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Merrell Pulls Out All the Stops for Its Most Elite Trail Running Shoe Ever

After half a decade of refinement and thousands of miles of test runs, the MTL SpeedArc Peak makes its debut.

Close-up of a black and green sneaker with pink and turquoise accents and a white sole against a blue background.Merrell
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By Hayley Helms

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As trail running’s popularity continues to rise, the technology behind the sport is evolving right alongside it.

Merrell’s latest trail running shoe may be the embodiment of that union of progress and popularity.

Developed and refined after five years, 154 prototypes and over 13,000 testing miles, the MTL SpeedARC Peak aims to live up to its name … the peak of trail-ready performance.

Pair of trail running shoes with one in lime green and pink and the other in teal and black with Vibram soles.
Five years, 154 prototypes and over 13,000 miles tested helped hone in the capabilities of the new MTL SpeedArc Peak trail runner.
Merrell

No filler, all killer

The MTL SpeedArc Peak is built with components that are impressive enough their own, but when combined, they yield an ultra-capable trail shoe whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Yellow and black Merrell running shoe with pink logo and Vibram sole.
Built for the most rugged trails imaginable, the new trail runner is Merrell’s most capable design ever.
Merrell

Designed with the intention of every inch being elite, and informed by athlete feedback and lab testing, the MTL SpeedArc Peak prioritizes speed, stability and performance.

The rule of thirds seems to define Merrell’s newest release: first, there’s the three-part, Merrell-specific SpeedArc midsole system, engineered to deliver responsive cushioning and efficiency across challenging terrain.

The system is designed with a top layer of FloatPro PEBA-based racing foam, a bottom layer of more dense FloatPro foam and a carbon plate sandwiched between the two.  

Pair of multicolor running shoes with black laces and cushioned white soles viewed from above.
The Matryx upper combines multi-filament threads of Kevlar and high-tenacity polyamide to create a single layer of material that is at once lightweight, breathable and abrasion resistant.
Merrell
Teal and black athletic shoe with pink accent and white sole embossed with "Merrell.
The new MTL SpeedArc Peak is built with a 6mm drop, deep 4mm lugs and a 10.75-ounce weight per shoe.
Merrell

The rule of thirds appears a second time, albeit in a more abstract partnership context. The shoe is defined in part by Merrell’s own technology, but also by two trusted brand partners that bring their own component expertise to the table. 

Merrell defines the middle of the shoe, while Vibram tackles the outsole and Matryx with Kevlar (literally) covers the upper.  

Black Vibram Megagrip Elite outsole with aggressive traction lugs on a trail shoe.
The Vibram Megagrip Elite is an advanced lug technology designed to provide enhanced grip on wet and dry surfaces.
Merrell

Each step stays where it should, thanks to the grippy 4mm lugs on the high-traction Vibram MegaGrip Elite outsole.

The technical Matryx upper, meanwhile, allows for maximum breathability and abrasion-resistant durability. 

Released in part to celebrate Merrell’s 45th anniversary, the new shoe’s bright colors pay homage to the vivid hues that defined the ’80s, Merrell’s founding decade.

Availability and pricing

The MTL SpeedArc Peak is available now on Merrell’s website, retailing for $290.

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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