Merrell MTL Adapt vs Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX

Merrell MTL Adapt

$200

Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX

€200

Quick verdict

Merrell MTL Adapt

$200

The better pick if you want:

A higher overall score (80 vs 72)
A lighter option (52 g less)
More cushioning (36 vs 32 mm heel stack)
A lower drop (6 vs 10 mm)

Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX

€200

The better pick if you want:

No clear advantage on the specs we track.

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 174 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

Merrell MTL Adapt· leads in 2

CushioningLightness

Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX· leads in 1

Grip

Tied

Affordability

Cushioning
36 mmTop 35%
32 mm
Lightness
288 g
340 g
Grip
4 mmTop 50%
5 mmTop 13%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
6 mm
10 mm
Affordability
$200
$200

Technical Specifications

Compare features between Merrell MTL Adapt vs Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX

Best value in this comparisonOnly differences (14)

Essentials

$200

€200

2025

—

288 g

340 g

Overview

Trail Running Shoe

Trail Running / Winter Shoe

Rugged trails

snow, ice, winter trails

Trail running on rugged and varied terrain

—

Cushioning

6 mm

10 mm

36 mm

32 mm

30 mm

22 mm

FloatPro™ foam for enhanced cushioning and energy return

EnergyCell+ EVA cushioning

—

Moderate cushioning with durable support

Grip & protection

Vibram® MegaGrip high-performance rubber

Winter Contagrip® rubber with 5 mm lugs and 12 tungsten spikes

—

High foot protection for extreme conditions

Upper & fit

—

GORE‑TEX waterproof membrane with synthetic/textile

5% recycled PU footbed

Standard trail sockliner

Ready to buy?

On the terrain

How Merrell MTL Adapt vs Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX 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
Merrell MTL Adapt							58
Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX							55

FlatPacked, runnable trail

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

Merrell MTL Adapt75

Cushioning33/40
Lightness17/35
Smooth roll25/25

Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX45

Cushioning25/40
Lightness3/35
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 10 video reviews

Merrell MTL Adapt

Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX

Visual Comparison

See the differences between Merrell MTL Adapt and Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX 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: Merrell MTL Adapt vs Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX?

For value comparison: The Merrell MTL Adapt ($200) provides premium features compared to the Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX ($200). Consider your budget and the specific features that matter most for your trail running setup.

Looking for alternatives to Merrell MTL Adapt?

Closest in price, with what each one does better.

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NNormal Kjerag Brut

NNormal

$200Score 91+11

Better than Merrell MTL Adapt at:

A higher overall score (91 vs 80)
A lighter option (58 g less)

Compare with Merrell MTL Adapt

Merrell MTL Skyfire 2

Merrell

$200Score 87+7

Better than Merrell MTL Adapt at:

A higher overall score (87 vs 80)
A lighter option (78 g less)
Deeper lugs for grip (5 vs 4 mm)

Compare with Merrell MTL Adapt

Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2

Salomon

$200Score 84+4

Better than Merrell MTL Adapt at:

A higher overall score (84 vs 80)
A lighter option (24 g less)

Compare with Merrell MTL Adapt

Popular Comparisons

Compare Merrell MTL Adapt or Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX with other top trail running shoes from brands such as Merrell, Salomon and more.

Shoes

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 174 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

Merrell MTL Adapt· leads in 2

CushioningLightness

Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX· leads in 1

Grip

Tied

Affordability

Cushioning
36 mmTop 35%
32 mm
Lightness
288 g
340 g
Grip
4 mmTop 50%
5 mmTop 13%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
6 mm
10 mm
Affordability
$200
$200

Pick a ground

Average

Merrell MTL Adapt

Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX

Merrell MTL Adapt vs Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX

Merrell MTL Adapt

Salomon SPIKECROSS 6 GORE-TEX

Quick verdict

Spec profile