ISPO Award Winner 2024: Merrell SpeedARC Surge BOA

What does the future of hiking look like and how can we really disrupt it? Here is what Merrell developed after years of consumer insights, research, testing, and prototypes. Merrell’s SpeedARC Surge BOA is a fusion of innovation, style, and performance. The look of the shoe is futuristic and disruptive for the hiking segment, with its technology components visible on the outside. The target group is younger and urban, valuing the outdoors but also wanting a cutting-edge design. With innovative Matryx materials, BOA dual dial fit, and a midsole package of supercritical foam sandwiching a flex plate, it redefines trail footwear.

„The hero of this shoe is the platform technology we have invented and what we are calling SpeedARC. It is a combination of our flexplate, a nylon based plate material, and a brandnew, supercritical foam“, explains Ian Cobb, Senior Design Director at Merrell. 

This innovative sole construction is offering a new underfoot trail experience: The SpeedARC Surge BOA introduces Merrell’s new FloatPro+ foam, a supercritical foam that is nitrogen injected for better cushioning and response. Two dual-density supercritical foam midsole layers sandwich an exposed nylon flexplate for a cushioned yet stable and responsive underfoot experience. „The combination of foam, plate, foam creates a brandnew, cushioned propulsion, that we are super excited about“, Cobb adds.

While the midsole foam is constructed to offer enhanced rebound, durability, and an increased lifespan, the nylon flex plate stabilizes the midsole platform. This construction offers great energy return. Lab tests conducted by Merrell and its third-party lab partner Heelux prove its superiority among the competitive hiking set. The midsole also reduces energy loss in the gait cycle.

Out-of-the-box comfort in combination with innovative upper materials delivers fit and the ultimate ride underfoot. Crafted with Chamatex’s Matryx material, the upper of the SpeedARC Surge BOA is lightweight, durable, and breathable. Then, a double BOA lacing system ensures precise fit adjustment of both the heel and forefoot areas. Utilizing Matryx material, a knit bootie collar construction and the double BOA in the upper ensures a snug fit. „We are using a BOA dial, that can be adjusted both ways, so you can adjust on the fly - whether it is your feet swelling or a change in terrain“, Ian Cobbs says. He is also sure about the overall package and its potential for disruption in the hiking market. „The shoe shows, where we are headed for the future.“ And the ISPO Award jury also agrees: While Merrell has been doing great work at delivering not your typical granddad’s hiking boot over the last years, the SpeedARC Surge BOA is a progressive shoe packed with style and technology to speak to future generations on the trail.

• Dual-density supercritical foam midsole
• Nylon flexplate for a responsive but cushy underfoot experience
• Dual BOA lacing system for ultimate precision
• Matryx lightweight, breathable, abrasion-resistant upper