Trail specialist Merrell is ‘looking forward to an eventful summer of running in 2024’ with the launch of its new MATRYX technology in the MTL Skyfire II and MTL Long Sky II shoe models.
The company added that the new models benefit from the technologies and experience Merrell has gained through the athletes of the Merrell Test Lab (MTL) and a long-standing partnership with the SkyRunner World Series.
Expanding on its trail running focus this year, Merrell has also become title sponsor of the 2024 SkyRunner World Series.
Merrell is building its footprint in running and trail running, and notes that it is managing a… ‘balancing act between speed and lightness and highly technical products that keep runners safe even on the most demanding terrain and in any weather.’
Four years ago, in 2020, Merrell presented two high-end trail running models – MTL SKYFIRE and MTL LONG SKY – for elite athletes and amateur runners. Since then, both models have undergone development. For the upcoming 2024 season, Merrell has equipped both trail shoes with MATRYX technology under the motto ‘development instead of reinvention’.
MATRYX is a new, high-performance upper material for the shoe, consisting of multiple, individually coated polyamides and Kevlar yarn. According to Merrell, this composition makes it possible to create a material layer that is light, breathable, comfortable, and particularly abrasion resistant.
The technology reduces the number of components for the upper material by around 50%. This not only minimizes cutting waste in production, but also water consumption. Because the yarn is dyed rather than the material itself, the dyeing process requires around 50% less water than previously. Another advantage is that the unique material composition of the MATRYX upper makes MTL SKYFIRE II and MTL LONG SKY II up to 15% lighter and more breathable (up to 200g/m) than before.
“We opted for the MATRYX material because it enabled us to reduce the cut parts in the upper material by around half,” said Jon Sanregret, Product Line Manager at Merrell. “This makes us lighter than ever before.
“Thanks to MATRYX, we have even stronger, more abrasion-resistant, more durable, more sustainable, and cooler-looking products in our Merrell trail running collection.”
The MTL LONG SKY II MATRYX (RRP: £155) upper material consists of a single-layer MATRYX fabric reinforced with Kevlar. Thanks to the EVA insole and a Float Pro Foam midsole, the shoe offers a lighter feel alongside durability.
The MTL SKYFIRE II MATRYX (RRP: £170) is billed as the lightest and fastest elite trail running shoe Merrell has ever brought to market. Thanks to the new upper material made of a single-layer, Kevlar-reinforced MATRYX fabric and integrated flex plate, the shoe is more breathable, durable, and light, positioning it for fast runs in rough terrain.
