The first-ever collaboration between Snow Peak and Merrell bucks the trend we see so often of heritage staples teaming up with younger brands. With over 100 years of experience between both Snow Peak and Merrell, you expect something superb when these two highly-respected brands link up.
Delivering a fusion of Japanese minimalism and American trail-running legacy, this reimagining of Merrell’s flagship hybrid hiker-runner has now been filtered through Snow Peak’s refined aesthetic lens, bringing arguably the most style we’ve ever seen in a Merrell boot.
When Heritage Meets Innovation
The story here goes deeper than surface-level branding. Snow Peak has been perfecting outdoor gear since 1958, when founder Yukio Yamai started crafting superior mountaineering equipment in Japan’s metalworking hub of Tsubame-Sanjo. Today, they’re a pillar of outdoor minimalism, blending design-forward function on a premium level like few others.
Meanwhile, Merrell and the Moab hiker trace their lineage back to the early ‘80s, earning its “Mother of All Boots” nickname through four decades of trail-tested reliability. In 2017, the Michigan-based outdoor experts finally unveiled the Moab 2, bringing significant improvements like an enhanced footbed and redesigned outsole.
The base Moab Speed 2 already represented Merrell’s successful attempt at hybridizing hiking boot stability with trail runner agility. Adding Snow Peak’s input, especially their signature minimalist colorway inspired by bonfire ash gradations, transforms the shoe into something that works obviously well on technical terrain but is now similarly at-home in urban environments.
Design Philosophy
Snow Peak’s influence appears most clearly in the restrained colorway and thoughtful details. The monochromatic grey palette with the gradient design feels distinctly Japanese in its subtlety, while enhanced reflective detailing on the heel and heel loop feel more enhanced compared to the standard Moab Speed 2. So as to not overwhelm the design, co-branding is only found on the insole, but a custom storage bag also features Snow Peak’s logo, adding collector’s appeal to this release. The storage bag conveys Snow Peak’s philosophy of making gear that can be both a functional piece and a stylish accessory.
Technical Foundation
Aside from aesthetics, this collaboration still leans on the underlying tech stack that’s made the Moab Speed 2 GTX so ubiquitous on the trail. Underneath the same nylon ripstop uppers with TPU overlays, the GORE-TEX membrane provides waterproof protection without sacrificing breathability. Likewise, the same Vibram TC5+ outsole, developed exclusively for Merrell, delivers grip across varied terrain. The FloatPro Foam midsole strikes a nice balance between cushioning and responsiveness, crucial for the hybrid hiking-running application.
For lateral stability and rigidity without compromising forefoot flexibility, the FlexPlate technology addresses one of the common complaints about past trail runners that felt too soft for technical terrain. These were essentially road runners being transposed to rugged environments. Inside the shoe, Cleansport NXT treatment handles odor management.
At 12.34oz per shoe (on average), the weight falls squarely in hybrid territory. It’s heavier than dedicated trail runners but lighter than traditional hiking boots.
Spec Sheet
Model: Snow Peak x Merrell Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX
Upper Materials: Nylon ripstop, TPU overlays
Membrane: GORE-TEX
Midsole: FloatPro Foam with FlexPlate technology
Outsole: Vibram TC5+ (exclusive to Merrell)
Footbed: Polyurethane
Weight: 12.34oz per shoe
Included: Custom Snow Peak storage bag
Price: $210
Limited Edition?: Yes, unspecified
Pricing & Availability
Fans of Merrell might balk at the $210 price tag — $70 more than the standard Moab Speed 2 — but we’re convinced that this release is more of a way to get the shoe brand’s technical prowess on the feet of those who also want to look stunning on the trail as well. Limited to an unspecified edition size, the Snow Peak x Merrell Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX is available now exclusively through Snow Peak’s online store.
Recap
Snow Peak x Merrell Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX
Snow Peak and Merrell team up for the first time on this monochromatic gray version of the latter’s popular hybrid hiking boot, giving it a ton of extra style points.
