Bronze Winner In The Category Trailrunning
The Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak is Merrell’s most advanced trail running shoe and the result of five years of athlete insight and development through the Merrell Test Lab—engineered for podium finishes and personal records on technical terrain.
The core function is the SpeedARC™ midsole system featuring an integrated Carbon FlexPlate™ and dual-density FloatPro™ PB foam for maximum energy return and propulsion. Further, the shoe features a combination of a full carbon plate system, Vibram® MegaGrip Elite outsole, and Matryx® Kevlar® upper in a single trail-specific platform. The EOA award reflects the consistent, race-ready overall concept.
What convinced the jury:
★ SpeedARC™ + Carbon FlexPlate™
The midsole system with carbon plate delivers superior propulsion and energy return—with full lateral stability on technical terrain.
★ Vibram® MegaGrip Elite
The outsole provides elite-level grip on wet, dry, and technical surfaces with high durability for high-mileage use.
★ Matryx® Kevlar® Upper
Woven from Kevlar® and polyamide fibres, the upper combines exceptional abrasion resistance with breathability and minimal weight.
Jury Statement:
Rather than adapting road-running concepts, this trail running shoe was clearly engineered for the demands of technical terrain, combining efficient forward drive with stability and control. The integration of the carbon plate, high-rebound foam system and Vibram® MegaGrip Elite outsole demonstrates a cohesive performance concept focused on speed, endurance and confidence on the trail.
Product Scoring:
Trail specific race performance
The key innovation is the combination of a full carbon plate system, Vibram® MegaGrip Elite outsole, and Matryx® Kevlar® upper in a single trail-specific platform.
The European Outdoor award win also reflects the consistent, race-ready overall concept and an innovation score of 70 also reflects that the Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak is state-of-the-art in terms of technology and materials used in a trail running shoe.
Product Specifications:
- Weight: 303 g
- Sizes: Unisex EU 36–50
- Colours: Core and limited-edition colourways, including 45th Anniversary Edition
- RRP: €290
MerrellDesign & Materials
Design: Race silhouette with a clean aesthetic for performance athletes.
Materials: Matryx® upper (Kevlar®/polyamide), 100% recycled mesh lining, 60% recycled laces, FloatPro™ PB foam (dual density), Carbon FlexPlate™, TPEE footbed, Vibram® MegaGrip Elite.
Handling: Carbon plate requires an adaptation period; optimised for running on natural terrain. Further features: Not designed for hiking, walking, or pavement-dominant use.
Intended Usage
Target group: Competitive and performance-oriented trail runners, high-mileage athletes, and elite competitors. Use cases: 5K to 100K+ on moderate to technical trail, racing, intensive training.
