Is this shoe the future of hiking? - No
30.6.2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Siri Schubert
I had high expectations of the Merrell "SpeedArc Matis" shoes. They were not fulfilled. That was partly down to me - and Merrell's marketing.
It was a misunderstanding. Quite clearly. I simply translated hiking too literally - as hiking. And I was thinking of winding paths, forests, mountains and very little tarmac. Before you roll your eyes and think: «How traditional!» - Wait a minute. I can explain the mistake, because it's about a new shoe from the brand Merrell.
The brand knows a thing or two about outdoor footwear. Whether hiking or barefoot shoes, Merrell is at its core a solid adventure brand for paths away from city noise and concrete.
When Merrell presented the «SpeedArc Surge Boa» at the international sports fair ISPO, I was astonished. The space look didn't fit in well with the brand's otherwise functional image. Brave, I thought.
I wasn't the only one impressed. The ISPO jury honoured the shoe with an award. And Time magazine named the shoe one of the best inventions of the past year.
In the meantime, I was able to test a slightly cheaper model, the «SpeedArc Matis». And that brings us to the misunderstanding. Hiking and hiking are - at least in modern marketing lingo - not the same thing. Especially when it becomes urban hiking, or more precisely, strolling around the city. But first things first.
These features stand out
Happy to have the Merrell «SpeedArc Matis» on my feet, I'm off into the great outdoors. Because I'm not yet aware of the linguistic subtleties. To try out the sneaker-style hiking boot, I'm not drawn to the mountains, but to an easy, pretty hiking trail along a stream. «SpeedArc» makes me think of speed hiking, of fast walking on moderate paths.
Unlike the award-winning shoe, the «SpeedArc Matis» does not have a double Boa closure, but a quick lacing system - but it is also significantly cheaper. The Vibram outsole is slightly less structured than that of the ISPO award-winning shoe.
But the key features are the same: the striking foam sole, which is part futuristic space mission and part creamy layered dessert. And the intermediate plate made of nylon, which - similar to carbon plates in super shoes - is intended to provide better energy return.
With a cushioning (stack height) of 34 to 26 millimetres and a drop of eight millimetres, the shoe is generously cushioned. The weight of just under 300 grams is good for a hiking shoe. It actually feels light on the foot.
Walking yes, hiking no
The first impression is good and I wanted to like the shoe. However, the practical test brought me back down to earth.
The fit of the shoe is not ideal for my foot. It's too tight at the front and doesn't offer enough support at the heel. Of course, the fit is individual. With the «SpeedArc Surge Boa» model, you can use the two Boa fasteners to adjust the shoe. This is not possible with the «SpeedArc Matis».
However, I find the generous padding and the intermediate plate more annoying. I have almost no feel for the ground. This is just about acceptable on easy paths, but when things get a bit more technical or rocky, the risk of twisting your ankle increases.
The eight millimetre drop also gives me a hard time. As soon as I go downhill, the pressure on the forefoot increases and the big toe joint starts to complain. To be honest, I'm amazed. Merrell has made a name for itself with barefoot shoes, among other things. Why this model has such a high drop remains a mystery to me.
Although the outsole is made by Vibram, it has less grip than I am used to from trail running shoes due to the flat profile and lower lugs. On damp ground, the sole quickly reaches its limits and it becomes slippery.
In the meantime, mud has also crept into the gaps between the soles. This will cause me problems later when cleaning my shoes. The light colour of the upper material is darkening noticeably. Not nice.
Outdoor clothing as fashion
Back at home, I pick up the booklet that came in the box with the shoes - yes, only now. And I realise a few things. «These shoes are designed for the paths of the city in all its forms», it says. Although it is teeming with terms such as «discover, explore, navigate», which are otherwise firmly anchored in outdoor sports, the whole thing has little to do with that.
It's simply about going for a walk. For the catalogue, Merrell has hired models, actors and content creators, among others, who talk about their walk through the city in a way that would probably make storyteller Jules Verne green with envy.
Model Adrien Truong, who was interviewed for the magazine, sums it up: «These days, it's trendy to be connected to nature and Merrell shoes fit the bill.»
Wearing functional clothing as fashion is nothing new. To find out, just take a look at the backs of chairs cluttered with The North Face and Arcteryx jackets in any bar in any city. And trainers for a city trip? You know yourself.
Urban hiking has its place
Admittedly, I was pretty harsh on the shoes. Because basically, I completely agree: Exercise is good for you, whether in the city or in nature. And exploring a city on foot is often a pleasure and an adventure at the same time.
Even a 20-minute walk to work can offer exciting insights into the rhythm of a city. As a former resident of San Francisco, I can confirm this: In terms of athletic challenges and metres of elevation gain, a city walk can definitely keep up with a trip into nature.
My disappointment comes mainly from the high expectations I had of the shoe. At the presentation and in the press release, it was said that the shoe would revolutionise the world of hiking shoes. After testing it, I see things differently. It's an eye-catching sneaker for the city, but certainly not a shoe that heralds the future of hiking.
We don't currently have the «SpeedArc Matis» in our range. You can find the customisable «SpeedArc Surge» from the same series here:
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
4 comments
later