I Tried the Merrell x "House of the Dragon" Collab — and Found My Dream Trail Running Shoes

As a hiker, I've been familiar with Merrell trail shoes and hiking boots for years. When I heard Merrell was collaborating with "House of the Dragon" for a limited edition collection, I couldn't help but get excited. As a full-fledged geek and fan of Game of Thrones, who also loves hiking and being outdoors, this is literally a dream collection come true.

The "House of the Dragon" collection includes three styles: the Agility Peak 5 model (which represents House Targaryen and is out now) and the Moab Speed 2 (House Hightower), and the Moab 3 (House Velaryon), both of which are out Sept. 7. The brand sent me a pair of the Agility Peak 5 X House of the Dragon ($170), which come in a neutral, gold tone that's meant to symbolize the colors of Rhaenyra Targaryen's dragon Syrax.

Agility Peak 5 X House of the Dragon

From

$170

$170 at Merrell

Agility Peak 5

From

$140

$140 at Merrell

Setting aside my fandom, I was excited to try the Agility Peak 5, which is one of the most versatile trail running shoes from Merrell. To put the shoes to the test, I hit the trails as soon as they arrived, bringing my direwolf — also known as Obi-wan Kenobi, my Belgian Malinois puppy — along with me, too. Here, my honest thoughts.

Several factors contribute to what makes a solid trail running sneaker. One is durability. Can the shoe withstand unforgiving terrain without developing excess wear after a few hikes? Another major consideration is the ability to resist the elements encountered on a trail. Are the shoes waterproof? Do they offer any additional protection from sun, and wind? Are there technical details that allow for traction on different surfaces, including wet trails or loose gravel and rocks? Finally, comfort and thoughtful product design are also crucially important, as anyone who's felt the agonizing pain of blisters or torn skin around their ankles can attest to.

With trail running sneakers, and really all shoes, quality is paramount. I've gone through phases where I settled for cheaper, low-quality hiking shoes and suffered the consequences later. But Merrell is known for taking quality seriously, and the Agility Peak 5 trail running shoe is no exception.

The Merrell Agility Peak 5 shoe is designed to be breathable and lightweight while also being able to stand up to super rugged terrains. The rubberized Vibram MegaGrip outsole boasts next-level grip for both dry and slick wet surfaces, and the Vibram traction lugs are meant to add even more stability.

The thoughtful design was immediately apparent when I put on the shoes. The Agility Peak 5 almost felt like a Cinderella-style fit: the shoe slipped on seamlessly and didn't irritate or dig into my skin or crunch up my toes. The material is solid and good quality, with a flexible, almost stretchy mesh material that easily forms to the foot and a lightweight, comfortable midsole that offers support while still letting you feel connected to the ground.

Of course, my first impression was also very positively impacted by the "House of the Dragon" collaboration. I loved the sleek design and dragon-shaped lace lock, and I was also impressed by the quality. The limited edition gold colorway was an intrinsic part of the design and not printed on in a way that might cause it to flake off later down the line.

Best of all, the neutral colorway makes it simple to style with basic black or a more colorful palette. They don't scream, "I am a Trail Running Shoe!" (or even "I'm a 'House of the Dragon'-themed Trail Running Shoe!") from the top of their lungs, and they look muted enough to pair with leggings for shorter, quicker trails, or to simply throw on and take the dog for a walk.

After wearing the Agility Peak 5 trail running shoe on some actual trails, my impression of the shoes only improved. Other details I love about them: They include a D-ring at the base of the laces (to let you hook on gaiters in wet or snowy weather) and a protective toe cap (to keep your toes safe from wayward rocks and debris you might accidentally kick while running or hiking on a trail). They make my foot feel stable, thanks to the sling around the heel, which prevents slippage. This was particularly helpful when ascending and descending trails with an an incline, or encountering parts of a trail with varying degrees of inclination. I also like that the shoes use recycled materials, including for the laces and webbing, mesh lining, and covering around the footbed. And this may be a personal preference, but the laces are very pliable and easy to use. I've encountered some stiffer fabrics in the past that can make it tough and time-consuming to lace up, so I liked this detail.

Last but not least, the Agility Peak 5 uses Cleansport NXT, which is a super helpful tech that's designed to decrease powerful odors, particularly in athletic shoes designed for the outdoors. No one, and I repeat no one, likes stinky feet, so this was a very appreciated feature.

I was a little surprised to find that these were perfectly true to size for me. Judging by the box and size itself, I was a little wary that it would be too small, but when I tried it, my foot slid through easily and fit like a glove. While there's no substitute for trying a shoe on in person, if you're ordering online, I'd suggest going with your regular size for hiking shoes.

While I love this design, it's important to be aware of the fact that this is trail running shoe has a low cut style, and therefore it doesn't offer a ton of ankle support. When hiking on trails with more rocks or rougher terrain, I'd probably opt for a more traditional hiking boot style, such as the Moab 3 Mid Waterproof, for added ankle support. (Although I wish Merrell had extended their collab to include a higher cut style like this.) Other factors to consider when choosing between a high- and low-cut trail shoe include: Are there areas with a lot of loose gravel? How about uneven terrain with rocks of different sizes and shapes? Will there be any more challenging sections that require scrambling?

The Merrell Agility Peak 5 trail running shoe is best suited for less intensive hikes, and those who are passionate about trail running. These trail running sneakers are also perfect for fans who love all things "Game of Thrones," including "House of the Dragon," while also who enjoy spending time outdoors, in nature. These trail running shoes are designed for adventure — like being in Westeros.

In terms of cost, the "House of the Dragon" limited edition version of the Agility Peak 5 is $170, $30 more than the regular style of the Agility Peak 5 ($140). That isn't an outrageous price point jump, and neither is out of step with what a typical trail running or hiking shoe costs. If you're feeling sticker shock, that's totally normal — but it's important to keep in mind that solid trail running shoes are an investment. Poor quality shoes can lead to painful blisters, or even dangerous slips on uneven or wet terrain. Of course, you can find deals on hiking shoes (on Merrell right now there's an Agility Peak 5 colorway going for under $100!), and there are expensive shoes that aren't so great. But in this case, overall, I think it's worth the money.

And in my opinion, the extra $30 is definitely worth it if you're the type that loves "House of the Dragon" or "Game of Thrones" — it's a fun way to express your love for the fandom, but still look subtle enough to throw on simply for running errands, walking the dog, or doing your daily routine. When people take a closer look, the shoes are bound to be a conversation starter.

Moab 3 X House of the Dragon

From

$140

$140 at Merrell

Moab Speed 2 X House of the Dragon

From

$170

$170 at Merrell

The special edition "House of the Dragon" collection is available on the Merrell website.

Rating
★★★★★

Jade Esmeralda, MS, CSCS, is a health and fitness staff writer and a strength and conditioning specialist. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise science and strength and conditioning from George Washington University.