Merrell is coming for Hoka with its carbon-plated trail shoe that exposes its biggest secret through the sole
The MTL SpeedARC Peak combines pod-like cushioning, a visible carbon plate and Vibram’s latest trail outsole
Merrell has launched its most ambitious trail running shoe to date, and you only need to look at its unusual sculpted sole to see that the brand is trying something different.
The new MTL SpeedARC Peak is a carbon-plated racing shoe developed over five years through the Merrell Test Lab, with feedback gathered from the company’s elite athletes.
Merrell describes it as its most advanced running shoe yet, designed for podium attempts and personal bests over demanding trails.
Its most eye-catching feature is the two-part SpeedARC midsole, which looks more like a collection of individual cushioning pods than a conventional slab of foam.
Large cut-outs run along the shoe, separating sections of the midsole and leaving parts of its full-length Carbon FlexPlate visible from the outside.
It is said to combine the propulsion and efficiency normally associated with a carbon plate with enough flexibility for technical terrain.
Merrell pairs the plate with a dual-density mixture of FloatPro foam and PEBA-based racing foam, which promises energy return without making the shoe too rigid when runners need to change direction or negotiate uneven ground.
Carbon above, cut-outs below
The sole is just as unconventional underneath, with Merrell using a skeletal arrangement of Vibram Megagrip Elite rubber that leaves sections of the midsole and carbon plate exposed.
That saves weight while placing the rubber where grip is most important.
The outsole uses 4mm lugs and is intended to maintain traction on both wet and dry surfaces, although the exposed sections may raise durability concerns on particularly rocky routes.
The upper is made from Matryx, combining Kevlar threads with high-tenacity polyamide to create a lightweight, abrasion-resistant structure.
Other details include a padded collar, elastic lace keeper, breathable mesh lining and TPEE footbed.
Official specifications put the shoe at 305g per shoe, with a 30mm heel and 24mm forefoot stack, creating a 6mm drop.
The MTL SpeedARC Peak will be available in the US for $290, initially in a vivid “45th Anniversary” colourway.
European availability is currently listed for August, with an expected price of €290; Merrell has yet to confirm UK pricing or an exact UK release date.
