Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX Review: Star Light, Star Bright

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX

JOHN: When it comes to political speak on the trail, the debate isn’t whether you’re Republican, Democrat, or independent — it’s whether or not you like Gore-Tex shoes. Most trail people get fired up about them one way or another, and almost all have a hot take to throw out there like they trap sweat, they cost too much, they make your feet hot, and so on.

I’ve tried many Gore-Tex shoes in the past, and it’s been hard to find one that doesn’t justify all the criticism. Usually, my approach is to purchase Gore-Tex shoes on clearance and just shelve them in case I need them for a run or two during snow days because here in VA, we just don’t get enough snow to justify buying an expensive pair when there may be no snow. It keeps me from paying full price for a shoe I might not wear much, which makes the issues mentioned above easier to swallow.

So, for this election year, let’s find out if the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX is the right candidate to break all the old stereotypes about Gore-Tex shoes.

ALLISON: Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX. Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX. Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX, can you say that name three times fast? It’s definitely a mouthful and has a lot of features for a shoe, but I’m always up for a challenge. This is my first foray into reviewing Merrell shoes, and I am very excited to see what they offer after reading a few past reviews (thanks, Taylor) and seeing their pros in action. I also hadn’t had a lot of experience with Gore-Tex shoes. After all, I am in the South, where I typically don’t need that kind of shoe (thank goodness).

What we like about the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX

JOHN: This shoe is light. At 7.6 oz, it’s far lighter than other Gore-Tex options. Now, another part of this is the fact that Merrell recommends this shoe for light trails, so I immediately thought of using it on towpaths in gross conditions during winter.

The Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX slips on and off very easily and is pretty comfortable overall, but I have a few nits to pick in the next section. My US M11.5 fits okay but with some issues, although I don’t think I could have gone down to a US M11 because the shoe would have been really tight in the toe box. Either way, I’m not going to complain about the fit too much.

The look of the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX sets itself apart from other Gore-Tex shoes, too. The reflective grid with Gore-Tex written on the inside of the shoe looks great but also keeps you visible to others in low light.

The best aspect of this shoe is that, where many Gore-Tex shoes feel like hiking boots, it not only feels like a running shoe but excels. It didn’t cause my feet to sweat excessively as other Gore-Tex shoes do, and it’s also pretty incredible that this shoe utilizes recycled materials!

Moving down, the lugs on this shoe are small but by design. This shoe is intended for light trail use. I’d use it for easier trails and tow paths, and I would even use this shoe on snowy roads in certain situations.

ALLISON: Dang, are all Gore-Tex shoes this light? From the moment I tried on the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX, I was impressed by its road-like feel, which makes my trail runs much more pleasant (I don’t know if it is a mental thing or what). The shoe is so easy to slip on and off, thanks to a supportive heel counter and a plush tongue— which is music to my ears (and feet).

What really surprised me was how breathable the Morphlite Reflective GTX is. I’d heard stories about Gore-Tex shoes trapping heat, but that wasn’t the case here; my feet felt cool and ventilated throughout my runs.

And let’s talk about value — at just $150, this Gore-Tex shoe is a fantastic deal. I can’t recall seeing any other Gore-Tex options at this price point (though some do come close).

What we don’t like about the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX

JOHN: Again, I’m not going to rant about the fit too much, but I noticed a few things. The toe box is so narrow it almost comes to a point. It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s definitely noticeable. On shorter runs, it’s fine, but be careful on longer ones. I tried using a variety of different sock options to deal with the fit, and what worked for me was a thicker sock, but be careful doing this because of the narrow toe box. What I did to help the fit was dial in a sock that was thick enough to help prevent heel slippage but not too thick because of the narrow toe box.

Overall, I enjoyed the Float Pro Foam, but around the heel, I did find the foam harder. It’s not super uncomfortable, but it doesn’t feel consistent with the rest of the shoe.

ALLISON: When I first laid eyes on the shoe, I couldn’t help but think of the Brooks Ghost — stylish and inviting. However, after taking it out for a run, I found myself craving more cushioning, particularly reminiscent of the Ghost 10. The initial comfort was promising, but over time, I wished for that extra plushness to keep my feet happy on the trails.

Also, while I anticipated a roomy toe box, I felt a bit constricted after a while. I’m not sure if it’s the material or the design, but it was a disappointment that detracted from my overall experience. I really wanted to enjoy that spacious feel, but it just didn’t translate on the run.

Lastly, I was puzzled by the construction, which felt somewhat lacking in durability. The lack of lugs made me scratch my head— how can you have a Gore-Tex shoe without the traction that trails demand? It felt like a contradiction.

Final thoughts on the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX

JOHN: To me, the fit of the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX is the most frustrating part of the shoe and holding it back from being great. The US M11.5 is too long, but if I drop to an M11, it would definitely not be big enough. I experienced heel slippage, which, together with the narrow toe box, really detracts from the overall comfort of the shoe. As I mentioned above, this can be helped with the right sock, so definitely dial that in to aid the overall fit of the shoe.

Even with the fit issues, I truly feel that for $150, this shoe gets my vote as a solid shoe for training runs in winter weather. I’ve used some clunky Gore-Tex shoes in the past, and the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX, in comparison, was a treat. It’s still got a few issues that fit in that whole Gore-Tex anger stereotype, but it is a vast improvement, especially if you are just buying it as an option for winter running or to get in runs on easier surfaces.

In the past, if I didn’t have a Gore-Tex option available in my winter rotation, I would use a standard trail shoe in bad weather. This option works much better, and I’m really excited to have it for winter.

When it comes to a political candidate, my standard is always picking the person who brings the most to the table with the fewest nits for me to pick. I highly encourage anyone who is on the fence on Gore-Tex to check this one out.

ALLISON: Sometimes I feel like John and I have the same brain (scary thought), as our experiences were somewhat similar. While the Merrell Morphilite Reflective GTX has some appealing features, including affordability and weather resistance, it didn’t quite meet my expectations for comfort and construction. If you’re looking for a lightweight option, it might work for you, but for serious technical trail running, you may want to explore other options.

You can pick up the Merrell Morphlite Reflective GTX for $150 from Merrell by using the buttons below.