As one of the biggest brands in outdoor attire, Arc’Teryx’s seamless blend of form and function consistently captures the hearts of the most rugged mountaineers and know-it-all streetwear heads. Surprisingly, the Canadian label took quite some time before creating its own footwear lineup, as the first in-house design only hit shelves last February; yes, it’s already been one year since the label dropped its first collection.
Now, they’re back with the Vertex Speed, a runner-friendly take on the Vertex Alpine. Additionally, Arcy has unveiled a trio of updated, mountain-friendly trainers that prove its prowess, but let’s start with the star of the show.
Expanding the Lineup
Building on the Vertex Alpine silhouette, which was built as an approach shoe, the Vertex Speed starts by shedding some weight, coming in at just 230 grams for the low-top version and 240 grams for the mid-top, respectively. The overall goal was to create more of a hybrid mountain shoe that could tackle tricky terrain, moderate climbing, and serious trail running. With that in mind, it’s made with an abrasion-resistant Matryx mesh upper for breathability that doesn’t compromise durability, accompanied by a tech lace system to keep laces out of the way.
Moving downward, the shoes sit atop a chunky yet lightweight midsole designed with dual-density foam for bolstered support. Under that, Arc’Teryx tacked on a Vibram Litebase outsole with multi-directional lugs made to handle mountain terrain. There’s also a built-in knit gaiter to keep trail debris out, giving you protection without adding bulk.
Meet the Rest of the Collection
Alongside the brand-new Vertex Speed, Arc’teryx is gearing up to release three more additions to its footwear lineup: the Norvan LD 4, Konseal, and Norvan Nivalis models. Much like the shoe of the hour, these expansions to the Norvan lineup focus on performing well in mountainous environments; the revamped, lightweight Nivalis is focused on wintertime training, while the LD 4 is best suited for mixed terrain.
Last but not least, the new Konseal also offers an updated take on an older model, highlighted by a redesigned fit for better stability on harsh ground. And, in case you need premier weather protection, the brand is also releasing GORE-TEX iterations of both the Konseal and LD 4.
Spec Sheet
Upper: Matryx mesh construction with TPU overlays
Midsole: Dual-density foam
Outsole: Vibram Litebase
Versions: Low, Mid
Weight: 230g (low-top, size 9.5); 240 grams (mid-top; size 9.5)
Pricing & Availability
The Arc’teryx Vertex Speed will be available in both mid and low-top versions starting on April 2 for $180. As for the other models, you can expect the Norvan LD 4 this March, the Konseal in July, and the Norvan Niavalis this September.
Recap
Arc’teryx Vertex Speed Mountain Running Shoes
Arc’teryx unveiled a quartet of new mountain-geared shoes, including the Vertex Speed, a lightweight set of technical trainers suited for climbing or trail running.
