REASONS TO BUY
Well-tractioned
Protective
Plush heel collar
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Lacks sensitivity
Merrell Antora 3 Review
A comfortable yet clunky trail shoe that is great for long runs and hikes when traction and comfort are the keys to success
With a grippy and well-tractioned outsole, the Antora can shine on a variety of terrain types.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
The Merrell Antora 3 is a shoe that rides like a hybrid between a trail runner and a hiking boot. It has a chunky heel cup and collar, which add to its stability and comfort. The midfoot and toebox are spacious and will suit wide-footed runners while staying within the bounds of a neutrally-shaped running shoe. The Vibram outsole and multidirectional lugs are durable and grippy, making the Antora suitable for multiple terrain types. Its upper isn't the most breathable, but the mesh is protective. When combined with the rock plate, the Antora becomes very protective and reliable. We recommend this pair for adventurers who want to be able to run trails but also hike and backpack without purchasing multiple pairs of shoes.
Editors Note: We updated this article on April 30, 2024 to add new and updated product comparisons.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Merrell Antora 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Top Pick for Rugged Terrain | Best for Comfortable Zero Drop Performance |  Best Bang for Your Buck | ||
| Price | $74.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $145.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $129.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $130.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $109.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A heavy and well-featured shoe that performs well in many metrics but lacks sensitivity | If a well-tractioned powerhouse of a shoe is what you're after, this 7mm-drop, stacked-with-tech shoe is the one for you | Featuring an upgraded upper and a stable zero-drop design, this shoe is a dependable and comfortable trail running option, ensuring comfort even during extended runs | This trail shoe delivers dependable performance with a revamped lug pattern and sturdier midsole, all for an approachable price | Perfect for new trail runners, this shoe balances affordability and functionality, delivering a smooth ride and underfoot grip for moderately varied terrain without sacrificing quality |
| Rating Categories | Merrell Antora 3 | La Sportiva Bushido... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Hoka Torrent 4 - Wo... | Brooks Divide 5 - W... |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Merrell Antora 3 | La Sportiva Bushido... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Hoka Torrent 4 - Wo... | Brooks Divide 5 - W... |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 11 US regular and wide |
5.5 - 11 US regular, wide | 5.5 - 12 US regular and wide |
5 - 11 US | 5 - 12 US |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 28 mm | 28 mm | 20 mm | 29 mm | 36mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5 mm | 7 mm | 0 mm | 4 mm | 11 mm |
| Rock Plate | Unknown Material | 1.5 mm Dual-Density compressed EVA Rock-Guard in forefoot | TPU | No | No |
| Measured Lug Depth | 3.5 mm | 3.8 mm | 3.2 mm | 5.0 mm | 2.9 mm |
| Measured Weight | 8.14 oz | 9.11 oz | 8.14 oz | 7.36 oz | 7.85 oz |
| Upper | Mesh, TPU | Air Mesh / Thermal Adhesive Microfiber / High Frequency Welded Ripstop Overlays | Ripstop Mesh | Mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | Super Rebound Compound | 4mm LaSpEVA / Compression Molded MEMlex | Altra EGO | Unspecified compound | DNA Loft V2 |
| Outsole | Vibram TC5+ rubber | Bi-Compound FriXion XT 2.0 V-Groove3 | MaxTrac | High-abrasion rubber | TrailTack rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Finger loop | Finger loop | Finger loop | None |
| Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8 mm | 6 mm | 0 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Merrell Antora 3 rides more like your trusty hiking boot than a responsive trail shoe, but it offers plenty of elements to love. From its rugged outsole to its thick heel collar to its 5 mm stack, this is a shoe we recommend to those who want something that they can use for both running and hiking.
Performance Comparison
If a comfortable and protective shoe that can be used for hiking and running is what you're after, the Antora is a great shoe to consider.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot Protection
The Antora 3 scores up with some of the most protective trail shoes in our lineup regarding foot protection. With a 28 mm total stack, this is one of the few shoes still being constructed with a rock plate. It has a moderate toe cap that offers both flexibility and protection against rocks. The medial edge of the toe bumper is slightly thicker than the external edge as if it has been triple-overlayed.
A closer look at how the medial edge of the toe bumper offers even more protection than the lateral.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
One of the unexpected protective features of the Antora is the thickness of the heel collar. Initially, it feels thick and supportive, but once your feet hit sand or loose dirt, it becomes obvious that the collar is also a protective barrier. Thick and well-curved, it does a great job of preventing sand from slipping in through the top of the shoe. The mesh and TPU upper is well made and configured in such a way as to offer great breathability but protect sand from getting in through the upper as well. The TPU adds extra durability to the forefoot of the shoe, though it doesn't protect super well against water. Because of how thick the Antora is, it doesn't dry the quickest after splashing through puddles. However, even when wet, the materials remain comfortable.
The thickness of the heel collar provides more than just comfort. It helps prevent gaps between the shoe and your ankle, making it less likely that you'll get sand in your shoes.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
The varied, 4 mm lugs that adorn the Vibram outsole of the Antora 3 are super grippy and provide strong traction. The lug pattern is intricate, with rectangular lugs surrounding the entire edge of the outsole. The inner portion of the outsole has forward-facing triangles and arrows, and the back has the same shapes, but they face towards the rear. Since the lug points face all directions, strong traction is achieved whether you want to move forward, backward, or side-to-side. The lugs and outsole are a bit more forgiving than some, but as is often the case with Vibram soles, this bit of bounce makes them ultra-durable. The overall shape of the Antora doesn't make it feel like a great crossover shoe while it is on, but the plush cushion and durable Vibram lugs hold up to the demands of road running life.
The varied and multidirectional 4mm lugs make this Vibram outsole extra grippy.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Sensitivity
This is where the scores of the Antora started to go sideways, though if you want a non-sensitive shoe, you may not agree. The total stack of the Antora is 28 mm with an 5 mm drop, both of which fall slightly on the lower side of average for trail shoes. The rock plate adds great protection but fully takes away from the trail feel of this otherwise high-scoring shoe. One of the reasons why we recommend the Antora as a shoe that can crossover into hiking is because of this feeling. Hiking shoes and boots tend to offer less sensitivity as a trade for all-day hiking comfort, and the Antora rides like a light version of this. If you aren't looking for a sensitive shoe, the Antora is worth keeping in contention. If you are in the market for a shoe that makes you feel agile, light on your feet, and allows you to feel the nuances of the trail beneath you, we recommend that you keep looking.
The 29mm stack and rock plate offer great protection but not much sensitivity.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
The 5 mm drop of the Antora feels stable, even as you carve up technical routes, and the sheer amount of meat in the rear of the shoe provides pretty exceptional stability. A few pairs of trail runners in our round-up outperformed the Antora in this metric, and most of them have a slightly less pronounced heel-to-toe differential. The beefy heel cup really adds a lot of stability to this otherwise average-measuring shoe. The thickness of the collar combines with multiple overlays to create a truly stable ride.
If you know you like a more traditional heel-to-toe drop and excellent lateral stability, the Antora is a great shoe to consider.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
If comfort is what you're after, the Antora 3 is nearly universally so. With cushioning in all of the right places, this is a shoe that gently hugs your feet. The body offers a bit more width than some of the best trail shoes on the market and is also offered in a wide version. This shoe isn't constructed to have an extra wide toe box or any other popular style; the beauty of its comfort lies in its simplicity. To us, the Antora felt like a shoe we had always owned from the moment we took it out of the box. Its fit is familiar and comfortable, offering just enough width for versatile comfort.
The slightly wide body of the Antora adds to its overall comfort.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
Each women's size 7 Antora 3 weighs 9.28 ounces, around 2 ounces more than the lightest options in our lineup. The weight of this shoe is on par with others that offer as much rugged protection, but it feels a bit different. Unlike most trail running shoes, where the weight feels evenly dispersed around the shoe, the weight of the Antora noticeably rides in the bottom. Of course, this makes sense as this is where the majority of its shoe's awesome protective features live, but that doesn't change the sensation. The sole of the Antora feels heavier than most, making the entire shoe feel heavy as you run.
The Antora feels pretty heavy underfoot, but if you want a running shoe that rides like a lightweight hiking boot, you'll love this feeling.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Merrell Antora 3?
If you are looking for a trail shoe that doubles as a hiker, the Antora is a great choice. With an ample amount of comfort and protection, this is a shoe that will protect your feet on long trail days. If you are interested in something more nimble to promote agility and speed down technical trails, we recommend you look elsewhere.
If the attributes we outlined appeal to your needs, the Antora will be a great shoe for you. We like this shoe, but it isn't one we reach for when swift downhill jaunts are on our radar.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
For a trail runner that can accommodate wider feet and still feels like a trail shoe, we recommend the Salomon Sense Ride 5. It offers some protection and cushion but with a bit more responsive bounce and sensitivity than the Antora. If you love that the Antora has a protective heel collar but don't love its overbuilt thickness, the Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 is an agility-focused shoe with a near suction-like heel collar. The Pulsar Trail is not as immediately comfortable, but it offers many of the features we love about the Antora in an understated package.
—Ally Arcuri
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