Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx Review. Precise Yet Generous Fit!

[@paddytrihey1189]

Would absolutely love to see some Arcteryx shoes come into the channel if you want to keep bringing new brands in! The Long Sky looks wicked.

[@ConversationalPace]

Definitely would love to try some arcteryx shoes out. Seems like this past year, they've definitely made a bit more of an honest push into trail

@@paddytrihey1189 I just got arc'teryx Norvan SL 3 and it is really nice minimalistic shoe. Toebox is a bit pointy, midsole a bit harsh and not the best grip in soft mud. Other than that very light, agile and flexible shoe with great ground feel. Also has top notch water drainage!

[@kgenest100]

Can’t wait to see your future video on the VJ Maxx2… and how they compare to the Long Sky Matrix.

[@kimaboe]

Tromsø Skyrace unfortunately isn't put on anymore, last years edition was the final one (for now), so you can sleep safe from exposed ridges, Brett.

[@ConversationalPace]

Aww that's a bummer. Do you know why it isn't put on anymore?

[@kimaboe]

@@ConversationalPace I believe the race was started by Kilian and Emilie when they lived in Tromsø, and when they moved another group of runners took over the organising. IIRC I heard on a podcast that some of them have since relocated to other parts of Norway as well, and it simply became too much work for the organisers and volunteers to continue.

[@marshallmartinez1785]

Been watching a your shoe reviews for a while (big fan), and I realized I don't know what defines a "matrix" upper. What makes an upper a matrix?

[@ConversationalPace]

It's a whole other brand that is licensed out to be used on these shoe uppers. Just like a shoe having a vibram outsole but being a hoka or a nike. You'll always see the Matryx branding somewhere on it, and the characteristics are the thin and somewhat scratchy upper material that is incredibly strong and durable

[@BillNanson]

Very useful- thanks. Not to be sniffed at then, if I see an offer…

[@ConversationalPace]

Thanks for watching!

[@grennangoeshiking]

Thank you for this review. I have the non Matryx version, and there are several differences, all with the upper. The upper is still super light weight, super breathable. It appears to be two layers of mesh, the inner being very fine, the out a very visible mesh. I get a lot pf air flow, but it allows sandy soil to sneak through. The lacing system also looks very different. More of what I think you’d call a guile style lace. The gusseted tongue and this lacing system gives me the same lock down I’d get from a racing spike, but with plenty of toe box room. The upper is much less durable, I got small hole at the pinky toe at about 100 miles. It’s not much bigger after 160 but I still worry, as I prefer to takes shoes 500+. I’ve never felt it’s had a rock plate. Walking on hard surfaces, I feel the outsole through the midsole. Rock hits are possible through this midsole as well w/o that plate. I’ve raced a 30k in this shoe in the SE and wished I had the rock plate of the cascadia. I have a bit of an arch issue in this shoe which keeps me from longer races in it, but I still want to try.

[@ConversationalPace]

Thanks for the input on the other upper! Honestly, sounds more comfortable and suited well for use as a daily trainer if this style of shoe is your thing. Does sound though like you'd get some added durability benefits out of the matryx version

[@grennangoeshiking]

@@ConversationalPace for sure. Right before posting I noticed the hole mention previously, is tearing further. It’s a great shoe similar feel as the Lonepeak 4.5 I had, but with a more durable outsole.

[@dviv11]

Pretty sure Emilie the 1st female at RRR this weekend was also wearing these when she flew by me like I was running backwards around mile 60

[@stellabylaw]

Can confirm, that's exactly what Emilie referred to in another podcast! But I'm sure you weren't running backwards :)

[@ConversationalPace]

Super impressive! Both to Emilie and you running backwards at mile 60 🤣

Great review as usual! Thank you for showing the tongue construction and insole! I might give this shoe a chance if I can find great deals. Still plenty of life left in my current 10+ running shoes 😅

[@ConversationalPace]

*queues the rocky training montage for 100 mile weeks* 🤣🤣

@@ConversationalPace still trying to build the "mileage" back to 100km after some bad weeks with some mild injuries & covid🤞

[@spitzer3252]

Kiprun race light is very similiar this shoes , cost 100 Euros in E.U , but my favorite is Kiprun MTC 2 is best polyvalant shoes for me, cost 110 euros, all have Matrix ...

[@yaolet]

kiprun race is more like sky fire 2

[@ConversationalPace]

Kiprun might have the best value products out there. They're a little tough to find in the states though!

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Part of my weekly rotation. Also have a separate (white and clean!) pair for casual/travel wear. Raced a 50 miler in the Sangre di Cristo Mountains in Colorado in the original version. Light, agile and surprisingly comfortable for a medium thickness midsole trail shoe. The lugs really claw into the terrain. The Matryx is a big improvement as the original version had a poorly fitted and overly thick upper. The best of Merrell’s underrated trail running shoes: The Agility Peak 5 is superior to the Hoka Speedgoat in all respects except heel lockdown; the Skyfire is amazingly fun for shorter uphills and speed-training. Highly recommend for training up to 20 miles in steep rocky terrain especially. Can use for ultras but there are many better options. Should note that the upper colors stamped into the Matryx wear out fairly quickly. Given comparatively lower price and discounts readily available, you can’t afford not to buy it.

[@ConversationalPace]

Great input on their line up of shoes! I'm excited to chat with the Merrell team at TRE this year and see what they've been cooking up for 2025

[@patricksaunders2674]

Another great video, cheers guys! Merrell are knocking out the park with these and the AP5. I believe this shoe has a torsion plate in the midsole very similar to the original Adidas Speed Ultra.

[@philipking3010]

Great stuff, thanks for the shout out, I'll stop bugging you about the AP5 then :-)

[@ConversationalPace]

🤣🤣🤣

[@kasslatter1]

Nice video guys, another shoe that seems to fall in to the same category (light, low stack, matryx, vibram) is the scarpa spin race) what do you think?

[@ConversationalPace]

Yes looking at the dimensions of that shoe, it definitely seems like a pretty direct competitor. I haven't tried out, but it looks like it would line up in many similar areas!

[@rmsrmsrmsrms]

'Just a little bit long' doesn't go far enough :) 1/2size down was (and still is -- Why, Merrell?) unavailable, or I would've returned this TTS pair for that, but if I was buying the shoe again, I would go a full size down and see if it worked. I would also argue the slapping feel is due to this sizing issue. BTW about the wonderful insole: The Saucony Xodus beaded insole is *twice* as thick, and with all that extra toebox room fits just fine in the MTL -- worth keeping in mind for longer runs....! I share the excitement about this model, will be using it a lot. Plain white colorway is best.

[@ConversationalPace]

Wow I might have to get an Xodus just for the insole! That's a very good point about the sizing contributing to the slappy feel

[@zacharygarner9425]

Same recipe from the norda 002 and sort of like the real predecessor the innov8 g270. Some people will really really like it and take it far like Diego at hardrock

[@ConversationalPace]

I envy those who are able to take light and flexible shoes like these over the 100 mile distance. haha I at least love the idea of it

[@ericperramond3463]

No air-cooled traction lugs? No Service..... great review, guys.

[@ConversationalPace]

Thanks for watching! I thought it was refreshing to have such a simple, no frills outsole 🤣. Still waiting for the hover sole to come out

[@stridarn]

I think one thing you didn’t talk about that is worth mentioning is how well it drains after getting soaked. As a swimrunner I tend to be extra sensitive to that feature and after a couple of 30-60km races in this shoe, I believe that this is one of - if not the - best in that regard.

[@ConversationalPace]

Great point about these! I didn't have the opportunity to get them wet, and I can only assume they would drain really well, as that is an experience I have had with many shoes with the Matryx Uppers

[@ramblingrunner2172]

Brett, I completely agree about the slappy feel on flat, smooth terrain.

[@ConversationalPace]

hard to pair such an aggressive outsole with a flatter sole and also be smooth on flat terrain. Definitely not where this shoe was meant to be taken though. Appreciate you, my guy!

[@jakeva9802]

They look pretty slick. I always thought of them as just hiking boots

[@ConversationalPace]

Yeah that had always been my vision of the brand as well, but they definitely make some legit trail running shoes now!

[@paulreynolds1319]

Merrell definitely jumped onto the scene with some great shoes. Definitely go down a half size with this shoe. So much more step in comfort than the VJ maxx 2. Id like to see what you think of tbe skyfire.

[@ConversationalPace]

Definitely intrigued by that skyfire!

[@gijssmets]

I run a lot in Merrell trailshoes ( 2 pairs of Skyfire V1 and 2 pairs of Agility Peak 5) but the uppers always got ripped. My dream ultrashoe would be a AP5 with a matryx upper. So I hope that Merrell brings matryx to their other trailshoes. I might get a pair of these Long Skys for sub-marathon races. They look supercool too!

[@paulreynolds1319]

I also have all 3 of those shoes but no issues with ripping. I was surprised how well they all performed. I prefer the AP 5 to the speedgoat in performance and comfort.

[@gijssmets]

​@@paulreynolds1319 I scramble a lot over/under/through trees and bushes. So, ripped up uppers are not unusual for me but Merrell seem to rip easier.

[@ConversationalPace]

I have a hunch that if the AP5 was offered with a Matryx upper, we would have reviewed it quite some time ago 🤣

[@yaolet]

sky fire 2 has matryx version