As an avid runner and hiker, I understand the importance of having quality shoes that provide comfort, support, and durability to power me through every mile on the road or trail.
Brooks and Merrell are two leading footwear brands designed for runners and outdoor enthusiasts alike. I compared key features of both brands to help you determine which may better fit your needs.
Comparison Table Between Brooks And Merrel:
| Features | Brooks | Merrell |
|---|---|---|
| Founded In | 1914 | 1981 |
| Comfort and Fit | Exceptional cushioning and support | Comfortable with stability features |
| Color Options | Vibrant and neutral colors | More subdued earth tones |
| Durability and Performance | Durable with excellent shock absorption | Durable with good traction |
| Design and Style | Innovative performance technologies | Rugged outdoor styles |
| Popularity | Very popular with runners | Popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts |
| Best Selling Model | Adrenaline GTS | Moab 2 |
Brooks Overview
Brooks running shoes originated in 1914 in Seattle, Washington when the Brooks Shoe Company was founded. Though it started as a specialty shoe brand, Brooks eventually pivoted to focus on athletic and performance footwear in the 1970s.
Some of the long-running iconic features of Brooks shoes include:
- BioMoGo DNA: An adaptive midsole foam that provides soft landings followed by firm toe-offs for propulsion.
- GuideRails: An engineered support system around the midsole to limit excess pronation or inward foot rolling.
- Flextra: Outsole rubber strategically placed for flexibility where the foot needs to move.
- Ideal Pressure Zones: Designated cushioned zones on the outsole positioned under important areas.
- Adjustable saddle: A structured component that customizes midfoot support and fit.
- HydroFlow: Shock-absorbing cushioning units in the midsole for plush softness.
In addition to catering to regular neutral runners, Brooks offers stability, trail, walking, and casual shoes. Some of their most popular models through the years include the Ghost, Adrenaline GTS, Glycerin, and Ravenna.
With over 100 years of experience, Brooks uses proven technologies and innovations to create high-performance shoes suited for runners of all types.
Merrell Overview
Merrell was founded in 1981 by Clark Matis, Randy Merrell, and John Schweizer and is renowned for durable outdoor footwear.
Key technologies include contoured arch support, air cushion heels, and Vibram soles to absorb shock while providing grip.
The M Select FIT.ECO+ midsole provides stability and impact absorption on uneven terrain. Mesh uppers resist odor during extended wear. A supportive heel counter and integrated lacing create a precise secure fit while allowing toe splay room.
The classic Moab 2 hiking shoe provides proven protection for the foot when traversing jagged trails without compromising flexibility. The athletic look seamlessly transitions from mountain trails to city streets.
While not as cushioned as a running shoe, Merrell excels at stable, protective shoes to conquer technical topography affordably.
The durability and security are ideal for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts traversing unpredictable conditions.
Major Differences Between The Brands:
1) Comfort and Fit
Brooks focuses intently on cushioning and engineered support to deliver responsive comfort tailored to runners’ biomechanics. The brand offers widths from narrow through extra wide to ensure proper fit.
Merrell designs anatomical comfort and stability best suited for moderate hiking and outdoor wear. Merrell runs slightly wider with fewer width options. The overall foot feel differs—Brooks maximizes lightweight, bouncing cushioning while Merrell optimizes stability and grounded traction.
The contours and technology differ based on the intended activity. Brooks caters expressly to runners with a smooth, flexible feel allowing natural foot flexion and toe splay.
Merrell stabilizes for multi-terrain use, incorporating sturdier arch support and protective toe bumpers. For road running, Brooks delivers lighter, bouncier cushioning while Merrell provides firmer support for distance hiking.
2) Durability and Performance
As a running brand, Brooks utilizes extremely durable outsole rubber and shock-absorbing cushioning technologies built to handle repetitive pavement impact. The blown rubber and segmented crash pads provide excellent traction and flexibility on roads.
Merrell also uses durable Vibram rubber outsoles but with thicker lugs and more aggressive gripping ability for rough trails. Merrell incorporates durable waterproof membranes and thick leathers to withstand scraping brush, muddy terrain, river crossings, and other rigorous use.
For hikers traversing rocky landscapes under heavy loads, Merrell easily outperforms Brooks in the ruggedness category. However, Brooks claims longer foam and midsole integrity to maintain their energetic rebound and support over hundreds of miles.
So Brooks holds up better against continual asphalt wear while Merrell handles more brutal backcountry abuse. Lightweight Brooks excels at delivering that resilient, responsive sensation mile after mile during road running.
3) Price
Brooks commands premium pricing between $100-150 on average as expected from a high-performance running brand. But this price rightly reflects extensive R&D around fit, biomechanics, and advanced cushioning systems unavailable from mainstream brands.
The sophisticated air mesh fabrics, rubber grip, and tailored support balance functionality with long-term costs over time—you‘re investing in quality gear engineered expressly for runners. Merrell’s sweet spot runs from $70-200 on average—less than Brooks but still towards the higher end of outdoor footwear pricing.
You pay for those durable Vibram soles, supportive footbeds, and waterproofing not always standard among more budget-friendly brands. Considering their sturdiness, Merrell’s MSRP equals fair value.
In the end, Brooks costs more but dedicated runners find their shoes well worth the investment in comfort, cushioning, and longevity. Merrell satisfies budget-conscious outdoor enthusiasts still wanting performance without maximum frills.
4) Design and Style
Brooks shoes clearly resemble athletic running shoes with air mesh fabric uppers, EVA midsoles, integrated lacing systems, and grippy rubber outsoles in bright colors to match running gear aesthetics.
They intermix high-tech fabrics and racing shoe profiles optimized exclusively for running. Merrell shoes skew towards heavier hiking boots and trail runners with leather/suede uppers, protective bumpers, tough TPU shanks, and thick multidirectional lugs.
The outdoorsy style works well as urban streetwear too. So Merrell holds aesthetic appeal for both woodland trekking and casual everyday wear—you could hike the Appalachian Trail or the urban jungle with equal success! Overall Merrell offers greater lifestyle versatility beyond pure performance.
But Brooks undeniably looks and functions like a running shoe first and foremost, prioritizing lightweight support over lifestyle considerations. It comes down to activity-specific functionality vs. rugged urban style.
5) Popularity
Plenty of sportswear giants like Nike and New Balance bank on popularity through big advertising and pro-athlete sponsorships. Brooks takes a more grassroots approach, earning devoted fans through specialty running stores and word-of-mouth among dedicated runners.
They intelligently target the running community rather than compete as a mainstream fashion label. Brand devotees really identify with Brooks as true performance partners integral to their personal achievements and experience.
Merrell also builds strong customer loyalty not through mainstream visibility but credibility among hiking and outdoor circles. Both engender brand affinity through product quality versus commercial glitz.
Among casual wearers, Merrell likely takes the edge for their stylish all-weather boots at home on city sidewalks and wooded paths alike. But considering brand esteem among core audiences, Brooks rates incredibly high for continually innovating new technologies responsive to avid runners’ evolving needs.
6) Target Market
As evident across branding, product design, technologies, and messaging, Brooks targets devoted runners logging major mileage in training and competition.
They address key running biomechanics to facilitate smooth, comfortable miles. Whether training for your tenth marathon or enjoying neighborhood jogs, Brooks wants to fuel personal progress at any level.
Merrell likewise zeros in on outdoor adventurers and nature lovers rather than mainstream sneakerheads. Their durable constructions, weatherproofing, aggressive traction, and stability features aim to empower the next off-the-grid excursion far from city streets.
Both strongly connect with core consumers through shared values and lifestyles vs. chasing general market appeal. Brooks zones in on veteran and recreational runners while Merrell focuses their engineering on trailblazers and alpine activists off the beaten path.
So consider if you want a trusted training partner for road miles versus multi-terrain versatility to come rain, sleet, or hundred-mile hikes through the wilderness.
Final Verdict
In this comparative review, Brooks clearly comes out ahead for dedicated runners seeking a trusted training partner tailored expressly for pavement miles.
The technologies and biomechanics directly address essential factors like smooth transitions, bounce, guidance, and responsiveness key to running efficiency—all backed by over a century exclusively devoted to innovating performance footwear.
Comparatively, Merrell proves superior for outdoor adventurers requiring hardy waterproofing, stability, and traction to conquer more brutal alpine environments on the trail or worksite no matter the mileage.
Merrell commands respectable popularity around towns for their stylish everyday wearability too. So in determining the better pick, consider your primary activities and priorities. Brooks serves those logging serious mileage on roads who want advanced cushioning systems to fuel personal bests.
Merrell enables exploring way beyond roads through rugged boots equipped to handle the harshest elements during extended backcountry excursions. The destinations differ but both get you there with passion and performance to spare.
