Merrell
MTL SpeedARC Peak
Merrell's first carbon-plated mountain racer pairs a PEBA-based foam with Vibram Megagrip Elite rubber and a tough Kevlar Matryx upper. It feels genuinely fast on runnable and moderately technical trails.
About the MTL SpeedARC Peak
Merrell describes the MTL SpeedARC Peak as its first carbon-plated trail shoe, an elite racer for mountain ultras, skyrunning and technical terrain. The brand says it is built for "uncompromising speed, stability, and traction".
Its midsole combines dual-density FloatPro foam with a PEBA foam, and a three-quarter-length Carbon FlexPlate sits between the layers (see the carbon plate explainer). Vibram Megagrip Elite rubber covers almost the entire outsole, and the upper is Matryx, a woven material reinforced with Kevlar threads.
Within Merrell's MTL family, the SpeedARC Peak adds the plate and PEBA that the other models lack. The MTL Adapt Matryx is the high-cushion option for long days, while the MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx is a lower, unplated shoe for technical ground. The SpeedARC Peak has a 6 mm drop and is aimed at runners comparing trail racing shoes.
Specs and features from roadtrailrun.com, sportsshoes.com, runrepeat.com, active.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Video reviews
What the critics say
89/100 review score
- RunRepeat 86/100
The reviews in briefThe Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak won over iRunFar's Molly Schmelzle and RunRepeat's Carlos Sánchez with its lively foam, tough upper and superb grip, including on wet rock. Both found the tapered toe box narrow, and Sánchez thought it heavy and pricey, while Schmelzle felt the plated midsole grew unstable on very rocky ground.
- Positive: Energetic, responsive ride that genuinely runs fast
- Positive: Tough, protective upper that shrugs off abrasion
- Positive: Excellent grip on wet rock and loose ground
- Mixed: Carbon plate feels less stable on very technical, rocky ground
- Mixed: RunRepeat measured a drop of about 11 mm, well above the stated 6 mm
- Negative: Narrow, tapered toe box
- Negative: Expensive, and heavy next to rival racers
Paraphrased from published reviews. Read them in full:
The numbers
- Trail
- Type
- 304 g
- Weight
- 32 mm
- Heel stack
- 6 mm
- Drop
- Carbon plate
- Plate
- Inherently stable
- Support
Weight for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5.
What it feels like
Fit
True to size
Narrow and tapered, which feels secure on narrow feet; runners with wide feet or lots of toe splay should try it first.
What Reddit runners say
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On TikTok
MTL SpeedARC Peak on TikTokShort reviews and wear tests from runnersWhere to buy the MTL SpeedARC Peak
RRP around £260. Tap through for today's price.
Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak
In short
Worth it if you race mountain trails and ultras and want a fast, protective carbon shoe with superb grip. It's expensive and heavy for a racer, and the narrow fit suits slim feet best.
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