Chances are, you’ve heard of Merrell. Best known for its high-performance hiking footwear, Merrell is now 45 years old and into a new challenge: figuring out how to transfer decades of outdoor expertise into trail running.
This summer, Merrell launched its first trail super shoe that has almost as many components as it does syllables. Introducing the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak. The fruit of five years of prototypes, the name of Merrell’s flagship trail racer is a mouthful, and the technology buzzwords abound.
At Race Week in Chamonix, I spotted pockets of SpeedArc devotees championing what this shoe can do in a race setting. In contrast, an equally vocal wave of skepticism started to appear on socials, particularly when the €290 price tag dropped. At that price, Merrell isn’t just asking runners to try its latest trail racer. It’s asking us to believe that all this technology amounts to a truly exceptional piece of performance footwear.
As the sticker shock set in, the SpeedArc Peak also picked up some recognition, including the Future of Sports Hub bronze award for “ground-breaking” innovation.
In spite of the loud murmurs on both ends of the spectrum, we try to keep an open mind on this channel. More importantly, we try to run in a shoe long enough to form our own opinion. After a number of all-mountain runs, Thys and I think we are beginning to understand what the SpeedArc Peak brings to the trail community.
I personally took it to a technical race in the Alps. That’s when things started to make sense for me. The SpeedArc Peak doesn’t ride like any other trail super shoe I’ve tested and there’s a lot to like in an all-mountain setting. But at €290, can the MTL SpeedArc Peaks be worth the price?
Upper and Fit of the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak
What works for me
My yellow-blue 45th anniversary MTL SpeedArc Peak colourway looks like a cross between a bowling shoe and a 1990s OG trail shoe with metallic details. Like it or not, it’s a striking look, with a stylised M zig zagging on either side to create a serious lockdown and near-bulletproof protection over an already robust Matryx upper.
The result is a snug, performance fit that will best cater to narrow to average feet, with just enough give from the stretch vamp to offer some relief as the miles rack up.
The semi-gusseted tongue is just the right thickness though not all that breathable, with zoned padding on a mission to eliminate lace bite. The laces incorporate an elastic lace loop, while a stout, rounded heel collar is finished with a slim gaiter attachment that I initially mistook for a purely decorative detail.
What doesn’t work for me
This isn’t a shoe you embrace for its comfort. Its fit means business. I found the upper snug throughout, which I usually like, but it was really narrow through the toe box. I found the pointed toe box to be an unusual choice for a shoe positioning itself for ultra-distance running. Those with narrower feet may get along with it just fine, but on steep descents the fit became rather uncomfortable for me, even despite choosing carefully padded race socks. During one sustained 900m descent braking on at least 30 turns through a dry forest, I experienced that dreaded rubbing enough to have me hobbling after the finish line.
The tongue too could do with some improvement. First, it feels unnecessarily long. I found myself folding the edges back to avoid poking. Then there was the turquoise dye. After each run in the shoe, the dye ran through the socks onto my skin. A memorable touch at one party where I went from race to heels with a blue St Patty buckle branded on the skin. I am not quite sure how that passed quality control.
Finally, the standard laces feel lackluster on a shoe that otherwise comes with so much high-end technology and race-focused intent. In my opinion, these are small but worthwhile details to address for a V2.
Midsole and Ride of the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak
What works for me
The MTL SpeedArc Peak’s midsole is made up of three layers. On top, a layer of FloatPro PB foam gives the shoe some cushioning and structure for added control. This sits above a ¾ length FlexPlate designed to enhance propulsion and energy efficiency, while an outer layer of TPEE adds responsiveness.
The MTL SpeedArc Peak isn’t immediately cloud-like or bouncy, as we’ve come to expect from many recent trail super shoes. It couldn’t be more different to the newly reviewed ASICS Metafuji 2. Rather than delivering the soft, springy sensation of many modern trail super shoes, the SpeedArc Peak gives you a controlled, connected ride. One that feels particularly well suited to technical, climbing-heavy terrain.
The ride is tight and grounded despite the 6mm drop, with noticeable contouring around the arch and a distinctly structured feel underfoot from a forked Carbon FlexPlate, which sits within a more modest 30mm of heel foam. The result is remarkable stability through changes in terrain and underfoot angle. Through its lower profile, it stays agile when the trail gets more technical and direction changes come thick and fast.
Those looking to get the most from this shoe are unlikely to be running exclusively on buffed-out trails and forest paths. Where the SpeedArc Peak really came into its own was on long, steep climbs where the combination of grip, stability and plate-assisted propulsion keeps you moving effortlessly uphill.
The shoe really stood out on steep grades and moderate climbs, where the plate seems to spring you forward with every step.
What doesn’t work for me
While these are huge positives, the MTL SpeedArc Peak is a heavier shoe than you would imagine for the price. In practice, you don’t feel much drag, but you do wish you could forget about the shoe.
It also delivers a firm ride, despite its state of the art foams. There just isn’t a whole lot of the stuff underfoot. The platform is designed for elites running at speed. While the cushioning is protective, it doesn’t feel particularly generous for the rest of us midpackers as the miles start to accumulate.
Despite the plate ending around the midfoot, even the heel lacked cushioning. For me, this made it a perfect choice for a four-hour trail race. That said, I’m not sure I’d personally reach for it when heading into ultra territory.
Outsole of the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak
Grip and Traction
Merrell opted for Vibram Megagrip Elite in the MTL SpeedArc Peak, an advanced compound found in only a handful of premium trail shoes, including the norda 005 and Cascadia Elite. Paired with the shoe’s deep and efficiently shaped X and V patterned 4mm lugs, the traction was phenomenal.
I found the grip to be close to flawless across dry and wet rock, loose dirt, roots and just about everything else I threw at it. On technical, sketchy terrain, it delivered the kind of sure-footed confidence that enabled me to focus on forward movement rather than worrying about slippage.
Durability
The MTL SpeedArc Peak appears well built, from its reinforced upper to the more compact midsole density to the targeted coverage of its miracle foams.
My outsole cutouts expose sections of the midsole foam which have picked up some scuffing, but the foam remains well protected, with the shoe’s construction doing a convincing job of shielding the midsole from rough paths.
Based on my testing so far, the SpeedArc Peak makes a promising case for longevity, but I’ll need to revisit this section after putting considerably more mileage into it.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At $290, the SpeedArc Peak is a serious investment. Its premium MATRYX upper, Vibram Megagrip Elite outsole and carbon FlexPlate go some way towards explaining the price. But, this isn’t a shoe that delivers the immediately obvious super-shoe experience we’ve come to expect. Let’s admit it, we’re also used to justifying high prices with higher stack shoes.
At €290, the SpeedArc Peak sits among the most expensive trail shoes on the market. This makes it a difficult recommendation for the average runner. But Merrell isn’t pitching this shoe to the average runner.
Its value only becomes clear when you take it onto the terrain it was designed for. For skyrunners, VK hunters and mountain racers, this is among the most technically capable trail super shoes I’ve tested. The SpeedArc Peak offers a rare combination of secure grip, agility and uphill propulsion, with the stability to hold its own on technical descents, whether that’s rockfall, roots or whatever else your race throws at you.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
Merrell claims this one is for competitive and high-mileage trail runners, stretching from 5K racing to 100K+ efforts on technical terrain. Its firm, propulsive ride and more dialled-in fit make it a shoe to save for race day and faster sessions. For stacking up everyday mileage, you may want to add something more forgiving in the mix. In the Merrell line-up, the Agility Peak 6 could make a natural companion. This offers a more cushioned and accommodating option for longer, easier days.
Final Verdict
The MTL SpeedArc Peak is not a super shoe for the mass market. It was as if Merrell went into a dark, unconnected board room and decided what a technical racer should look like. Rather than following the current trend towards towering stack heights and springy rides for non technical trails, Merrell has built something quite specialised. The SpeedArc is a low-slung, highly structured racer that is planted, agile and secure when the trail gets steep.
The narrow toe box is likely to be a deal-breaker for runners who need more room up front, while the firm, relatively low-cushioned ride becomes hard to love as the miles accumulate. At €290, those are significant compromises, particularly when many of today’s super shoes offer a more immediately comfortable ride.
This shoe is not perfect, but for the right runner and the right terrain, the SpeedArc Peak is a super shoe that chooses to play by its own rules. The SpeedArc Peak finds its home with narrow footed skyrunners, VK hunters and mountain racers tackling steep, technical terrain.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak vs. Rossignol Vezor
The Rossignol Vezor and Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak agree on one thing: technical mountain racing can be done with a plate but doesn’t necessarily need a towering stack of foam to get the job done.
Both of these shoes are relatively low, narrow and highly structured shoes. They are designed to keep the runner connected to the trail. The SpeedArc Peak delivers particularly noticeable propulsion on your average climbs. The Vezor adds torsional control and guided propulsion without making the shoe feel overly rigid.
Underfoot, neither is interested in pampering tired legs. Both sit at 30mm with a 6mm drop, and both prioritise stability and precision over deep cushioning. The difference is in character. The Merrell is narrower and heavier. The Vezor has a little more playfulness and adaptability beneath the foot through its lighter weight, shaving off a good 40 grams. It’s also lighter on the pocket book, by well over €100 at current retail prices. Let that sink in.
Other People’s Takes on the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak
Thys’ take on the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak
I’m always excited to read Esther’s take on a shoe that both of us have received as we run and train in very different environments. She lives up in the mountains and takes shoes on multi-hour ventures. I take them to more accessible forest trails with far less technical terrain and elevation. Nonetheless I align very closely with Esther’s thoughts on this shoe. It is a very nimble, technical-favouring high performance trail shoe that doesn’t match any other shoe I have ever run in.
To start with the positives, I find the construction of the shoe to feel very snug and nimble. It really feels as if the shoe is made to run fast and handle technical terrain well with a lower stack (only around 30mm) and super grippy outsole. As Esther mentions, it gives you a great sense of confidence. Most of my other high-stack trail running options do not. This shoe sits in a segment of super shoe at a crazy price point. With this comes high expectations. A carbon plate, fancy midsole, and all of the top of the line “buzzword” technologies. That, it again delivers on. Every component of the shoe having a collaboration or special tech, and it does look quite striking.
That said, with all the fancy tech I did expect the shoe to perform better than it did. While Esther mentions finding it really snappy on vertical ascents, I found it to be quite a simple ride. Perhaps due to the weight of the shoe or the lower-stack orientation of the midsole, I did not get the “super shoe” sensation as I had hoped. My major caveat with this shoe is just the crazy price point associated. While Esther makes a good point that this is not a mass market shoe, I still find it a bit out-of-touch to see Merrell slap a pricepoint which sits so far above the market in trail running for what is ultimately a very niche shoe.
Overall it’s exciting to see what a brand like Merrell can come up with. This shoe is very striking, cool and has innovative tech. It’s such a brutal market with so many shoes and price points. Even when a brand is doing everything right, it’s hard not to compare it to the market out there. I agree with Esther, it is a super grippy, technical-oriented trail racer which works really nicely in that segment. But, it is definitely not a mass market accessible shoe that works for everyone.
Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak Quick Questions
How should I use the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak?
Use this shoe for your fast sessions and races on tricky mountain terrain.
Is the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak a good shoe for long runs?
This shoe was designed for ultras, which may suit elites. But it’s narrow and does have some rigidity to be aware of that will prevent a number of runners from wanting to take it past 60-70km.
Is the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak a good shoe for fast sessions?
Yes.
Is the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak a shoe for daily training?
Not really. Unless you have deep pockets, you’ll want to save this shoe for race day.
Can I wear the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak as a lifestyle shoe?
This shoe could definitely pass as a lifestyle shoe with its retro metallic overlays though this isn’t its main purpose.
Is the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak suitable for all terrains?
Yes, this is a shoe that’s not only for any trail terrain, it also excels at terrain transitions. Protect it by keeping it off tarmac.
Is the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak a good shoe for racing?
Yes. Use this shoe for your fast sessions and races on tricky mountain terrain.
Is the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak a good shoe for stability?
Yes, this shoe is remarkably stable, perhaps the most stable trail shoe in the super trail race category.
