Craft Xplor Pro vs Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

Craft Xplor Pro

$169.95

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

$170

Quick verdict

Craft Xplor Pro

$169.95

The better pick if you want:

More cushioning (38.5 vs 23.5 mm heel stack)

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

$170

The better pick if you want:

A higher overall score (85 vs 76)
A lighter option (90 g less)
A lower drop (4 vs 6 mm)

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 173 products in Shoes on the site: the further out, the more it stands out in that spec (lighter, cheaper…).

Center: lowest in the category · Edge: highest

Craft Xplor Pro· leads in 2

CushioningAffordability

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2· leads in 1

Lightness

Cushioning
39 mmTop 17%
24 mm
Lightness
325 g
235 gTop 7%
Grip
No data
5 mmTop 13%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
6 mm
4 mm
Affordability
$170
$170

A spec without data for a product is left out of its shape, so it doesn't count as a low score.

Technical Specifications

Compare features between Craft Xplor Pro vs Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

Best value in this comparisonOnly differences (17)

Essentials

$169.95

$170

2025

2022

325 g

235 g

Overview

Road-to-Trail Running Shoe

Trail Running Shoe

roads, gravel and hilly trails

Technical trails

Road-to-trail ultras, gravel runs and hilly races

Trail running on varied and technical terrain

Cushioning

6 mm

4 mm

38.5 mm

23.5 mm

32.5 mm

19.5 mm

Softer Px Foam™ ETPU midsole

FloatPro™ foam for lightweight durable cushioning

Soft, bouncy cushioning for long distances

—

Grip & protection

Vittoria outsole inspired by the Terreno gravel tyre with Sidewall Grip Tech

Vibram® MegaGrip high performance rubber with 5 mm lugs

TPU-reinforced woven upper

—

Fish-scale lug edges and progressive siping for mixed surfaces

—

Upper & fit

Lightweight woven mesh reinforced with TPU yarns

—

Removable sockliner

ETPU high rebound foam footbed

Craft Endurance Fit® with narrow heel cup, midfoot lock-in and roomy forefoot

—

Ready to buy?

On the terrain

How Craft Xplor Pro vs Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 should behave on each kind of ground, estimated from lug depth, stack height, weight and outsole rubber. Pick a ground to see what decides it.

Pick a ground							Average
Craft Xplor Pro							49
Merrell MTL Long Sky 2							72

FlatPacked, runnable trail

Cushioning and low weight make the kilometres easier; very deep lugs squirm on hard ground.

Craft Xplor Pro69

Cushioning37/40
Lightness7/35
Smooth roll25/25

Estimated: no data on lug depth, assumed average.

Merrell MTL Long Sky 268

Cushioning20/40
Lightness31/35
Smooth roll17/25

A model built from the specs to compare shoes, not a lab measurement.

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Video Reviews

Watch real-world YouTube reviews from content creators and the Trail Running community.

See all 9 video reviews

Craft Xplor Pro

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

Visual Comparison

See the differences between Craft Xplor Pro and Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 in a side-by-side slider comparison.

Comparison Questions

Answers based on product data and key differences.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which offers better value: Craft Xplor Pro vs Merrell MTL Long Sky 2?

For value comparison: The Craft Xplor Pro ($169.95) offers better affordability compared to the Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 ($170). Consider your budget and the specific features that matter most for your trail running setup.