Merrell Men's Nova 2 GTX Sneaker

Product Information

I had my first — and very positive — experience with Merrell trail running shoes a little over a year ago with the Merrell MTL Long Sky which I reviewed. At that time, Merrell had joined forces with mountain athlete Anna Frost to create a high performing trail shoe specially designed for women’s feet and biomechanics. Merrell had also just released the women’s-specific Antora around the same time, and collaborated with Trail Sisters and Banshee Artwork artist Sarah Uhl for a unique design. I loved this concept. Now, Merrell has released the Antora 2, the second version of this model. A wide variety of colors are again available, including another featured-artist collaboration. While quite soft, the Vibram outsole is well-established and lasts a solid 400-miles The Merrell Nova 2 isn’t the lightest With solid construction, plenty of grip, and an easy 9.3mm drop, the Merrell Nova 2 are a well-suited beginner trail shoe. They are also incredibly versatile and suits anything from fast, day hikes to easy trail runs. Who should buy the Merrell Nova 2 That being said, 310g puts it in the same weight class as stability shoes, which often have far more things going on in the midsole that the Nova 2. Please put a heel tab on shoes

The RW Takeaway: The men’s Nova and women’s Antora are sturdy and versatile daily trainers for the trail, with ample cushioning and protection to take on longer efforts and rugged terrain. Product measurements were taken using size 8.5, width M. Please note that measurements may vary by size.The Nova 2 from Merrell® is a shoe encompassing the best of both worlds. With the lightweight flair of a sneaker, and composed of the hardy durability of a hiking shoe, you'll be ready to traverse all terrain in style. While not the best for longer distances, the Merrell Nova 2 can hold up to a beating. With strong stitching and a carefree attitude to heavy, robust materials, the upper isn’t coming apart any time soon.

Both models have my preferred 8-millimeter drop with the same offset of 28.5mm in the heel and 20.5mm at the toe. Surprisingly good traction is provided via the same 5mm-deep multidirectional lugs in both models, which really broadens the usability of these shoes over a wide range of terrain and conditions. I am a mid to forefoot striker, and the Nova 2 had more than enough cushioning for me for the long haul. I would imagine someone looking for a fast trail racer for 20 miles or under might find the cushioning a bit too soft. (Certainly my Altra Superiors feel way faster, but they don’t offer the long-haul cushioning or the protection of these shoes.) These are not speedwork or short-racing trail shoes; these are long mile trainers or amazing hiking shoes.”Though the Antora 2 is a bit heavier than its predecessor, the shoe feels pretty light and agile for it’s 9-ounce (270 grams) weight in the women’s size 7 and for the amount of protection and traction offered. According to Merrell, the weight is the same in the regular and wide width of the Antora 2; interestingly, the Antora 2 Gore-Tex purportedly weighs the same in both widths as well. I tested both the standard and Gore-Tex versions, and the only way I could tell what was on my feet was the color and waterproofing, so if there is any difference in weight, it’s very subtle.