ISPO Award Winner 2025: Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak

At the heart of the MTL SpeedARC Peak lies a development process centered entirely on the needs of professional trail runners. Every element—from midsole geometry to upper durability—was refined through seven prototype rounds. As Merrell explains, the aim was to build footwear capable of supporting athletes at full intensity in high-stakes environments. The result is a shoe that translates biomechanics, lab testing and real-world data into a race-day tool engineered to maximize efficiency on steep, technical terrain.

Jon Sanregret, Product Line Manager at Merrell, captures this intent clearly:

“The MTL SpeedARC Peak was built with one purpose in mind: to enable athletes to compete at the highest level. Every detail was scrutinized and refined to deliver maximum speed, control, and confidence on race day.” 

The core of the shoe is the SpeedARC™ midsole platform, Merrell’s specific geometry built for all-terrain efficiency. In the MTL SpeedARC Peak, this system is taken to its most advanced form yet. The top layer is an all-new FloatPro™ PEBA-based racing foam—ultralight, high-rebound and designed to deliver exceptional energy return on long, explosive efforts. Beneath it sits the Carbon Fiber FlexPlate™, a lightweight, forked carbon plate that increases propulsion, stabilizes foot strike and maintains forefoot adaptability over uneven terrain. A resilient base layer of FloatPro™ Foam delivers durability and stability during long-distance descents.

This trilogy of foam–carbon–foam ensures a dynamic underfoot experience: efficient, propulsive and precise, even when fatigue hits.

Dieses Trio aus Schaum–Carbon–Schaum sorgt für ein dynamisches Laufgefühl: effizient, kraftvoll und präzise – selbst mit müden Beinen.

The upper construction brings another key performance partnership into play. Matryx® with Kevlar® offers breathability, abrasion resistance and long-term durability—critical attributes for athletes racing through sharp rock, deep mud, scree or fast-changing alpine surfaces. Even at minimal weight, the upper remains supportive, securing the foot without restriction during high-cadence descents and technical traverses.

To match the midsole’s power and the upper’s precision, the outsole integrates Vibram® MegaGrip Elite—the brand’s highest-performing rubber compound, tuned specifically for elite athletes tackling steep, rugged courses. Designed for wet and dry reliability, it offers confidence on slick rock slabs, shifting gravel, muddy roots and alpine chutes. Through hundreds of testing hours, the compound was iteratively refined to withstand race-level forces on technical terrain.

This outsole completes the SpeedARC Peak’s mission: converting power into controlled acceleration, even on unstable ground.

The MTL SpeedARC Peak embodies the full spirit of the Merrell Test Lab: a space where prototypes are broken, reworked and rebuilt with athlete insight leading every decision. For five years, seven iterations and thousands of logged miles, the shoe evolved into a finely tuned race instrument. Stability, rebound, plate flex, foam density, grip and foot lockdown were repeatedly analyzed until the team arrived at a shoe ready for elite competition.

Global product testing included steep ascents, wet granite, desert heat, mud-heavy forest tracks and high-altitude ridgelines—scenarios where propulsion, stability and grip are not luxuries but necessities but are also common in technical trail racing. 

As Sanregret states, the result “pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on technical terrain.” 

Designed for mid-to-long-distance trail competitions, the MTL SpeedARC Peak prioritizes efficiency over time. The forefoot-driven geometry supports runners who attack the trail with aggressive stride patterns, while the lightweight platform minimizes energy loss over long efforts. For athletes racing at threshold on terrain where mistakes carry consequences, the combination of carbon propulsion, PEBA cushioning and technical traction provides a uniquely competitive edge.

• SpeedARC™ midsole platform with FloatPro™ PEBA-based racing foam and Carbon Fiber FlexPlate™ for propulsion and efficiency

• Vibram® MegaGrip Elite outsole providing pro-level grip on steep, wet and rugged terrain

• Matryx® with Kevlar® upper delivering breathable, lightweight and extremely durable protection

• Developed over five years with extensive athlete testing and seven prototype iterations

• Built for long-distance race performance with a focus on efficiency, stability and lightweight support