Merrell launches new super tough trail running shoes reinforced with Kevlar

By Cat Ellis
published

The shoes are made using a new material called Matryx that combines polyamide and Kevlar fibers for lightness and strength

Person running wearing Merrell MTL Matryx shoes
(Image credit: Merrell)

Merrell has released two new trail running shoes made using a new fabric containing Kevlar, resulting in an upper that's extra light and extra tough.

The new Merrell MTL Skyfire II Matryx and MTL Long Sky II Matryx use a new upper material woven from yarn that combines individually coated polyamide fibers and Kevlar.

Not only is this special upper more resistant to abrasions than a typical running shoe upper, it's also pieced together from fewer individual components, reducing both waste and water consumption. Dying the yarn rather than the finished fabric also reduces the amount of water needed to make each shoe.

The Merrell MTL Skyfire II Matryx (shown above) is a light, fast elite trail running shoe built for racing, with an upper made from a single layer of Kevlar-infused Matryx fabric, plus an integrated flex plate for protection on rocky ground. Its Vibram MegaGrip outsole has 5mm lugs for extra traction on tough terrain. It's priced at £170.

The Merrell MTL Long Sky II Matryx (shown below) is designed with long, tough mountain runs in mind, with an EVA insole and a Float Pro Foam midsole, finished with a Vibram MegaGrip outsole. It has a list price of £155.

Person running wearing Merrell MTL Matryx shoes

(Image credit: Merrell)

Both shoes are available in men's and women's sizes, and the most popular sizes seem to be selling out fast, so you'll need to move quickly to grab a pair.

Cat Ellis
Cat Ellis
Editor

Cat is the editor of Advnture, She’s been a journalist for 15 years, and was fitness and wellbeing editor on TechRadar before joining the Advnture team in 2022. She’s a UK Athletics qualified run leader, and in her spare time enjoys nothing more than lacing up her shoes and hitting the roads and trails (the muddier, the better), usually wearing at least two sports watches.