Merrell ProMorph Review: Mighty Morphin’ On Every Surface

Introduction to the Merrell ProMorph

TAYLOR: There’s a little bit of a tug-of-war battle going on. Mention the word “gravel” to runners and you’ll find out who’s on which side really quickly. Some camps might say, “Just wear your dang road shoes and you’ll be fine.” Others may rebut, “A trail shoe is best.” What most of us actually want is a little bit of both.

Apparently, the idea is popular enough that the surface has gained its own category within the umbrella of running shoes. Whether it’s a buzzword or not, I appreciate the thoughtfulness in solving this issue. Is it absolutely necessary? No. But I don’t mind because we live in a broad-spectrum world with space for the nuanced.

I would consider the ProMorph Merrell’s second go at a gravel shoe. I think road-to-trail and door-to-trail shoes also fit under the same umbrella. The lightweight Merrell Morphlite was a promising first crack, but it certainly had its shortcomings.

The ProMorph is undoubtedly an advancement in the category based on its new foam and Vibram outsole, specifically designed for crossing between surfaces. The shoe also fills a hole in Merrell’s trail lineup as it now has every surface and terrain effectively covered.

Even though it’s a reasonably simple shoe, running all surfaces seamlessly takes a surprising amount of consideration, especially in ways that neither a road-specific nor a trail-centric shoe seems to excel at.

ALLISON: At Believe in the Run, we’re all about that plush life — maximum cushion, minimal compromise. As more runners and adventurers look for versatile shoes that can handle everything from crushed gravel to crushed goals, we’re leaning hard into the rails-to-trails category. Think of it as the sweet spot between rugged performance and all-day comfort. Shoes like the Hoka Mafate X and the Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL lead the charge.

Enter the ProMorph, Merrell’s bold step into the high-stack, high-cushion arena. But does it hold up against the titans of trail-to-road transition? Or is it just another foam-forward experiment? Let’s dig in.

What we like about the Merrell ProMorph

TAYLOR: Simple is a word that pops up in most of my Merrell reviews, and that’s not a bad thing. I love how they can take the basics and make them work really well. Those are my feelings with the Merrell ProMorph as well.

A fairly basic, lightweight mesh sets the tone for an excellent overall construction. It was a bit more of a trimmed fit than the typical Merrell shoe. It is especially slimmer through the forefoot and midfoot, which was fine because of the lighter, flexible mesh. It fit similarly to the Skyfire but had more flex in the upper to accommodate. Even my average/wider forefoot fit comfortably.

I typically have issues with the heel construction being too loose in Merrell shoes. I had no problems here as it was structured enough and pinched appropriately to avoid heel lift or shifting.

One of the upper’s top-notch aspects is breathability. The majority of the mesh is thin and airy, but it contains a thin inner liner to filter out dust. Even with two layers, the mesh was light on the foot and very breathable. Mesh vents on either side of the midfoot also aided in airflow to keep the foot comfortable.

Underfoot, that simple, moderated feel continued. A layered/blended Floatpro+ midsole welcomed a variety of surfaces and paces. The Merrell Promorph hit the middle in many respects. At a 32.5 to 26.5mm stack, it fell in the “moderate” cushioning range. It had a medium density that provided a consistent sensation of cushion, responsiveness, and stability. Like the Salomon DRX Defy Grvl, I felt that none of the qualities were wowing, but they did the job well.

Thanks to the subtle rocker and flex connect grooves, the ProMorph transitioned smoothly through the footfall. The ProMorph felt synchronized from contact through toe-off, perfect for roads and light trails.

Overall, I think the foam’s density will allow the ProMorph to provide a generous number of miles without losing its character like many of the newer foams on the market.

Another top-shelf quality of the Merrell Promorph is the Vibram XS Trek outsole. Of course, the rubber itself will provide light versatility and tackiness. The unique lugs, or lack thereof, really had me flabbergasted. I didn’t count, but there have to be nearly 200 tiny lugs on each shoe. They are quite shallow and work really well on pavement and hardpack. The most surprising is that they also rocked it on loose gravel and varied light trail conditions.

The flex-connect grooves certainly helped in this case because the midsole flexed enough for each segment of the outsole to make contact with the ground for grip.

Overall, the Merrell Promorph package ran really well on a variety of surfaces. The fit and underfoot feel are conducive to multiple surfaces, and it can even go beyond some of the prescribed terrain onto moderate trails if desired/necessary.

ALLISON: The Merrell ProMorph surprised me in a good way. First off, the heel cushioning is fantastic. It delivers that soft, protected landing you’d expect from a max-cushion shoe, but without the bulk or bottom-heavy feel you sometimes get with models like the Hoka Mafate X. Merrell managed to pack in serious shock absorption with the FloatPro Plus tech while keeping the ride feeling light and nimble, which is a win for both long-distance efforts and everyday comfort.

Another standout is the shoe’s breathability. On hot summer runs, when other shoes can start to feel like foot saunas, the ProMorph keeps things cool. The upper is airy without feeling flimsy, letting in just enough airflow to manage heat and sweat without compromising support or structure.

Merrell’s traction and transition also impressed me. While it’s clearly built with trail inspiration (hellooo Vibram), the outsole performs smoothly on mixed surfaces from gravel to pavement, making it a strong candidate for anyone logging miles on rail-trails or urban paths. The toe-off is satisfyingly smooth for such a cushioned shoe.

In short, the ProMorph brings max cushion comfort in a more breathable, balanced package, ideal for those chasing versatility without the usual weight penalty.

What we don’t like about the Merrell ProMorph

TAYLOR: Honestly, given its intended purpose, I don’t have much to call out about the Merrell ProMorph. And yet, I wanted more character. More excitement. More, just more.

As mentioned before, this shoe hits the simplicity button hard. That’s fine, and it works. One warning I would issue is that, in general, if you’re coming from the roads looking for a door-to-trail shoe, this one will probably feel a little boring underfoot.

ALLISON: While the Merrell ProMorph has a lot going for it, a few things didn’t quite hit the mark. First, the colorway I tested, bright white, looked sharp out of the box, but let’s just say it didn’t stay that way for long. With all the rain lately, keeping it clean on muddy trails was a losing battle (rookie mistake picking white, I know).

Fit-wise, the toe box runs a bit narrow, especially compared to other max-cushion models. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but my toes wanted more room to play after longer runs. While the arch support and overall structure offer a locked-in feel, it took some time for my feet to adjust. That firm midfoot platform might not be for everyone, especially if you’re used to softer, more flexible shoes. Overall, it’s a great shoe, but not without a few quirks.

Final thoughts on the Merrell ProMorph

TAYLOR: I’m always struck by the simplicity with which Merrell approaches its shoes. The ProMorph is no different. It’s an uncomplicated shoe that performs well on its intended surfaces, transitioning smoothly and holding a middle ground in many respects.

I found myself inching closer to the edge of my seat, wanting a little more out of everything. Perhaps that’s the beauty of ProMorph’s design. It’s meant to be the middleman between surfaces, so how can I knock on a door that’s not there?

ALLISON: If you want maximum cushion without maximum weight, Merrell’s ProMorph is the shoe for you! It is a step in the right direction for Merrell in terms of adding cushion without overcomplicating the shoe itself. Let’s be honest: Do we need more complications in our lives right now? I know I sure don’t, especially when it comes to my stress reliever… running!

You can pick up the Merrell ProMorph for $175 from Merrell by using the buttons below.