Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak Review

The Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak. All photos: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

The Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak ($290) hits the trails this summer with an elite-minded edge balanced with stylized energy. The unique colorway is a direct nod to the panache of the 1980s — when Merrell was founded 45 years ago. Out of the box, the MTL SpeedArc Peak aesthetic immediately sparked nostalgia for my old Swatch Watch, United Colors of Benetton shirt, and Punky Brewster hairdo. If I just dated myself, it only means that I am a very seasoned athlete and runner. Or so I tell myself. Fast forward to modern-day Merrell, whose quantitative and qualitative testing at the Merrell Test Lab (MTL) recently catapulted the MTL SpeedArc Peak to the global trail running market. It will definitely be a hit.

I received the MTL SpeedArc Peak in sync with my increased back half of the year training surge and weekend trips to the mountains. It has been a fun exploration into what this shoe is capable of across multiple landscapes, giving it full opportunity to reveal its true colors alongside its smile-provoking blue, yellow, and pink. I was also curious if the shoe, touted as performance focused and race ready, could make me feel elite simply by wearing them. Several aspects are for certain: the MTL SpeedArc Peak guarantees quick turnover, comfort, protection, confidence, and fun, particularly on gravel roads, softer substrates, and moderately technical trails. Running through streams has been a blast, too. The MTL SpeedArc Peaks make you feel fast, and at times, actually run fast.

The MTL SpeedArc Peak has a 32-millimeter heel stack height at the heal and a 26-millimeter stack at the forefoot, resulting in a 6-millimeter drop. The shoe has an actual weight of 10.7 ounces (304 grams) for a U.S. men’s 9. If the weight seems heavy, the construction and relatively low profile, compared to today’s rising standard, maintain a balance between speedy forward appeal and feel. Overall, there are similarities to several of the VJ trail running shoe models if you were lucky enough to run in their niche shoes before the company pulled out of the U.S. market earlier this year. Perhaps the MTL SpeedArc Peak can slowly fill a sliver of that void.

Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak Upper

The Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak upper comes with a fun retro colorway.

As noted, the Merell MTL SpeedArc Peak celebrates Merrell’s 45th year as an outdoor equipment company. It showcases the 1980s with colorful flair. If anything, the shoe is worth looking at. It inspires throwback fun.

From a technical perspective, the MTL SpeedArc Peak offers heightened protection, durability, and comfort on the go. The upper wisely uses Matryx textile technology with Kevlar-threaded protection to ensure a lightweight foot wrap with guaranteed abrasion resistance. Recent dense bushwhacking experience made me grateful for the added security. The upper does a decent job at keeping the feet on the platform. Bolstered protection comes in the form of two TPU toe bumpers sloping down medially and laterally from the forefoot tip. The side panel mesh between the fortified Matryx overlays is breathable, no-nonsense, and nearly water-resistant. It is a remarkable thing to run through water and not fret about a drop.

The MTL SpeedArc Peak is constructed from a narrow last — a true speed racer — thus the toebox is tapered. I have substantial toe splay and generally need wider toebox shoes or material that is more forgiving. Luckily, I can make the MTL SpeedArc Peak work in moderation since there is a medial toebox flex zone, allowing for some stretch and adaptability for longer hauls and quality workouts. Since it is a narrow shoe, and for other reasons explained below, my distance threshold is smartly capped at the 50k, and for training runs 15 miles and below, although I tested it longer.

The tongue is made from durable SPR and TPR materials, which add to the upper’s remarkable protection and anti-abrasion mission. It is attached to the upper with an internal midfoot wrap that is snug but, for my gait and running style, moves too dynamically. I think the construction would have been better served with a semi-gusseted design. Or the added elastic band across the tongue, designed to house tied laces, could be used to integrate the laces with the tongue to keep it in place. An added note regarding the top of the tongue: In its fresh state, it is a soft, felt-like material, but as I push well over a hundred miles, it has gotten hard and edgy. Wear tall socks.

I also longed for a sharkskin grab at the heel for extra staying power. The internal heel collar material is soft on the foot, but if the shoe isn’t tied and locked down completely, the heel slips easily. It was nothing that warranted extreme concern. It was a delicate balance of tying the laces just tight enough to keep the foot secure without providing too much top-down restraint and resistance to natural foot movement. I still enjoyed the heel comfort, especially on long climbs.

Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak Midsole

The three-layer Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak midsole provides an energetic and comfortable ride.

The Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak midsole is a triumphant triumvirate. The midsole combines two different foams and an integrated carbon FlexPlate. The bottom layer is a FloatPro foam that provides protection and durability, while the top layer is a FloatPro PEBA-based foam to kick the rebound and energy return into top gear. I felt like the carbon FlexPlate design helped focus my sustained speed with the stiff comfort I need and really enjoy. I am curious, however, if I would appreciate the midsole even more without the carbon plate.

It is important to state that the midsole layered approach works particularly well on gravel roads, smooth singletrack, and moderately technical terrain. During a mountain outing, the midsole stability faltered on highly technical sections and off-trail navigation. The constant rock and shale instability was too much for the carbon fiber plate. It felt as if I was being thrown around from the ground up, and I concluded it wasn’t a series of runner errors. Sometimes when I am running long, it is a battle of, “Is it me or is it the gear?”

The MTL SpeedArc Peak’s midsole can enliven a simple trail run into a performance push. It provides respectable rebound and long-lasting comfort. Because of the carbon plate, I wear them selectively — for quality speed workouts or short races. My feet don’t like carbon underfoot all of the time, or flex points that may not quite align with natural foot movement. For me, 90% of my day is spent barefoot or in zero-drop footwear.

Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak Outsole

The 4-millimeter lugs on the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak outsole provide plenty of traction.

When I initially flipped the Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak upside down to examine the outsole, another smile alighted on my face. Four-millimeter butterfly-shaped lugs stud the bottom for exceptional summer-conditions grip and speedy flight. The butterflies are right-side up on the heel and upside down on the forefoot. It is a nice design touch to a shoe that is already colorful. Whether or not that was intentional is unknown. It is too bad that the outsole is black and not neon green.

The Vibram Megagrip Elite technology lightens the heft of the shoe and adds trusted grip. I ran in and out of streams and hopped on wet rocks with confidence. The outsole seemed to handle the dry, loose granitic soils of southern Oregon smoothly, always a concern during the summer months. The Megagrip is just enough to balance traction and the performance speed it aims to achieve. The midsole and carbon plate pattern themselves through the rubber from heel to toe, and this is especially prominent at the midfoot for some pliability. This outsole design lends itself to smoother road and gravel road miles.

Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak Overall Impressions

The Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak combines several unique features to provide a confident ride.

The Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak ignited a surge in both my running adventures and mid-summer running speed. The running joy and fervor were abetted by the integrated design and technologies, including Vibram, Matryx, and the 80s inspired colorway. The shoe fits snugly and is ready for action. I like the feeling when you lace up, the shoe is already urging you to hit the trail. The foams are dependable with ample energy return, and nothing deadens. I am hesitant to wear these shoes routinely because of the carbon plate, but the selective workouts and long runs have been noteworthy. The upper is a protective beast. I could use a little more volume to maintain my staying power on longer runs, but runners with narrower feet may find the fit super dialed. The outsole covers the foundation, and for these summer months, it has gripped for performance on gravel roads and on softer to mildly technical trails.

I am often suspect of narrower trail shoes, but I was relieved to feel the foam propulsion, the protection, and the confidence of the SpeedArc’s platform. It has been a fun testing period and push back into performance.

Call for Comments

• Have you run in the Merrell MTL SpeedArk Peak?
• What’s your experience with carbon plates in trail shoes?

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