) and the distinction is noticeable, permitting the shoe to evolve even higher to tough, undulating, technical terrain.
Outsole
The Vibram MegaGrip outsole options 5mm lugs with Traction Lug (facet of lug extra traction) that offered distinctive efficiency on all surfaces.
I’ve largely run on snowy, icy situations, slush (just about all consistencies of frozen or semi frozen), dry trails, minor scrambles, steep, unfastened off path and I’ve by no means felt hesitant. The lugs are giant and directional, basically the identical because the earlier model, which I’ve discovered to be very efficient.
I discover traction to be surprisingly good in the entire above conditions and on nearly each terrain I’ve run on. With the addition of the Traction Lug part, Merrell studies a 25% improve in traction, which is in fact laborious to quantify, however I can attest that the brand new outsole is a particular enchancment. The compound and total design is basically the identical because the earlier model, which I’ve run in on and off for two years and sturdiness has been improbable with higher than common put on.
Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions
I discover the experience to be clean, environment friendly and fairly fast for a extra maximal shoe, with a barely rockered design and extra rockered really feel.
The cushioning is gentle and compliant, however responsive and applicable for lengthy or brief distances.
The Agility Peak 6 is a prime performer for racking up excessive mileage, every day coaching and whilst an important lengthy distance racer in addition to a hiker.
They’re gentle sufficient, fast and fairly agile with improved traction as a result of Traction Lugs.
Whereas I discovered the earlier model to really feel just a little tippy generally if not on prime of my sport, the now full size FlexConnect grooves within the midsole make technical terrain even simpler to barter and I’ve not had any stability points.
Whereas the updates to the 6 are considerably minimal on paper, in complete, they add as much as a very nice improve with higher stability, match, cushion and traction.
Rating: 9.7 / 10
Journey: 9.5 – Easy, enjoyable and environment friendly with nice cushioning
Match: 9.5 – Slight enchancment in toe field match , however needed to depend on that final lace eyelet. General wonderful although
Worth: 10 – High quality is excellent, as is efficiency and long run sturdiness
Model: 9.5 – The brand new model is best than the final, at the least within the colorways offered to me and for my part
Traction: 10 – Traction is among the many greatest on the market, particularly now with the addition of traction lugs
Rock Safety: 10 – Bombproof!
Smiles 😊😊😊😊😊
5 Comparisons
Merrell Agility Peak 5 (RTR Evaluation)
In contrast all through, however the 6 now has traction lugs for higher traction, an improved higher, full size Flexconnect grooves for higher stability, is just a little lighter and with 1mm extra cushioning.
Salomon Genesis (RTR Evaluation)
Each sneakers are the identical value. The Genesis is lighter with higher path really feel and maybe is extra versatile total, however the Peak 6 has extra cushioning, higher traction and regardless of being heavier, appears to be extra responsive and efficiency oriented.
Hoka Speedgoat 7 (RTR Evaluation upcoming)
Evaluation coming quickly, the Speedgoat 7 has extra cushioning and is lighter, is extra responsive with new supercritical midsole, is extra steady and has comparable traction. I would definitely decide the SG7 for sooner runs or racing.
La Sportiva Prodigio Max (RTR Evaluation)
The Prodigio Max is a beefier shoe that’s extra protecting and extra cushion underfoot, although there’s a weight penalty and isn’t fairly as fast and responsive because the Peak 6. Regardless of 4mm lugs, the Prodigio Max has nice traction, maybe a superior compound, however the deeper traction lugs of the Peak 6 are a bonus when situations get unfastened.
Saucony Peregrine 16 (RTR Evaluation)
Very shut in stack, weight and value, each sneakers have a really comparable use case, although I’ll say the Peregrine feels just a little extra steady and adept in technical terrain, with a barely extra accommodating match within the toe field. Traction is comparable total in most conditions, however maybe an edge to the Peak 6 when steep and unfastened.
Index to all RTR critiques: HERE
The Agility Peak 6 will launch February 2026
Tester Profile
Jeff Valliere likes to run and discover the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and extra technical the higher. He has summited the entire 14ers within the state, many 13ers and different peaks in Colorado and past, plus, he has summited his native Inexperienced Mountain over 2,100 occasions up to now 20 years. He could be discovered on mountain trails every day, regardless of the climate, season, situations or whether or not there may be daylight or not. On the facet he likes to ski (all kinds) bike and hike, typically along with his household, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outside. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, however has known as Colorado residence for over 25 years. He’s 5’9” and 145 lbs.
All RTR critiques: HERE
Newest Critiques-Chronological Order HERE
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