This has been a great trail runner and multipurpose sneaker for the past three months I've been using it. Previously I mostly used the trail-glove series (with the 4 being the most recent I've worn.) Those are also great shoes but don't offer sufficient protection when running on trails with lots of exposed roots and sharp rocks. I learned this the hard way when moving from the relatively cushy headlands trails on the west coast to leaf covered forest trails of New England. After a couple weeks of using the trail gloves in these conditions my feet were protesting loudly so it was time to try something different.With the Novas I have yet to feel the impact of rocks, etc on the trails. You do give up some of the 'feel' of the trail with the extra cushion and none-zero drop but in my case it wasn't a big deal to get used to and well worth it to save my feet.The shoes are fine, but the shoe lace of the left shoe went meshed after wearing about 20 times. I need 2 pairs of replacement shoe laces!I have bought 3 pairs of Merrill walking shoes in the past years and they are all fine with the flat type of shoe laces. This pair with the round type is not durable at all.I generally like Merrell shoes and this one is on par with the typical quality. The only issue I have with these is they don't cup the heel quite as tight as I'd want. I use them for indoor training mostly, I doubt they would stay snug enough for trail running.This is my second pair of Merrell Nova's. This would be a five-star shoe...except there is 'heal slippage' when hiking. No matter how I tie them, my heal slips just enough to be noticeable. Other than that, comfort...style and durability is five-stars all the way. My first pair uppers wore out before the Vibram souls. Great shoe.Great shoes though it should be known that the sides and top of the top is a mesh type of material. You will feel a draft on a cold day and get your socks wet in rain. They fit, look, and perform great though. Just something to know when helping you decide your needs prior to purchasing.Bought these shoes to go hiking in Mammoth, and immediately loved them. These were my first pair of Merrells, and would certainly buy again and recommend to anyone. Very comfortable, very sturdy, very happy with them. Please note that I did not run in them, only hiked.Wanted a comfortable, good looking shoe for everyday use, as well as solid traction for icy conditions and hiking. These shoes were the best I could find and have lived up to my expectations! Can't assess them as running shoes but, because they are running shoes, there's not much insulation, so my feet get a bit cold if it's <40F.Best shoe I've worn from Merrill. I've had plantar fasciitis for over 2yrs and this shoe along with my inserts have been a game changer. No other Merrill shoe or other brand has worked as well. I've tried many. They are not waterproof which makes them very breathable.I own a few pairs of Merrell shoes with vibran soles, mostly low rise trail running shoes and casuals. These have more of an athletic stance, pitching you forward a bit and giving more spring. I’m no runner but I think these would’ve good. The mesh body is quite thin and well ventilated so I think these will be best in warmer weather and wouldn’t be much good in mud or wet which is a little odd given their intended purpose. I wanted some comfortable sporty casual shoes and these do the trick but I would usually look for more weather resistance. Finally they come up really small. I’m 9 or 9.5 in most shoes - my other merrells are 10 but I had to get 10.5 (45) in these.I bought these for walking the dog. They are very light and comfortable, especially if you have wide feet. They are not the best looking shoe I've ever had either. The one major drawback is that they are useless in damp conditions! Not only are they not in the slightest bit waterproof they slip like crazy on damp surfaces. Now I've had Vibrim soles before and I don't remember any such problems but if you intending walking on anything even resembling damp you'r toes will be slipping back the whole time! Putting them away till the summer... When I'm sure they will be great.... hopefully.I made a big mistake, blisters on the first light (1 mile) run ... I know, I should have worn it before, just to see how it behaves.If you are not blessed with completely standardised feet better to keep away from these otherwise fine and cheap trail running shoes. Trail means you need more support, but running in a vice on your heels? Not my kind of fun to be honest. The heel support bit doesn't come up to all the way in the back, finishes abruptly, that was the source of the blisters for me.Also, wet socks from morning dew. I'll have to try some treatment before complaining more.You can’t go wrong with Merrill shoes, can you? That’s what I always thought but not really enamoured by these shoes, when they came at the end of February/ beginning of March, they were really small so had to return for the next size up and so didn’t really start wearing them until mid March. However, a comfortable if snug shoe soon started falling to bits quite quickly; this despite only using them for walking around the house and along my local seafront due to lockdown. After just over 2 months, the soles are almost brand new, top the same apart from two big holes next to my little toes, shoes therefore ruined.I hate shopping for shoes and thought I'd hit jackpot with these - they're so comfy! But you won't get 4 months out of them - believe the reviews.I saw a rip in the right one and thought it was my fault so bought Shoe Goo to fix it. Few weeks later exactly the same on the left side caused by the side panel rubbing against the fabric when the shoe bends.I'm able to return and refund but I'm gutted - I was so happy with them and need to start looking again, life's too short :-(