ProView – Merrell MTL SpeedArc Peak Review

Coming from a trail running shoe with a similar stack and drop, it was very welcoming sliding my feet into the Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak for the first time. Initially walking around in these shoes, I was very impressed with the general comfort.

Test one: walk the dog—passed with flying colors. The next step was to put them into action in their intended use: a trail run in the hills behind my house.

The first thing I noticed upon taking a stride was the Carbon FlexPlate™ and Merrell SpeedARC Midsole System. There is a kinetic property to these shoes that makes you want to stay in motion.

It’s actually pretty interesting—if you are simply walking, you think, “comfortable shoe.” Take a stride and you think, “performance.”

My perspective on trail shoes is also a little broader than just running. My trail running shoes tend to become workhorses throughout the year. They see training runs varying from 5–15 miles, alpine adventures, backpacking, and sometimes even the Baja 1000. Because of that, I tend to look at a shoe not only for how it performs during a run, but how useful it is for long days moving through the outdoors.

Performance

Coming from a shoe with a similar stack, the SpeedARC Peak did initially feel taller, with maybe a slight disconnect from the surface I was running on. This took a little bit of getting used to, but ultimately, for the intended use and for big miles, I think the comfort outweighs the proprioception. It only took a little time before that feeling became normal.

The weight—or lack thereof—was noticeable, or I guess, not noticeable. The profile of the shoe makes it seem like it would weigh more, but that’s not the case.

Grip has also been phenomenal. Combined with the comfort and midsole performance, the shoe feels very confident when moving over trail terrain.

And then there is the carbon plate. This was my first running shoe with a carbon plate, and I am now a believer. I don’t think this corrects bad running mechanics, but I do think it enhances proper running form. When you are moving well, you can actually feel the shoe working with you.

That could improve speed, but perhaps more importantly for most runners, it improves the overall enjoyment of running.

What Sets the SpeedARC Peak Apart?

For me, it is the combination of comfort and performance.

When I first opened the box, my immediate thought was, “Those are pretty.” After spending some time in them, however, the grip, comfort, weight, and performance are what stand out.

While they are “pretty,” they absolutely perform.

The Carbon FlexPlate™ and SpeedARC Midsole System aren’t features I only noticed because they were listed on the box. I could actually feel their effect once I started running.

Who Is This Shoe For?

This shoe makes the most sense for runners putting in big miles, running technical terrain, or looking for maximum comfort and performance.

I also feel these shoes could easily work for the other things I ask of trail running shoes: alpine adventures and moving quickly through the mountains with up to a light pack.

However, with all the technology and capability in the soles, I would personally reserve them for running and lighter alpine adventures. I feel everything they are designed to do would start to be cast out under the load of a heavy backpack.

The Final Word

The Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak is an incredibly comfortable trail shoe that transforms from “comfortable” to “performance” the moment you start running.

All in all, I’m very impressed with the comfort, but more than that, the performance of the shoe. The carbon plate, SpeedARC midsole, low weight, and grip combine to create a shoe that genuinely makes you want to stay in motion.

This isn’t necessarily “your every run shoe”—but it could be.

If your terrain requires maximum grip and you require maximum comfort and performance, I could easily see reaching for the SpeedARC Peak every time you head out the door.

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