Merrell’s Ultralight, Rugged Trail Shoe Is Just $79 Right Now

The Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx trail shoe is currently 64% off at Merrell.com.Use promo code EXTRA40 at checkout to unlock the full deal.Both men’s and women’s versions get the discount, and have many sizes still in stock.When shopping for trail shoes, it’s easy to get stuck on the familiar names in the genre: Altra, Salomon, Hoka, etc. While those brands make great shoes for running off-road, they certainly aren’t the only options, and if you want to save some cash, it’s worth expanding your search. Right now, the brand to shop is Merrell, specifically the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx. It’s a streamlined trail shoe RW Editor Morgan Petruny called “featherlight” and “wicked fast.” The best part? It costs just a fraction of what other trail shoes are going for.The Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx is on sale for just $79, a massive 64% discount from its normal price of $220. This is a two-part deal: The shoe has an initial markdown to $132, and you can access the full discount by using code EXTRA40 (good for an additional 40% off) at checkout. The deal applies to both men’s and women’s versions, and there’s a full size range in stock.Shop Men’s | Shop Women’sThe MTL Skyfire 2 is built for going fast over rugged, technical trails. It’s a proudly minimalist shoe: It weighs 7.6 ounces in men’s and 6.2 ounces in women’s and features a thin (by today’s standards) 25mm heel stack height. Its streamlined midsole is composed of EVA-based FloatPro foam paired with a nylon rock plate for protection. The rock plate also stiffens the shoe from front to back for extra support and responsiveness. While it doesn’t pack much cushioning, the Skyfire 2 excels with grip and durability. Its Matryx upper is made from a blend of Kevlar and nylon for exceptional abrasion resistance, and on the bottom, the toothy Vibram outsole sports 5mm lugs that bite into loose dirt.Cushion lovers, beware—this is not the shoe for you. But if you prefer a lean trail shoe that gives you a good feel for the ground, you’ll appreciate the Skyfire 2’s svelte design, especially for fast-paced jaunts. One RW tester called it “a racing flat with lugs,” and another stated it’s a great choice for gnarly terrain, even over long distances. “I’d pick these for up to 50K of gravel, mud, and rock hopping,” they said.Trail shoes, especially top-tier racing models, usually command premium price tags. That makes the $79 Skyfire 2 particularly attractive—scoop your pair today before Merrell sells out.Shop Merrell Skyfire 2 DealMichael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.