More than 6,000 hours went into ideating, creating and testing the new Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 with athletes, and now Merrell is introducing this trail shoe as its lightest and fastest model to date.
At only 198g, this elite trail running shoe stands out as a first-of-its-kind design with a Dual-Density FloatPro Midsole and a FlexPlate, which sits between two layers of FloatPro Foam.
"The MTL Skyfire 2 is the lightest plated trail running shoe on the market and its innovation comes in the form of extreme use capability," said Jon Sanregret, Global Product Line Manager for Merrell Trail Running, "Like a track spike for the mountain, it has a unique blend of traction, under-foot protection and agility that lends itself perfectly to vertical mountain race environments and athletes looking to achieve their personal best."
Ultra-Lightweight Trail Shoes
The Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Weighs Just 198g
Trend Themes
1. Ultra-lightweight Trail Shoes - The demand for highly specialized, lightweight trail shoes is increasing due to the growing popularity of trail running and mountain racing.
2. Plated Trail Running Shoes - The addition of a flex plate between foam layers in trail shoes creates potential for new levels of underfoot protection, traction, and agility in extreme environments.
3. Athlete-driven Product Development - Collaboration with athletes during product development can result in innovative designs that cater to specific athletic needs and preferences.
Industry Implications
1. Footwear Manufacturing - Companies in this industry can capitalize on the trend of ultra-lightweight and plated trail running shoes by investing in R&D to develop new and innovative products.
2. Outdoor Recreation - As trail running and mountain racing continue to gain popularity, businesses in this industry can take advantage of the trend by offering related products and services like guided trail runs and mountain race training programs.
3. Athletic Apparel - Manufacturers of athletic apparel can leverage the athlete-driven product development trend by collaborating with athletes to design sport-specific apparel that meets the unique needs and preferences of athletes.