"I would 100% recommend the shoe – and I already have"

What does the future of hiking look like – and how can we actively shape it?

This is a question outdoor footwear brand Merrell has been exploring through consumer research in recent years. Their latest answer: the Merrell SpeedARC Matis, a hybrid hiking sneaker combining innovative performance and futuristic design. With its disruptive style and advanced features, it speaks to a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts: young, urban, fashion-forward, and eager to live their passion for the outdoors in everyday city life.

But how does the new model resonate with these consumers? The answer: through real-world feedback from the ISPO Collaborators Club community.

In the ISPO Collaborators Club, sports brands work closely with passionate athletes to test their latest products, gather direct feedback, and integrate it into future product development. This ensures a deeper understanding of what consumers truly value.

For the Merrell SpeedARC Matis, a dedicated test was carried out with handpicked collaborators – selected from over 30,000 members of the Merrell and ISPO community.

This shoe is designed to make hiking possible anywhere – not just in the mountains or countryside but also on urban trails and city streets. Accordingly, testers were chosen across a variety of European cities and environments: from the urban jungle of Berlin to the coastal cities of Portugal and the Dolomites of South Tyrol.

Thanks to this direct connection with the target audience, Merrell gathered detailed insights not only on performance and terrain compatibility but also on design and urban style.

Collaborators tested the Merrell SpeedARC Matis thoroughly on walks, hikes, and short runs through the city, as well as in everyday life. The immediate comfort and fit stood out. "I would 100% recommend the shoe – and I already have," said collaborator Pedro. "Overall, the experience was very positive. The shoes are super light and very comfortable, at least for the shape of my feet." Combined with innovative upper materials, they provide an optimally fitting shoe with the lightness of the ultimate running feeling underfoot. Testers of the Merrell SpeedARC Matis appreciated this. "For occasional hikes, they are by far the best shoes I have ever tried, and daily walking is incomparable," reported collaborator Fabian. The shoe's quick lace system, which allows for easy on and off and quick adjustment of the fit, was also highlighted.

"The shoes feel really great, and even on hikes with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain, I felt super comfortable. Normally, I feel my hips a bit after my short favourite hike near home, but with the SpeedARC Matis, there was no pain, and I even set a new personal best." The high energy return from the SpeedARC sole construction, where the foam in the midsole provides improved rebound and the flex plate in the midsole platform adds extra stability, was also positively evaluated during the tests. "The shoe was super comfortable to wear, and the sole really helped push me forward," said tester Lea. "The sole is excellent in my local terrain, which is mostly muddy or sandy and crosscountry. And that without feeling fatigue," added Pedro. The sole grip of the shoe was also rated as exceptional in rain and wet conditions.

“Extremely comfortable and stylish. Great to wear in urban environments, like for a walk – finally a hiking shoe that doesn’t look like a hiking shoe,” says triathlete and collaborator Maria.

Lea agrees: “I could definitely see myself wearing them not just for hiking – and I probably will.”
She and collaborator Sebastian praised the cushioning and comfort, especially for long days on your feet – like during travel or in everyday life. The versatility of the shoe was also praised:

“I love that I can wear them while traveling. That means I don’t need to pack a heavy extra pair of hiking boots – and when I arrive, I still have a solid pair for hikes.”

Maria adds: “The up-to-date style is perfect for a walk in the city or park. I might even use them for my daily commute.”

For those intending to wear the shoe primarily for hiking, there was one practical tip:

“If you’re planning to use them only for hiking and not as lifestyle shoes, I wouldn’t recommend the white color – they get dirty quickly. But I do love the white design for daily wear,” says Lea.

Since the shoe comes in different colourways, personal preferences can easily be accommodated.

The shoe’s progressive look also played a big role:

“As I said – they’re super practical for travel and cover a lot of ground. Style-wise too – they go great with a technical or gorpcore outfit,” adds Lea.

With the SpeedARC Matis, Merrell has delivered a progressive shoe packed with style and technology – one that brings hiking into the city and shapes the future of outdoor footwear. And among the active testers of the ISPO Collaborators Club, it clearly found its place between urban adventure and everyday life.