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This Wild Hybrid Hiking Shoe Redefines Trail-Ready Design

Merrell’s latest release isn’t just another mashup of two well-known footwear styles; it also sports a material rarely seen in the outdoors.

Pair of beige and brown Merrell shoes with Vibram soles shown from the back against a purple background.Merrell
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By Hayley Helms

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Merrell has built its reputation on outdoor-ready footwear and casual shoes centered around out-of-the-box comfort and traditional aesthetics … but behind the scenes, the hiking-focused brand has been dipping its toes into experimental design.

With sneaker-loafers, technical Mary Janes and other hybrid silhouettes surging in popularity, Merrell’s semi-secret history of rugged-meets-fashion innovation feels perfectly timed.

Its latest hybrid style stands out not just for its fusion of high-performance hiking materials and a trend-forward shape; the SpeedArc Trek Mary Jane uses a fashion industry staple I’ve never seen on a hiking shoe before, and yet somehow makes it feel like a completely natural fit.

Chunky brown sneakers with beige lace fabric and thick textured soles.
The SpeedArc Trek Mary Jane is one of the funkiest, coolest hiking hybrids to come out this year.
Merrell

Pretty powerful

Aside from the fact that it’s a technical Mary Jane, the most standout feature on the new SpeedArc Trek Mary Jane is its performance lace upper.

While the blacked-out option helps make the synthetic and textile material feel a little subtler, the Nougat colorway lets the lace take center stage … and in this editor’s opinion, is the better-looking shoe, rewarded for its boldness.

Beige lace sneakers with brown straps worn with ribbed beige socks.
Merrell’s latest hybrid hiker expertly blends traditionally delicate materials with engineered textiles.
Merrell

The funky sportstyle shoe provides the same comfort, speed and trail-ready profile of the original SpeedArc, but the striking lace and toe-strap design help elevate the shoe to new street style heights.

Black lace sneakers with thick soles worn with white frilled ankle socks on a light background.
The black colorway is more subtle but still preserves the tech-meets-fashion profile of the SpeedArc.
Merrell
Dark brown Vibram rubber sole with textured tread pattern on a shoe.
The Vibram outsole maintains grip (and outdoor street cred).
Merrell

The hook-and-loop closure system offers quick on-the-go adjustment, while the wider strap bands offer more comfort than thin-strapped Mary Janes.

The padded collar, molded TPU heel counter and removable EVA foam footbed offer comfort and stability while fitting into a unique form factor.

Beige textured sneakers with brown straps worn with cream ruffled ankle socks.
Two defining straps bring personality to the low-profile shape.
Merrell

Merrell’s proprietary FlexPlate tech, which provides  torsional rigidity, lateral stability and forefoot flexibility, and the two-part midsole offer lightweight and energy-focused performance.

The Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole rounds out the package, offering grip on both wet and dry surfaces.

Availability and pricing

The SpeedArc Trek Mary Jane is available now on Merrell’s website, retailing for $155.

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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